Return of allies

The dim glow of the oil lamp illuminated the study as I stood over the large oak table, its surface cluttered with maps, scrolls, and scattered reports. My father sat across from me, his weathered face lined with fatigue. Though the meeting earlier had drained him, he remained sharp, his piercing eyes scanning the plans I had laid out.

"This is bold," he remarked, tracing a finger over the map, pausing at the marked locations. "You're spreading our forces thin."

"Calculated boldness," I replied. "Each group has a specific task and minimal risk. Rephradre's operations were large but not entirely covert. These are our best leads to find Jem."

His lips pressed into a thin line as he studied me. "If this fails…"

"It won't," I interrupted, my voice steady. "I've accounted for as many variables as possible. This isn't a gamble—it's a strategy."