Chapter Thirteen, Reading 2

After her difficult journey over the Greyfell Mountains, Flindra had been half-tempted to pay a visit to her family but had decided against it. She didn't want to bring the wrath of the Ansu down upon them. It was best to keep her distance from her loved ones.
She had been in contact with them by using the crystal so they understood the next step she must take in destiny's journey. She had explained her quandary and had sought their advice. Leudh had suggested that she should seek out the forces of Prince Storos in hopes that a solution would present itself to her. She now rode toward Deodar, the capitol city of Ostar, and the stronghold of those loyal to Prince Storos. She would try to have some ideas before she got there.
Before Flindra mounted Deru, she heard the distinct sound of galloping horses. There was no place of concealment near the stream so Flindra decided to stand fast. Running away could only be interpreted as guilt. She busied herself checking Deru's girth strap. She also reinforced Rigga's power shield. She kept in mind Kewero's advice of mentally becoming what she needed to be. Flindra needed to be a woodsman's daughter. She would concentrate on being just that and nothing more.
A group of twenty men sporting the colors of the King's Rangers rode into view. Flindra breathed a sigh of relief when she noticed that their shields were emblazoned with the Ostarian crest - at least they were Storos's men. They quickly surrounded her but their postures weren't menacing. She felt comfortable with them and relaxed.
All the Rangers were heavily armed. She could see they all carried heavy broadswords beneath their green cloaks. Most had a bow and a quiver of arrows hanging over the pommels of their saddles as well. The men were wearing chain mail under their surcoats. Their helmets were conical in shape, with a section of steel extending down from the cone to cover the ears and the back of the neck.
The leader of the troop was a large man with the insignia of a lieutenant on the breast of his green surcoat. He had that stern look around the eyes that comes from being a veteran soldier. This man was used to being obeyed. His helmet hid his hair but Flindra noticed his brown mustache and guessed his hair would be much the same color. His eyes were brown and the wrinkles around them indicated he squinted often.
To his left rode a sergeant. He was as tall as the lieutenant but was leaner in build. He was clean-shaven, which gave him a very youthful appearance. His blue eyes looked grim today, but Flindra guessed they could sparkle with laughter in the right situation.
The lieutenant addressed her gruffly. "You lad, what is your name?"
"My name is Flindra, sir."
There were a few chuckles among the men.
"A maid's name. What's a lad doing with a maid's name? Couldn't your mother tell the difference?"