A Dance Of Blades and Hearts

the attempt

"Hide me mother", I begged as I ran as much as my little feet could carry me around her room, looking for a hiding place, her loud laughter filled the room. "son, I'm sure your history master wouldn't come in here " she said small smile on her face, I peeped my head out from my hiding place "really? " I asked, her smile grew wider "really " she replied, I grinned back, running across the room and plopping down on her lap, she laughed and held unto me, "you can't avoid your history lessons forever baby " she said holding unto my face, " but they're boring mother, I'd rather play alll day with songy" I said gesturing wildly with my hands, "okay tell you what, we can go to the garden together after your lesson" she said and I grinned "can we feed the ducks too? " I asked excitedly " of course baby " she said plopping a kiss on my head "but first you need to wake up " I furrowed my brows "mother? " "wake up orlan!"

My eyes shot open and I barely had time to register the figure standing over me before stopping a knife aimed at my chest

whoever this is fought to plunge the knife into my chest but I managed to push him off of me, quickly getting up and picking up the sword beside my bed, the masked man and I circled each other,

I was still disoriented and silently wondered how he had made it past the guards "who are you?"I asked voice dangerously low

silence

I saw his face darting around and right when I thought he would strike, he dashed for the exit and my eyes widened.

"guards, guards! Don't let him escape!" I yelled giving chase, the sight of the guards stationed in front of my room knocked out cold left me slack-jawed for a second

the man was gone.

I stood leaning against my desk when the captain of the palace guards walked in, went on one knee and bowed

"my lord I have failed you " he started but I waved a hand dismissing him

song stood staring grimly and uncle had a concentrated look on his face

"what I want to know is how someone was able to get pass every security put in place and into my chambers, have you been slacking captain? " I said and he shook his head furiously

"no my lord "

"then tell me how a single man took out two of the best men we have in the palace and made it pass the rest of you! " i said voice increasing in tempo, yesterday was a close call. I was beyond livid that the man had escaped.

"orlan " uncle suddenly called, he had a look of barely concealed anger on his face.

Uncle rarely addressed me by my name even though I had told him repeatedly that he could, he was visibly furious.

I nodded at the captain and he bowed low before exiting.

" the attack on the southern cities, the attack on your life today, the spy in the palace " he counted on tone grave.

"uncle what- "

"boys " he started addressing both song and I

"who would have been hit the most if Peria had gone to war with the southern cities " I furrowed my eyebrows trying to get his point

" huh the southern cities? " song replied, uncle gave him a pointed look

" me " I whispered as it dawned on me, but uncle wasn't finished

"if you had been killed yesterday what would have been the first thing to happen? " he continued voice hard. I froze as the implication of uncles words hit me

"the throne " I heard song say. Uncle nodded face grim

" someone knows orlan, and they're trying to ruin you "