Well of Ascension

by Brandon Sanderson

  Philen stood to address the Assembly. "Well, since-"

  The Assembly hall doors burst back open. A man in white stood with a small crowd of people, backlit by red sunlight. Elend Venture. Philen cocked his head, frowning.

  The former king strode forward, white cape fluttering behind him. His Mistborn was at his side, as usual, but she was wearing a dress. From the few times Philen had spoken with her, he would have expected her to look awkward in a noblewoman's gown. And yet, she seemed to wear it well, walking gracefully. She actually looked rather fetching.

  At least, until Philen met her eyes. She did not have a warm look for the Assembly members, and Philen glanced away. Venture had brought all of his Allomancers with him-the former thugs of the Survivor's crew. Elend apparently wanted to remind everyone who his friends were. Powerful men. Frightening men. Men who killed gods.

  And Elend had not one, but two Terrismen with him. One was only a woman-Philen had never seen a Terns-woman before-but still, it was impressive. Everyone had heard how the stewards had left their masters after the Collapse; they refused to work as servants anymore. Where had Venture found not one, but two of the colorful-robed stewards to serve him?

  The crowd sat quietly, watching Venture. Some seemed uncomfortable. How were they to treat this man? Others seemed ... awed? Was that right? Who would be awed by Elend Venture-even if the Elend Venture in question was clean-shaven, had styled hair, wore new clothing and Philen frowned. Was that a dueling cane the king was wearing? And a wolfhound at his side?

  He's not king anymore! Philen reminded himself again.

  Venture strode up onto the Assembly stage. He turned, waving for his people-all eight of them-to sit with the guards. Venture then turned and glanced at Philen. "Philen. did you want to say something?"

  Philen realized he was still standing. "I... was just-"

  "Are you Assembly chancellor?" Elend asked.

  Philen paused. "Chancellor?"

  "The king presides at Assembly meetings," Elend said. "We now have no king-and so, by law, the Assembly should have elected a chancellor to call speakers, adjudicate time allotments, and break tie votes." He paused, eyeing Philen. "Someone needs to lead. Otherwise there is chaos."

  Despite himself, Philen grew nervous. Did Venture know that Philen had organized the vote against him? No, no he didn't, he couldn't. He was looking at each of the Assembly members in turn, meeting their eyes. There was none of the jovial, dismissible boy that had attended these meetings before. Standing in the militaristic suit, firm instead of hesitant ... he alry well," he said, taking the lead. "Then, might I nominate a chancellor?"

  "Yourself?" asked Dridel, one of the noblemen; his sneer seemed permanent, as far as Elend could tell. It was a passably appropriate expression for one with such a sharp face and dark hair.

  "No," Elend said. "I'm hardly an unbiased party in today's proceedings. Therefore, I nominate Lord Penrod. He's as honorable a man as we're likely to find, and I believe he can be trusted to mediate our discussions."

  The group was quiet for a moment.

  'That seems logical," Hettel, a forge worker, finally said.

  "All in favor?" Elend said, raising his hand. He got most seemed like a different person.

  You found a coach, it appears, Philen thought. A little too late. Just wait....

  Philen sat down. "Actually, we didn't get a chance to choose a chancellor," he said. "We were just getting to that."

  Elend nodded, a dozen different instructions rattling in his head. Keep eye contact. Use subtle, but firm, expressions. Never appear hurried, but don't seem hesitant. Sit down without wiggling, don't shuffle, use a straight posture, don't form your hands into fists when you're nervous. He shot a quick glance at Tindwyl. She gave him a nod.

  Get back to it, El. he told himself. Let them sense the differences in you.

  He walked over to take his seat, nodding to the other seven noblemen on the Assembly. "Vea good eighteen hands-all of the skaa, most of the nobility, only one of the merchants. It was a majority, however.

  Elend turned to Lord Penrod. "I believe that means that you are in charge, Ferson."

  The stately man nodded appreciatively, then rose to formally open the meeting, something Elend had once done. Penrod's mannerisms were polished, his posture strong as he stood in his well-cut suit. Elend couldn't help but feel a little jealous, watching Penrod act so naturally in the things that Elend was struggling to learn.

  Maybe he would make a better king than I, Elend thought. Perhaps...

  No, he thought firmly. I have to be confident. Penrod is a decent man and an impeccable noble, but those things do not make a leader. He hasn't read what I've read, and doesn 7 understand legislative theory as I do. He's a good man, but he's still a product of his society-he doesn 'l consider skaa animals, but he 'II never be able to think of them as equals.

  Penrod finished the introductions, then turned to Elend. "Lord Venture, you called this meeting. I believe that the law grants you first opportunity to address the Assembly."

  Elend nodded thankfully, rising.

  "Will twenty minutes be enough time?" Penrod asked.

  "It should be," Elend said, passing Penrod as they traded places. Elend stood up at the lectern. To his right, the floor of the hall was packed with shuffling, coughing, whispering people. There was a tension to the room-this was the first time Elend had confronted the group that had betrayed him.

  "As many of you know," Elend said to the twenty-three Assembly members, "I recently returned from a meeting with Straff Venture-the warlord who is, unfortunately, my father. I would like to give a report of this encounter. Realize that because this is an open meeting, I will adjust my report to avoid mentioning sensitive matters of national security"

  He paused just slightly, and saw the looks of confusion he hud expected. Finally, Philen the merchant cleared his throat.

  "Yes, Philen?" Elend asked.

  "This is all well and good, Elend," Philen said. "But aren't you going to address the matter that brought us here?"

  "The reason we meet together, Philen," Elend said, "is so that we can discuss how to keep Luthadel safe and prosperous. I think the people are most worried about the armies-and we should, primarily, seek to address their concerns. Matters of leadership in the Assembly can wait."

  "I... see," Philen said, obviously confused. "The time is yours. Lord Venture," Penrod said. "Proceed as you wish."

  "Thank you, Chancellor," Elend said. "I wish to make it very clear that my father is not going to attack this city. I can understand why people would be concerned, particularly because of last week's preliminary assault on our walls. That, however, was simply a test-Straff fears attacking too much to commit all of his resources.

  "During our meeting. Straff told me that he had made an alliance with Cett. However, I believe this to have been a bluff-if, unfortunately, a bluff with teeth. I suspect that he was, indeed, planning to risk attacking us, despite Cett's presence. That attack has been halted."

  "Why?" asked one of the worker representatives. "Because you're his son?"

  "No, actually," Elend said. "Straff is not one to let familial relationships hamper his determination." Elend paused, glancing at Vin. He was beginning to realize that she didn't like being the one who held the knife at Straffs throat, but she had given him permission to speak of her in his speech.

  Still...

  She said it was all right, he told himself. I'm not choosing duty over her!

  "Come now. Elend." Philen said. "Stop with the theatrics. What did you promise Straff to keep his armies out of the city?"

  "I threatened him." Elend said. "My fellow Assemblymen, when facing down my father in parlay, I realized that we-as a group-have generally ignored one of our greatest resources. We think of ourselves as an honorable body, created by the mandate of the people. However, we are not here because of anything we ourselves did. There is only one reason we have the positions we do-and that reason is the Survivor of Hathsi
n."

  Elend looked the members of the Assembly in the eyes as he continued. "I have, at times, felt as I suspect that many of you do. The Survivor is a legeng-" She still referred to Elend that way. "-needs this link with the Survivor. Elend has very little of his own authority to rely upon, and Kelsier is currently the most well loved, most celebrated man in the Central Dominance. By implying that the governmd already, one we cannot hope to emulate. He has power over this people-a power stronger than our own, even though he is dead. We're jealous. Insecure, even. These are natural, human feelings. Leaders feel them just as acutely as other people-perhaps even more so.

  "Gentlemen, we cannot afford to continue thinking like this. The Survivor's legacy doesn't belong to one group, or even to this city alone. He is our progenitor-the father of everyone who is free in this land. Whether or not you accept his religious authority, you must admit that without his bravery and sacrifice, we would not now enjoy our current freedom."

  "What does this have to do with Straff?" Philen snapped.

  "Everything," Elend said. "For, though the Survivor is gone, his legacy remains. Specifically, in the form of his apprentice." Elend nodded toward Vin. "She is the most powerful Mistbom alive-something Straff now knows for himself. Gentlemen, I know my father's temperament. He will not attack this city while he fears retribution from a source he cannot stop. He now realizes that if he attacks, he will incur the wrath of the Survivor's heir-a wrath not even the Lord Ruler himself could withstand."

  Elend fell silent, listening to the whispered conversations move through the crowd. News of what he'd just said would reach the populace, and bring them strength. Perhaps, even, news would reach Straff's army through the spies Elend knew must be in the audience. He'd noticed his father's Allomancer sitting in the crowd, the one named Zane.

  And when news reached Straff's army, the men there might think twice about obeying any orders to attack. Who would want to face the very force that had destroyed the Lord Ruler? It was a weak hope-the men of Straff's army probably didn't believe all of the stories out of Luthadel-but every little bit of weakened morale would help.

  It also wouldn't hurt for Elend to associate himself a little more strongly with the Survivor. He was just going to have to get over his insecurity; Kelsier had been a great man, but he was gone. Elend would just have to do his best to see that the Survivor's legacy lived on. For that was what would be best for his people.

  Vin sat with a twisted stomach, listening to Elend's speech.

  "You okay with this?" Ham whispered, leaning over to her as Elend gave a more detailed account of his visit with Straff.

  Vin shrugged. "Whatever helps the kingdom."

  "You were never comfortable with the way that Kell set himself up with the skaa-none of us were."

  "It's what Elend needs," Vin said.

  Tindwyl, who sat just before them, turned and gave her a flat look. Vin expected some recrimination for whispering during the Assembly proceedings, but apparently the Terriswoman had a different kind of castigation in mind.

  'The kinent was founded by the Survivor, the king will make the people think twice about meddling with it."

  Ham nodded thoughtfully. Vin glanced downward, however. What's the problem? Just earlier, I was beginning to wonder if I were the Hero of Ages, and now I'm worried about the notoriety Elend is giving me?

  She sat uncomfortably, burning bronze, feeling the pulsing from far away. It was growing even louder....

  Stop it! she told herself. Sazed doesn't think the Hero would return, and he knows the histories better than anyone. It was foolish, anyway. I need to focus on what's happening here.

  After all, Zane was in the audience.

  Vin sought out his face near the back of the room, a light bum of tin-not enough to blind her-letting her study his features. He wasn't looking at her, but watching the Assembly. Was he working at Straff's command, or was this visit his own? Straff and Cett both undoubtedly had spies in the audience-and, of course, Ham had guards mixed with the people as well. Zane unnerved her, however. Why didn't he turn toward her? Wasn't-

  Zane met her eyes. He smiled slightly, then turned back to his study of Elend.

  Vin felt a shiver despite herself. So, did this mean he wasn't avoiding her? Focus! She told herself. You need to pay attention to what Elend is saying.

  He was almost done, however. He wrapped up his speech with a few comments on how he thought they could keep Straff off-balance. Again, he couldn't be too detailed-not without giving away secrets. He glanced at the large clock in the comer; done three minutes early, he moved to leave the lectern.

  Lord Penrod cleared his throat. "Elend, aren't you forgetting something?"

  Elend hesitated, then looked back at the Assembly. "What is it that you all want me to say?"

  "Don't you have a reaction?" one of the skaa workers said. "About... what happened at the last meeting?"

  "You received my missive," Elend said. "You know how I feel about the matter. However, this public forum is not a place for accusations or denunciations. The Assembly is too noble a body for that kind of thing. I wish that a time of danger were not when the Assembly had chosen to voice its concerns, but we cannot alter what has happened."

  He moved to sit again.

  'That's it?" asked one of the skaa. "You're not even going to argue for yourself, try and persuade us to reinstate you?"

  Elend paused again. "No," he said. "No, I don't think that I will. You have made your opinions known to me, and I am disappointed. However, you are the representatives chosen by the people. I believe in the power that you have been given.

  "If you have questions, or challenges, I will be happy to defend myself. However, I am not going to stand and preach my virtues. You all know me. You know what I can do, and what I intend to do, for this city and the surrounding populace. Let that stand as my argument."

  He returned to his seat. Vin could see hints of a frown on Tindwyl's face. Elend hadn't given the speech that she and he had prepared, a speech giving the very arguments the Assembly was obviously expecting.

  Why the change? Vin wondered. Tindwyl obviously didn't think it was a good idea. And yet, oddly, Vin found herself trusting Elend's instincts more than she did Tindwyl's.

  "Well," Lord Penrod said, approaching the lectern again. "Thank you format report, Lord Venture. I'm not certain if we have other items of business...."

  "Lord Penrod?" Elend asked.

  "Yes?"

  "Perhaps you should hold the nominations?" Lord Penrod frowned.

  "The nominations for king, Penrod," Philen snapped.

  Vin paused, eyeing the merchant. He certainly seems up on things, she noted.

  "Yes," Elend said, eyeing Philen as well. "In order for the Assembly to choose a new king, nominations must be held at least three days before the actual voting. I suggest we hold the nominations now, so that we can hold the vote as soon as possible. The city suffers each day it is without a leader."

  Elend paused, then smiled. "Unless, of course, you intend to let the month lapse without choosing a new king...."

  Good to confirm that he still wants the crown, Vin thought.

  “Thank you. Lord Venture," Penrod said. "We'll do that now, then.... And, how exactly do we proceed?"

  "Each member of the Assembly may make one nomination, if he wishes," Elend said. "So that we don't become overburdened with options, I would recommend that we all exercise restraint-only choose someone that you honestly and sincerely think would make the finest king. If you have a nomination to make, you may stand and announce it to the rest of the group."

  Penrod nodded, returning to his seat. Almost as soon as he sat, however, one of the skaa stood. "I nominate Lord Penrod."

  Elend had to expect that, Vin thought. After nominating Penrod to be chancellor. Why give such authority to the man that he knew would be his greatest contender for the throne?

  The answer was simple. Because Elend knew that Lord Penrod was the best choice for cha
ncellor. Sometimes, he's a little too honorable, Vin thought, not for the first time. She turned to study the skaa Assemblyman who had nominated Penrod. Why were the skaa so quick to unify behind a nobleman?

  She suspected that it was still too soon. The skaa were accustomed to being led by noblemen, and even with their freedom, they were traditional beings-more traditional, even, than the noblemen. A lord like Penrod-calm, commanding-seemed inherently better suited to the title of king than a skaa.

  They 'II have to get over that, eventually, Vin thought. At least, they will if they 're ever going to be the people that Elend wants them to be.

  The room remained quiet, no other nominations being made. A few people coughed in the audience, even the whispers now dead. Finally, Lord Penrod himself stood.

  "I nominate Elend Venture," he said.

  "Ah ..." someone whispered behind her.

  Vin turned, glancing at Breeze. "What?" she whispered.

  "Brilliant." Breeze said. "Don't you see? Penrod is an honorable man. Or, at least, as honorable as noblemen get-which means that he insists on being seen as honorable. Elend nominated Penrod for chancellor...."

  Hoping, in turn, that Penrod would feel obligated to nominate Elend for king, Vin realized. She glanced at Elend, noting a slight smile on his lips. Had he really crafted the exchange? It seemed a move subtle enough for Breeze himself.

  Breeze shook his head appreciatively. "Not only did Elend not have to nominate himself-which would have made him look desperate-but now everyone on the Assembly thinks that the man they respect, the man they would probably choose as king, would rather have Elend hold the title. Brilliant."

  • Penrod sat, and the room remained quiet. Vin suspected that he also had made the nomination so that he wouldn't go uncontested to the throne. The entire Assembly probably thought that Elend deserved a chance to reclaim his place; Penrod was just the one who was honorable enough to voice the feeling.

  But, what about the merchants? Vin thought. They've got to have their own plan. Elend thought that it was probably Philen who had organized the vote against him. They'd want to put one of their own on the throne, one who could open the city gates to whichever of the kings was manipulating them-or whichever one paid the best.