~.✧ Ethira ✧.~ [COMPLETE]

~.✧ eighteen ✧.~

The day after Varien released Holcolm from the running, the elections came to a close. Varien chose the best ten of those nominated, but neither of us felt completely secure in the decision. Despite a few seeming trustworthy, I still had my suspicions about some. But Varien chose the best options he could and I tried my best to support him in that since the pickings were slim.

After the Advisory Panel was set, Varien had even more he had to do; before the panel could help him with the mess of the Brikenfoltians and the people's discontentment, they had to be inaugurated and the new advisors had to learn their duties and complete the proper paperwork and tasks to be admitted to the panel. Varien had to oversee all of it because it was his panel and even though it was just one more thing, I could see the stress mounting up on him.

I worked my best to help him. As he had promised, he tried as often as he could to have a few minutes alone with me each day, and in those few moments, I could see how much he needed them. Even if it was just a small conversation about something trivial, it helped calm his overworked mind. Sometimes, if I got the chance, I would come in while he was working and just sit with him as he did what he needed to, simply telling him that I was there as his support.

Despite the frenzy of the new Advisory Panel, the palace felt quiet. Calm. Which left me uneasy. I hated not knowing what the Brikenfoltians were thinking, when they might just be right around the corner. This long stint without an attack left my nerves on the edge of the cliffs, about to jump at the smallest move. The longer the palace went with no disturbance from them, the jumpier I became. Sure, I was glad they weren't here. Yet it was almost just as bad, with the possibility of another attack looming just below the horizon, always torturing me as I walked about the halls.

And no matter how long I contemplated their reason for going so long without attacking and talked it out with Mirellia, neither of us could come up with any ideas as to why. They had to be planning something. But I wasn't sure what...

On one of the nicest mornings in months, with the sun shining in through my quarters' windows, I received an invitation from Margaret and Tasha to go to town that afternoon. Margaret included Kes in the letter, so I called a maid to ask for her to come to my quarters.

I wasn't sure what I was supposed to wear for a trip to town or what we'd even be doing, but I hoped Kes could help me figure that out. I hadn't left the palace grounds since the tournament when the attacks had started and despite knowing the dangers that could be near, jitters festered inside my bones, needing something to do. I'd never been great at staying still and Margaret and Tasha's letter had come at just the right time.

I was starting to wonder if Kes was too busy to come when there was a light knock on my door. When I answered it, she stood in the hall, but with a tired smile on her face.

"Hey," I said warily in greeting. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she assured as she stepped into the room around me. She ran a hand over her slightly disheveled hair and released a breath.