Chapter XIII, Reading 3

The sergeant quietly swore again.  "It's just like the Duke's men to remove their insignia.  This isn't the first time we've heard of the Duke's minions attacking innocent civilians."

The lieutenant and the sergeant withdrew slightly - just out of earshot.  Flindra absently stroked Deru's neck while the two men discussed her.  She hated to lie, but she couldn't tell them the truth.  In any case, there was an element of truth to her story.  It was true that her parents had been murdered, although their deaths had occurred years before.

The officers returned.  "You'll ride with us until the next village," the lieutenant commanded.  "I'll see to it that you will have some sort of escort as far as Deodar."

"Thank you, sir.  I appreciate your concern."

Flindra mounted Deru and was surrounded by the horsemen as they took up their positions in their formation.  She rode behind the young sergeant with a trooper on either side of her.  She was surrounded by the sounds of creaking leather and rattling chain mail.  The men rode in tense silence and it was obvious that they were searching for someone.

As they rode south, the terrain became increasingly familiar.  Flindra relaxed and drew upon her extended memories.  She was pleased she could draw upon the knowledge of her ancestors with such ease.  A distant grandfather had grown up in this region.  She committed his knowledge to her own memory.

The lieutenant signaled a halt with a raised hand.  "Leitho, do you know of any place those renegades could hide?  They couldn't have made it this far."

The sergeant scratched his chin with the back of his hand.  "I'm just not that familiar with this area, Kalmyk.  I've passed through dozens of times but I've never strayed off the road."

The lieutenant turned his question to the men.  "Did any of you grow up around here?"

There was no affirmative answer.

Finally, Flindra thought it wise to speak up.  "Excuse me, sir.  My family spent several years in this area when I was a child.  Could I help you?"

The lieutenant transfixed her with a stare.  "Is there a place hereabout where a group of men could hide?"

"There are many such places.  The hills around here are riddled with caves."

"And I suppose you know where they are?"

"Yes sir.  My father was a woodsman.  I spent much time in the forest with him.  My mother would send me out to bring him his mid-day meal.  I learned where the caves were because my father taught me to avoid them.  They were frequently the hiding places for smugglers and thieves."

"I see.  Well then, Maid Flindra, I don't suppose you would care to show us these caves?"

"I would be happy to, sir."

"Then do it."

Flindra smiled discreetly while she urged Deru to the head of the column.  The Spirit might have solved her problem for her.  She was working with the Prince's men.  Perhaps this could be the opportunity she needed to move into a position to help Prince Storos.