"This is insane! Is there any chance at all?" Avin waved his arms as he jumped up. "Terra, I feel for your situation, but this sounds like foolish desperation."

"It is not so desperate," Terra responded. "I've reviewed the palace defense plan. Inside the outer layer, the security is almost all Talent based, and Will could neutralize that. It is similar to what we encountered at the Blue Uprising command, and we were able to walk in untouched to the council meeting with no help."

"As I recall, the exit did not go as planned." Avin turned his glare toward Ginny. "I can't believe you agreed with this."

Ginny moved back and forth in a rocking chair in her home, an animated baby girl in her lap. "Oh, I don't like it at all, but I see no better options. Remember what happened to Will's first wife after they tagged her? When the Enforcers show up for Terra, and eventually they shall, they might take Will and Anna too."

Huffing, Avin threw his head back. "It's nuts! And if the Dynasty believes the Library was involved, whether we actually did or not, the repercussions would be severe. Joseph, where do you stand on this?"

Joseph held a solemn expression and spoke in a gentle voice. "I am not normally one to support violence, but consider the current situation. War happens and likely the Dynasty wins. After they wipe out the Uprising, the Dynasty will be in full control across the lands. Then they will come after the Library. We had always assumed the war was inevitable, but if this plan succeeds, we avoid the war and all the devastation that goes with it."

"But then the Blue Uprising will take control, and they are no better than the Dynasty."

"True, but they will need us, and it will give us some time to influence their policies. The Library would have a chance to survive."

Avin sat down and put hands to his forehead. "It is hard to believe we would sanction the assassination of the Emperor."

Will chimed in. "We don't even have to kill him. Just take his Talent away and his empire will implode."

"No, Will." Terra put a hand on his shoulder. "What you say is true, but the likely outcome of our success leaves the Emperor dead." She stood up straight and panned her eyes across everyone in the room with a solemn expression. "I do not want to mislead anyone. Many may die, but far less than from war."

"This mercenary, Neige, he will help?" Avin asked.

Terra replied. "The next step is to ask him, but I am sure he will. We have seen him and his team in action, and they are extraordinarily good at what they do." She caught Avin's eyes. "Avin, the risks are very real and I do not minimize them. As a former agent, I have experience with covert operations. With Will's abilities and Neige's help, we have a strong chance of success. You know my family has a stake in this. If we do nothing, someday a group of Dynasty Enforcers will show up on our doorstep. Of that, I am certain."

Avin sighed. "Very well. Begin the preparations. But I want Joseph to be involved in the planning and execution. Joseph, you will have Library authority to provide indirect support to the operation. I will inform the Board."

*****

In Will's cabin, Kori ran into the kitchen where Terra stood storing away supplies. Her voice expressed excitement, although still faint and raspy from her previous throat injury. "Terra, you have to see this!"

Closing the pantry door, Terra raised an eyebrow. Kori motioned toward the front door. "Come on, but be quiet."

Kory opened the front door slow enough to avoid a sound. Terra put a hand over her widening smile. On the porch, two men slept in rocking chairs, Neige and Will. Each held a sleeping little daughter cuddled in their laps. The contrast between big strong men and little girls stood out, yet seemed so natural, so endearing. The women peered through the doorway, taking in the heart warming sight.

The women returned to the cabin, and closing the door quietly.

Terra whispered with glee. "Oh, that was so adorable."

Kori stifled a giggle. "Tough guys are no match for little girls. I am going to remember this forever."

About a half-hour later, Will, with hair ruffled and eyes half closed, walked in carrying a fussy baby girl. Anna had developed several versions of fussing. This one, Terra recognized, meant hunger. She took her daughter and prepared to nurse.

Terra asked, "No fish?"

Will shook his head. "The girls were not interested in fishing. So we went exploring around the pond instead."

Neige walked in next, holding his daughter's hand, who rubbed eyes not quite awake. Dried mud caked parts of her body and clothing.

Kori kneeled down in front of her dirty daughter. "Oh, my little Mora. What did you get into this time?"

Neige shrugged. "You know, her and mud holes."

"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."

As Neige glanced around the small cabin with an approving nod, Will gestured and said, "This is our sanctuary, where we escape the world."

Neige and his family had arrived at the cabin only two hours prior, escorted by Will and Terra. Immediately upon arrival, Mora pointed at the pond with a playful smile and ran towards it, pulling her father along. Will followed shortly later with Anna and a fishing pole, which would be unused.

After dinner, Will, Terra, and Neige gathered around the table. Kori played with the two girls, who babbled to each other.

Will spread out a diagram of the Emperor's palace on the table. For the next hour, the three discussed strategies and risks as they examined the drawing.

When the discussions ended, Neige kneeled down in front of his wife. "Kori, are you still good with this?"

"Is it going to work?"

"The strategy is solid, but there are risks. Like always."

Kori nodded, but tension showed on her face. "As long as the Emperor is in power, we will live in shadows. If you believe the plan will work, then I am good with it." Turning to Terra, she asked, "What will you do with Anna?"

Terra looked over at Will, and he answered for her. "She will stay with her grandmother in Freehold. Mora and you would be welcome as well. You would be under the protection of the Library."

Terra stood and addressed Kori and Neige. "Thank you both. We still have much to prepare. There should be enough time, but if the war breaks out prematurely, we will need to move quickly. We will get back with the Library for what intelligence they have and what support they would commit to us. Neige, begin gathering your men and equipment and set up training. Agreed?"

Both Will and Neige nodded.

Will said with a smile, "You are welcome to stay with us for a few days. There are still more mud holes for little Mora to find."

*****

As Terra and Will sat in Joseph's office, Ginny walked back and forth with a sleeping Anna slumped over her shoulder. The joyful mood carried over from an upbeat church service turned somber.

Terra started the discussion. "Neige has agreed to help us, eager even. He has as much a personal stake in the outcome as we do."

Will asked Joseph. "What have you heard of the war preparations? That may force our timing."

"Our sources indicate the troop buildup and positioning are still happening," Joseph replied with a frown. "We still think the Uprising will define the timing and the Dynasty strategy will be to draw them into a battlefield of their choosing. The Dynasty force has superior numbers, but less motivation than the Uprising. If I had to guess, the Uprising will strike by late autumn, before the winter snows." Joseph dipped his head. "It will be bloody."

Terra spoke. "Our chances would improve if we had some sort of distraction away from our point of entry. Is this something the Library could provide?"

"I think so," Joseph replied with a nod. "There are periodic protests in the Capital City, despite the Dynasty's efforts to suppress them. We could arrange a noisy one near the palace with enough lead time. We also have a warehouse near the palace that you could use as a staging area, and people there now that monitor palace activity. I have requested regular reports."

"That would be perfect."

Joseph drew down his dark bushy eyebrows and firmed his face. "My friends, these are dark times. I support this action, but I still have reservations about the risks."

At that moment, Anna awoke and launched into newfound vocal babbling skills while squirming happily in Ginny's arms. Joseph leaned back and let out a rolling laugh. As eyes turned to him, he explained. "Here we are discussing the fate of the world and this baby girl reminds us to enjoy every moment we can." He tickled Anna gently on her belly, to her giggling delight. "You truly are a light in dark times, little one."