The Annex

Chapter 3

My mother had been quiet since our conversation. Grandfather had been going over some of the details of the Annex with me. In order to win the monarchy, I would have to win  the allegiance of as much of the Court as I could and finally, a privy council made of influential Court members would make the decision. In order for the Court to assess our abilities and our qualifications for the monarchy, we would be put through trials and tribulations. We would be assessed for intelligence, diplomacy, strategy and more.

"There will be several aspects of the Annex in which you will be expected to perform," Grandfather said. "These aspects each have their own committees in which members of the Court sit. They include Palace grounds and architecture, outreach and mission, armory and war, law, and strategy. Some of the Court sit on multiple committees. In the beginning of the Annex, allegiances are hard to obtain. You'll earn them by getting to know members of the Court and impressing them. The final trial is a culmination of strategy, war, perseverance and all qualities important in a good monarch. It's designed to derive whatever other information the Court wants from the Candidates. It'll also test the allegiances that you have made and it varies based on what the Court deems necessary."

"Won't the girls have a disadvantage in the final trial? If we must rely on strength," I asked, nervously.

"Not necessarily. Some of the best strategists in the final trials have been women. Brawn won't necessarily get you to the end, to the crown. And throughout the Annex, even if you don't become monarch, the Court will be looking to install different positions to support the monarch. Some groups work well together and the Court will take notice," walking to the far side of the library, Grandfather pulled out an old map. Unrolling it on the large wooden table, we placed a silver pitcher and three glasses on the tattered corners in order to flatten the map. In the center of the map with mountains to the west was Rivell. Grandfather's finger fell on our capitol. "One of the aspects of strategy is understanding who our potential threats are. For many years, Margaret Calloway, mother of King Aegon, may he rest in peace, was our chief strategist. In the Windfallian Rivellian wars, it was she who led a brigade up the rivers by route of the sea." Grandfather's worn and weathered hands followed a path from the sea and up the Westor river. "Windfall had prepared its men and armies at the fords, expecting our men to invade from there."

Grandfather leaned against the table and crossed his arms before speaking once more. "Plus, winning allegiance isn't just about brute strength. Most of the monarchs, beyond a select few, still wed. So the Court can urge arranged marriages, or approve marriages to men who are the 'brute strength' that is desired. And to be quite frank, sometimes, the Court selects a Royal who can easily be swayed. The brute strength type isn't always the easiest to convince. The Court likes to keep their own interests in mind so it isn't always clear cut."

The entire concepts behind the throne and the Annex seemed to be unscrupulous. There seemed to be much more at play than what was seen on the surface. If I had any chance at winning the Annex, I would have to be smarter and one step ahead of my opponents. I had been entirely determined in my decision, but now, as Grandfather elucidated the second agendas and the crude reality of the Annex, I was slowly losing my nerve.

"My dear, I can sense your fear," his hand came to rest on mine.

"It doesn't seem as straightforward anymore. There seems to be so many obstacles. I don't even know the least of it."

"But you'll have help." His reassuring voice must have stirred something in my mother.

"I will be contacting Lady Isla DuPonte to be your sponsor throughout the Annex. She's the best in the business," Mother finally broke her silence. "I am wary of you going into this, of going back to the very place and work that killed your father. But I know you are strong." Her hands came up to grasp my face as she pressed a kiss to my forehead. I leaned in as she embraced me and sucked in a breath. For the first time in my life, I think I had found my true purpose. I had expected that in this moment, I would have been more certain, that I wouldn't feel trepidation. But the reality of my decision, of my destiny, crashed into me like a rogue wave.