A Quest of Heroes (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring)

become
unusually cold for a summer day.
    Her
father leaned in towards the fire, staring at the flames as the fire crackled
before them.
    “You
know why I have summoned you?” he asked.
    She
searched his face, but still was not sure.
    “I
do not, father.”
    He
looked back in surprise.
    “Our
discussion the other day. With your siblings. About the kingship. That is what
I wanted to discuss with you.”
    Gwen’s
heart soared with relief. This was not about Thor. It was about politics.
Stupid politics, which she could not care less about. She sighed in relief.
    “You
look relieved,” he said. “What did you think we were going to discuss?”
    Her
father was too perceptive; he always had been. He was one of the few people who
could read her like a book. She had to be careful around him.
    “Nothing,
father,” she said quickly.
    He
smiled again.
    “So,
then tell me. What do you think of my choice?” he asked.
    “Choice?”
she asked.
    “For
my heir! To the kingdom!”
    “You
mean me?” she asked.
    “Who
else?” he laughed.
    She
blushed.
    “Father,
I was surprised, to say the least. I am not the firstborn. And I am a woman. I
know nothing of politics. And care nothing for them—or for ruling a kingdom. I
have no political ambition. I do not know why you chose me.”
    “It
is precisely for those reasons,” he said, his expression deadly serious. “It is
because you don’t aspire to the throne. You don’t want the kingship. And you
know nothing of politics.”
    He
took a deep breath.
    “But
you know human nature. You are very perceptive. You got it from me. You have
your mother’s quick wit, but my skill with people. You know how to judge them;
you can see right through them. And that is what a king needs. To know the
nature of others. There is nothing more you need. All else is artifice. Know
who your people are. Understand them. Trust your instincts. Be good to them.
This is all.”
    “Surely,
there must be more to ruling a kingdom than that,” she said.
    “Not
really,” he said. “It all stems from that. Decisions stem from that.”
    “But
father, you are forgetting that, first, I have no desire to rule, and second,
you’re not going to die. This is all just a silly tradition, linked to your
eldest’s wedding day. Why dwell on this? I’d rather not even speak of it, or
think of it. I hope the day should never come when I see you pass—so this is all
irrelevant.”
    He
cleared his throat, looking grave.
    “I
have spoken to Argon, and he sees a dark future for me. I have felt it myself.
I must prepare,” he said.
    Gwen
felt her stomach tighten.
    “Argon
is a fool. A sorcerer. Half of what he says doesn’t come to pass. Ignore him.
Don’t give in to his silly omens. You are fine. You will live forever.”
    But
he slowly shook his head, and she could see the sadness in his face, and she
felt her stomach tighten even more.
    “Gwendolyn,
my daughter, I love you. I need you to be prepared. I want you to be the next
ruler of the Ring. I am serious in what I say. It is not a request. It is a
command.”
    He
looked at her with such seriousness, his eyes darkening, it scared her. She had
never seen that look on her father’s face before.
    She
felt herself tearing up, and reached up and brushed away a tear.
    “I
am sorry to have upset you,” he said.
    “Then
stop talking of this,” she said, crying. “I don’t want you to die.”
    “I
am sorry, but I cannot. I need you to answer me.”
    “Father,
I do not want to insult you.”
    “Then
say yes.”
    “But
how can I possibly rule?” she pleaded.
    “It
is not as hard as you think. You will be surrounded by advisors. The first rule
is to trust none of them. Trust yourself. You can do this. Your lack of
knowledge, your naïveté—that is what will make you great. You will make genuine
decisions. Promise me,” he insisted.
    She
looked into his eyes, and saw how much this meant to him. She wanted to get off
this topic, if for no other reason than to appease his morbidity and cheer him
up.
    “Okay,
I promise you,” she said in a rush. “Does that make you feel better?”
    He
leaned back, and she could see him greatly relieved.
    “Yes,”
he said. “Thank you.”
    “Good,
now can we talk of other things? Things that might actually happen?” she asked.
    Her
father leaned back and roared with laughter; he seemed a million pounds
lighter.
    “That
is why I love you,” he said. “Always so happy. Always able to make me