“If I can gain the support of the people, who have known only bad Verrakai.” And if the magelords still there didn’t kill her outright.

He cocked his head. “What you really doubt is yourself, not your people.”

Your people. He said it as if he knew already that she would take it on.

“In a way, yes.” She spoke slowly. “Back there, in that setting, away from the Company—from you—what if it comes back?” The fear, the immobility, against their power.

“What is it you fear, Dorrin?”

“I never told you what the Knight-Commander told me—”

“You wear the ruby. You would not have been knighted if there’d been much wrong.”

“Yes, I wear the ruby. But I wanted more. Wanted to be what Paks is. He said I bore the same flaws, heart-deep, as those I fled. That no Verrakai could be free of them—”

“You wanted to be a paladin?” He sounded surprised, but less so than she’d feared.

“I wanted to go back and change them all. I thought that was the way. He said I was unfit for that.”

“You were then, yes. Like me, you were a youngster with little experience and few skills. And I would agree that you are not a paladin. Nor am I. We were born with other talents, Dorrin. We are meant to govern. You have been doing that, superbly, since you joined my Company.”

“Under your command. And not exactly governing.”

He gave her that challenging grin she had known so long. “You know better. Each of you captains has had independent command, and you’ve all been involved in the dukedom. Come now, Captain: If I can go from running a mercenary company and a duchy to this—” He waved his arm at the room, encompassing the kingdom. “—and face my formidable elven relatives, then you can deal with mere humans and a duchy that desperately needs an honorable sane leader.” He paused; she said nothing. “And there’s this,” he said. “I expect trouble with Pargun, as well as some internal upheavals. Having you on my flank, someone I know and trust, would help me. I would not expect miracles, Dorrin—I know there have been cross-border raids and there will be more. But you will not be trying to undermine my kingdom.”

She nodded; it was both agreement and acceptance. “Not because I wish it though,” he said. “It must be your consent to your prince—to Mahieran, to Tsaia, not to me. I cannot be your commander any longer.” Regret softened his voice.

“I don’t know the prince,” Dorrin said. “I avoided court, as you know.”

“Yes. And now you’ll have to get to know Mikeli. He’s going to be good, I judge. His father was. You may have some problems with the Council, until they know you—”

“They certainly know the Verrakai name,” Dorrin said.

“We both face challenges. Do you think you’ll have problems with Verrakai troops?”

“Probably,” Dorrin said. “Even if they aren’t disloyal to Tsaia, they’ve been told that I’m a traitor.”