The Annex

Chapter 33

Over the course of the next few days, along with the help of the soldiers, we helped the people of Evert return to normalcy. Or as normal as it could get. We had spent the better part of two days burying the fallen men and women.

Finnegan had collected healers from the nearest villages and brought them to Evert to heal all of our wounded. Between all his duties and meetings, I hadn't seen him. Today, Tomas, Atlas and I would be riding back to the Palace. The rest of the Candidates had returned to the Palace and we would be the last to return. Last we had heard, the Court was in deep discussion on how to continue with the Annex.

"Hey Cara, we have to go," Tomas called out over his shoulder. Val and two other horses were saddled and ready to go. I stood on my tip toes, straining as I searched for Finnegan. My heart fell as I mounted Val. He hadn't come to say goodbye to me. I had barely seen him the past few days and I didn't know when I'd see him again. I masked my emotions as I turned Val towards the forest after Tomas and Atlas.

"We'll make it back in two days," Tomas said cheerily.

"Oh Goddess, I have missed hot baths and food that wasn't cooked over a campfire," Atlas grinned.

"Agreed," I smiled halfheartedly. My mind was preoccupied with a certain someone. A certain well sculpted someone. The image of Finnegan shirtless basking in the sun filled my senses.

"Hello, anyone home," Tomas called out at me and I shook my head as I cleared my thoughts.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Atlas and I were just talking about what you're going to go back to, we were wondering what your opinion was."

"Going back to what?"

"Man, you're really not here are you," Atlas joked. "Tomas doesn't think that the Annex will continue."

"I think that there's a pretty obvious choice. I think they'll want you."

"Me? You think that they'll want me?"

"I mean you were brave enough to try to go solve all of this on your own. And in the end, you and the Commander did fix you. You're the reason that Hector didn't lay out a war on all of Rivell. Hector could have gone far without the King knowing. You saved thousands of lives. I think the Court would see that as monarch material. I mean I do," Tomas rationalized.

"Yes, and I agree, Cara would make a phenomenal Queen. But I think the Court will still want to see how the rest of the Annex plays out. I wish it was as straightforward as finding a good King or Queen. But sometimes the Court just wants a puppet. I think they're going to continue the Annex."

"What's left of the Annex," Tomas asked.

"The final trial," Atlas and I said in unison.

"Any idea what it might be," Tomas chuckled.

The final trial of the Annex would be the Court's ultimate test of strength, strategy, alliances and more. Whatever it may be, it would allow us to prove our determination and resourcefulness.

"We've already been through enough don't you think," I asked. "Killian was murdered, we were evacuated."

"I don't know," Atlas said softly. "The Court isn't known for being kind or generous." With our solemn realizations we continued our journey in silence.

-

"Look at that lake," Tomas called out from ahead. "I don't know about you but I could use a swim." Atlas and Tomas met at the lake side and took off their shirts as they dove in. I felt a pang as I thought of my last swim. I opted to stay on the shore as Tomas and Atlas swam.