Mistborn #02 The Well of Ascension

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 Straff's 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 was 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 Mistborn 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."
    Straff's 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