Mistborn Trilogy - Brandon Sanderson [500]
“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.”
“It is, Ham,” Elend said. “But it’s an understandable arrogance. I don’t think a man could lead without it. Actually, I think it’s what I’ve been missing through most of my reign. Arrogance.”
“Self-confidence.”
“A nicer word for the same concept,” Elend said. “I can do a better job for this people than another man could. I just have to find a way to prove that fact to them.”
“You will.”
“You’re an optimist, Ham,” Elend said.
“So are you,” Ham noted.
Elend smiled. “True. But this job is changing me.”
“Well, if you want to keep the job, we should probably get back to studying. We only have one day left.”
Elend shook his head. “I’ve read all I can, Ham. I will not take advantage of the law, so there’s no reason to search for loopholes, and studying other books looking for inspiration just isn’t working. I need time to think. Time to walk….”
They continued to do so. As they did, Elend noticed something out in the distance. A group of enemy soldiers doing something he couldn’t distinguish. He waved over one of his men.
“What is that?” he asked.
The soldier shaded his eyes, looking. “Looks like another