Mistborn #01 The Final Empire

things in his text, you will not be confused.”
    “Sight,” Vin said, perking up. “That’s why you wore glasses for a few weeks after you rescued me. You needed to be able to see better that night when you saved me, so you used up your storage. Then you spent a few weeks with weak vision so that you could refill it.”
    Sazed didn’t respond to the comment. He picked up his pen, obviously intending to turn back to his translation. “Was there anything else, Mistress?”
    “Yes, as a matter of fact,” Vin said, pulling the handkerchief from her sleeve. “Do you have any idea what this is?”
    “It appears to be a handkerchief, Mistress.”
    Vin raised a droll eyebrow. “Very funny. You’ve spent far too long around Kelsier, Sazed.”
    “I know,” he said with a quiet sigh. “He has corrupted me, I think. Regardless, I do not understand your question. What is distinctive about that particular handkerchief?”
    “That’s what I want to know,” Vin said. “Spook gave it to me just a little bit ago.”
    “Ah. That makes sense, then.”
    “What?” Vin demanded.
    “In noble society, Mistress, a handkerchief is the traditional gift a young man gives a lady that he wishes to seriously court.”
    Vin paused, regarding the handkerchief with shock. “ What? Is that boy crazy?”
    “Most young men his age are somewhat crazy, I think,” Sazed said with a smile. “However, this is hardly unexpected. Haven’t you noticed how he stares at you when you enter the room?”
    “I just thought he was creepy. What is he thinking? He’s so much younger than me.”
    “The boy is fifteen, Mistress. That only makes him one year your junior.”
    “Two,” Vin said. “I turned seventeen last week.”
    “Still, he isn’t really that much younger than you.”
    Vin rolled her eyes. “I don’t have time for his attentions.”
    “One would think, Mistress, that you would appreciate the opportunities you have. Not everyone is so fortunate.”
    Vin paused. He’s a eunuch, you fool. “Sazed, I’m sorry. I . . .”
    Sazed waved a hand. “It is something I have never known enough of to miss, Mistress. Perhaps I am fortunate—a life in the underground does not make it easy to raise a family. Why, poor Master Hammond has been away from his wife for months.”
    “Ham’s married? ”
    “Of course,” Sazed said. “So is Master Yeden, I believe. They protect their families by separating them from underground activities, but this necessitates spending large periods of time apart.”
    “Who else?” Vin asked. “Breeze? Dockson?”
    “Master Breeze is a bit too . . . self-motivated for a family, I think. Master Dockson hasn’t spoken of his romantic life, but I suspect that there is something painful in his past. That is not uncommon for plantation skaa, as you might expect.”
    “Dockson is from a plantation?” Vin asked with surprise.
    “Of course. Don’t you ever spend time talking with your friends, Mistress?”
    Friends. I have friends. It was an odd realization.
    “Anyway,” Sazed said, “I should continue my work. I am sorry to be so dismissive, but I am nearly finished with the translation. . . .”
    “Of course,” Vin said, standing and smoothing her dress. “Thank you.”

    She found Dockson sitting in the guest study, writing quietly on a piece of paper, a pile of documents organized neatly on the desktop. He wore a standard nobleman’s suit, and always looked more comfortable in the clothing than the others did. Kelsier was dashing, Breeze immaculate and lavish, but Dockson . . . he simply looked natural in the outfit.
    He looked up as she entered. “Vin? I’m sorry—I should have sent for you. For some reason I assumed you were out.”
    “I often am, these days,” she said, closing the door behind her. “I stayed home today; listening to noblewomen prattle over their lunches can get a bit annoying.”
    “I can imagine,” Dockson said, smiling. “Have a seat.”
    Vin nodded, strolling into the room. It was a quiet place, decorated in warm colors and deep woods. It was still somewhat light outside, but Dockson already had the evening drapes drawn and was working by candlelight.
    “Any news from Kelsier?” Vin asked as she sat.
    “No,” Dockson said, setting aside his document. “But that’s not unexpected. He wasn’t going to stay at the caves for long, so sending a messenger back would have been a bit silly—as an Allomancer, he might even be able to get back before a man