His term in office started as a smashing success, loudly persuading the people who thought illy of him to reconsider their stance. Bran was making all the necessary changes to quickly advance society and leave the Great Depression behind them. The inflation rates had finally recovered under his care. And now, the average citizen wasn't struggling for a place to live or to put food on the table.
But with all rulers, there came opposition. Much like the Harpers were to Queen Bidi, there were groups devoted to the hatred of Bran's rule. They hadn't mobilized their forces, as they were in a very young stage, but even the most successful of the three senators now had to worry about his safety.
The Harpers were mostly disbanded by the guards who arrested them, but Polla and Creed escaped, giving life and hope of the rebellion. They tried to grow their organization, but few people truly felt Bidi deserved to die, despite some saying they thought it was unfair to have a monarch ruling over the entire planet.
A few groups had formed in Gerak to erase Bran from history. Their agendas were filled with racism. Some intolerant people had extreme visions for an all white future. And there were so few black people remaining, they thought it would be possible to end the black skinned people who had evolved that way because of their environmental conditions.
Fueled by immense understanding and ill placed hatred, one man, who wasn't part of any of the groups, who had been brewing anger for a very long time. His name was Ricky Paver, and he hated the dark skin tone so much he would risk his freedom for a chance to end the race entirely. Having already killed a few Tortu natives, he looked for a bigger prize. Who better to murder than the thriving official to invoke fear into the reaming black people?
Ricky acted alone. He needed no group to aid in his attack as he was highly trained in the art of war. Ricky was part of the Gerak army from the very beginning, and his hatred of black men started when he was stationed with Captain Krill and watched King Vran belittle his officer. He had little tolerance for black men after that encounter.
Now as an assistant officer in Bran's transportation team, he had access to all of Bran's movements. He knew exactly where he would be at all times. He could use this information to get a clean shot at Bran when he was least protected. He had been plotting the kill for months now, and it would happen in only five days' time.
Knowing there would be a period of three minutes that Bran would be left unprotected during a handoff of guards, Ricky searched for the perfect spot to hide with a bow and take the shot. He was an excellent bowman and wouldn't miss if he had a clear line of sight, so he was searching for the right spot in central Gerak where Bran would be left alone for just a few moments.
The day had arrived where Bran was to be left alone for a few moments while crossing the bridge into the district. Ricky arrived well before the planned time, because he knew questions would be raised if the guards saw a citizen carrying a bow with a sword sheathed on his side.
There were no great spots for him to take his shot, but he found a place underneath the bridge where he would have a slim vantage point of a few seconds. He figured this was the best opportunity he would have, so he decided to take it.
He arrived an hour ahead of schedule and patiently waited for Bran to walk across the bridge on his own. No one, including Bran, suspected a thing. Security for politicians had been more serious after the assassination attempt on the queen, but it was still lax in comparison to how it would be in the future.
Bran got out of the carriage leaving the district of Crain and entered the district of Quil. His shot was approaching. His heart was pounding in his chest, but he pulled the string back and controlled his breathing until the shot came into frame, then he released the arrow as Bran stepped into his vantage point.
