Mistborn #02 The Well of Ascension

You have done something grand—something that will be remembered for centuries."
    "Assuming anyone survives to tell the story," Clubs noted.
    Sazed nodded. "That, actually, is why I called this gathering. There is little chance of those of us who remain in the city surviving—we will be needed to help with defenses, and if we do survive the koloss attack, Straff will try to execute us. However, it is not necessary for us all to remain in Luthadel for its fall—someone, perhaps, should be sent out to organize further resistance against the warlords."
    "I won't leave my men," Clubs grumbled.
    "Nor I," Ham said. "Though I did send my family to ground yesterday." The simple phrase meant that he'd had them leave, perhaps to hide in the city's underground, perhaps to escape through one of the passwalls. Ham wouldn't know—and that way he couldn't betray their location. Old habits died hard.
    "If this city falls," Dockson said, "I'll be here with it. That's what Kell would expect. I'm not leaving."
    "I'll go," Breeze said, looking at Sazed. "Is it too early to volunteer?"
    "Um, actually, Lord Breeze," Sazed said, "I wasn't—"
    Breeze held up a hand. "It's all right, Sazed. I believe it's obvious whom you think should be sent away. You didn't invite them to the meeting."
    Dockson frowned. "We're going to defend Luthadel to the death, and you want to send away our only Mistborn?"
    Sazed nodded his head. "My lords," he said softly, "the men of this city will need our leadership. We gave them this city and put them in this predicament. We cannot abandon them now. But. . .there are great things at work in this world. Greater things than us, I think. I am convinced that Mistress Vin is part of them.
    "Even if these matters are delusions on my part, then Lady Vin still must not be allowed to die in this city. She is the people's most personal and powerful link to the Survivor. She has become a symbol to them, and her skills as a Mistborn give her the best chance of being able to get away, then survive the attacks Straff will undoubtedly send. She will be a great value in the fight to come—she can move quickly and stealthily, and can fight alone, doing much damage, as she proved last night."
    Sazed bowed his head. "My lords, I called you here today so that we could decide how to convince her to run, when the rest of us stay to fight. It will not be an easy task, I think."
    "She won't leave Elend," Ham said. "He'll have to go, too."
    "My thoughts as well, Lord Hammond," Sazed said.
    Clubs chewed his lip in thought. "That boy won't be easily convinced to flee. He still thinks we can win this fight."
    "And we may yet," Sazed said. "My lords, my purpose is not to leave you without any hope at all. But, the dire circumstances, the likelihood of success. . ."
    "We know, Sazed," Breeze said. "We understand."
    "There have to be others of the crew who can go," Ham said, looking down. "More than just the two."
    "I would send Tindwyl with them," Sazed said. "She will carry to my people many discoveries of great importance. I also plan to send Lord Lestibournes. He would do little good in the battle, and his abilities as a spy could be of help to Lady Vin and Lord Elend as they try to rally resistance among the skaa.
    "However, those four will not be the only ones who survive. Most of the skaa should be safe—Jastes Lekal seems to be able to control his koloss somehow. Even if he cannot, then Straff should arrive in time to protect the city's people."
    "Assuming Straff is planning what Clubs thinks he is," Ham said. "He could actually be withdrawing, cutting his losses and leaving Luthadel behind."
    "Either way," Clubs said. "Not many can get out. Neither Straff nor Jastes are likely to allow large groups of people to flee the city. Right now, confusion and fear in the streets will serve their purposes far better than depopulation. We might be able to get a few riders on horseback out—especially if one of those riders is Vin. The rest of the people will have to take their chances with the koloss."
    Breeze felt his stomach turn. Clubs spoke so bluntly. . .so callously. But that was Clubs. He wasn't even really a pessimist; he just said the things that he didn't think others wanted to acknowledge.
    Some of the skaa will survive to become slaves for Straff Venture , Breeze thought. But those who fight—and those who have led the city this last year—are doomed. That includes me .
    It's true. This time there really is no way out