Mistborn #02 The Well of Ascension

Vin said, still looking into the mists. "You were the only one on the crew who knew Kelsier was going to die. He told you that he was going to let himself be killed, and that you were to take his bones."
    "Ah," OreSeur said quietly.
    Vin turned accusing eyes at the creature. "Why didn't you say something? You knew how we felt about Kelsier. Did you even consider telling us that the idiot planned to kill himself? Did it even cross your mind that we might be able to stop him, that we might be able to find another way?"
    "You are being quite harsh, Mistress."
    "Well, you wanted to know," Vin said. "It was worst right after he died. When you came to be my servant, by his order. You never even spoke of what you'd done."
    "The Contract, Mistress," OreSeur said. "You do not wish to hear this, perhaps, but I was bound. Kelsier did not wish you to know of his plans, so I could not tell you. Hate me if you must, but I do not regret my actions."
    "I don't hate you." I got over that . "But, honestly, you wouldn't even break the Contract for his own good? You served Kelsier for two years. Didn't it even hurt you to know he was going to die?"
    "Why should I care if one master or another dies?" OreSeur said. "There is always another to take their place."
    "Kelsier wasn't that kind of master," Vin said.
    "Wasn't he?"
    "No."
    "I apologize, Mistress," OreSeur said. "I will believe as commanded, then."
    Vin opened her mouth to reply, then snapped it closed. If he was determined to keep thinking like a fool, then it was his right to do so. He could continue to resent masters, just as. . .
    Just as she resented him. For keeping his word, for holding to his Contract.
    Ever since I've known him, I've done nothing but treat him poorly , Vin thought. First, when he was Renoux, I reacted against his haughty bearing—but that bearing wasn't his, it was part of the act he had to play. Then, as OreSeur, I avoided him. Hated him, even, for letting Kelsier die. Now I've forced him into an animal's body .
    And, in two years of knowing him, the only times I've asked about his past, I did it so that I could glean more information about his people so that I could find the impostor .
    Vin watched the mists. Of all the people in the crew, only OreSeur had been an outsider. He hadn't been invited to their conferences. He hadn't inherited a position in the government. He'd helped as much as any of them, playing a vital role—that of the "spirit" Kelsier, who had returned from the grave to incite the skaa to their final rebellion. Yet, while the rest of them had titles, friendships, and duties, the only thing OreSeur had gained from overthrowing the Final Empire was another master.
    One who hated him.
    No wonder he reacts like he does , Vin thought. Kelsier's last words to her returned to her mind: You have a lot to learn about friendship, Vin . . .. Kell and the others had invited her in, treated her with dignity and friendliness, even when she hadn't deserved it.
    "OreSeur," she said, "what was your life like before you were recruited by Kelsier?"
    "I don't see what that has to do with finding the impostor, Mistress," OreSeur said.
    "It doesn't have anything to do with that," Vin said. "I just thought maybe I should get to know you better."
    "My apologies, Mistress, but I don't want you to know me."
    Vin sighed. So much for that .
    But. . .well, Kelsier and the others hadn't turned away when she'd been blunt with them. There was a familiar tone to OreSeur's words. Something in them that she recognized.
    "Anonymity," Vin said quietly.
    "Mistress?"
    "Anonymity. Hiding, even when you're with others. Being quiet, unobtrusive. Forcing yourself to stay apart—emotionally, at least. It's a way of life. A protection."
    OreSeur didn't answer.
    "You serve beneath masters," Vin said. "Harsh men who fear your competence. The only way to keep them from hating you is to make certain they don't pay attention to you. So, you make yourself look small and weak. Not a threat. But sometimes you say the wrong thing, or you let your rebelliousness show."
    She turned toward him. He was watching her. "Yes," he finally said, turning to look back over the city.
    "They hate you," Vin said quietly. "They hate you because of your powers, because they can't make you break your word, or because they worry that you are too strong to control."
    "They become afraid of you," OreSeur said. "They grow paranoid—terrified, even as they use you, that you will take their place. Despite the