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

to rely on others ever since. But those you hunt—Mag, and especially Albern—they know the value of friendship, of companions on whom they can depend. They know what it is to fight as part of something greater than themselves, to serve without the desire of personal advantage.”

“I have served the Shades loyally,” said Kaita, a note of desperation in her voice.

“And you know I love you for it,” said Rogan. “And I know you love me, and some other few of our number. But I am no fool, Kaita. Your own goals have always come first. The moment you saw your opportunity, you abandoned everything to pursue what you had long desired. You would break the world to achieve your ends, and you would cast all of us aside to do it. That is why your foes defeat you, Kaita, over and over again. And you will never win until you come to your senses. You must tear down your walls—I cannot do it for you. But I can tell you that leaving yourself open to betrayal is better than living your life alone.”

Silent sobs began to wrack her body long before he finished. In one corner of his large tent was a small desk and chair, and she stumbled over to sit. Rogan knelt beside her, wrapping her shoulders in his massive, powerful hands, and he let her cry. In time she turned and buried her face in his tunic, and he held her like the sister she was to him.

But when at last her tears subsided, and her fists loosened their desperate grip on his clothes, she looked up at him. Her eyes were clear once more, and there was a hunger in them.

“I hear you, brother,” said Kaita. “I am ready to join the cause with my whole heart, and I am ready to accept the help I know I can find nowhere else. The help that our father promised.”

Rogan’s heart broke, for he knew that she had not truly understood him. And for a moment, he felt the temptation to refuse her. But he could not. He had made a promise—not only to Kaita, but to the Lord. And though he could not see as far as his father, he knew that he must keep faith with both of them if the Shades were to achieve their ends.

Even if it came at the cost of Kaita’s life.

Gently he pulled her hands from his tunic, and then he went to the foot of his bedroll. He had a small chest there, which he opened now using the silver key from his belt.

Out of the chest, he pulled a small packet wrapped in brown cloth.

Kaita’s eyes lit at once. “You have them with you now?”

“I always do,” he said. “And recently, in particular, I have ensured I had an extra store on hand, for I knew you would come to claim them. I have never forgotten you. Even when I could not see you, you must believe me: you were never out of my mind, and I never abandoned you.”

Kaita nodded, but it was an absentminded gesture, for her eyes were fixed on the stones. Again Rogan sighed, and he came over to place the packet in her hand.

“They are yours,” he said. “As I promised. But now I must demand a promise from you in turn.”

Her eyes flashed as she looked up at him. “And what is that?”

“You must use them at the right time,” said Rogan. “Do not plunge after Mag or Albern into the middle of a host of foes. You may kill them if you do, but even with the stones, you will not escape alive. Draw them out first. Use the magestones when they are alone, isolated—even from each other, if you can manage it. Strike only when you are certain of survival. Do not throw your life away trying to end theirs.”

For a moment, she hesitated, and Rogan feared she would refuse. He had no right to demand this of her, not really. Already he had sworn to give her the stones, without this condition. But as she looked up at him, Rogan saw understanding in her eyes, as well as compassion.

She stood from the chair and stepped forwards, laying her head against his chest. His thick arms wrapped around her shoulders.

“I promise,” she said, “for I know you ask out of kindness and concern. And I will make another promise: I vow to live up to the faith you have shown in me, and that I know Father still has for me.”

“And he will until the end,” Rogan murmured. His voice was thick with grief, but he knew she would mistake it for reverence. “Now go. Tagata leads the greater part of our forces west. Join her there, and you will soon have the opportunity you seek.”

Kaita looked up at him in wonder. “Albern and Mag will be there? But I thought they were to the south, closer to the Birchwood.”

Despite the pain in his heart, he smiled down at her. “They will meet Tagata, and soon.”

She lifted a hand and placed it against his cheek. “Thank you, brother,” she whispered. “I will not fail you. And I will see you soon.”

Quickly she left the tent. In a moment, Rogan heard the flapping of wings as a raven took to the air.

At last, he let his tears come, slow and silent as they worked their way through the lines of his face. Kaita had given him her promise, for she thought it came from his love for her.

But even that promise had been mandated by the Lord.

After the first five days of training, Mag and I took stock of our situation. We were sitting apart from our squadrons, sharing a meal around a campfire. Dryleaf was with us, and Oku had curled up at my feet. The day’s rain had faded to a mere drizzle. Our breath misted in the air,