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"Elend," Breeze said, "might I introduce Allria
"Your Majesty," Allria
Elend nodded. "Lady Cett." He paused, then—with a hopeful voice—continued. "Your father sent you as an ambassador?"
Allria
"Oh, dear," Breeze said, pulling out a handkerchief to dab his brow.
Elend glanced at Ham, then back at the girl. "Perhaps you should explain," he said, gesturing toward the atrium's seats. Allria
He had a feeling he was going to want something to drink.
"I seek asylum, Your Majesty," Allria
Breeze sat uncomfortably, and Allria
"How your father is?" Elend asked.
"He is so manipulative," Allria
"I—"
"We rarely had fresh water," Allria
"Because?" Ham asked eagerly.
Breeze coughed.
"I had to get away, Your Majesty," Allria
"Um. . .impressive," Elend said hesitantly.
Allria
"And, you came to find Breeze?" Elend asked.
Allria
"I see," Elend said.
"Please, Your Majesty," Allria
"You may stay—for a time, at least," Elend said, nodding greetings to Dockson, who had entered through the atrium doors. "But, you've obviously had a difficult trip. Perhaps you would like an opportunity to refresh yourself. . .?"
"Oh, I would much appreciate that, Your Majesty!"
Elend eyed Cadon, one of the palace stewards, who stood at the back of the room with other servants. He nodded; rooms were prepared. "Then," Elend said, standing, "Cadon will lead you to some rooms. We will take di
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Allria
Elend sat. Breeze sighed deeply, leaning back in a wearied posture as Dockson walked forward, taking the girl's seat.
"That was. . .unexpected," Breeze noted.
There was an awkward pause, the atrium trees shifting slightly in the breeze from the balcony. Then—with a sharp bark—Ham began to laugh. The noise sparked Elend, and—despite the danger, despite the gravity of the problem—he found himself laughing as well.
"Oh, honestly," Breeze huffed, which only prompted them further. Perhaps it was the sheer incongruity of the situation, perhaps it was because he needed to release tension, but Elend found himself laughing so hard he almost fell from the chair. Ham wasn't doing much better, and even Dockson cracked a smile.
"I fail to see the levity in this situation," Breeze said. "The daughter of Lord Cett—a man who is currently besieging our home—just demanded asylum in the city. If Cett wasn't determined to kill us before, he certainly will be now!"
"I know," Elend said, taking deep breaths. "I know. It's just. . ."
"It's the image of you," Ham said, "being hugged by that courtly fluffcake. I can't think of anything more awkward than you being confronted by an irrational young woman!"
"This throws another wrinkle into things," Dockson noted. "Although, I'm not accustomed to you being the one to bring us a problem of this nature, Breeze. Honestly, I thought we would be able to avoid unpla
"This isn't my fault," Breeze said pointedly. "The girl's affection is completely misplaced."
"That's for sure," Ham mumbled.
"All right," a new voice said. "What was that pink thing I just passed in the hallway?"
Elend turned to find Vin standing, arms folded, in the atrium doorway. So quiet. Why does she walk stealthily even in the palace? She never wore shoes that clicked, never wore skirts that could rustle, and never had metal on her clothing that could clink or be Pushed by Allomancers.
"That wasn't pink, my dear," Breeze said. "That was red."
"Close enough," Vin said, walking forward. "She was bubbling to the servants about how hot her bath needed to be, and making certain they wrote down her favorite foods."
Breeze sighed. "That's Allria
"Allria
"Excuse me?" Breeze huffed.
Vin, however, wrinkled her nose. "That's disgusting, Breeze. You're old. She's young."
"There was no relationship," Breeze snapped. "Besides, I'm not that old—nor is she that young."
"She sounded like she was about twelve," Vin said.
Breeze rolled his eyes. "Allria
"So, was there anything between you?" Vin pressed.
"Of course not," Breeze said. "Well, not really. Nothing real, though it could have been taken the wrong way. Was taken the wrong way, actually, once her father discovered. . .Anyway, who are you to talk, Vin? I seem to remember a certain young girl pining for an old Kelsier a few years back."
Elend perked up at this.
Vin flushed. "I never pined over Kelsier."
"Not even at the begi
"You're a sick man," Vin declared, folding her arms. "Kelsier was like a father to me."
"Eventually, perhaps," Breeze said, "but—"
Elend held up a hand. "Enough," he said. "This line of discussion is useless."
Breeze snorted, but fell silent. Tindwyl is right, Elend thought. They will listen to me if I act like I expect them to.
"We have to decide what to do," Elend said.
"The daughter of the man threatening us could be a very powerful bargaining chip," Dockson said.
"You mean take her hostage?" Vin said, eyes narrowing.
Dockson shrugged. "Someone has to state the obvious, Vin."
"Not really a hostage," Ham said. "She came to us, after all. Simply letting her stay could have the same effect as taking her hostage."