Cezon’s jaw fell open. So, he noted with a dazed sense of glee, did most of the judges’ jaws.
“Given inflation rates and accounting for interest,” said Keriya, who seemed oblivious to their shock, “and factoring in my personal gratitude for the protection you rendered to Queen Sebaris during that time, we’ll round the sum up to a neat five-hundred-thousand.”
Cezon raised a shaking hand to his chest. Five-hundred-thousand derlei? The sum was almost beyond imagining. And the fact that the government was making good on a promise? He feared he was in danger of having a stroke.
“Furthermore,” said Keriya, tucking the envelope into her pocket, “I’m offering you another five-hundred-thousand derlei as a reward.”
A million derlei. Cezon swayed and grabbed the edges of the podium to steady hims
