Ch 3

The two separated that night and began to put together the preparations for the plan. It was quite risky and there were a few times where they almost got caught. The next morning everybody was about, but no one knew that the very boy before their eyes was not actually the same person. Liden changed overnight with the help of makeup and a wig to match the look of Lian.

Liden was filled with excitement and he was also quite nervous about blotching the plan, but as estranged as the brothers were, Liden still knew what his brother was like.

Liden carried on with the day, discussing with councilors and widening the goods market, thanks to Rian's advice. Liden always had to watch what he ate or drank because of the ongoing assasination attempts, but that wasn't enough. Even at night he'd stay restless as a shadow, while hiding under his bed, when someone walked into his room.

The person would leave with the weapon that they had, upon realizing that he wasn't there. Liden was this close to breaking down, because of the lack of sleep and fear.

"Is this what Rian has been going through all this time?," he wondered, feeling guilty. "And to think that I wanted to be emperor, and I never knew about these burdens," he thought.

The assasination attempts went as far as his bedroom going aflame. Liden coughed and sputtered, his eyes watering. Smoke clouded the room and wooden planks fell apart.The purple flames spread, licking everything in its path. He threw himself at the door multiple times to open it, but it was shut tight!

Liden's eyesight was getting blurry, he reached for his window hoping that it was open. The window gave way and he fell through.

Servants had gathered with hushed whispers. Thunder rumbled through the place and the sky turned gray. Slowly the sky let its tears fall and touch the ground. Soon enough the entire palace was doused. Liden looked around him feeling more frightened and alone than ever.

Amongst him were wolves in sheep's clothing. He started to miss Rian and wished he were here.