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 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?"