It took Kalmyk's troop three night's travel to skirt the swamp along its eastern edge. It would have taken them only two days if they had traveled during the day, but Kalmyk decided that any speed gained by daylight travel wasn't worth the risk of discovery.
They reached the sea several hours before dawn. The forest marched nearly to the sea along this section of the coast. Kalmyk gave the order to set up camp within the protection of the woods. They would sleep during the day and move west along the coast once night fell.
Kalmyk decided to send Flindra and Leitho ahead of the main body. To minimize chance of discovery he would keep the troop a mile or so behind the scouts. Leitho would leave periodic signs showing that everything was safe. If anything looked amiss, they were to wait until the rest of the troop caught up with them.
Flindra had not missed the silent command that passed from Kalmyk to Leitho after he had given them the order to move. Leitho was to keep Flindra from harm. That was just as much his responsibility as serving Prince Storos.
Her officers had been careful to treat her in the same manner as before to avoid the notice of the Rangers. Nothing more had been said about her identity. Kalmyk and Leitho had not even discussed it among themselves. They would do nothing to jeopardize her secret, but they did intend to keep her safe.
Flindra and Leitho worked their way to the coast and then started to move west along the sea. Leitho had secretly hoped they would have seen some ships moving in the darkness. He was disappointed when he saw there was nothing on the horizon. They would have to spy the Duke's men in the swamp.
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