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[Daerra Elariel]

Daerra ran. The neatly groomed trees and hedges of the Keep Elariel courtyard streaked by in a dull brown blur. She easily hurdled a ladder left in the path by a careless gardner. She continued running until she arrived back at the Keep. JinJin the kandra waited for her, wearing the face of the Terrismen she had had him dig up. Skilled as he was at the manipulation of flesh, while his stature and body shape were the same as the deceased Steward, his face was completely unrecognizeable, which was just what Daerra wanted. It would not do to attend a ball and have her Terrisman recognized by his former employer. Aaron often asked her why she didn't just ask for a normal steward and leave JinJin to his spying missions. Her reasoning was simple. Daerra did not trust Terrismen. She didn't trust anyone actually. Except, perhaps, for Aaron, her sole confidant. Martin she had allowed to join in their schemes out of necessity: they had needed a smoker, and JinJin could not mimic an allomancer's abilities. He could, however, be her terrisman steward. Kandra were reliable. Once their atium had been paid, they stuck to their contract until it ended.

If only he could act she thought to herself, Then he might be truly useful. She didn't know how she had gotten stuck with the only Kandra in existence who was incapable of acting, but she had. JinJin could play himself. That was it. He could play himself as a steward, a servant, or a nobleman, but when it came to impersonations, he was utterly hopeless.

"Are you ready for your gown fitting Lady Daerra?" he asked brightly. "I've been through their selections, and I've picked out the ones that I think are the most delightful. There's a yellow one I thought was particularily nice."

Daerra kept her face calm, but inwardly she sighed. There was so much to do before the ball began! She stood up straight and straightened her trousers and tunic and pushed the hair that had come out of her braid while running out of her eyes. Plans for the Casuana ball aside, she had a regimen to stick to. Men and female Mistborn like her cousin had sparring and training to keep them in shape. She however, had her running. She liked running. It helped her think.

"I'll recieve them in my fitting room once I've washed up," she said. And now it's time for you to stop talking before you start getting on my nerves.

"I'll let them know you will be fresh as a morning daisy and pleasant as a spring breeze when you get there then, milady. They will surely thank me for telling them to wait then, will they not? Oh I can hardly wait to see you mistress. You always looks so beautiful when you are getting ready for a ball."

Daerra resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Jinzan," she said, using his Terrisman name, "You are an idiot. Just tell them I will be there shortly." She shot him a dangerous look and stalked off into the keep.

Hopefully my dress makers are more competent than my Terrisman. My plans for the Casuana ball must be perfect!

[Aaron Elariel]

Aaron groaned inwardly. A date for the Casuana Ball was one thing. He expected his parents to set him up. That they hadn't set Daerra up surprised him, with the Ball being so close. Of course, Daerra can be... intimidating, when it suits her. he thought, Perhaps word is spread, and she's off the hook.

Aaron actually didn't mind being an escort or date to the balls. He enjoyed the dancing, the coy flirting, the overdone romantic atmosphere, and of course the beautiful women. His date for the Casuana Ball however, was another story entirely. She could be called beautiful, very beautiful he supposed. And he seriously doubted he would be bored. His date for the ball was a lot of things. Some good, some bad. There was one thing, he decided, that made him cringe inwardly when he thought ahead to the ball.

His date was Phyra Venture.

He caught his sister coming into the Keep from her run in the courtyard.

"Sister," he called, putting on his wryest grin, "It seems I have been unable to get out of my little date for the ball. I asked Father, Mother, and even Uncle Alistair. None of them would budge," he sighed. "It seems I will be taking Phyra Venture after all."

[Daerra Elariel]

Daerra kept the surprise from her face, with some difficulty.

"Brother, is this one of your jokes?"

Aaron shook his head. Damn, thought Daerra. She pulled Aaron aside. Her Bronze was always burning, but she flared it, ensuring their were no allomancers about. Her powers unfortunately could not detect regular eavesdroppers, so she kept her voice low.

"This is madness," she whispered, "What was our father thinking. Sure, Phyra is a Venture, but she's a social disaster. Do you know how many enemies she has made at court? If the other women see me speaking with her, it could take weeks for me to regain my station." Daerra let herself sigh for impact, "Sometimes I wish our father would let his wife help him in his little plots. She knows how delicately things like this must be handled." She took a breath, calming the tension that ran through her body, "I guess that's all that can be expected, from a man. Nothing to do about it now. I assume he'll want us to share a carriage. As long as I'm not set up with that hideous Hasting boy again, he couldn't keep his hands off of me."

She looked around carefully and pulled Aaron out of the corner. It wouldn't be proper for someone to see them skulking about like Skaa. She still kept her voice to a whisper. "I have a gown fitting soon, and I need to wash up first, so I should be going. Go and check with you know who and see if we have any new contracts for tonight." She waited until Aaron was heading in the right direction, and then set off for her chambers. She hummed a tune to herself, and nodded cheerfully to another family member.

Ball Casuana was coming, and even Phyra Venture was not going to put a wrinkle in her plans.

*****

Daerra admired her reflection in the mirror. The dress was beautiful, but needed some adjustments before it was ready for the ball. She was giving the dressers hurried instructions when her father entered. He never knocks! she thought, What if I had been changing?

With a curt nod, Lord Andrew Elariel sent the dressers scurrying out of the room. Daerra immediately felt his touch on her emotions, and her bronze let her know exactly what he was doing. Rebellion, Independance, Hostilty, Pride, hummed his brass pulses. He was trying to make her more complacent.

"You know I can tell what you are doing father. I don't see why you even try anymore." she said. She did not turn to look at him, but continued studying her reflection in the mirror, searching for imperfections. If she was perfect, he would find nothing to criticize about her. Her ears seemed too small, and her torso too short, but she always thought that. Her muscles could always use more tone, but the gown hid them. Besides, her father's criticisms were rarely about her body. She had too much control over that.

"No one has sent an invitation for your hand at the Casuana Ball, Daerra. I'm disappointed in you." Indifference, self-esteem. Now he was trying to make her feel self-concious, so his words would carry more weight.

Daerra played with her hair, and kept her face neutral. She would give him no more attention than what he deserved. When she spoke, it was with a bored tone. "I do not have time for dancing all night father. I'm sure your choice for Aaron will keep me busy enough. Phyra Venture?" she scoffed, "Are you trying to ruin our repuations? You should know as well as anyone that she's a known harlot."

As usual, he ignored her questions, and went on as if she hadn't spoken. He sighed and sat down. Anger, Energy, Hope. "Daerra, you are now twenty-three. You are older than almost all of the unmarried nobles your age. You're still in your prime mind you, but let me assure you, it won't last. Look at your mother. She was never more beautiful than on our wedding day, and she was only eighteen. Do you want to become an old hag? Why do you insist on ruining your chances of gaining a place in another great house?"

Daerra felt him soothe her self-restraint, and let off on her anger. He wants me to lash out at him. As it was, she found it difficult to control herself. Her father was good. Even though she could tell exactly which emotions he was focusing on, she still had trouble controlling them. She retained composure, and kept her voice calm. His constant attacks had left her resilient to his them. "Why would I want to be part of another great house, when I am part of the second most powerful one right now? Especially when doing so would pair me with the rejects you are so fond of finding for me."

"I've set you up with Ventures," he argued, soothing away her certainty. His voice was as calm and steady as hers was, "And maybe the ones I find are the only ones up to handling something like you. You think men want a wife who will dominate them? Play their games for them? You can dress-up and admire your reflection all you want, but any smart man will see passed your pretty face, and leave before you inevitably trample him."

Daerra smoothed her gown again, making note of where she needed it taken in. "Father, I'm surprised at you. Do you take me for some sort of monster?"

She suddenly felt his soothing slam into her. She felt a gasp coming, but let it come out as a sigh as she examined a frayed sleeve. It was a blanket soothing, dampening every emotion, leaving nothing but despair, and it was very powerful. Her father was usually very subtle, and so this time he surprised her.

"I see you for what you are Daerra my dear. And a monster is just that. You are cold, unfeeling, and incapable of any real human interaction. Oh you pretend, and you may have some fooled, but I've seen you grow. I know what you really are. You keep everyone at arm's length, hoping they won't notice, because you know as soon as you let them get close, they'll realize it too. And then they won't want anything to do with you." He stood and gripped her by the shoulder, turning her to face him. "Just don't mess anything up." His soothing didn't fade away till he was a ways down the hall.

Daerra froze for a moment, as if in a dream. Then she turned to the mirror, and once again began searching for alterations that needed doing. Her dress would have to be perfect, after all.

[Aaron Elariel]

Aaron was going over in his head one last time how he was going to tell Daerra about the obligator, when he heard it. The melody was jolly and bright, with an upbeat tempo that made him want to sing along. Daerra's voice echoed through the halls. Her voice was a smooth contralto, with a smooth silky tone to it. He would know it anywhere. As he entered Daerra's music room, he saw her. She was accompanying herself on the piano, and her fingers were a blur across the key board. It was an upbeat dancing tune, more common in inns and taverns than at balls. It was light, cheerful, and the last thing Aaron wanted to hear.

"It was him again." It was not a question. Daerra liked soft mournful ballads or rapid and complex pieces filled with anger and tension. She only played happy pieces like this when she was seriously upset, and trying to appear happy.

Daerra stopped singing, but continued to play, "You'll have to be more specific brother. I don't know what you are talking about." Her hands shifted as she began another piece, the kind an orchestra might play in the background at a Lady's tea party.

"Don't play dumb Daerra. I know you know what I mean. I of all people can tell when you are upset. Don't try to hide it. You know you can trust me, of all people. What did he say?" There was no need to explain who he was. The only person who could truly upset Daerra was their father.

Daerra hesitated, and then stopped playing. She turned to face him. As always her face was perfectly composed without a hint of sadness in her eyes. She even seemed a little happy. "I'm fine Aaron. I'm used to him. I can handle it."

"Don't hold me at arm's length Daerra! I think I know you well enough to know when your upset, so talk to me about it!" Aaron shook his head. "Maybe I should go give him a piece of my mind."

[Daerra Elariel]

For a moment Aaron sounded so much like her father Daerra wanted to run. She thought for a moment, and then sighed. He wouldn't leave her alone until she talked to him, whether she needed it or not. She flared her bronze to ensure her father was not nearby.

"Aaron, you can't do that. It will only make things worse. It will make him think he's won. All he really did was hurt my feelings. I'm used to it, and I can handle things." She stood and gave him a quick, tight hug. "Thank-you for being on my side." She stepped back,, gave him a smile, and turned back to her piano. She actually did feel better. "So," she asked Aaron as she began to play, "Any news from our little friend?"

[Aaron Elariel]

Aaron grimaced. I suppose it's now or never. Hesitantly, he began to lay out his unproductive meeting with Martin, and his strange encounter with the obligator.

"I came home straight after," he said, wincing at Daerra unwavering stare. Can't she be vulnerable, just for once. "Will it effect our plans for this evening?"

Daerra huffed, but he knew that was mostly for show. Most emotion that she let show was. "I wish I had been there. There are so many details you might not have noticed!" She shook her head. "What did he say again. Try to be as exact as possible. The thing you thought was about me."

"He said, 'Be careful with her, she is much more, and much less than she seems.'" quoted Aaron. "I made sure to remember that part."

"And he gave you this advice, right after wishing you luck at the ball?"

"Yes, I think so..." Aaron failed to see where Daerra was going with this. But then, that's why he depended on her. She always saw where things were going.

"And after he indicated he knew you could burn metals?"

"Yes, I'm pretty sure."

"And he recognized who you were before either of those things."

Daerra kept her gazing focused on him, making him sweat, but Aaron could tell she was thinking very hard.

"It could be you are right," she said finally, "And the obligators are onto us, but I doubt it. That's the allure of a noble theiving crew isn't it? Who would suspect. He didn't approach you, which certainly suggests he wasn't looking for you, and since he already knew who you are, if he already suspected you there would be no reason to let you get away," she paused again thoughtfully, and then smiled. "Several members of the Venture family have joined the ministry, including Phyra's brother if I am not mistaken. I think her hidden talent for emotional allomancy and the horrid personality she hides behind her dresses would make her 'much more, and much less than she seems.' As many obligators were also allomancers, it wouldn't be a stretch to guess that this one was at least a seeker," she gave Aaron a look. "So you see, it wasn't an obligator onto our plans, just a brother looking out for his sister," her look grew dangerous. "The only reason I can see that he would suspect anything is that you almost gave everything away yourself."

Aaron groaned, "So I'm in for a lecture then?"

Daerra paused, as if she really were considering, before saying, "Yes, you are."

[Daerra Elariel]

Daerra let her smile show as Aaron began stalking out the door, her melancholy forgotten in the lecture.

"Aaron," he turned back. "Thank-you." He nodded. There was no need for more, not between them. As he left, she sighed and went back to her piano. The piece she played was a sad love song, filled with sweet heartbreak. She sighed as her fingers trilled lighly against each haunting note.

[Claudia Elariel]

A haunting melody echoed through the keep. The soft, somber notes fit Claudia's mood exactly. She had been hoping to find Mikhail when she came in from practice but he was in none of his usual haunts. He was probably preparing for the Casuana ball. That seemed to be all anyone wanted to talk about. I should just tell father I won't go. I hate these things, she thought. She trailed her fingertips along the edge of the wall. She paused at the entryway to the piano room.

She stood still, listening until the piece came to a close. "You play beautifully, cousin."

[Daerra Elariel]

She jumped at the the sound of Claudia's voice. She had been focusing very hard on her playing, and hadn't noticed her cousin standing there until the girl spoke. How long has she been standing there? It was usually difficult for anyone, allomancer or not, to sneak up on Daerra.

Daerra turned deliberately to face her cousin. She'd never known what to think of Claudia. In some ways, she was an obstacle that she would one day have to remove, but in others she was her little cousin Claudia. A girl so timid and shy it was hard too see her as a threat. But not impossible, thought Daerra. Even the meekest of mice had fangs.

"Thank-you for the compliment Claudia," she said. "I did not notice you there." She thought for a moment, searching for what to say. Aaron was the only member of her family she ever really talked to. "Have you prepared yourself for the ball?"

[Claudia Elariel]

She smiled ruefully. "Not really. I should be upstairs getting cleaned up for a fitting, but..." She shook her head, her frayed honey brown braids streaming out behind her. "I was actually hoping to find Mikhail but he's no doubt busy with his own preparations."

"I hope I'm not bothering you," she went on. "I figure since you're down here your own arrangements are made." Daerra was watching her, probably with disgust. She knew how fierce her cousin could be. Between Daerra's seemingly indomitable will and Aaron's charisma she had always felt more than a little out of place with them. They were so close as to almost make her feel like she was intruding whenever she even tried to approach them.

Still, they were family and she knew she ought to try. Besides it was as much her own fault as theirs. Claudia knew she was distant. She managed a smile and cast about for something to say. "Daerra..." She could always use emotional Allomancy to put her cousin in a more receptive mood, but even though she could do it and conceal that she was doing it the idea was distasteful to her. It would be...rude. "Do you think," she paused. She couldn't ask her cousin if she thought throwing parties in the middle of all the social upheaval was smart. Daerra would think she was mad and she'd never hear the end of it from her father. "That is, I heard that Aaron was set up with Phyra Venture for the Casuana ball. Will the two of you be alright? I've heard...things...about her."

[Daerra Elariel]

So hesitant. But she mentioned Phyra. Is she just making conversation? What game is she playing? Daerra quieted her racing thoughts, and made sure her face did not break calm. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away from her cousin, making herself seem more vulnerable and easier to approach.

"Don't worry, you haven't been bothering me Claudia. I had my own fitting earlier today. I'm glad I did it early in the day, there is still a lot of work to be done on my gown." She frowned, hoping Claudia did not think it was at her. "As for Phyra... I can't say I'm not worried. I spoke to her in Ahlstrom square yesterday, and she showed herself to be little more than a harlot. All there is to her is lust and seduction. It's like she's empty inside..." she trailed off. Her description of Phyra was too close to her father's of her. "Aaron has gone and invited her to share a carriage. I can't believe he chooses now of all times to be a gentleman!"

She met her cousin's eyes. They were very large, making her look like more of a child than she really was. She was tugging on her braid, revealing her nervousness. She's... scared of me? Daerra read. But why? I've always been civil and friendly, at least to her face. She had been about to unwrap her hands from below her chest, but she decided to keep them there. Suddenly she really was feeling self concious.

"I can't imagine sharing a carriage with her," she said. "I was actually meaning to find you Claudia. I was hoping you might have room in your carriage for me." Fool, Daerra thought to herself. Why put yourself out there like this? What happens when she refuses you?

[Claudia Elariel]

Daerra looked so troubled by the thought that Claudia replied without hesitation. "Of course I do," she replied. "I can't imagine being forced to travel with her. What Uncle Andrew was thinking when he arranged it I just don't know but if it were Mikhail - " she shivered. "I don't think I'd tolerate it with half the grace you've displayed."

She couldn't remember having ever seen her cousin look quite like this; not simply put out but upset. Do I Soothe her or let it be? How healthy can it be to deny a natural feeling all the time? "I trust with Aaron that he is simply acting a gentleman," she went on, attempting to calm Daerra without resorting to Allomancy. "I wouldn't expect him to become besotted with her, and even if he did, cousin, nothing would come of it."

"In fact, what surprises me is that you are not engaged for the evening. I hear that Neven Venture will be escorting Camille Deuvoux. That's a shame, really. I think you'd compliment him very nicely, especially on the dance floor." She offered a small smile.

"Of course, as spectacular as everyone thinks Casuana's ball is going to be," she continued, thinking aloud, "it's only one of many and I believe Deuvoux themselves are next in the rotation...the important part of it, in any case. Perhaps it could be arranged for Lord Venture to escort you to Deuvoux's. Unless you already have someone in mind, of course."

[Daerra Elariel]

Now the woman was consoling her! Inwardly, Daerra fumed, more at herself than at Claudia. How had she let Claudia into the position of power? She'd only wanted to make herself seem more approachable. To prove her father wrong. She had thought that if she could have a conversation with timid cousin Claudia, the things he had said couldn't be true. She hadn't meant to have the girl consoling her. I'm not used to appearing weak, she thought. I guess I overdid it. That the weakness she was showing might be genuine, she gave no thought to. What she truly felt did not matter, it was the face that the rest of the world saw that mattered.

"... I believe Deuvoux themselves are next in the rotation...the important part of it, in any case. Perhaps it could be arranged for Lord Venture to escort you to Deuvoux's. Unless you already have someone in mind, of course." finished her cousin. The Deveauxs! she realized, remembering her conversation with Damien. Two conversations where she had lost the advantage in as many days. She was slipping.

"As for what my father was thinking, you will have to ask him. You father may be Lord Elariel, but my father is just as good at acting like he is." She straigtened her posture, slowly as to not appear abrupt, and folded her hands in her lap. "As for my lack of an escort, I prefer it that way. Things have been tense in Luthadel as of late, and I doubt I shall have any time to waste with whatever horrible man my father might have arranged to take me." That's right. If you don't reach for something it can't be taken from you. "Honestly, I suspect I shall enjoy myself even more by going alone. I've never understood when men insist on running things, when on the whole they are by far the more idiotic gender. But, things are changing. After all, Mia Casuana now runs a great house. Perhaps it's time for other women to rise as well." She let the ambition she knew she was showing shift to enthusiasm, and gave her cousin a conspirational smile. "Besides, I think Nevan and Camille might make an excellent match. I would never want to come between them."

[Claudia Elariel]

She settled into one of the many chairs and rested her hands on the arms, drumming her nails lightly in a soft steady rhythm. Her father would not want a match between Camile and Nevan - she didn't even have to consider that. That would stack the deck to firmly against any other house ever gaining more than they had. On the contrary it would place them all in a position to loose. If Daerra meant what she said, if she wasn't just indulging a sense of humor Claudia didn't share, about more women running Houses that would never happen if the Deuvouxs, Ventures and Casuanas all married into each others houses and formed an unstoppable trio.

She wondered what it would be like. Would there be less fighting or more as the other Houses tried to make their way back up? Would the nobles give in and accept a lesser place? Not likely. Father wouldn't....Mikhail wouldn't. "I don't know," she mused. "They might be cute together, Daerra, but do you really want to see their houses aligned?"

[Aaron Elariel]

Aaron approached the music room, remembering he had forgotten to talk to Daerra about what she wanted to do about Phyra sharing the carriage, but stopped outside when he hear voices from within.

Cousin Claudia? he wondered. This was strange. Daerra almost never spoke to their younger cousins. Her own family was no exception to how Daerra viewed the world. She saw them as threats, or tools, or obstacles to be removed. Especially Claudia and Mikhail. He knew getting them out of the way was one of the majors tasks Daerra had set herself in her plan to rule House Elariel. Despite her harsh outlook, Aaron couldn't actually see his sister killing anyone, no more than he would expect it of little Claudia. She probably has though, he thought. He always forgot that his little cousin was actually mistborn. He had never been able to picture her leaping through the mists.

He focused on listening to their conversation. They were talking about... men? His normally so cautious sister was talking to his normally so distant and reluctant cousin about men? Daerra rarely spoke seriously to anyoen in their family besides Aaron, and especially not to someone she viewed as much a threat as Claudia. Aaron caught himself smiling. Perhaps Daerra was changing. He often worried about her. He knew the way she lived couldn't be healthy. And their father never helped things. Deciding it would be better if the two women were not disturbed, Aaron backed away quietly, and went on his way.

[Daerra Elariel]

Claudia is giving me advice about politics? Claudia had always seemed reluctant to join in the intrigue of noble life. Daerra had even heard she went about her duties as mistborn only reluctantly. If I had that kind of power, just think what I could do! if Daerra was mistborn, she knew she would not waste it, or whatever freedom from the restrictions placed on her gender she could garner from wearing the tassled cloak.

"Of course, you're right Claudia. I was only speaking as a friend. I wouldn't want to atagonize House Deveaux, but at the same time an alliance between them and Venture would be problematic to say the least." She let her smile grow sly. "Although, if you take into account of how over-protective Mia Casuana is of her cousin, a turbulent relationship between Nevan and Camille could drive these three houses apart as much as an engagement would seal them together. I find that most things at court can be used to gain advantage, or to lose it, depending on how you look it." Who knows, perhaps I can even use Aaron's date with Phyra to my advantage. Daerra's mind started racing. Aaron, Phyra, Claudia, Mikhail, House Venture... suddenly it was all fitting so perfectly together. This is what I needed. A plan. She was feeling like herself again.

"Tell me something Claudia," she started, keeping her tone casual. "As second heir, Aaron can't have been Phyra's first choice. The woman hides her ambition as well as her body. Did your father prove to have more sense than mine and reject her invitation?"

[Claudia Elariel]

It was a good thing she hadn't been drinking anything; she would have choked. What had she said to Daerra? That if it had been Mikhail she wouldn't have handled it as gracefully? I should lie, she thought. But she wouldn't. If the person asking her hadn't been family she would have affected a flat stare and calmly told any lie she could think of. She liked to stay above the court intrigues but that didn't mean she always could. Life in Luthadel required her to know at least the basic elements of deception.

"Not precisely," she said. She rose, pushing her hair away from her face and paced nervously. Things had been going so well, and now Daerra was likely to be furious with her. Probably Aaron would to when he heard of it and there was little hope that his twin wouldn't tell him. She'd have everyone mad at her. "He didn't exactly like the idea, but well..she is a Venture..."

She crossed the room abruptly and sat gingerly on the edge of the bench next to her cousin. "Daerra, it wasn't supposed to come back to you and Aaron..."

[Daerra Elariel]

Daerra leaned in closer, indicating she was willing to conspire. does this go deeper than I thought? What wasn't supposed to reach us? Whatever it was, she wondered if her father had had a hand in it. It would be just like him to try to keep her in the dark.

She shifted a bit, as if shocked that it was more than just a casual question. "Go on Claudia. I can keep a secret, but if there's something me and Aaron need to know, you must tell us," she frowned again, and looked away. "I felt her touch my emotions with allomancy the other day. I can handle myself, but Aaron is often oblivious to such things. I may seem to be taking it in stride, but... I'm worried about him." She made sure she was looking Claudia directly in the eye for her last statment.

[Claudia Elariel]

"She did what?" Claudia asked, her voice rising sharply in alarm. No wonder Daerra had seemed out of sorts to her. She was concerned her brother was being paired off with a deranged Allomancer.

And it was all Claudia's fault.

"I didn't know," she said softly. "Oh, Daerra, I'm so sorry." She looked away, starring out the window but in the end she knew that not meeting her cousin's eyes would be cowardly. Slowly she returned her focus to the other woman. "After the ball was announced my father told Mikhail and I who our prospective matches were for the evening. I was unsurprised, of course....but never mind. That's nothing new. He...wanted Mikhail to escort Phyra." She paused, searching for strength. Allomancy couldn't help her now, not unless she was willing to dampen what was very probably going to be her cousin's intense rage or disgust and she'd already decided not to do that. "I didn't want him to take her. We argued about it...I didn't think. I couldn't stand the idea of Mikhail with that....that woman...."

"In the end Mikhail would have done it of course," she said ruefully. "He's very dutiful. But I....you see, Daerra, it's my fault. I told them I wouldn't do any more Mistborn duties if they forced this."

Now whatever happens it's on you, Claudia Elariel.

[Daerra Elariel]

So, that's the secret. thought Daerra. She thought to protect her brother from Phyra, and in doing so got Aaron stuck with her. She stared at Claudia, her gaze unwavering, hoping to build tension in the girl. Claudia was no doubt expecting her to be furious. She would have to surprise her.

She started with a sigh, exhaling until she had no breath left in her lungs. "Thank-you for telling be Claudia. I can't say I'm happy with the result, but I understand what you did. Had our roles been reversed, I probably would have done the same for my brother," she gave a warm smile. "It's too bad we aren't both mistborn, if we were perhaps we could have kept Phyra Venture out of the lives of our family for good." She kept her expression resigned, despite the urge to leap for joy. It was too perfect! "Besides, what is done is done. I think I shall talk to Aaron later, and try to figure out a way to keep her from coming back," she gave Claudia a wink, hoping to comfort her. "Perhaps we'll make him seem so horrible even Phyra Venture will want nothing to do with him." Lord Ruler, it's too perfect!