The Tales of the Wanderer Volume One: A Book of Underrealm (The Underrealm Volumes 4) by Garrett Robinson (elon musk reading list TXT) 📕

A realization struck me. “You are the one I have sensed in the wilderness. I felt as if someone was nearby. We found campfires. That was you.”

“I was not actually following you, if that is any comfort,” said Maia. “Our paths simply lay in the same direction. Indeed, I did not think I would encounter you at all in the mountains. But you are very skilled. I suspect one or both of you must have spent some time here before, though I do not remember you.”

“It has been … a long time,” I said. “In my youth. I do not remember you either, if that is any comfort.”

“No, I suppose you would not,” said Maia. “I came to Kahaunga some eighteen years ago as a boy, when my father wed the Rangatira. I became a ranger as soon as I came of age.”

I almost did not hear his last words. The realization struck me that Maia was Ditra’s son by law, and that made him my nephew. I might have lost members of my family since I left home, but it seemed I had gained others. I wondered what other new relatives there might be within my family’s stronghold.

Things had been quiet for too long. Mag was studying Maia as though she were trying to decide if he was a threat. I forced a smile. “That explains why you are so much more skilled here than I am. Though it does not explain what you are doing here, as my friend asked before. I suppose you have been sent to watch us.”

“Not at all,” said Maia. He gave another heavy sigh, but this time it looked as though he had finally come to a decision. “In fact, I was sent out for the same purpose as you—to track down the Shades. The only problem is that I was supposed to greatly outpace you in the hunt. In fact, I was strictly ordered to.”

“We are very sorry to have made your duty so difficult,” said Mag, giving him a wry smile.

“I am sure you are,” said Maia.

“Mayhap we could work together,” I said.

Maia’s mouth twisted. “That … is not quite possible.”

“Because the Rangatira ordered you not to,” said Mag. When Maia narrowed his eyes at her, she smiled. “I may not be as familiar with this land as either of you, but I have some understanding of soldiers, and those who order them about.”

“Well, you have guessed aright,” said Maia. “I am sorry, but I cannot disobey my lord.”

“But Ditra—the Rangatira,” I said quickly. Dark take me for a fool, I have to stop doing that. “She gave us permission to find the Shades. You mean to tell me she did not actually want us to succeed? If we do, we will put a stop to your entire conflict with the trolls.”

Maia only shrugged. “I do not pretend to understand everything, nor to be privy to all of the counsel the Rangatira may receive. She is my lord. I do her bidding. Although …” His look grew crafty. “Although I suppose there is a way we could both achieve our aims, and better serve the Rangatira at the same time.”

“How is that?” said Mag.

Oku had come over to sniff at Maia’s boots. He knelt and scratched the hound behind the ears, and Oku stretched up to lick his face. “You mean to hunt down the Shades. I have been ordered to find them, but not to engage with them, and only to relay their location back to the Rangatira. If you can agree to do the same, I would not object to working with you. Our skills would be more effective if we combined them, and I would save myself a great deal of time if I could focus only on the hunt, and not on avoiding you in the wilderness.”

“If we find the Shades, you would wish for us to stave off our attack until you have informed your lord?” said Mag. She folded her arms, making their muscular lines more prominent. “That would imperil the success of our attack.”

“You would not have to wait long,” said Maia placatingly. “My lord wishes to end the threat of the Shades. It is her duty. I am not certain why she wishes to hear from me before she attacks, but she will attack. We can join the main Telfer forces in eliminating the Shades. I will have done my duty, and you will have what you want. Everyone’s aims will be satisfied.”

I thought hard about it, but I could see no reason not to do as he said. It seemed a wise course of action. Ditra was playing some game I did not understand, and it had hampered our search so far. This would solve the problem without harming either party.

“That seems agreeable to me,” I said. “Chao?”

Mag was still for a moment before she remembered that I had used her false name. But rather than nodding in agreement, she gave a grimace. “I suppose I might be able to. As long as when it comes to battle, I am the one to kill the weremage.”

“The Rangatira might not like that,” said Maia with a sigh. “Though I do not know what she could do to prevent you. What is your grudge against Kaita, anyway?”

I froze.

“Kaita?” I whispered.

Maia’s eyes went wide, and his face went a shade paler.

Kaita.

I was a child in my family’s stronghold, creeping towards Ditra’s room after having a nightmare. Suddenly, the door opened. Out came Kaita, cloaked in shadow. I could scarcely see her in the darkness. I did not recognize her face.

But Kaita saw me, staring at her wide-eyed in the moonslight. If the Lord Telfer found out that she had been caught in Ditra’s bedchamber … no matter how useful Kaita was, she would be flung out into the streets to beg for her food.

She fled in terror. I looked after her for