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

Despite my reticence, Yue seemed to hear much in my words. “Ah,” she said carefully, leaning back, her hands on the log. “You lost someone. Someone … special?”

I placed a hand on her knee and finally looked her in the eye. “Forget it,” I said. “I am enjoying myself now. There is no need to dwell on the past.”

“Albern, you are allowed to have had lovers before me,” she said. “I had many before you.”

“Of course you did. Of course we both did. But it hardly seems the thing to talk about now, does it?”

She shrugged. “And why not? If their memory lingers, I do not mind you speaking of them to me, if it helps.”

I sighed, reaching up to scratch at my stubble. I had not had a chance for a proper shave since we left Taitou. “Nothing lingers. It is fine. I have spent enough time thinking about him. I am ready to look ahead. Sky above, how can I complain? It is nothing like Mag in Northwood, losing the love of her—”

My words choked off. I tossed my head back and forth, failing to convince even myself that my mood was light. Yue, who did not seem fooled in the slightest, leaned closer and fixed me with her gaze. Again, I could not meet her eyes.

“Albern, whoever he was, you do yourself no favors by trying to convince me he was unimportant. I think you are trying to pretend for my benefit, but if so, you are a fool. Ours is not some moons-flying romance, you astonishingly foolish man. I am not looking for such a thing anyway. At least not now. Certainly not with someone who still holds a torch for their last lover.”

“Of course not,” I said. “I know that. You and I are simply … it is …”

“Enjoyable,” said Yue, with the slightest smirk. “So enjoy it. Let yourself feel what you must, and when that feeling is sorrow, take comfort in me.” She stuck her tongue in her cheek. “I plan to take comfort in you.”

I had just started to take a pull from my wineskin, and now I almost choked on it. “Sky above, Yue,” I gasped.

“There we are,” said Yue. “Now, come. I am tired after another long day’s march, and I want to get to sleep early.” She stood and reached down to pull me up. “But not too early.”

I sighed and let her lift me to my feet. “Fine,” I said. “But only for your sake. I will take no joy in this.”

“I am about to make you a liar,” she said, heading for the tent.

But before I followed her, something caught my eye. I looked to my left and saw Mag standing there. She was a little apart from Dryleaf and our squadrons, who were all clustered around a fire, listening to the old man tell a story. Nikau and Orla were there, the lovers distracted from business by whatever tale Dryleaf was spinning.

But Mag did not seem to be listening to him. Her back was straight, her arms at her sides, and her gaze was fixed unerringly on the Carrweld. I knew from long experience that she could hold her body still as a statue when she wanted to. But now I saw a twitch in her hands. They hung loose and open, and her fingers would jerk forwards and then back. Forwards, and then back.

She did not see me. I doubted she saw anything but the darkness beneath those branches.

Almost I went to speak with her. But Yue called out to me, and I turned to follow her into the tent at last.

Our march now took us into open wilderness, with no real roads to speed our journey. Still, we made a good pace west, clearing almost four leagues each day. On the third day, we turned from our somewhat northwesterly course to aim southwest, passing from a land of broken hills to one of rivers and marshes. Kun seemed to know the region well, for he led us unerringly around the worst delays in the land.

On the fifth day, we reached a town called Kuan Shu on the banks of the River Marsden. There we found a bridge, and after crossing, we camped beyond the western borders of the town that night.

Captain Kun did not let us spend any time within the walls speaking to Kuan Shu’s inhabitants. I believe he did not wish us to spread any word of who we were or what our mission was. But he sent his nephew, Zhen, and some other Mystics into the town, probably to seek information about the Shades.

On the sixth day, Kun stopped the march about an hour earlier than expected. While we halted on the road, waiting, Kun and his advisors deliberated ahead of us. I was about to ask Tou if he wanted to see what was the matter, when Kun sent out the order to make camp for the night.

The sun was still a good hour or two above the horizon. I could think of only one reason why we would halt early. If Kun thought we were to meet our enemy in battle soon, he would want to keep his army as fresh as possible.

But I kept these thoughts to myself as I directed my squadron in building their tents. Then my attention caught on a messenger approaching from the head of the camp, where Kun’s tent was being built. The woman went to Tou and spoke quietly with him before leaving at a brisk pace, heading farther back down the column. Tou stood looking after her for a moment, fingers on his chin, before he sought me out and motioned me over to him.

“Trouble?” I asked.

“No,” said Tou. “Only a summons to speak with the captain. I may not be gone long, but just in