“Wise words,” said Florence. “I’ll keep them in mind.” She kept looking at Charlaine as they rode on a bit farther, then looked away. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“Not at all. What do you want to know?”
“What was your first command like?”
“I was sent to Reinwick to replace someone who had died.”
“And were you accepted?”
“There was some animosity when I first arrived. The senior knight there thought she was going to be named captain.”
“And what was your replacement like when you left?”
“I was permitted to appoint my own successor.”
“That’s rather unusual, isn’t it?”
“I’m led to believe it is,” said Charlaine.
“The grand mistress must think highly of your abilities.”
“It’s more about sharing the same vision for the order.”
“Which is?”
Charlaine smiled. “That’s a compli
