Page 177 of The Well of Ascension
“The men I read about, Sazed,” Tindwyl said quietly, “these were not men who sat and planned the best ways to hide. They fought; they sought victory. Sometimes, they were reckless—and other men called them fools. Yet, when the dice were cast and the bodies counted, they were men whochangedthings.”
Sunlight entered the room in full, and she sat, cupping his hand in hers. She seemed…anxious. Had he ever seen that emotion in her? She was strong, the strongest woman he knew. That couldn’t possibly be apprehension he saw in her eyes.
“Give me an excuse, Sazed,” she whispered.
“I should…very much like it if you stayed,” Sazed said, one hand in hers, the other resting on the tabletop, fingers trembling slightly.
Tindwyl raised an eyebrow.
“Stay,” Sazed said. “Please.”
Tindwyl smiled. “Very well—you have persuaded me. Let us return to our studies, then.”
Elend walked the top of the city wall in the morning light, sword at his hip clicking against the side of the stonework with each step.
“You almost look like a king,” a voice noted.
Elend turned as Ham climbed the last few steps up to the wall walk. The air was brisk, frost still crystalline in shadows on the stone. Winter was approaching. Perhaps it had arrived. Yet, Ham wore no cloak—only his usual vest, trousers, and sandals.
I wonder if he even knows what it is like to be cold,Elend thought.Pewter. Such an amazing talent.
“You say I nearly look like a king,” Elend said, turning to continue walking along the wall as Ham joined him. “I guess Tindwyl’s clothing has done wonders for my image.”
“I didn’t mean the clothing,” Ham said. “I was talking about that look on your face. How long have you been up here?”
“Hours,” Elend said. “How did you find me?”
“The soldiers,” Ham said. “They’re starting to see you as a commander, Elend. They watch where you are; they stand a little straighter when you’re around, polish their weapons if they know you’ll be stopping by.”
“I thought you didn’t spend much time with them,” Elend said.
“Oh, I never said that,” Ham said. “I spend lots of time with the soldiers—I just can’t be intimidating enough to be their commander. Kelsier always wanted me to be a general—I think, deep down, he thought that befriending people was inferior to leading them. Perhaps he was right; men need leaders. I just don’t want to be one of them.”
“I do,” Elend said, surprised to hear himself say so.
Ham shrugged. “That’s probably a good thing. You are, after all, king.”
“Kind of,” Elend said.
“You’re still wearing the crown.”
Elend nodded. “It felt wrong to go without it. It sounds silly, I know—I only wore it for a short time. But, people need to know that someone is still in charge. For a few more days at least.”
They continued to walk. In the distance, Elend could see a shadow upon the land: the third army had finally arrived in the wake of the refugees it had sent. Their scouts weren’t certain why the koloss force had taken so long to get to Luthadel. The villagers’ sad tale, however, gave some clue.
The koloss had not attacked Straff or Cett. They lay waiting. Apparently, Jastes had enough control over them to keep them in check. And so they joined the siege, another beast waiting for the opportunity to spring on Luthadel.
When you can’t have both freedom and safety, which do you choose…?
“You seem surprised to realize that you want to be in charge,” Ham said.
“I just haven’t ever voiced the desire before,” Elend said. “It sounds so arrogant, when I actually say it. I want to be king. I don’t want another man to take my place. Not Penrod, not Cett…not anyone. The position is mine. This city is mine.”
“I don’t know if ‘arrogant’ is the right word, El,” Ham said. “Why do you want to be king?”
“To protect this people,” Elend said. “To guard their safety—and their rights. But, also to make certain that the noblemen don’t end up on the wrong end of another rebellion.”
“That’s not arrogance.”
