Mistborn #02 The Well of Ascension

said, trying—without success—to break into the conversation.
    "Work, Dox?" Ham said, flushed. "What work have you done? I haven't seen you do much of anything besides sit and complain every time someone offers a plan."
    "Complain?" Dockson snapped. "Do you have any idea how much administrative work it has taken to keep this city from falling upon itself? What have you done, Ham? You refused to take command of the army. All you do is drink and spar with your friends!"
    That's enough of that , Breeze thought, Soothing the men. At this rate, we'll strangle each other before Straff can have us executed .
    Dockson settled back in his chair, waving a dismissive hand at Ham, who still sat red-faced. Sazed waited, obviously chagrined by the outbreak. Breeze Soothed away his insecurity. You're in charge here, Sazed. Tell us what is going on .
    "Please," Sazed said. "I did not bring us together so that we could argue. I understand that you are all tense—that is understandable, considering the circumstances."
    "Penrod is going to give our city to Straff," Ham said.
    "That's better than letting him slaughter us," Dockson countered.
    "Actually," Breeze said, "I don't think we have to worry about Straff slaughtering us."
    "No?" Dockson asked, frowning. "Do you have some information you haven't been sharing with us, Breeze?"
    "Oh, get over yourself, Dox," Ham snapped. "You've never been happy that you didn't end up in charge when Kell died. That's the real reason you never liked Elend, isn't it?"
    Dockson flushed, and Breeze sighed, slapping both of them with a powerful blanket Soothing. They both jumped slightly, as if they'd been stung—though the sensation would be quite the opposite. Their emotions, once volatile, would suddenly have become numb and unresponsive.
    Both looked at Breeze.
    "Yes," he said, "of course I'm Soothing you. Honestly, I know Hammond is a bit immature—but you, Dockson?"
    Dockson sat back, rubbing his forehead. "You can let go, Breeze," he said after a moment. "I'll keep my tongue."
    Ham just grumbled, settling one hand on the table. Sazed watched the exchange with a little bit of shock.
    This is what cornered men are like, my dear Terrisman , Breeze thought. This is what happens when they lose hope. They might be able to keep up appearances in front of the soldiers, but put them alone with their friends. . .
    Sazed was a Terrisman; his entire life had been one of oppression and loss. But these men, Breeze himself included, were accustomed to success. Even against overwhelming odds, they were confident. They were the type of men who could go up against a god, and expect to win. They wouldn't deal well with losing. Of course, when losing meant death, who would?
    "Straff's armies are getting ready to break camp," Clubs finally said. "He's doing it subtly, but the signs are there."
    "So, he's coming for the city," Dockson said. "My men in Penrod's palace say the Assembly has been sending missive after missive to Straff, all but begging him to come take up occupation of Luthadel."
    "He's not going to take the city," Clubs said. "At least, not if he's smart."
    "Vin is still a threat," Breeze said. "And it doesn't look like Straff has a Mistborn to protect him. If he came into Luthadel, I doubt there is a single thing he could do to keep her from slitting his throat. So, he'll do something else."
    Dockson frowned, and glanced at Ham, who shrugged.
    "It's really quite simple," Breeze said, tapping the table with his dueling cane. "Why, even I figured it out." Clubs snorted at this. "If Straff makes it look like he's withdrawing, the koloss will probably attack Luthadel for him. They're too literal to understand the threat of a hidden army."
    "If Straff withdraws," Clubs said, "Jastes won't be able to keep them from the city."
    Dockson blinked. "But they'd. . ."
    "Slaughter?" Clubs asked. "Yes. They'd pillage the richest sectors of the town—probably end up killing most of the noblemen in the city."
    "Eliminating the men that Straff has been forced—against his will, knowing that man's pride—to work with," Breeze added. "In fact, there's a good chance the creatures will kill Vin. Can you imagine her not joining the fight if koloss broke in?"
    The room fell silent.
    "But, that doesn't really help Straff get the city," Dockson said. "He'll still have to fight the koloss."
    "Yes," Clubs said, scowling. "But, they'll probably take down some of the city gates, not to mention level a lot of the homes. That