Mistborn Trilogy - Brandon Sanderson [465]
Elend paused again. “No,” he said. “No, I don’t think that I will. You have made your opinions known to me, and I am disappointed. However, you are the representatives chosen by the people. I believe in the power that you have been given.
“If you have questions, or challenges, I will be happy to defend myself. However, I am not going to stand and preach my virtues. You all know me. You know what I can do, and what I intend to do, for this city and the surrounding populace. Let that stand as my argument.”
He returned to his seat. Vin could see hints of a frown on Tindwyl’s face. Elend hadn’t given the speech that she and he had prepared, a speech giving the very arguments the Assembly was obviously expecting.
Why the change? Vin wondered. Tindwyl obviously didn’t think it was a good idea. And yet, oddly, Vin found herself trusting Elend’s instincts more than she did Tindwyl’s.
“Well,” Lord Penrod said, approaching the lectern again. “Thank you for that report, Lord Venture. I’m not certain if we have other items of business….”
“Lord Penrod?” Elend asked.
“Yes?”
“Perhaps you should hold the nominations?”
Lord Penrod frowned.
“The nominations for king, Penrod,” Philen snapped.
Vin paused, eyeing the merchant. He certainly seems up on things, she noted.
“Yes,” Elend said, eyeing Philen as well. “In order for the Assembly to choose a new king, nominations must be held at least three days before the actual voting. I suggest we hold the nominations now, so that we can hold the vote as soon as possible. The city suffers each day it is without a leader.”
Elend paused, then smiled. “Unless, of course, you intend to let the month lapse without choosing a new king….”
Good to confirm that he still wants the crown, Vin thought.
“Thank you, Lord Venture,” Penrod said. “We’ll do that now, then…. And, how exactly do we proceed?”
“Each member of the Assembly may make one nomination, if he wishes,” Elend said. “So that we don’t become overburdened with options, I would recommend that we all exercise restraint—only choose someone that you honestly and sincerely think would make the finest king. If you have a nomination to make, you may stand and announce it to the rest of the group.”
Penrod nodded, returning to his seat. Almost as soon as he sat, however, one of the skaa stood. “I nominate Lord Penrod.”
Elend had to expect that, Vin thought. After nominating Penrod to be chancellor. Why give such authority to the man that he knew would be his greatest contender for the throne?
The answer was simple. Because Elend knew that Lord Penrod was the best choice for chancellor. Sometimes, he’s a little too honorable, Vin thought, not for the first time. She turned to study the skaa Assemblyman who had nominated Penrod. Why were the skaa so quick to unify behind a nobleman?
She suspected that it was still too soon. The skaa were accustomed to being led by noblemen, and even with their freedom, they were traditional beings—more traditional, even, than the noblemen. A lord like Penrod—calm, commanding—seemed inherently better suited to the title of king than a skaa.
They’ll have to get over that, eventually, Vin thought. At least, they will if they’re ever going to be the people that Elend wants them to be.
The room remained quiet, no other nominations being made. A few people coughed in the audience, even the whispers now dead. Finally, Lord Penrod himself stood.
“I nominate Elend Venture,” he said.
“Ah…” someone whispered behind her.
Vin turned, glancing at Breeze. “What?” she whispered.
“Brilliant,” Breeze said. “Don’t you see? Penrod is an honorable man. Or, at least, as honorable as noblemen get—which means that he insists on being seen as honorable. Elend nominated Penrod for chancellor….”
Hoping, in turn, that Penrod would feel obligated to nominate Elend for king, Vin realized. She glanced at Elend, noting a slight smile on his lips. Had he really crafted the exchange? It seemed a move subtle enough for Breeze