Chapter III, Reading 7

She smiled through her tears as they separated. "I love you, too."
Saying good-bye to Dakra was going to be the hardest of all. Flindra knew it and kept this for the last. She left Leudh's arms and turned to face her.
"Momma," she said with tears running down her cheeks.
Dakra held open her arms and Flindra rushed into the embrace. For a moment longer she could be a child in her mother's loving arms.
"Oh Flindra, I love you," Dakra sobbed. She trembled in agony as she tried to suppress her tears.
"I love you too, Momma." She dropped her voice to a whisper. "If there is any possible way, I promise to stay in touch. There has to be some way which won't endanger you."
"Don't worry about us, my child. No one pays attention to simple people like us. We'll be safe."
"I pray so."
"Please be careful, Flindra. It is your destiny to accomplish great things. You will always be with us in our thoughts and prayers. Always remember that we love you."
"I'll remember, Momma."
Dakra held on to her daughter a little longer before she stepped back. "It's time, my child. The sun is nearly up and you need to be on your way."
She nodded. "Be well, Momma. I love you."
"Good journey, Flindra, and may the Spirit watch over you and protect you."
Flindra patted the trio of dogs, which were waiting by her horse. They had been her companions on many an adventure, but they needed to stay behind this day.
She took the reins from Leudh and mounted the waiting horse. "I love all of you," she said once she was settled into the saddle. She looked once more into the faces of her family.
"We love you, too," Leudh said in a choked voice. He had finally succumbed to his tears.
She held up her hand in parting. "Until we meet again, be well and may the Spirit bless you."
"Good luck, Flindra," Dakra answered.

Chapter I, Reading 6

"He would. I think I want to walk home," Dakra continued. "Flindra would you join me while Leudh and Brehwan take the boys home in the cart?"
Flindra brushed away her tears. "Of course, Momma."
"I'll get supper started," Brehwan offered.
"Thank you," Dakra answered.
Leudh looked pointedly at his mother and she gave him a brief nod. He knew his mother wanted to talk with Flindra alone and guessed they might be late in returning home. Flindra missed the exchange, but Brehwan's observant eyes caught the silent communication.
"What was that all about?" she asked in a whisper, while Leudh helped her in the cart. "What secrets are you sharing with your mother?"
"Tonight when the twins are asleep I'll tell you," he whispered briefly.
Brehwan nodded in understanding and helped settle the boys in the cart.
"Flindra, let's take the lake path home," Dakra said after the others had gone. "There’s something I need to tell you and the long walk will make it easier."
"What troubles your heart so?"
Dakra sighed. "Eghero and I wanted to delay this time but we both knew we couldn't keep our secret much longer." She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess we were just being selfish for we hoped to keep you with us for as long as we could."
"What do you mean, keep me? I'll never leave my home. Why would I ever go?" Flindra asked in a puzzled voice.
"I want you to know this, Flindra, my child, I love you and I always will." She looked away to hide her tears. "You’ve brought so much joy into my life, into our lives. I’d always hoped for a daughter but I knew that I could never have another child after I gave birth to Leudh." Her voice dropped in volume. "There were complications after he was born, an infection that left me barren."
"Momma what are you saying?" Flindra asked with obvious confusion.

Chapter XVI, Reading 3

"Well then, let's get started." Leitho dismounted and moved forward through the grass. He was probing the area in front of him with his drawn sword as he went. Flindra moved behind him, being careful to follow in his exact footsteps. It was a tense traverse through the grass. They finally made it through and stood once more on an empty beach.
"That was tense," he admitted in a whisper as he sheathed his sword. He pulled a water skin from his saddle and handed to her. She took several swallows and passed it back to him. He drank deeply and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
By unspoken agreement, they both turned to mount. Flindra was struck from behind before she knew what was happening. The power shield protected her somewhat from the blow and she was only stunned. Deru pulled the reins from her hand as she turned to face her attacker. She could hear him run as she felt a mailed fist hammer into her face. Rigga again deflected part of the blow but Flindra now knew that it had been folly to keep the shield at skin level. Before she could expand the shield she felt another blow and was knocked to the ground.
She heard Leitho fighting with the assailants and hoped he could help her. She struggled to get up and was kicked in the back of the head. Consciousness was escaping her - her final thought was to the crystal orb. She willed it with all her being to hide. It couldn't be captured.

Chapter XV, Reading 6

Flindra could tell by the tone of his voice and by his choice of words, that Kalmyk was close to guessing her nature if not her identity. She looked into his eyes and shook her head. "The knowledge you seek will put you in danger. I don't wish to cause you harm. Please, don't ask me more."
"Who are you, my Lady?" he reiterated gently. "I give you my word of honor that your secret will be safe with me, safe with us. Tell me Flindra."
"I've become accustomed to the risk I must bear. I have no wish to share my troubles. Please, accept what I have told you and ask me no more."
Kalmyk shook his head. "I need to know, Flindra. Tell me the truth." His tone was both mild and supportive but was insistent as well.
The gentle entreaty broke down the last of Flindra's reservations - she could deny her lieutenant no longer. She sighed and took a deep breath. "The day may come when you might regret hearing these words. I am the last of the line of King Meldh." As Flindra claimed her birthright, she withdrew her hand from Kalmyk's. She allowed the full measure of her power to be seen through the protective shield. She even allowed Rigga to be seen on her finger. She stood before them in regal glory. Her simple garb could not disguise her royal bearing and aura of personal power.
Leitho stifled an exclamation of shock and surprise.
Kalmyk continued to stare into Flindra's eyes. "My captain has discussed the ancient legends with me. They have prophesied the appearance of a princess of the Old Line who will lead the defense of our world when the Ancient Evil returns. If you are who you say you are why not claim your birthright honestly? Why the need for deception?"

Chapter XV, Reading 5

Flindra sighed in frustration and remorse. "I can't tell you that either. I'm sorry, I just can't tell you."
Leitho could feel her frustration. "Are you afraid your secrets wouldn't be safe with us?"
She shook her head in negation. "I know my secret would be safe with you. I just don't think you'd be safe knowing my secret," she mumbled to herself.
"Then you think there is danger associated with the truth." Leitho looked at her kindly. "Tell us, Flindra. Share your secrets. You're not in any danger while you ride with us. We can protect you from harm."
Flindra didn't answer; she only shook her head.
Kalmyk had regained control of his emotions, at least enough to continue the questioning. "What's the nature of your danger? Who is your enemy?" he demanded in a tightly controlled voice.
"The ancient evil, which seeks to destroy us all," Flindra answered thinking that neither man would not understand this. She was wrong.
A spark of understanding leaped across Kalmyk's eyes. "Why would the An..."
Flindra interrupted him sharply with a raised hand. "Stop! You must not give name to the Evil Ones." Her tone had been one of command. She looked at her lieutenant and added in a note of explanation. "They are drawn toward the speaker of the name. Do not direct the attention of the Nameless Ones to us."
Understanding shot through Kalmyk's mind. He had just witnessed a glimpse of Flindra's nature and had felt the power of her command. She was no simple rustic to have that kind of power at her disposal. He wanted, needed, to know more. He walked to her and imprisoned her upraised hand in both of his. The touch was not as restrictive as it was supportive.
"Your command had power, Flindra, and the mystery around you only grows. Very few people are aware of the ancient terror that destroyed King Meldh. Why do you feel you are in danger from them? Who are you really, Flindra - or should I say, my Lady?" he asked respectfully.

Chapter XV, Reading 4

Flindra entered and walked to stand before Kalmyk. "You wanted to speak to me, sir?" she asked respectfully.
Kalmyk folded his arms across his chest and grunted an affirmative. "Let me come directly to the point. I've been aware for some time that you've been concealing information from me, information concerning just who you are and information on your remarkable skills. Do you deny this?" he demanded, seeking to catch her off guard.
She sighed in resignation. "No sir. I deny nothing," she responded truthfully.
Surprise registered on Leitho's face. He had believed that Kalmyk was just being paranoid. He was surprised to hear Flindra freely admitting that she wasn't telling the truth.
"Do you care to explain that?" Kalmyk prodded. He was taken aback at her admission. He had expected her to deny any wrongdoing.
"I admit to not telling you everything about myself," Flindra said quietly. She knew from her lieutenant's tone that she would probably be released from her service to him. The thought troubled her since she still needed to help Prince Storos.
"Why?" Kalmyk was becoming irritated.
"It's a private matter, one I'm not at liberty to discuss."
"Not at liberty to discuss! Not at liberty to discuss!" Kalmyk was more than just irritated, he was angry. "Do you really think that I'll allow you to work for me while you're keeping secrets from me? How do I know you're not a spy? How do I know you won't betray Prince Storos at some critical moment?"
"I don't mean to keep secrets from you, Lieutenant. There are just some things I'm not free to discuss with anyone. You needn't worry about my loyalties. The cause of Prince Storos is dear to my heart," Flindra tried to explain.
Kalmyk just snorted and started pacing in anger.
"Why can't you tell us your secrets, Flindra?" asked Leitho in a calm voice.

Chapter XV, Reading 3

"Indeed I do. I've had the feeling she wasn't quite what she said she was from the very beginning. I've watched her closely since she joined us - trying to fathom her secret. As time goes by my questions keep multiplying. She will either tell me the truth today or I'll send her to Deodar for questioning. I'm tired of her secrets."
Leitho shook his head. "Flindra has been very helpful. I haven't seen that she's been holding anything back."
"You haven't been paying attention," Kalmyk shot back. "Think about something. Flindra has said that she gained her extraordinary skills from her woodsman father. That may be partially true, but it doesn't explain everything. She has shown a deep knowledge of the countryside no matter where we have been in Ostar, and we have covered some ground. Unless her father was a total vagabond and wandered the length and breadth of the Kingdom, she is drawing from another source of information."
"Woodsmen typically don't move around much," Leitho commented with a frown.
"That's just one example of the anomalies surrounding our scout. There are others."
"Flindra has managed to save us from some unpleasant situations," Leitho offered in her defense. "Even if she is withholding information, she's still serving us well."
Kalmyk had been pacing back and forth, as he spoke. He finally stopped before his friend.
"I know she has done her job extremely well. But, we are at war and I don't want any unknowns behind my back."
"I don't think you have to worry about her loyalty," Leitho argued. "As our scout, she is in just as much risk as any of us, maybe more. Her actions give proof of her loyalty."
"Maybe, but I don't want to accept anyone on faith. I will have the truth from her."
A knock on the tent pole interrupted Kalmyk.
"Shall I go?" asked Leitho.
Kalmyk shook his head. "Stay. I want you here." He then turned to face the entryway. "Come," he ordered in a firm tone.

Chapter XV, Reading 2

Sergeant Leitho had also noted the irritation in Kalmyk's voice. He couldn't understand why his lieutenant could be angry with Flindra. She had been doing her job exceptionally well. He decided to have a talk with him about her after he'd led the burial detail into the swamp.
Leitho was quickly able to safely retrieve the dead scout. With this task accomplished, he left the troopers to the duty of the man's burial so he could hurry back and speak with Kalmyk. Leitho was readily received in Kalmyk's tent upon his return to camp.
"What can I do for you, Leitho?" the lieutenant asked as he waved him into a folding chair. "Did you retrieve the fallen scout?"
"We did. The men are digging a grave now."
"Good. I always hate to see a fallen Ranger left to feed the ravens. Thank you for volunteering for this duty."
"You're welcome," he said with a nod of his head. "I wanted to ask you a question," Leitho continued as he broached his reason for the visit.
"Go ahead."
"I noticed the note of irritation in your voice when you were speaking to Flindra. Why are you upset with her? She hasn't done anything wrong."
"Really," he snorted. "Perhaps she hasn't done anything wrong but you know perfectly well that I don't tolerate deceit in my troops. I won't stand it from her," Kalmyk replied tartly.
"Deceit?"
"Yes deceit. She has been withholding information from us. She's not telling us the whole truth about who she is or what she can really do. Look at what happened out in the swamp today or for that matter what has happened several times during the past few months. She knows things that the most adept woodsman wouldn't know. She is concealing the truth and I want to know what it is and why she is hiding it from me."
"You really think she is hiding something?"

Chapter XV, Reading 1

Flindra sponged off the swamp mud in the privacy of her tent. After she was clean and dry, she put on a fresh tunic and trousers. She would wait to clean the mud from her leather jerkin until after she met with the lieutenant. The tone of his voice hinted that it would be best if she didn't keep him waiting and cleaning up had already taken enough time.
As she dressed, she decided on a plan of action for dealing with Kalmyk and his questions. She had an instinctive feeling that he was going to delve into her history and that worried her for she still needed to keep her identity safe. She wouldn't lie to him; a lie would serve no purpose and quite likely would make the situation worse. Flindra knew her lieutenant was an intelligent and observant man. It wouldn't be easy to lie to him. It probably would be best if she'd admit to withholding the whole truth. She'd just refuse to tell him why. If he didn't accept that, she'd just have to face the consequences. Flindra hoped that he wouldn't be adamant in demanding a complete explanation.
She bowed her head briefly. "Beloved Spirit," she whispered reverently. "You have been with me all along. Help me to keep my identity safe. I don't wish to lie to the lieutenant." She paused and sighed. "Guide me," she finished and left her tent.

Chapter XIV, Reading 11

"It might just work," Kalmyk said excitedly as he slapped Leitho on the shoulder.
"We should probably wait until dark to move out. We can't chance being seen until we have the proof we need to take before the High Command," the sergeant advised.
Kalmyk nodded his head in agreement. "We'll be ready to leave at dusk." He smiled wolfishly. "We'll trip up the Duke's men yet."
Kalmyk turned toward Flindra. "Astute reasoning on your part, Flindra. You have my gratitude." A slightly irritated frown briefly crossed his features, which caused her stomach to sink. "Go get cleaned up. When you are through, come see me. I have a few more questions for you."
"Yes, sir."
"Kalmyk," Leitho interrupted.
The lieutenant shifted his glance back to him. "Yes."
"I'd like to lead a burial detail back to that dead scout. I think I can retrieve his body without too much risk. I hate seeing one of our own feeding scavengers."
"Make it so. Just be careful."
"Will do."
Leitho gave Flindra a quick smile before he left to organize the burial detail.
She was comforted by the friendship the glance evidenced, but she wasn't looking forward to seeing Kalmyk.

Chapter XIV, Reading 10

Kalmyk was still puzzling over the map. "Why would the Duke put troops here?" he muttered to himself.
"To hide their movements," answered Flindra.
Kalmyk looked up with a slightly irritated expression. "They can't move them anywhere from here without the world knowing, so why bother?"
"They can't move them on land without the world knowing. But, what if, there is access to the sea and a hidden place to load men and horses. What if they plan on moving troops on ships. No one would know would they? No one would know until they landed."
Flindra had wanted his attention and she had it. "Go on," he commanded.
"The map shows that the river ends at the swamp. Suppose that isn't the way it really is. Suppose that at least one channel makes it through the swamp to the sea. Couldn't they hide their troops here in the swamp until everything was ready and then make sail? Sail to Kazat?"
"Sail to Kazat and bite us on the rear before we even knew they were there. Of course! It's so obvious! It also explains their traps in the swamp. The Duke can't have us snooping around in there. His strategy will only work if it's a complete surprise. But, I have to have proof. How?"
"If they are planning to move by sea then they've got to have ships," Leitho replied to the open question. "I'd wager that they can't get sea faring vessels too far into the swamp. The ships, or at least their masts, would probably be visible from the coastline south of the swamp." He traced his finger on the map as he talked. "If we skirted the swamp here and then moved back along the coast we might be able to gather some proof."

Chapter XIV, Reading 9

To avoid working herself up to a state of panic, Flindra started to look at the chart. She wasn't looking at anything in particular, just the overall appearance. The colors were pretty, especially the blue of the sea. She hadn't realized that they were this close to it. By looking at the chart, she understood why the swamp was here - the river flowing from Ladh had slowed down enough that it didn't make it to the sea. It was just slowly strangled in the swamp.
It made her sad to think of the river dying in the strangle hold of the swamp. She hated to see anything trapped. Maybe, the map was wrong. Maybe, the river could fight back and there were channels through the swamp, channels that made it to the sea. It gave her an element of pleasure to think about the river making it to the sea in spite of the choking vegetation and mud of the swamp.
"I wonder if you could sail a boat on them," she thought to herself. "Boats like the ones I used to see on Lake Eghero." Her idle speculation struck an uneasy chord in the back of her mind. Instinct, or perhaps the Spirit, was cueing her to delve deeper into this thought.
"Boats, where could you go on boats?" She looked at the nearness to the sea and felt another warning pulse of intuition. "Not boats but ships," she thought to herself, "ships to sail the sea - to sail to Kazat."
As soon as she had voiced that thought in her mind, she realized she had stumbled onto the truth. That was it. The Duke's attack wouldn't come overland where his troops could be discovered long before he reached Deodar. If he moved his troops by ship he could land his men close enough to Storos's stronghold to win a surprise attack.

Chapter XIV, Reading 8

Flindra shook her head slightly. "I don't know. Things just didn't feel right. It's hard to explain."
"I see. Just a gut feeling?"
"More like a premonition."
"Any good soldier gets those feelings from time to time. It helps keep us alive."
Kalmyk could sense that there was more to the story. Flindra wasn't lying, she just wasn't telling everything. He didn't want to accuse her of anything in front of the men. He would save it for a later time. Besides, he had more important things to worry about.
"At least we know that Bhrag is up to something in this swamp and I intend to find out what it is. I can't imagine that this place has any strategic value," Kalmyk said as he pulled on his mustache. "Leitho, let's take another look at those charts."
The maps were quickly produced. Kalmyk and Leitho bent over to study them.
While they looked at the maps, Flindra had time to reflect on what had just happened. Even without Rigga's help, she had sensed Kalmyk's disbelief in her story. He had perceived that she was concealing information about the orb and she guessed that he had merely postponed his interrogation until later. Flindra was deeply concerned since she knew she couldn't tell him the truth without revealing her identity. What was she to do?
Her thoughts were interrupted by one of the Rangers who handed her a cup of wine. "Drink this, it will make you feel better," he whispered.
She looked at him and smiled. "Thanks Ilgen," she whispered back.
He winked at her and walked away. Ilgen was reassuring her. Flindra remembered Leitho's words about how they were all in this together. She just hoped she could stay with the Rangers and that Kalmyk wouldn't send her away.

Chapter XIV, Reading 7

Leitho smiled briefly. "No need for thanks, Flindra. It took all of us time to be able to look at senseless death without reacting. Remember that we're all in this together. Comrades."
"Thank you."
"Now, let's get going. We have to report to the lieutenant." They then walked back to the area where the rest of the Rangers were hiding.
When Kalmyk saw them approach he laughed and jokingly asked, "Did you two decide to take a bath in the mud?" Then he saw the look in Leitho's eyes and the humor fled his own. "What's out there?" he demanded.
"Those low-life-scum-eaters have crossed the entire area with thin threads dangling poisoned fish hooks!" Leitho blurted in anger. "A man could die in there before he even knew he was in trouble." He paused and took a deep breath. "We found one of the scouts, lying out there in the sun being buzzard bait! Whatever the poison is, it's strong enough to be killing the carrion feeders. I'd wager good money that the rest of our missing scouts are lying out there in that wicked web. If it hadn't of been for Flindra's sharp eyes we'd have joined 'em."
Kalmyk had given Flindra a concerned glance when his sergeant had mentioned the dead Ranger. He now spared her the pain of recalling the story. "How did it happen?" he asked as he looked back at Leitho.
"We were working our way through that abominable grass when some birds flew up somewhere in front of us. We both dropped to the ground. We didn't see or hear anything else. Just as I was about to kid Flindra for falling asleep, I could sense that something had really spooked her. I couldn't see anything but I've worked with her long enough to trust her instincts."
Leitho gave Flindra a quick glance of approval before he continued.
"She slowly started forward at a crawl. She'd pause to listen or see something, I don't know, and then she'd continue. Finally, she just stopped dead in her tracks. When I worked my way up to her she pointed out the traps and the dead body."
Lieutenant Kalmyk looked at Flindra and noticed the tight rein she was using to keep control of her emotions. "How did you know?"

Chapter XIV, Reading 6

A slight breeze picked up. Then she smelled it, the sickening smell of rotting flesh. She looked around trying to locate the source of the smell. Obscured in the grass far to her right, lay a man dressed in the garb of the King's Rangers. There were struggle marks around his body and she guessed that the poison brought a painful death. Dead bodies of a few carrion eaters, mostly ravens, lay around the man. The poison had been so deadly that it was even killing the birds. Flindra forced down the vomit which had rushed to her throat.
Leitho had again slipped up next to her. One look at her face told him that there was something horribly wrong. She pointed out the trap in front of them. Then she pointed in the direction of the dead Ranger. Anger reflected in his eyes as he looked at the delicate webbing, which had been the death of the scout. He abruptly motioned Flindra to retreat.
They crawled out of the area on their bellies, being careful to retrace their steps. Leitho finally judged it safe to stand and reached a helping hand down to his scout. She stood up and shook her head to clear the sight of the dead man from her thoughts.
He moved close and held her by the shoulders, looking at the horror in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Flindra. I'm sorry you had to see that."
"You've nothing to be sorry about," she answered in a voice thick with emotion. "I knew what I was getting myself into when I became your scout. It's just that...just that...no one deserves to die like that." She quickly looked down at the ground to hide her tears.
Leitho gently cupped her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him. "Don't be ashamed to cry, Flindra. It shows that you still are alive enough to feel empathy with another's pain. Only be ashamed if you reach the point where you get too hard to feel. That is your, our, greatest risk."
"I know," she replied in a tiny voice. "Thanks for not ridiculing my sorrow."

Chapter XIV, Reading 5

The crystal orb was obviously sensing some danger. If Leitho hadn't been there, she would have pulled the sphere from her tunic to see if she could project her mind to the danger. Since she didn't have that option, she instead concentrated on directing Rigga's power shield in front of her, being careful not to overlap her sergeant in the aura. She needed to find out who or what was out there.
Rigga's aura didn't encounter anything but a few small animals hiding in the grass. Flindra still couldn't explain the warning. There must be something out there she simply wasn't picking up with the power shield.
Flindra started to move, inching forward on her stomach. The short hair on her back stood up with a wave of nervous fear that passed through her. She breathed deeply to calm herself and she was using every ounce of awareness she could muster.
The early morning sun was just high enough in the sky to start shining in the grass. Flindra saw a momentary reflection off something shiny. She froze again and forced her eyes to see - to see something, anything. A ray of sun broke through the grass and the object reflected again.
Before her, were strands of nearly invisible threads tied to the grass. Fishhooks were suspended from the lines at an interval of every few inches. The sunlight was reflecting off a drop of liquid on the tip of every hook. She guessed the hooks had been poisoned. This human spider web was everywhere - at different heights in the grass. Some lines were tied at knee level, others at eye level, and still others hung diagonally across the grass.

Chapter XIV, Reading 4

Dawn found Flindra creeping stealthily through the dense grass of the swamp south of Ladh. The grass was taller than she was so Flindra had a hard time seeing what was ahead. This swamp grass was like nothing she had ever encountered. It was as sharp as a knife along the edges, which made for difficult travel. The ground beneath the grass was soggy with stagnant water and the area reeked of rotting vegetation.
Flindra had examined the area with her crystal orb before she had left her cot this morning. She knew that before them, a mile into the swamp, was a higher area that was free of the swampy waters. Along this ridge, the swamp grass gave way to a dense growth of briar bushes and small trees. The higher area might provide a place to quarter troops. What she couldn't understand was why anyone would want to hide troops in this awful place.
Sergeant Leitho was following a few paces behind her. She could hear the sucking sound that came whenever he pulled a foot out of the muck. Lieutenant Kalmyk generally assigned him to accompany her whenever she was sent ahead to scout. She suspected it was his way of providing an element of protection for her.
Flindra saw several birds take to flight and instinctively dropped to the ground. She heard Leitho doing the same. As she lay in the mud, he slowly crawled up to her.
"See anything?" he whispered.
"Birds," Flindra replied in a whisper and pointed to the area where the birds had left.
They lay still for several more minutes and heard nothing more. Flindra was about to get up when she felt a warning pulse from the crystal orb, which was tucked beneath her tunic. This was a new occurrence for her. The only time she had experienced anything remotely similar was the time she had triggered the Ansu trap when she was seeking Kewero.

Chapter XIV, Reading 3

What Flindra didn't tell him was that she also used the tools, which were available only to the Heir of King Meldh. She used the heightened awareness of Rigga's power shield to feel and probe around herself. She found that in her heightened awareness, she was even capable of sensing the presence of those who had recently passed through the area. It was almost like seeing their trails, the imprints of their footprints, left on the fabric of life.
Flindra had learned that she could see the land ahead by projecting her mind through the crystal. In her mind, she familiarized herself to the surroundings. She could discover things without risking her safety or that of her comrades.
The ability of the crystal sphere was greatly augmented by her extended memories. The memories gave her valuable clues to the land and to the nature of the enemies they sought. The wisdom of those who had passed before her added greatly to her innate skills.
These tools and abilities Flindra kept secret for she remembered Kewero's warning that she should not reveal her true identity. Only in the deepest recesses of her heart did she admit to their existence. Flindra trained her thoughts to react to situations as if she was only a simple maid who just happened to be one with the forest. She created the image of a skilled woodsman's daughter - nothing more.
Lieutenant Kalmyk and his Rangers had been ordered to penetrate deep into Bhrag's territory to gather information on the movement and strength of the Duke's troops. There had been increasingly frequent rumors hinting that the Duke was massing his troops and the High Command wanted details. None of the scouting parties sent out to confirm this information had returned.
The High Command had decided that Kalmyk's collection of Rangers stood the best chance of getting the required information and surviving to pass it on. They were depending on the skill and wisdom Kalmyk had demonstrated so well during the spring and early summer. It was a dangerous assignment.
Kalmyk was under orders to capture and detain any of Bhrag's people they encountered during this action. The captives would be questioned and holding them would prevent the flow of information back to the Duke.

Chapter XIV, Reading 2

During the next few months, the success of Kalmyk's troop of Rangers caught the attention of the High Command. They needed to rely on skilled and competent commanders so he and his troop were given increasingly important and critical assignments. Flindra was a part of his success but she never tried to steal the credit from her officers and comrades. She was a silent member of the team and needed no praise to continue with her job.
In all of his communications with the High Command, Kalmyk had never mentioned Flindra by name. He had given a short report that he had recruited a new scout but he was careful to avoid any reference to her gender. He had done this to both protect her reputation and to avoid potential problems with the High Command. It had been an unorthodox decision on his part to make her his scout. He appreciated her talents too much to take the risk of losing her because of some bureaucratic decision in Deodar.
Flindra's knowledge of the land was invaluable and Kalmyk drew upon her experience frequently. She knew the surrounding areas intimately. She also had an unnerving sense of knowing where the enemy was moving. In addition to helping complete their assigned missions, she had managed to save the troop from several potentially fatal ambushes.
Kalmyk once questioned her on her ability to perceive what was around them. She explained that it was a simple case of observing what nature had to tell. The movements of birds and animals could yield much information if one knew what to look for. A creature seen out of its normal habitat was a good sign that it had been disturbed. The absence of the bird songs could mean an enemy was about. It was the nature of the forest to record the movements of all those in its midst. A broken twig, a torn leaf spoke volumes of information.

Chapter XIV, Reading 1

Flindra's days with the Rangers turned into weeks and then months. She had developed an easy rapport with the men during her first few days with them. Her quiet confidence and unusual abilities had quickly won her the respect and friendship of her comrades. Her skills made their tasks easier and safer to accomplish and thus made their lives better. It was relatively easy to be accepted by a group when one added something to the collected talents of the whole.
She was content with the situation for she truly felt that she was making a worthy contribution to the cause of Prince Storos. She was fulfilling her destiny and this added meaning to her life. She had taken another step on the journey to the final confrontation with the Nameless Ones. She was content to allow the Spirit to control her actions.
The discipline and regimentation of a soldier's life agreed with her as well. Her duties kept her busy so she never had the time to feel overwhelmed by her destiny or to be touched by the sorrow in her life. The friendship she had been granted by her comrades helped to fill the aching void in her heart. They could never replace her family, but they kept her from missing them too much.
At night, in the privacy of her tent, she routinely contacted her mother and Leudh as well as Kewero. They worried about her, certainly, but they also were pleased that she had found a situation where she could begin her destiny. Leudh was a source of information she frequently called upon when her own skills of woodcraft seemed lacking. More than anything, he just bolstered her confidence in her own knowledge. She knew what she needed to perform her duties she just had to believe in herself.
Once her skills were fully appreciated by the Rangers and the beginning of friendships had started, the men began to ask questions of her, hungry to learn the wisdom of the forest. They were in a perfect situation to learn and to use this wealth of knowledge to successfully carry out their orders. They began to apply their newfound wisdom and their success was greatly enhanced.