Read The Queen's Gambit: Book One of Imirillia (The Books of Imirillia 1) for Free Online

had in his life. It seemed that Eleanor meant to pay him no mind. She was thinking carefully about something, pushing the food around her plate, her face knit in concentration. Finally, Wil ceased being invisible to her, for Eleanor turned directly to him.
    “Wil Traveler,” Eleanor stated simply.
    “Your Majesty,” he said, feeling uncharacteristically nervous, and he cleared his throat.
    “Have you settled into the travelers’ house?”
    “I have. There was plenty of time yesterday. I’ve since had opportunity to see a part of Ainsley, and the Princess Edythe showed me about Ainsley Rise.”
    Eleanor nodded, showing civil interest. “Now that you have seen a small part of Aemogen, do you suppose you will enjoy your stay?” It was a polite comment, a slight emphasis placed on enjoy .
    “To be honest,” Wil said as he settled back in his chair with folded arms and tilted his head to the side, watching the queen’s face, “I’m not yet sure.”
    Eleanor, Wil gathered, was surprised, for she set down her fork and looked at him as if finally giving him her full attention. He fought a smile away from his face, pleased.
    “For the sake of conversation,” Eleanor proceeded, “have you found something lacking?”
    “Just different,” Wil said, taking another bite of his simple meal, a vegetable stew, no meat, no spice, only herbs. It tasted flat in comparison to the food of the North.
    “You have no example for me then?” the queen said, speaking louder, and Wil noticed Aedon glancing in their direction. He decided to give this Aedon a show.
    Using a napkin that had been provided, Wil shrugged, set his fork down, and leaned towards the queen.
    “Oh, I have plenty of examples,” Wil said matter-of-factly. “I’m not sure you have that much disposable time.”
    “If you remember the audience yesterday,” she said, “you are supposed to offer something in return for my hospitality.” The queen’s tone was light.
    “What would you like from me?” Wil offered.
    “Since it’s not apparent you have any skill,” she answered with understated jest, “news and conversation should suffice, and I will make time for it. Please, tell me of our strange, secluded ways.”
    Wil took the slight in stride, as this was his element. “There are many indeed. But, should we begin close to home, as it were?” He raised his glass to her. “Your interactions as a monarch, as queen, are so familiar with all of those around you. Does not that undermine your authority?”
    The young queen seemed surprised by his question, not responding immediately. Finally, as if deciding she had sufficient curiosity to follow his line of questioning, she replied with her own question: “What is authority without friendship and trust?”
    “Power,” Wil said. His answer was swift, and she appeared struck with how sharp the word sounded in his mouth.
    “Power?” Eleanor rose to the debate. “Answer me this, traveler, would you rather people follow for loyalty and love, or would you reign through fear to gain allegiance?”
    “Clearly loyalty is what any leader desires,” Wil answered, quick and even, enjoying the prospect of a verbal spar. “Love is dispensable.” He waved aside her objection and continued, “I propose a third way: not love, not fear, but awe. A leader of any sort, a monarch especially, should maintain a level of separation from the people. You are not a mere mortal. They must view you as something powerful, separate, and superior. Then,” he added as an aside, “they will perhaps love you, but it is only because you are what they never will be.”
    “And what is that?” Eleanor asked.
    “Immortal. Just below the gods.”
    Eleanor laughed, and the entire table looked their way. “Amusing, Wil Traveler,” she said. “Perhaps I should keep you on for entertainment.” Edythe stared down the table towards them with interest, but Wil avoided looking at the other diners. He did not want to draw anyone else