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

Mag began to guide his thoughts further in that direction. Whenever Kun would come by for inspection, Mag would drill Li personally. She would push the girl to her limits, but not beyond them, making her look as though she could nearly hold her own in the fight. But the moment Kun left, Mag would return to Dibu and resume working with him instead.

Tou was a constant presence during our drilling, wandering around the rings while he brushed his fingers through his goatee. He oversaw three other squadrons, but he spent an increasing amount of time with us. He would even help our troops practice, and I came to learn that he was a powerful fighter. Though he lacked a substantial build, he was surprisingly strong—impregnable in defense and ferocious when on the attack. Mag requested him to pair up with Dibu whenever he came by, and I could see the boy’s skill begin to grow by leaps and bounds. Tou knocked him into the slushy ground every time, but Dibu lasted longer and longer against him as days went by. Each time they finished, Tou would confer with Mag and me, giving advice on how to prepare Dibu for the test. Mag was always grateful for his insight.

Though it may sound boastful, I think Tou was quite intrigued by us. I know, certainly, that we became friendly in short order. Tou tried to maintain an appropriate level of separation and distance, but no more than one would expect from one’s superior officer.

He was a good sort, but I could tell he placed great faith in military discipline. Though he wanted us to join Kun’s army, he had no wish to undermine his superior officer. This put him in a difficult position, but he managed it as best he could. For my part, at least, I wanted to help him, and the best way to do that was to succeed in Kun’s challenge on our own merits.

Day by day, we drove ourselves and our troops as hard as we could. But the week seemed to wear away incredibly fast.

The day of Kun’s test finally came.

Usually our squadrons were mustered for drilling before dawn. That day, Tou let us sleep until an hour after sunup. My eyes snapped open the moment I heard the calls outside my tent. I lay there for a moment, reluctant to move. So much rested on today. Dibu might win, and then we would have taken a significant step towards achieving our aims. Or we might fail, and then we would have wasted another week. We would be no better off than we were at the start: alone in Dorsea, with no idea how to find Kaita. In fact, we would be worse off, for she would have had ten extra days to flee, or hide herself, or gather more allies to her side.

I did not know what we would do if that happened. I feared to think what Mag might do. But there was nothing for it now. I sighed and roused myself, dressing quickly and stepping out of the tent.

Our squadrons were already mustering themselves, as they did every day. As I joined Mag and stood before them, I could not deny a small flush of pride at seeing them form up with precision and speed. Tou seemed pleased with our squadrons’ discipline, as well.

I heard footsteps behind us and turned. Kun came marching up, two Mystics to either side of him. I recognized one as Zhen, Kun’s nephew, the one with a heavy scar on his left cheek. It had been he who reported on our doings in Huzen.

It occurred to me that Zhen might be the one pitted against Mag’s champion. That might be good for us. Zhen seemed a capable man, certainly, but it appeared he specialized in espionage. Mayhap Dibu would have the edge against him when it came to a straight fight.

Kun stopped before us, wearing his usual broad smile. “Well! Good morning to all of you. I must commend you on the presentation of your troops. Few squadrons among our forces show such discipline.”

“Thank you, Captain,” said Tou and Mag at the same time. Mag stopped short, her mouth twisting, and gave Tou a deferential nod. He smiled slightly and went on. “Your recognition honors us. We await your order.”

“Well, I have only one order for you today, in truth,” said Kun with a chuckle. “It is the day of the test! I doubt you have forgotten.”

“No indeed, Captain,” said Tou quickly. “We are ready.”

“As ready as you will ever be, I suppose,” said Kun. “I am sure we all hope that it is enough. Well.” His eyes darted to Li. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her wandering gaze focus on the captain, her nimble body growing tense. “Who will be your champion?”

Tou looked at Mag, who took a step forwards. “Captain, I have chosen Dibu to represent the best result of our training.”

I was gratified to see a look of surprise—on Captain Kun’s face, and Dibu’s. Li’s cheeks flushed red. Meanwhile, Kun’s smile faltered for a moment. He looked past Mag to Dibu.

“Well, soldier? Your sergeant has spoken. Step forwards.”

Still, Dibu hesitated, looking at Li as if certain he had misheard. Then, at last, he walked towards us, presenting himself as if for inspection. I noticed his bronzed knuckles were white where they gripped his shield and blade.

“Ser,” he said. “I am ready.”

“I certainly hope so,” said Kun. He smiled at the Mystics to either side of him. “And so I suppose it falls to me to select my champion. I have given much thought to the matter.” Again his smile widened. “Let us hope I can surprise you at least as much as you have surprised me. For my champion in today’s bout, I select Tou.