The Final Empire

by Brandon Sanderson

  “You mean, sit with one man the entire time?”

  Sazed nodded. “It’s not uncommon. You would dance only with him that night as well.”

  Vin frowned. However, she let the matter drop, turning to inspect the room again. He’s probably not even here—he said he avoided balls when possible. Even if he were here, he’d be off on his own. You won’t even—

  A muted thump sounded as someone dropped a stack of books onto her table. Vin jumped in startlement, turning as Elend Venture pulled over a chair, then sat down with a relaxed posture. He leaned back in the chair, angling toward a candelabrum beside her table, and opened a book to begin reading.

  Sazed frowned. Vin hid a smile, eyeing Elend. He still didn’t look as if he had bothered to brush his hair, and again wore his suit without the buttons done up. The garment wasn’t shabby, but nor was it as rich as others at the party. It seemed to have been tailored to be loose and relaxed, defying the traditional sharp, well-cut fashion.

  Elend flipped through his book. Vin waited patiently for him to acknowledge her, but he just continued to read. Finally, Vin raised an eyebrow. “I don’t remember giving you permission to sit at my table, Lord Venture,” she said.

  “Don’t mind me,” Elend said, not looking up. “You’ve got a big table—there’s plenty of room for both of us.”

  “Both of us, perhaps,” Vin said. “But I’m not sure about those books. Where are the servers going to put my meal?”

  “There’s a bit of space to your left,” Elend said offhandedly.

  Sazed’s frown deepened. He stepped forward, gathering up the books and setting them on the floor beside Elend’s chair.

  Elend continued to read. He did, however, raise a hand to gesture. “See, now, that’s why I don’t ever use Terrismen servants. They’re an insufferably efficient lot, I must say.”

  “Sazed is hardly insufferable,” Vin said coolly. “He is a good friend, and is probably a better man than you will ever be, Lord Venture.”

  Elend finally looked up. “I’m…sorry,” he said in a frank tone. “I apologize.”

  Vin nodded. Elend, however, opened his book and began reading again.

  Why sit with me if he’s just going to read? “What did you do at these parties before you had me to pester?” she asked in an annoyed tone.

  “See, now, how can I be pestering you?” he asked. “I mean, really, Valette. I’m just sitting here, reading quietly to myself.”

  “At my table. I’m certain you could get your own—you’re the Venture heir. Not that you were forthcoming about that fact during our last meeting.”

  “True,” Elend said. “I do, however, recall telling you that the Ventures were an annoying lot. I’m just trying to live up to the description.”

  “You’re the one that made up the description!”

  “Convenient, that,” Elend said, smiling slightly as he read.

  Vin sighed in frustration, scowling.

  Elend peeked up over his book. “That’s a stunning dress. It’s almost as beautiful as you are.”

  Vin froze, jaw hanging open slightly. Elend smiled mischievously, then turned back to his book, eyes sparkling as if to indicate that he’d made the comment simply because he knew the reaction he’d get.

  Sazed loomed over the table, not bothering to mask his disapproval. Yet, he said nothing. Elend was obviously too important to be chastised by a simple steward.

  Vin finally found her tongue. “How is it, Lord Venture, that an eligible man like yourself comes to these balls alone?”

  “Oh, I don’t,” Elend said. “My family usually has one girl or another lined up to accompany me. Tonight’s fare is the Lady Stase Blanches—she’s the one in the green dress sitting on the lower tier across from us.”

  Vin glanced across the room. Lady Blanches was a gorgeous blond woman. She kept glancing up at Vin’s table, covering a scowl.

  Vin flushed, turning away. “Um, shouldn’t you be down there with her?”

  “Probably,” Elend said. “But, see, I’ll tell you a secret. The truth is, I’m not really much of a gentleman. Besides, I didn’t invite her—it wasn’t until I got into the carriage that I was informed regarding my accompaniment.”

  “I see,” Vin said with a frown.

  “My behavior is, nonetheless, deplorable. Unfortunately, I’m quite prone to such bouts of deplorability—take, for instance, my fondness for reading books at the dinner table. Excuse me for a moment; I’m going to go get something to drink.”

  He stood, tucking the book into his pocket, and walked toward one of the room’s bar tables. Vin watched him go, both annoyed and bemused.

  “This is not good, Mistress,” Sazed said in a low tone.

  “He’s not that bad.”

  “He’s using you, Mistress,” Sazed said. “Lord Venture is infamous for his unconventional, disobedient attitude. Many people dislike him—precisely because he does things like this.”

  “Like this?”

  “He is sitting with you because he knows that it will annoy his family,” Sazed said. “Oh, child—I do not wish to bring you pain, but you must understand the ways of the court. This young man is not romantically interested in you. He is a young, arrogant lord who chafes at his father’s restrictions—so he rebels, acting rude and offensive. He knows that his father will relent if he acts spoiled enough for long enough.”

  Vin felt her stomach twist. Sazed’s probably right, of course. Why else would Elend seek me out? I’m exactly what he needs—someone lowborn enough to annoy his father, but inexperienced enough not to see the truth.

  Her meal arrived, but Vin didn’t have much of an appetite anymore. She began to pick at the food as Elend returned, settling down with a large goblet filled with some mixed drink. He sipped as he read.

  Let’s see how he reacts if I don’t interrupt his reading, Vin thought in annoyance, remembering her lessons, and eating her food with a lady’s grace. It wasn’t a large meal—mostly some rich, buttered vegetables—and the sooner she finished, the sooner she could get to dancing. At least then she wouldn’t have to sit with Elend Venture.

  The young lord paused several times as she ate, peeking at her over the top of his book. He obviously expected her to say something, but she never did. As she ate, however, her anger faded. She glanced at Elend, studying his slightly disheveled appearance, watching the earnestness with which he read his book. Could this man really hide the twisted sense of manipulation Sazed implied? Was he really just using her?

  Anyone will betray you, Reen whispered. Everyone will betray you.

  Elend just seemed so…genuine. He felt like a real person, not a front or a face. And it did seem like he wanted her to talk to him. It felt like a personal victory to Vin when he finally set the book down and looked at her.

  “Why are you here, Valette?” he asked.

  “Here at the party?”

  “No, here in Luthadel.”

  “Because it’s the center of everything,” Vin said.

  Elend frowned. “I suppose it is. But, the empire is a big place to have such a small center. I don’t think we really understand how large it is. How long did it take you to get here?”

  Vin felt a moment of panic, but Sazed’s lessons snapped quickly into her mind. “Almost two months by canal, with some stops.”

  “Such a long time,” Elend said. “They say it can take half a year to travel from one end of the empire to the other, yet most of us ignore everything but this little bit at the center.”

  “I…” Vin trailed off. With Reen, she’d been all across the Central Dominance. It was the smallest of the dominances, however, and she’d never visited the more exotic places in the empire. This central area was good for thieves; oddly, the place closest to the Lord Ruler was also the one with the most corruption, not to mention the most riches.

  “What do you think of the city, then?” Elend asked.

  Vin paused. “It’s…dirty,” she said honestly. In the dim light, a ser
vant arrived to remove her empty plate. “It’s dirty, and it’s full. The skaa are treated terribly, but I guess that’s true everywhere.”

  Elend cocked his head, giving her a strange look.

  I shouldn’t have mentioned the skaa. That wasn’t very noble-like.

  He leaned forward. “You think the skaa here are treated worse than the ones on your plantation? I always thought they would be better off in the city.”

  “Um…I’m not sure. I didn’t go to the fields very often.”

  “So, you didn’t interact with them very much?”

  Vin shrugged. “Why does it matter? They’re just skaa.”

  “See, now, that’s what we always say,” Elend said. “But I don’t know. Maybe I’m too curious, but they interest me. Did you ever hear them talk to one another? Did they sound like regular people?”

  “What?” Vin asked. “Of course they did. What else would they sound like?”

  “Well, you know what the Ministry teaches.”

  She didn’t. However, if it was regarding the skaa, it probably wasn’t flattering. “I make it a rule to never completely believe anything the Ministry says.”

  Elend paused again, cocking his head. “You’re…not what I expected, Lady Valette.”

  “People rarely are.”

  “So, tell me about the plantation skaa. What are they like?”

  Vin shrugged. “Like skaa everywhere else.”

  “Are they intelligent?”

  “Some are.”

  “But, not like you and me, right?” Elend asked.

  Vin paused. How would a noblewoman respond? “No, of course not. They’re just skaa. Why are you so interested in them?”

  Elend seemed…disappointed. “No reason,” he said, sitting back in his chair and opening his book. “I think some of those men over there want to ask you to dance.”

  Vin turned, noticing that there was indeed a group of young men standing a short distance from her table. They looked away as soon as she turned. After a few moments, one of the men pointed at another table; then he walked over and asked a young lady to dance.

  “Several people have noticed you, my lady,” Sazed said. “However, they never approach. Lord Venture’s presence intimidates them, I think.”

  Elend snorted. “They should know that I am anything but intimidating.”

  Vin frowned, but Elend just continued to read. Fine! she thought, turning back toward the young men. She caught one man’s eye, smiling slightly.

  A few moments later, the young man approached. He spoke to her in a stiff, formal tone. “Lady Renoux, I am Lord Melend Liese. Would you care to dance?”

  Vin shot a glance at Elend, but he didn’t look up from his book.

  “I would love to, Lord Liese,” Vin said, taking the young man’s hand and rising.

  He led her down to the dance floor, and as they approached, Vin’s nervousness returned. Suddenly, one week of practice didn’t seem like enough. The music stopped, allowing for couples to leave or enter the floor, and Lord Liese led her forward.

  Vin fought down her paranoia, reminding herself that everyone saw the dress and the rank, not Vin herself. She looked up into Lord Liese’s eyes and saw, surprisingly, apprehension.

  The music began, as did the dancing. Lord Liese’s face took on a look of consternation. She could feel his palm sweating in her hands. Why, he’s just as nervous as I am! Perhaps even more.

  Liese was younger than Elend, closer to her own age. He probably wasn’t very experienced with balls—he certainly didn’t look like he’d danced much. He focused so much on the steps that his motions felt rigid.

  It makes sense, Vin realized, relaxing and letting her body move in the motions Sazed had taught. The experienced ones wouldn’t ask me to dance, not when I’m so new. I’m beneath their notice.

  But, why is Elend paying attention to me? Is it simply what Sazed said—a ploy to annoy his father? Why, then, does he seem interested in what I have to say?

  “Lord Liese,” Vin said. “Do you know much of Elend Venture?”

  Liese looked up. “Um, I…”

  “Don’t focus so much on the dancing,” Vin said. “My instructor says that it will flow more naturally if you don’t try too hard.”

  He blushed.

  Lord Ruler! Vin thought. How fresh is this boy?

  “Um, Lord Venture…” Liese said. “I don’t know. He’s a very important person. Far more important than I am.”

  “Don’t let his lineage intimidate you,” Vin said. “From what I’ve seen, he’s pretty harmless.”

  “I don’t know, my lady,” Liese said. “Venture is a very influential house.”

  “Yes, well, Elend doesn’t live up to that reputation. He seems very fond of ignoring those in his company—does he do that to everyone?”

  Liese shrugged, dancing more naturally now that they were talking. “I don’t know. You…seem to know him better than I, my lady.”

  “I…” Vin trailed off. She felt as if she knew him well—far better than she should know a man after two brief encounters. She couldn’t very well explain that to Liese, however.

  But, maybe…Didn’t Renoux say that he’d met Elend once?

  “Oh, Elend is a friend of the family,” Vin said as they spun beneath a crystalline skylight.

  “He is?”

  “Yes,” Vin said. “It was very kind of my uncle to ask Elend to watch over me at these parties, and so far he’s been quite a dear. I do wish that he’d pay less attention to those books of his and more attention to introducing me, though.”

  Liese perked up, and he seemed to grow a little less insecure. “Oh. Why, that makes sense.”

  “Yes,” Vin said, “Elend has been like an older brother to me during my time here in Luthadel.”

  Liese smiled.

  “I ask you about him because he doesn’t speak much of himself,” Vin said.

  “The Ventures have all been quiet lately,” Liese said. “Ever since the attack on their keep several months back.”

  Vin nodded. “You know much about that?”

  Liese shook his head. “No one tells me anything.” He glanced down, watching their feet. “You’re very good at dancing, Lady Renoux. You must have attended many balls back in your home city.”

  “You flatter me, my lord,” Vin said.

  “No, really. You’re so…graceful.”

  Vin smiled, feeling a slight surge of confidence.

  “Yes,” Liese said, almost to himself. “You’re not at all like Lady Shan said—” He stopped, jerking slightly, as if realizing what he was saying.

  “What?” Vin said.

  “Nothing,” Liese said, his blush rising. “I’m sorry. It was nothing.”

  Lady Shan, Vin thought. Remember that name.

  She prodded Liese further as the dance progressed, but he was obviously too inexperienced to know much. He did feel that there was a tension rising between the houses; though the balls continued, there were more and more absences as people didn’t attend parties thrown by their political rivals.

  When the dance ended, Vin felt good about her efforts. She probably hadn’t discovered much of value to Kelsier—however, Liese was only the beginning. She’d work up to more important people.

  Which means, Vin thought as Liese led her back to her table, I’m going to have to attend a lot more of these balls. It wasn’t that the balls themselves were unpleasant—especially now that she was more confident in her dancing. However, more balls meant fewer chances to be out in the mists.

  Not that Sazed would let me go anyway, she thought with an inward sigh, smiling politely as Liese bowed and retreated.

  Elend had spread his books across the table, and her alcove was lit by several more candelabra—apparently filched from other tables.

  Well, Vin thought, we’ve at least got thieving in common.

  Elend hunched over the table, making notations in a small, pocket-sized book. He didn’t look up as she sat. Sazed, she noticed, was
nowhere to be seen.

  “I sent the Terrisman to dinner,” Elend said distractedly as he scribbled. “No need for him to go hungry while you twirled down below.”

  Vin raised an eyebrow, regarding the books that dominated her tabletop. Even as she watched, Elend pushed one tome aside—leaving it open to a specific page—and pulled over another. “So, how was the aforementioned twirling, anyway?” he said.

  “It was actually kind of fun.”

  “I thought you weren’t very good at it.”

  “I wasn’t,” Vin said. “I practiced. You may find this information surprising, but sitting in the back of a room reading books in the dark doesn’t exactly help one become a better dancer.”

  “Is that a proposition?” Elend asked, pushing aside his book and selecting another. “It’s unladylike to ask a man to dance, you know.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to take you away from your reading,” Vin said, turning a book toward her. She grimaced—the text was written in a small, cramped hand. “Besides, dancing with you would undermine all of the work I just did.”

  Elend paused. Then he finally looked up. “Work?”

  “Yes,” Vin said. “Sazed was right—Lord Liese finds you intimidating, and he found me intimidating by association. It could be quite disastrous to a young lady’s social life if all of the young men assumed her unavailable simply because an annoying lord decided to study at her table.”

  “So…” Elend said.

  “So I told him that you were simply showing me the ways of court. Kind of like an…older brother.”

  “Older brother?” Elend asked, frowning.

  “Much older,” Vin said, smiling. “I mean, you’ve got to be at least twice my age.”

  “Twice your…Valette, I’m twenty-one. Unless you’re a very mature ten-year-old, I’m nowhere near ‘twice your age.’”

  “I’ve never been good with math,” Vin said offhandedly.

  Elend sighed, rolling his eyes. Nearby, Lord Liese was speaking quietly with his group of friends, gesturing toward Vin and Elend. Hopefully, one would come ask her to dance soon.