Chapter XIII, Reading 6

She was innocent of the fact that even as she was drifting off to sleep she was the object of discussion in the lieutenant's quarters.  In the privacy of his tent, the lieutenant talked to Sergeant Leitho.  They were friends and it was obvious the lieutenant respected the opinions of his sergeant.

"So Leitho, what to you think of this girl, Flindra?" he asked.

He swallowed a sip of his wine before he answered.  "She's pretty quiet.  I think it's obvious she has seen some hardship during her years.  She showed a certain amount of weariness in the way she held her shoulders.  Why do you ask, Kalmyk?"

"I was impressed with her abilities today.  Did you notice her skill in the forest?  I've seen expert trackers enough to recognize the fact that she is good, really good.  We could have wandered around for days and never stumbled onto that cave.  And she was right on the mark about that lame horse."

"I noticed that, too.  But didn't she say that she's a woodsman's daughter?"

"Yes, I believe she did."

"Well, that explains her ability.  The people of the forest, at least in these parts, excel in woodcraft - tracking and hunting.  I'd wager she is pretty good with the bow that was hanging from her saddle."

Kalmyk shook his head.  "Is it normal practice for these skills to be taught to girls?  I would guess that household chores would be their proper domain."

"I don't know.  It might be that Flindra's an only child.  If that's the case, I could understand her growing up rather like a boy."

Kalmyk refilled their goblets with wine before he continued.  "I don't know.  There is something about her that puzzles me.  There's a quiet strength about her and she's very confident for a rustic.  She didn't hesitate at all to look me in the eyes."

"You might be confusing her sorrow for strength, Kalmyk.  Did you see the pain flash through her eyes when she talked about her parents?"

"I did.  You could be right, Leitho, but I don't know.  I've a gut feeling that there's more to her than meets the eye.  Too bad she's not a lad.  I could use someone of her skills.  We still need to replace our last scout."