But time, everyone agreed, was a precious commodity. In the end, it was decided that Keriya was a hero.
“Although you remain stripped of your rank,” Caelburn had informed her. “You answer to any officer higher than lieutenant.”
“I’ll answer to any Allentrian who needs my help,” Keriya had replied, “so long as it doesn’t interfere with my plans. Necrovar isn’t dead, Commander-General, and I’m not currently in a position to defeat him when he returns . . . but I will be. If I can harness the power of valemagic properly, then I can win.”
This explanation had been enough to grant Keriya a decent amount of freedom. Empress Aldelphia had offered her permanent lodging in the palace. She’d accepted, though the whispers and rumors had evolved far beyond anything she was equipped to handle.
So i
