The Annex

Chapter 2

I found my way to the Stateroom in time for Palace guards to announce the release of the lock down as well as the death of the King.

"You are all released from the lockdown. The cause of the lockdown was the assassination of King Aegon, may he rest in peace—", the guards next words were cut off as the noblemen and women ruptured into a culmination of outrage, panic and fear. The horrified gasps and shouts were deafening and I found myself inching towards the edge of the room, pressing myself against the wall.

"Miss! Miss!"

I found the owner of the voice trying to capture my attention. Tomas was waving at me from a short distance to my right. I forged my way through a fainting woman and her husband to reach him.

"The gates are opening and I thought I'd escort you," he gave me a gentle smile.

"Thank you," I murmured gratefully as we embarked on a journey to cross the frenzied room. I did not envy the Palace guards who were now in charge of attempting to reign in the commotion. We made our way out through the Courtyard once more to the East Gate.

"The King's death means that the Annex will be commencing soon. It's been a long time since we had one. Long before either of us were born," Tomas said softly. In the midst of the catastrophe, I had neglected to draw the pieces together. The throne was up for grabs now. It meant that as a descendant of one of the twelve Royal families, I had a chance at the throne.

"A long time," I echoed as my mind raced. The Annex was my birthright. But I had lived so estranged from the Court that I was unsure that I knew enough to run an entire kingdom. Before I thought further, I had to find my mother. "Tomas, thank you but I have to go."

I took off out the East Gate and down the streets. The panic within the palace walls was beginning to spread. The word of the King's death would reach even the darkest corners of the city within minutes. Making turns down the streets I pushed myself, lungs heaving until I finally reached my grandfather's house. I grasped the gate as I caught my breath, suddenly dizzy from my abrupt stop.

"Cara," my mother called out. "Is it true," she grasped my face, her hands fanned across my cheeks.

"Yes, mama, the King is dead," the words tumbled hollowly from my lips. Even as I announced the news to my mother, the idea seemed foreign and unbelievable to myself.

"Brandon," my mother called up the stairs to my grandfather.

"What, what is it?"

"The King has been killed," Mother announced to my grandfather as he descended the stairs.

"What," my grandfather came to a stop on the second to last step.

"Aegon has been murdered," Mother went to assist Grandfather to an armchair.

"That means the Annex will be put into motion," his voice was a rasp against the deafening silence.

"The Annex," I watched my mother have the same epiphany I had experienced only twenty minutes ago. Her eyebrows rose then furrowed and she turned to Grandfather. "We have to forfeit, I will not lose Cara to the Court, like I lost her father." My thoughts traveled to my father. Everything he had done, had been for a better Throne, a fairer throne. I couldn't very well be certain that I would have a positive effect, but I knew I was still a better option than some. It was my birthright to participate in the Annex.

"Mother, I—", I was cut off as Mother began to ramble about the dangers of the Court and how to forfeit my spot in the Annex. I waited for her to finish but her rant flowed freely, with no signs of stopping. Frustrated, I slammed my fist down on the table. "Mother!" She jumped as I caught her by surprise.