Chapter XIII, Reading 8

The next morning Lieutenant Kalmyk called Flindra to him.  "I was impressed by your tracking abilities yesterday," he began slowly.  He wanted to gauge her reaction to his offer.  He trusted his eyes to read her true feelings by watching her countenance.

"Thank you, sir."

"I was wondering if you would consider staying with us to be my scout.  I have need of someone with your talents."

A look of surprise passed over Flindra's features.  She couldn't believe her incredible good fortune!  As a scout, she would be in a position to help Prince Storos.

Kalmyk misread the look on her face.  He took it for shock at the potential impropriety of his suggestion.  He quickly tried to clarify the situation.  "I know it's a bit unusual for a woman to ride with soldiers, but I give you my word that you will be treated with honor and respect."

Flindra smiled at this avowal.  "Sir, I would consider it to be a great honor to serve you and the cause of Prince Storos.  I'm not concerned about your men, they have already treated me with honor and respect."

Kalmyk smiled in relief.  His pleasure was echoed on Leitho's face from where he stood just behind his lieutenant.  "Now that you have accepted, what other skills do you have which could be of use?  You any good with your bow?"

"I know how to use it."

"I see that you are too modest to tell me just how good you are, so you will have to show me.  Sergeant, fetch her bow.  I want to see a demonstration of her skill."

Sergeant Leitho quickly returned with Flindra's bow and quiver of arrows.  As he handed them to her, he gave her a toothy smile and a wink of encouragement.

"See that tree over there, the big one with the crooked branch," Kalmyk said as he pointed.  "See that the lower limb has a knothole which looks like a face.  Try to hit that branch.  Even better, try to hit the knothole."

It was a difficult shot, although Flindra had succeeded in striking harder targets.  She strung her bow and selected a straight arrow.  She was aware that the Rangers had grouped behind her.  This made her slightly nervous.  She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.

She nocked the arrow and drew back the bowstring until it brushed against her nose.  She focused on the center of the knothole and held her breath.  With a twang, the arrow leaped forward and sped directly toward the branch.  The arrowhead hit the branch and was embedded deeply in the center of the knothole.  Only after she saw that the arrow had hit its target did Flindra finally breathe.

There was a moment of silence as the measure of her skill was fully appreciated.  Then the air was split with the cries, "Well done!  Good shot!"

Sergeant Leitho had been standing slightly behind her as she shot.  Now he slapped her enthusiastically across the shoulders.  "Good job, Flindra!  I knew you could do it."

Flindra turned to look at Lieutenant Kalmyk, silently seeking his approval.

He understood her unspoken entreaty and nodded his head slightly.  "You were right to stay quiet about your skill, Flindra.  I would have dismissed your claims as bragging.  I think you will make a fine scout."

She smiled at his praise and silently thanked the Spirit for this opportunity.