A/N: I feel like a total jerk for leaving Tal alone for so long. Maybe I should have him saying something now and then. Maybe. I feel infinitely worse for leaving my favourite story for so long.

Disclaimer: Are you actually reading this? If you are, I'll say it for your benefit: I don't own the book, I don't own the show (what do you think I'd be doing now if I did? Not this, that's for sure).

Chapter 6-Planning

Milla paced around her room, fighting the urge to scream and run out. It was like a prison. Actually, she knew it was her prison, and if she didn't come up with a good idea in time, it'd probably be permanent.

For the last 7 sleeps, Miria and she had been doing the same thing all the time. If they weren't on some ridiculous social call, they were coming up with ideas on how to get out of this situation. They had even consulted the Crone Malen, who had nothing to offer them but asking them to trust the Crones. At least they gleaned one small piece of information: Kazhua had command over the Imperial Guard, or most of it anyway, and that allowed him to have any Castle-Dweller, including Tal, executed any time he felt they were plotting against him with the Icecarls. And he didn't have a good temper either.

This information was not welcome to Milla. It was one thing to put her life at stake, or even Miria's if she offered it, but Tal? That would throw the Castle into disorder. Or so she convinced herself.

A soft knock on her door stopped her mindless pacing. Immediately she opened the door and went out. Miria was waiting for her, despite Kazhua's unceasing pestering to get one of the Guard instead. She wore her mask, realising before Milla did that if their resemblance was spotted, she would be slain before anyone could do anything about it.

"Feeling better now?" asked Miria conversationally. Milla grimaced. Just last night she had refused to say anything and basically glared at anyone who had talked to her.

"Sort of," she admitted. The fact that she was only a few days away from sealing her doom made her edgy. Miria, naturally, had taken none of it once they were out of earshot, and had ignored her glares.

"Well, you keep shooting down all my ideas. What can I do then?" grumbled Miria. "I don't see why-watch out!" The last bit was shouted at a young child running headlong into the wall, but the child could not understand her warning. He ran headfirst into the wall, bounced back and began crying.

His mother ran past the two Icecarls and began comforting her son. Milla turned to look at Miria's expression. She could see some relief that the child was alright, but if it were anyone else, they wouldn't have realised. "They're only somewhat different from us, aren't they?" murmured Milla.

There was no reply, but Miria set off at double their usual speed, so they got to the dining hall earlier than usual, and it was empty of any life. Milla took a seat and Miria took up her usual position two stretches behind her, her bow at the ready.

Soon, the rest of the Assembly arrived and the meal went the way it usually did: Tal and Milla were entirely silent, and Kazhua was talking so much no one would have believed he could finish the food on his plate, and everyone else occasionally contributed to the conversation.

Unfortunately, today was not the average one. One of the younger waiters tripped over the leg of the table while carrying the jug of sweetwater. It spilled all over Kazhua's lap. The girl cringed and backpedaled instantly. And to be honest, nobody was going to stop her.

Kazhua's reaction was instantaneous. He stood up roaring at the girl. Miria's bow tautened, directing at him as he ordered for the immediate execution of the unfortunate waiter. The girl tripped and cringed even more, as the Guards glanced at each other, unsure whether they should obey or not. Tal's Keystone flashed red.

Miria glanced at Milla, who had stood up. "No," she said to the Guards. "A little water and it'll be as though nothing happened." And without another word, she swept out of the room, Miria tailing her and making a mental note to look for the girl later.

Miria left Milla alone for some peace and quiet as set off by herself. The stress was also getting to her, even though she tried not to show it. She knew where the little girl Stel stayed, having talked to her sometimes when she went to get food for herself. She headed down to what used to be the Red levels.

Stel's mother was folding clothes when Miria opened the unlocked door. She looked up as Miria said, "Is Stel around? I want to-"

She never got another word out. Stel's mother threw herself in front of a door and screeched, "Please! Don't kill Stel! She never meant to do anything! If you must, kill me instead!"

Miria was slightly irritated by her screeching, especially since she wasn't there to kill anyone. Over the older woman's screams, she shouted, "I'm not here to kill anyone! I'm just here to talk to Stel, I swear!"

Her words cause the noise in the room to abate by far. Stel's mother looked at her with cautious eyes. "Really? You're not here to arrest anyone or something?"

"No, I apologise, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. Do you mind?" she asked quickly. How strange these parents could be when it came to their children, but Miria never knew any of her family so she couldn't understand.

Having assured herself that her visitor was not here to take her daughter away, she opened the door, causing Stel, who had been listening at the door, to tumble out. She frowned at her daughter before taking the pile of neatly folded clothes to put away.

"Hi Stel. You're alright, aren't you?" Miria greeted her.

Stel gave her a brilliant smile and replied, "Yep, thanks to you and the other one there." She sat down on the seat her mother had just vacated. "I don't know why he has such a bad temper."

Miria took 'he' to mean Kazhua. "I know. Stel, can you do me a favour? I need to know everything you know about him." She felt a twinge of guilt at asking a child, but no sane adult was going to tell her, and the "insane" ones were out of her reach. She wasn't going to be able to slip in and out of Tal's quarters without being conveniently slain on the way.

"Sure!" Stel's smile became wider, if that was even possible. "I know he likes the old order better, because he's always talking to himself about it when he thinks no one's there." She giggled a little. "But he doesn't know that the waiter tunnels go past his room. Plus," she lowered her voice, "do you know who Sushin is?"

Miria nodded. Every Icecarl knew that one fool who aided the shadows four circlings ago.

"He's Sushin's brother!" Stel breathed. Her eyes glowed; it was clear she thought this very interesting. "Mother told me not to announce it to the entire world, but you're not the entire world, so I'm not really disobeying her."

Miria committed her words to memory. She had time to contemplate that later. "Thanks a lot Stel. One last thing: don't tell anyone you told me, alright? And as a precaution, stay home for a while." On an impulse, she hugged the girl before waving goodbye and scooting out of the door.

So Kazhua was related to Sushin. That would explain why he was doing this. He probably thought the Spiritshadows were great friends. Miria shuddered at the thought. Although, come to think of it, she could use his temper to her advantage. She would have to work out one small problem though, and do the practically impossible. Her pace increased. If she was lucky, the Emperor would just be taking a walk outside of his rooms.

Luck was on her side. She found him perched on a windowsill, with a blank look on his face, after walking around the upper levels for some time. She hesitated, wondering if this was the best idea. But this was the only idea she had, so if she didn't make it work, she might as well stab herself right then.

Tal was thinking of Milla, and how she different she was from four years ago. This morning, she looked practically more royal than he was. He couldn't leave her to this fate. But how was he going to help her while protecting his family? A frown creased his face.

A scuffling sound roused him, and instinctively his Keystone turned red, ready to incinerate any threat.

Miria watched as Tal's Sunstone flashed. She couldn't believe she was so clumsy as to get herself heard. She swore under her breath, and deciding that the direct approach was best, stepped into the light and clapped her fists together.

Tal blinked and let his hand fall back down to his side. "Did something happen to Milla?" he asked anxiously. He recognised the particular bone mask of that Icecarl.

Deciding to continue with her direct approach, Miria took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, I know you worry for Milla-I mean, War-Chief." She forgot for a moment that she wasn't supposed to refer to Milla by name when there were others around. She lowered her voice and began again, "I have a plan-a bit ridiculous, maybe, but it requires your cooperation."

Tal nodded. This Icecarl wasn't restrained where he was. Besides, he got a good feeling off her and something about her made it easy for him to trust her. "Don't tell me. What I don't know, nobody can make me tell."

It was Miria's turn to blink. What Milla told her didn't prepare her for this. The Emperor had obviously changed. She could foresee that it was going to be easy working with him. "I just need you to do something during the ceremony tomorrow. Pick an aisle seat. You'll know when to get up and block it. It'll be obvious. I… I may have to hurt you."

A/N: I'm soooo sorry for the long wait. I began this chapter a couple of months back, but I underwent an emotional blow, of which I'm still recovering from. I also have this sudden interest in Return of the Condor Heroes 2006, probably because it helped in getting over the grief. I had to stop writing because I was so depressed there would have been several suicide attempts in this chapter alone. I hope that you'll understand, and give some support through this difficult time. Thank you, and if you don't mind, review!

P.S. Should I get someone to host ANs with me? I have some OCs, or do you want someone from the book?