“You may ask,” replied Baldric.
“I wish to return to my command,” she said.
Baldric was moved by her request, but he said, “I have other plans for you, Éhal of Angorain.”
Éhal bowed her head in shame. “May I ask what is to be my punishment?”
“Punishment?”
“For insubordinate behaviour. For my disobedience.” She clenched her shoulders to choke down the emotion that rose in her throat.
Baldric regarded her in silence a moment, and she tensed, imagining she could feel his presence poised to strike her. “Very well,” he said finally. Éhal of Angorain, I sentence you to becoming one of my advisors. What you did was rightly and bravely done. I could have asked no more from one of my finest officers. You have risked all to gain valuable information, and you have proven yourself to be very shrewd in judging the nature of the enemy. I believe that I have need of you here.”
Éhal was so overcome with emotion that she wept. “I am sorry,” she sobbed, “I am not myself.” Baldric took her in his arms and comforted her as if she was his daughter.
“You have had a sore trial,” he said, “and you are injured. For now, you will rest awhile. Tonight we will be on the move again, but for now you must sleep. Florin!”