Mistborn #02 The Well of Ascension

about—her status as a prisoner. "You needn't be worried about his safety; I'm certain that the young Mistborn hiding outside the window will be more than enough to deal with me."
    Elend glanced to the side, toward the small ventilation window beside the more massive stained-glass one. How would the Terriswoman have known that Vin was watching? Her ears would have to be extraordinarily keen. Keen enough, perhaps, to listen in on the meeting through a stone wall?
    Elend turned back to the newcomer. "You're a Keeper."
    She nodded.
    "Did Sazed send you?"
    "It is because of him that I am here," she said. "But I was not 'sent.'"
    "Ham, it's all right," Elend said slowly. "You can go."
    "Are you sure?" Ham asked, frowning.
    "Leave me bound, if you wish," the woman said.
    If she really is a Feruchemist, that won't be much of a hindrance , Elend thought. Of course, if she really is a Feruchemist—a Keeper, like Sazed—I shouldn't have anything to fear from her. Theoretically .
    The others shuffled from the room, their postures indicating what they thought of Elend's decision. Though they were no longer thieves by profession, Elend suspected that they—like Vin—would always bear the effects of their upbringing.
    "We'll be just outside, El," Ham—the last one out—said, then pulled the door shut.

And yet, any who know me will realize that there was no chance I would give up so easily. Once I find something to investigate, I become dogged in my pursuit .

14
    THE TERRISWOMAN SNAPPED HER BONDS, and the ropes dropped to the floor.
    "Uh, Vin?" Elend said, beginning to wonder about the logic of meeting with this woman. "Perhaps it's time you came in."
    "She's not actually there," the Terriswoman said offhandedly, walking forward. "She left a few minutes ago to do her rounds. That is why I let myself be caught."
    "Um, I see," Elend said. "I'll be calling for the guards now."
    "Don't be a fool," the Terriswoman said. "If I wanted to kill you, I could do it before the others got back in. Now be quiet for a moment."
    Elend stood uncomfortably as the tall woman walked around the table in a slow circle, studying him as a merchant might inspect a piece of furniture up for auction. Finally she stopped, placing her hands on her hips.
    "Stand up straight," she commanded.
    "Excuse me?"
    "You're slouching," the woman said. "A king must maintain an air of dignity at all times, even when with his friends."
    Elend frowned. "Now, while I appreciate advice, I don't—"
    "No," the woman said. "Don't hedge. Command."
    "Excuse me?" Elend said again.
    The woman stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder and pressing his back firmly to improve his posture. She stepped back, then nodded slightly to herself.
    "Now, see," Elend said. "I don't—"
    "No," the woman interrupted. "You must be stronger in the way that you speak. Presentation—words, actions, postures—will determine how people judge you and react to you. If you start every sentence with softness and uncertainty, you will seem soft and uncertain. Be forceful!"
    "What is going on here?" Elend demanded, exasperated.
    "There," the woman said. "Finally."
    "You said that you know Sazed?" Elend asked, resisting the urge to slouch back into his earlier posture.
    "He is an acquaintance," the woman said. "My name is Tindwyl; I am, as you have guessed, a Keeper of Terris." She tapped her foot for a moment, then shook her head. "Sazed warned me about your slovenly appearance, but I honestly assumed that no king could have such a poor sense of self-presentation."
    "Slovenly?" Elend asked. "Excuse me?"
    "Stop saying that," Tindwyl snapped. "Don't ask questions; say what you mean. If you object, object—don't leave your words up to my interpretation."
    "Yes, well, while this is fascinating," Elend said, walking toward the door, "I'd rather avoid further insults this evening. If you'll excuse me. . ."
    "Your people think you are a fool, Elend Venture," Tindwyl said quietly.
    Elend paused.
    "The Assembly—a body you yourself organized—ignores your authority. The skaa are convinced that you won't be able to protect them. Even your own council of friends makes their plans in your absence, assuming your input to be no great loss."
    Elend closed his eyes, taking a slow, deep breath.
    "You have good ideas, Elend Venture," Tindwyl said. "Regal ideas. However, you are not a king. A man can only lead when others accept him as their leader, and he has only as much authority as his subjects give to