Mistborn #02 The Well of Ascension

their future."
    "I know," Elend said. "But they aren't the only ones who can offer up surprises."
    Vin looked at him quizzically. "You're planning something?"
    He paused, then glanced at her. "I. . .well, Ham and I came up with something last night. A ploy. I've been trying to find a way to talk to you about it, but there just hasn't been time. We had to move quickly."
    Vin frowned, sensing his apprehension. She started to say something, but then stopped, studying his eyes. He seemed a little embarrassed. "What?" she asked.
    "Well. . .it kind of involves you, and your reputation. I was going to ask permission, but. . ."
    Vin felt a slight chill. Behind them, the last Assemblyman took his seat, and Penrod stood up to conduct the meeting. He glanced toward Elend, clearing his throat.
    Elend cursed quietly. "Look, I don't have time to explain," he said. "But, it's really not a big deal—it might not even get me that many votes. But, well, I had to try. And it doesn't change anything. Between us, I mean."
    "What?"
    "Lord Venture?" Penrod said. "Are you ready for this meeting to begin?"
    The hall grew quiet. Vin and Elend still stood in the center of the stage, between the lectern and the seats of the Assembly members. She looked at him, torn between a sense of dread, a sense of confusion, and a slight sense of betrayal.
    Why didn't you tell me ? she thought. How can I be ready if you don't tell me what you're planning? And. . .why are you looking at me like that ?
    "I'm sorry," Elend said, moving over to take his seat.
    Vin remained standing alone before the audience. Once, so much attention would have terrified her. It still made her uncomfortable. She ducked her head slightly, walking toward the back benches and her empty spot.
    Ham wasn't there. Vin frowned, turning as Penrod opened the proceedings. There , she thought, finding Ham in the audience, sitting calmly with a group of skaa. The group was obviously conversing quietly, but even with tin, Vin would never be able to pick out their voices in the large crowd. Breeze stood with some of Ham's soldiers at the back of the room. It didn't matter if they knew about Elend's plan—they were too far away for her to interrogate them.
    Annoyed, she arranged her skirts, then sat. She hadn't felt so blind since. . .
    Since that night a year ago , she thought, that moment just before we figured out Kelsier's true plan, that moment when I thought everything was collapsing around me .
    Perhaps that was a good sign. Had Elend cooked up some last-minute flash of political brilliance? It didn't really matter that he hadn't shared it with her; she probably wouldn't understand the legal basis for it anyway.
    But. . .he always shared his plans with me before .
    Penrod continued to drone on, likely maximizing his time in front of the Assembly. Cett was on the front bench of the audience, surrounded by a good twenty soldiers, sitting with a look of self-satisfaction. As well he should. From the accounts she'd heard, Cett stood to take the vote with ease.
    But what was Elend planning?
    Penrod will vote for himself , Vin thought. So will Elend. That leaves twenty-two votes. The merchants are behind Cett, and so are the skaa. They're too afraid of that army to vote for anyone else .
    That only leaves the nobility. Some of them will vote for Penrod—he's the strongest nobleman in the city; many of the members of the Assembly are longtime political allies of his. But, even if he takes half of the nobility—which he probably won't—Cett will win. Cett only needs a two-thirds majority to get the throne .
    Eight merchants, eight skaa. Sixteen men on Cett's side. He was going to win. What could Elend possibly do?
    Penrod finally finished his opening announcements. "But, before we vote," he said, "I would like to offer time to the candidates to make any final addresses they wish. Lord Cett, would you care to go first?"
    In the audience, Cett shook his head. "I've made my offers and my threats, Penrod. You all know you have to vote for me."
    Vin frowned. He seemed certain of himself, and yet. . .She scanned the crowd, eyes falling on Ham. He was talking to Captain Demoux. And seated next to them was one of the men who had followed her in the market. A priest of the Survivor.
    Vin turned, studying the Assembly. The skaa representatives looked uncomfortable. She glanced at Elend, who stood up to take his turn at the front of the lectern. His earlier confidence had returned, and he looked regal