Page 115 of The Well of Ascension

OreSeur simply lay down, resting head on paws as he watched her continue applying her makeup.

“But, El,” Ham said, “you should at least let us send you in our own carriage.”

Elend shook his head, straightening his jacket as he looked in the mirror. “That would require sending in a coachman, Ham.”

“Right,” Ham said. “Who would be me.”

“One man won’t make a difference in getting us out of that camp. And, the fewer people I take with me, the fewer people Vin and I have to worry about.”

Ham shook his head. “El, I…”

Elend laid a hand on Ham’s shoulder. “I appreciate the concern, Ham. But, I can do this. If there’s one man in this world I can manipulate, it’s my father. I’ll come out of this with him feeling assured that he has the city in his pocket.”

Ham sighed. “All right.”

“Oh, one other thing,” Elend said hesitantly.

“Yes?”

“Would you mind calling me ‘Elend’ instead of just ‘El’?”

Ham chuckled. “I suppose that one’s easy enough to do.”

Elend smiled thankfully.It’s not what Tindwyl wanted, but it’s a start. We’ll worry about the “Your Majesty”s later.

The door opened, and Dockson walked in. “Elend,” he said. “This just arrived for you.” He held up a sheet of paper.

“From the Assembly?” Elend asked.

Dockson nodded. “They’re not happy about you missing the meeting this evening.”

“Well, I can’t change the appointment with Straff just because they want to meet a day early,” Elend said. “Tell them I’ll try and visit when I get back.”

Dockson nodded, then turned as a rustling sounded from behind him. He stepped to the side, a strange look on his face, as Vin walked up to the doorway.

And she was wearing a dress—a beautiful blue gown that was sleeker than the common courtly fare. Her black hair sparkled with a pair of sapphire barrettes, and she seemed…different. More feminine—or, rather, more confident in her femininity.

How much she’s changed since I first met her,Elend thought, smiling. Almost two years had passed. Then she had been a youth, albeit one with the life experiences of someone far older. Now she was a woman—a very dangerous woman, but one who still looked up at him with eyes that were just a bit uncertain, just a bit insecure.

“Beautiful,” Elend whispered. She smiled.

“Vin!” Ham said, turning. “You’re wearing a dress!”

Vin flushed. “What did you expect, Ham? That I would meet with the king of the Northern Dominance in trousers?”

“Well…” Ham said. “Actually, yes.”

Elend chuckled. “Just becauseyouinsist on going about everywhere in casual clothing, Ham, doesn’t mean that everyone does. Honestly, don’t you get tired of those vests?”

Ham shrugged. “They’re easy. And simple.”

“And cold,” Vin said, rubbing her arms. “I’m glad I asked for something with sleeves.”

“Be thankful for the weather,” Ham said. “Every chill you suffer will seem far worse to the men out in those armies.”

Elend nodded. Winter had, technically, started. The weather probably wouldn’t get bad enough to be more than a mild discomfort—they rarely got snow in the Central Dominance—but the chill nights certainly wouldn’t improve morale.

“Well, let’s go,” Vin said. “The sooner we get this over with, the better.”

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