Well of Ascension

by Brandon Sanderson

  There was a sudden motion at the front of the tent, and soon a flustered young girl entered. She wore a ball gown-red-and had her black hair pulled back into a long, flowing tail. She was, perhaps, fifteen.

  "Hoselle," Straff said, pointing to the chair next to him.

  The girl nodded obediently, scurrying forward to sit beside Straff. She was_done up in makeup, and the dress was low-cut. Elend had little doubt as to her relationship with Straff.

  Straff smiled and chewed his food, calm and gentlemanly. The girl looked a little bit like Vin-same almond face, similar dark hair, same fine features and thin build. It was a statement. I can get one just like yours-only younger and prettier. More posturing.

  It was that moment-that smirk in Straff's eyes-which reminded Elend more than ever why he hated his father.

  "Perhaps we can make a deal, boy," Straff said. "Deliver the atium to me, and I'll deal with Cett."

  "Getting it to you will take time," Elend said.

  "Why?" Straff asked. "Atium is light."

  "There's a lot of it."

  "Not so much you couldn't pack it on a cart and send it out," Straff said.

  "It's more complicated than that," Elend said.

  "I don't think it is," Straff said, smiling. "You just don't want to give it to me."

  Elend frowned.

  "We don't have it," Vin whispered. Straff turned.

  "We never found it," she said. "Kelsier overthrew the Lord Ruler just so he could get that atium. But we never could find out where the metal was. It probably wasn't ever in the city."

  Wasn 7 expecting that... Elend thought. Of course, Vin tended to do things by instinct, much as Kelsier was said to have done. All the planning in the world could go out the window with Vin around-bui what she did instead was usually better.

  Straff sat for a moment. He seemed to believe Vin. "So you really have nothing at all to offer me."

  I need to ad weak, Elend remembered. Need him to think he can take the city any time, but also think it isn't worth taking right now. He began to tap the table quietly with his index finger, trying to look nervous. If Straff thinks we don't have the atium ... then he'll be a lot less likely to risk attacking the city. Less gain. That's why Vin said what she did.

  "Vin doesn't know what she's talking about," Elend said. "I've kept the atium hidden, even from her. I'm sure we can arrange something. Father."

  "No," Straff said, now sounding amused. "You really don't have it. Zane said ... but, well, I didn't believe ..."

  Straff shook his head, turning back toward his meal. The girl at his side didn't eat; she sat quietly, like the ornament she was expected to be. Straff took a long drink of his"You, too." Straff said to Vin.

  Vin stiffened slightly. She looked toward Elend.

  "It's all right," he said slowly.

  She paus wine, then let out a satisfied sigh. He looked at his child mistress. "Leave us," he said.

  She immediately did as commanded.

  ed, then nodded. Straff himself was little danger to Elend, and she was a Mistbom. If something went wrong, she could get to Elend quickly. And, if she left, it would do what they wanted-make Elend look less powerful. In a better position to deal with Straff.

  Hopefully.

  "I'll wait just outside." Vin said quietly, withdrawing.

  27

  "ALL RIGHT," STRAFF SAID, setting down his fork. "Let's be honest, boy. I'm this close to simply having you killed."

  "You'd execute your only son?" Elend asked. Straff shrugged. .

  "You need me," Elend said. "To help you fight Cett. You can kill me, but you'd gain nothing. You'd still have to take Luthadel by force, and Cett would still be able to attack- and defeat you-in your weakened state."

  Straff smiled, folding his arms, leaning forward so he loomed over the table. "You are wrong on both counts, boy. First, I think that if I killed you, the next leader of Luthadel would be more accommodating. I have certain interests in the city who indicate that is true. Second, I don't need your help to fight Cett. He and I already have a treaty."

  Elend paused. "What?"

  "What do you think I've been doing these last few weeks? Sitting and waiting on your whims? Cett and I have exchanged pleasantries. He's not interested in the city-he just wants the atium. We agreed to split what we discover in Luthadel, then work together to take the rest of the Final Empire. He conquers to the west and north, I head east and south. Very accommodating man, Cett."

  He's bluffing, Elend thought with reasonable certainty. That wasn't Straffs way; he wouldn't make an alliance with someone so near to him in strength. Straff feared betrayal too much.

  "You think I would believe that?" Elend said.

  "Believe what you wish," Straff said. "And the koloss army marching this way?" Elend asked, playing one of their trump cards. This made Straff pause.

  "If you want to take Luthadel before those koloss get here. Father," Elend said, "then I think you might want to be a little more accommodating toward the man who's come, offering you everything you want. I only ask one thing-let me have a victory. Let me fight Cett, secure my legacy. Then you can have the city."

  Straff thought about it, thought about it long enough that Elend dared to hope he might just have won. Then, however. Straff shook his head. "No, I think not. I'll take my chances with Cett. I don't know why he is willing to let me have Luthadel, but he doesn't seem to care much about it."

  "And you do?" Elend said. "You know we don't have the atium. What does the city matter to you now?"

  Straff leaned forward a bit farther. Elend could smell his breath, odorous from the dinner spices. "That's where you are wrong about me, boy. That's why-even if you'd been able to promise me that atium-you would never have left this camp tonight. I made a mistake a year ago. If I'd stayed in Luthadel, I would have been the one on that throne. Instead, it was you. I can't imagine why-I guess a weak Venture was still better than the other alternatives."

  Straff wamp."

  Silence.

  Finally, Straff laughed. "You threaten me with that wisp of a girl? If that's the great Mistbom of Luthadel I've been hearing of, then I'm sorely disappointed."

  "That's because she wants you to feel that way," Elend said. "Think, Father. You were suspicious, and the girl confirmed those suspicions. But, if she's as good as the rumors say-and I know you've heard the rumors-then how would you have spotted her touch on your emotions?

  "You caught her Soothing you, and you called her on it. Then, you didn't feel the touch anymore, so you assumed that she was cowed. But, after that, you began to feel confident. Comfortable. You dismissed Vin as a threat-but would any rational man dismiss a Mistborn, no matter how small or quiet? In fact, yas everything Elend had hated about the old empire. Presumptuous. Cruel. Arrogant.

  Weakness, Elend thought, calming himself. I can't be threatening. He shrugged. "It's only a city. Father. From my position, it doesn't matter half as much as your army."

  "It's more than a city." Straff said. "It's the Lord Ruler's city-and it has my home in it. My keep. I understand that you're using it as your palace."

  "I didn't really have any other place to go."

  Straff turned back to his meal. "All right," he said in between cutting chunks of steak, "at first, I thought you were an idiot for coming tonight, but now I'm not so certain. You must have seen the inevitable."

  "You're stronger," Elend said. "I can't stand up to you."

  Straff nodded. "You've impressed me, boy. Wearing proper clothing, getting yourself a Mistbom mistress, maintaining control of the city. I'm going to let you live." "Thank you," Elend said.

  "And, in exchange, you're going to give me Luthadel." "As soon as Cett is dealt with."

  Straff laughed. "No, that's not the way these things work, boy. We're not negotiating. You're listening to my orders. Tomorrow, we'll ride to the city together, and you'll order the gates opened. I'll march my army in and take command, and Luthadel will become the new capital of my kingdom
. If you stay in line and do as I say, I'll name you heir again."

  "We can't do that," Elend said. "I left orders that the gates weren't to be opened to you, no matter what."

  Straff paused.

  "My advisors thought you might try and use Vin as a hostage, forcing me to relinquish the city," Elend said. "If we go together, they'll assume you're threatening me."

  Straffs mood darkened. "You'd better hope that they don't."

  "They will," Elend said. "I know these men, Father. They'd be eager for an excuse to take the city away from me."

  "Then, why come here?"

  'To do as I said," Elend said. "To negotiate an alliance against Cett. I can deliver Luthadel to you-but I still need time. Let's take down Cett first."

  Straff grabbed his dinner knife by the hilt and slammed it down into the table. "I said this wasn't a negotiation! You don't make demands, boy. I could have you killed!"

  "I'm just stating facts. Father," Elend said quickly. "I don't want to-"

  "You've gotten smooth," Straff said, eyes narrowing. "What did you hope to accomplish with this game? Coming to my camp? Bringing nothing to offer..." He paused, then continued. "Nothing to offer except for that girl. Pretty little thing, she is."

  Elend flushed. "That won't get you into the city. Remember, my advisors thought you might try threatening her."

  "Fine," Straff snapped. "You die; I take the city by force."

  "And. Cett attacks you from behind," Elend said. "Pinning you against our wall and forcing you to fight surrounded."

  "He'd take heavy losses," Straff said. "He wouldn't be able to take and hold the city after that."

  "Even with diminished forces, he'd have a better chance of taking it from us than he would if he waited and then tried to take it from you."

  Straff stood. "I'll have to take that chance. I left you behind before. I'm not going to let you loose again, boy. Those cursed skaa were supposed to kill you and leave me free of you."

  Elend stood as well. However, he could see the resolve in Straffs eyes.

  It isn't working, Elend thought, panic beginning to set in. This plan had been a gamble, but he hadn't ever really thought that he'd fail. Indeed, he'd played his cards well. But, something was wrong-something he hadn't anticipated, and still didn't understand. Why was Straff resisting so much?

  I'm too new to this, Elend thought. Ironically, if he had let his father train him better as a child, he might have known what he'd done wrong. As it was, he suddenly realized the gravity of his situation. Surrounded by a hostile army. Separated from Vin.

  He was going to die.

  "Wait!" Elend said desperately.

  "Ah," Straff said smiling. "Finally realized what you've gotten yourself into?" There was pleasure in Straffs smile. Eagerness. There had always been something inside Straff that had enjoyed hurting others, though Elend had rarely seen it applied to him. Propriety had always been there to stop Straff.

  Propriety enforced by the Lord Ruler. At that moment, Elend saw murder in his father's eyes.

  "You never intended to let me live," Elend said. "Even if I'd given you the atium, even if I'd gone with you to the city."

  "You were dead the moment I decided to march here." Straff said. "Idiot boy. I do thank you for bringing me that girl, though. I'll take her tonight. We'll see if she cries my name or yours while I'm-" Elend laughed.

  It was a desperate laugh, a laugh at the ridiculous situation he'd gotten himself into, a laugh at his sudden worry and fear-but most of all, it was a laugh at the idea of Straff trying to force himself upon Vin. "You have no idea how foolish you sound," Elend said.

  Straff flushed. "For that, boy, I'll be extra rough with her."

  "You are a pig. Father." Elend said. "A sick, disgusting man. You thought you were a brilliant leader, but you were barely competent. You nearly got our house destroyed- only the Lord Ruler's own death saved you!"

  Straff called for his guards.

  "You may take Luthadel," Elend said, "but you'll lose it! I may have been a bad king, but you'll be a terrible one. The Lord Ruler was a tyrant, but he was also a genius. You're neither. You're just a selfish man who'll use up his resources, then end up dead from a knife in the back."

  Straff pointed at Elend as soldiers rushed in. Elend didn't cringe. He'd grown up with this man. been raised by him, been tortured by him. And. despite it all. Elend had never spoken his mind. He'd rebelled with the petty timidity of a teenage boy, but he'd never spoken the truth.

  It felt good. It felt right.

  Perhaps playing the weak hand was a mistake against Straff. He always was fond of crushing things.

  And suddenly Elend knew what he had to do. He smiled, looking Straff in the eyes.

  "Kill me, Father," he said, "and you'll die, too."

  "Kill me. Father," Elend said, "and you'll die, too."

  Vin paused. She stood outside the tent, in the darkness of early night. She'd been standing with Straffs soldiers, but they'd rushed in at his command. She'd moved into the darkness, and now stood on the north side of the tent, watching the shadowed forms move within.

  She'd been about to burst in. Elend hadn't been doing very well-not that he was a bad negotiator. He was just too honest by nature. It wasn't difficult to tell when he was bluffing, especially if you knew him well.

  But, this new proclamation was different. It wasn't a sign of Elend attempting to be clever, nor was it an angry outburst like the one he'd made moments before. Suddenly, he seemed calm and forceful.

  Vin waited quietly, her daggers out, tense in the mists before the glowing tent. Something told her she had to give Elend just a few more moments.

  Straff laughed at Elend's threat.

  "You are a fool. Father," Elend said. "You think I came here to negotiate? You think I would willingly deal with one such as you? No. You know me better than that. You know that I'd never submit to you."

  'Then why?" Straff asked.

  She could almost hear Elend's smile. "I came to get near you. Father... and to bring my Mistbom to the very heart of your cou'd think that the small, quiet ones would be.the assassins you'd want to pay the most attention to."

  Vin smiled. Clever, she thought. She reached out, Rioting Straff's emotions, flaring her metal and stoking his sense of anger. He gasped in sudden shock. Take the clue, Elend.

  "Fear," Elend said.

  She Soothed away Straff's anger and exchanged it for fear..."

  "Passion." She complied. "Calmness."

  She soothed everything away. Inside the tent, she saw Straff's shadow standing stiffly. An Allomancer couldn't force a person to do anything-and usually, strong Pushes or Pulls on an emotion were less effective, since they alerted the target that something was wrong. In this case, however, Vin wanted Straff to know for certain she was watching.

  She smiled, extinguishing her tin. Then she burned duralumin and Soothed Straff's emotions with explosive pressure, wiping away all capacity for feeling within him. His shadow stumbled beneath the attack.

  Her brass was gone a moment later, and she turned on her tin again, watching the black patterns on the canvas.

  "She's powerful. Father," Elend said. "She's more powerful than any Allomancer you've known. She killed the Lord Ruler. She was trained by the Survivor of Hathsin. And if you kill me, she'll kill you."

  Straff righted himself, and the tent fell silent again.

  A footstep sounded. Vin spun, ducking, raising her dagger.

  A familiar figure stood in the night mists. "Why is it I can never sneak up on you?" Zane asked quietly.

  Vin shrugged and turned back to the tent-but moved herself so she could keep an eye on Zane, too. He walked over and crouched beside her, watching the shadows.

  'That's hardly a useful threat," Straff finally said from within. "You'll be dead, even if your Mistbom does get to me."

  "Ah, Father." Elend said. "1 was wrong about your interest in Luthadel. However, you're also wrong about me- you've always been wron
g about me. I don't care if I die, not if it brings safety to my people."

  "Cett will take the city if I'm gone," Straff said.

  "I think my people might be able to hold against him," Elend said. "After all, he has the smaller army."

  'This is idiocy!" Straff snapped. He didn't, however, order his soldiers forward any farther.

  "Kill me, and you die, too," Elend said. "And not just you. Your generals. Your captains. Even your obligators. She has orders to slaughter you all."

  Zane took a step closer to Vin, his feet crunching slightly on the packed-down weeds that made up the floor of the camp. "Ah," he whispered, "clever. No matter how strong your opponent is, he can't attack if you've got a knife at his throat."

  Zane leaned even closer, and Vin looked up at him, their faces just inches from each other. He shook his head in the soft mists. "But tell me-why is it that people like you and me always have to be the knives?"

  Inside the tent. Straff was growing concerned. "No one is that powerful, boy," he said, "not even a Mistbom. She might be able to kill some of my generals, but she'd never get to me. I have my own Mistbom."

  "Oh?" Elend said. "And why hasn't he killed her? Because he's afraid to attack? If you kill me, Father-if you even make so much as a move toward my city-then she'll begin the slaughter. Men will die like prisoners before the fountains on a day of execution."

  "I thought you said he was above this kind of thing," Zane whispered. "You claimed you weren't his tool. You said he wouldn't use you as an assassin...."

  Vin shuffled uncomfortably. "He's bluffing, Zane," she said. "He'd never actually do anything like that."

  "She is an Allomancer like you've never seen, Father," Elend said, voice muffled by the tent. "I've seen her fight other Allomancers-none of them can even touch her."

  "Is that true?" Zane asked.

  Vin paused. Elend hadn't actually ever seen her attack other Allomancers. "He saw me attack some soldiers once, and I've told him about my fights with other AJlomancers."

  "Ah," Zane. said softly. "So it's only a small lie, then. Those are fine when one is king. Many things are. Exploiting one person to save an entire kingdom? What leader wouldn't pay such a cheap price? Your freedom in exchange for his victory."