While Adolin demonstrated his powers to every person in the war camps the next morning, Kelsier enacted a much more important mission: Talking to Kaladin. The majority of the Kholins were leaving the next day to strike at the Parshendi. It would be the perfect opportunity to finally depose Elhokar. As Kelsier had yet to hear from Iyatil about the assassination, more insubordination, he would attempt to persuade Kaladin to do the deed.

Kelsier found Kaladin training alone on the sparring grounds, thrusting angrily at the air. Kelsier had no idea when the man managed to administer the bridge crews, since when he wasn't guarding the Kholins, he was training. When did he sleep?

Kelsier made sure no one was watching, and turned visible. Kaladin finished his jab with a flourish and moved to the side to take a drink.

Kelsier said,"That air looked vicious. Good job defeating it. Should you be battling imaginary voidbringers on your injured leg?"

"Storm off." Short and candid, one of the reasons Kelsier liked Bridgeboy.

Kaladin took up a position leaning against the wall, and Kelsier did likewise out of habit. "With the Kholins leaving, we'll have the perfect chance to assassinate Elhokar. Shuffle the guard shift so your men don't get hurt and we'll meet at sunset."

"You're Adolin's spren. Why can't you ask him for help?"

"He's…not involved."

"You mean you haven't told him," Kaladin said.

Kelsier shook his head.

Kaladin said,"It doesn't matter anyway. My spren has deserted me and my powers are gone. You're on your own."

"Cold feet? Coming from Kaladin Stormblessed?"

"There's another group already planning to strike. I said the king needs to die, not that I would do it myself."

"So you'll help these mysterious people, but not me?"

"Moash is a close friend. Far more than whatever you are. Annoyance, maybe?"

That was when Adolin rounded the corner. "How long have you two been colluding?"

Kelsier said,"Long enough," at the same time as Kaladin said,"Since the duel." Both glared at each other.

Kelsier said,"How did you find out? I checked for eavesdroppers…Tin."

"Correct."

Kelsier was getting sloppy.

Kaladin tried to speak but Adolin stopped him. "You're next on my list. For now, you're dismissed."

Kaladin stood but didn't move farther.

Adolin sighed. "You weren't actually planning to commit treason, and speaking ill of the king isn't a crime. I won't tell anyone since you saved my life. Consider this a debt paid."

Kaladin nodded hesitantly and walked out slowly.

Before Adolin could start a tirade, Kelsier said,"How much did you overhear?"

"Enough."

"That's the most petulant answer in the Cosmere."

"I left after you mentioned that you hadn't told me anything." It was far more likely that Adolin had stormed off in anger, then quickly rushed back so he could confront Kelsier.

"Look, I'm sorry, I really am. But you've said yourself that you don't want anything to do with assassinations. Elhokar needs to be killed, so I found someone willing. You brought this on yourself."

"You have no business deciding whether or not Elhokar deserves to live. He's imperfect, yes, but he's trying." Adolin took a breath. "Which brings up another point. It sounded Kaladin was backing out of his agreement to help you, not dismissing an offer you'd just made. Why does he want to kill the king?"

"I'm guessing a vendetta, though I haven't discovered what it was about yet."

"Then Kaladin, or any of his men, can't be trusted to guard Elhokar. The group is too close-knit. I hate to say it, since the Cobalt guards were working double shifts until Bridge Four replaced those killed during the Tower battle, but they're all we have."

"What are you going to do about Kaladin?"

"Nothing." Kelsier raised an eyebrow. Adolin continued,"He's staying behind because of his broken leg. I doubt even he'd attempt an assassination with it, even if he was so inclined. Instead, I'll tell the Cobalt Guard and arrange the shifts before I leave. I'd try to warn Elhokar, but you know how he'd overreact. The only thing left to do is keep an eye on you."

"I can't get too far anyway," Kelsier offered. "Not with our bond."

"Don't try it anyway, if you want to stay bonded."

Kelsier winced. As inconvenient as the bond could be, he was growing fond of his stronger connection to the physical realm. He would not jeopardize Adolin's trust any further.

As Adolin marched away, Kelsier watched his dreams of revolution fade. With no Ghostbloods or Kaladin, he could only hope that the mysterious third party Kaladin had mentioned would succeed. For the good of Alethekar.