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

“I will see to it myself,” I said. “And your stakes will not be as shaky as they have been in recent days.”

His expression lightened, and he rolled his eyes. “Not everyone is as … seasoned a campaigner as you are.”

I placed a hand to my chest, raising my eyebrows in mock affront. “A jibe at my advancing years? I thought you a better man.”

Tou chuckled, seemingly against his will, and flapped a hand towards his pack. “Just build the tent.”

“Of course,” I said, smiling. The smile lasted until he was gone, and then a worried crease came to my brow. My thoughts were troubled as I built Tou’s tent and then my own, and then I knelt to light a fire after Chausiku brought some wood.

Tou finally returned as the last light was fading in the sky. His face was grim as he approached me by my fire.

“Get Mag and Yue and come speak with me,” he said.

“Yes, ser,” I said, and went to do as he had bid.

When I found Mag, she and Yue were sitting with their squadron and eating. Dryleaf was there with them, as were Nikau and Orla. The lovers spent time with us every night, at least for our evening meal, before they went and plied their services among the army. Yue, it seemed, was in the middle of a tale about our fight with the vampires.

“… and then they split up,” Yue was saying as I approached. “Split up, the fools. Unfortunately, Albern was the one to find me, which meant I had to save my own hide. The vampire got a good chunk of my shoulder with its claws, but I managed to shove it into the flames and burn it to death.”

“After I had already pierced it with an arrow,” I put in.

Yue looked up, the surprise on her face too exaggerated to be genuine. “Albern! I did not see you coming.”

“Mm,” I said. “I am afraid you must finish your tale later. The lieutenant needs us.”

The mood of those around the fire darkened in an instant. Without a word, Mag and Yue got to their feet. But as Yue was stepping away, Dryleaf reached up and took her hand.

“Should I come with you?” he asked.

“Tou is in a hurry,” I said. “But I promise we will speak with you after.”

Dryleaf nodded. “Very well. I eagerly await it.” Then he turned to the rest of those sitting by the fire. “And in the meantime, mayhap I should tell you my part in this tale of the vampires. It was quite amusing—Albern was so impressed with my wisdom that he thought I could see without my eyes.”

Orla wore a joyful expression. “I would not be surprised, dear one,” she said, gently rubbing the back of his hand. “The sky bestows many blessings on those who command the magic of talespinning.”

A few chuckles rang out behind us as we walked away. I smiled ruefully in the growing darkness. “Why do all your stories seem to make me the butt of the joke?”

Yue slapped my rear end. “Because you are so excellent for the role.”

My face flamed, and I hoped they could not see it in the sparse light of the campfires we passed. Mag, however, ignored our flirting.

“Do you know what this business is with Tou?” she asked.

“I do not,” I said. “But the moment the march stopped, the captain summoned all the lieutenants. And I noticed that we did not march as long as we could have today.”

“I noticed that, too,” said Mag.

Yue glanced back and forth between us. “What does that mean?”

“Captain Zhou may be trying to save our strength,” said Mag. “And there is only one reason he might do that, which is to have us ready for a battle he believes is imminent.”

Yue sighed. “I see.”

“Let us see what Tou has to say before we consign ourselves to gloom,” I said. “There may be another explanation.”

There was not.

“The captain believes we will meet the enemy soon,” said Tou, skipping any preamble. “We have stumbled upon signs of the Shades’ march.”

We stood there in dour silence—Mag, Yue, me, and the other two sergeants in Tou’s company. They were both Mystic knights, but for the life of me, I can no longer remember their names.

“They are marching in the open?” I said at last. “That is unusual, from what we have heard.”

“So it is,” said Tou. “But they are both in the open and not, you might say. These are wildlands. It is unlikely anyone would see them, and less likely that anyone who saw them would know what they were seeing.”

“Where are they coming from?” said Yue.

“The captain has a theory,” said Tou. “Recently there have been rumors of Dorsean raids into Feldemar. King Alim of Feldemar has sought reparations. But King Jun knew nothing about the raids, and he refused responsibility for them. Diplomats on both sides were trying to sort the situation out. Now the captain thinks he knows the truth: these attacks were carried out by the Shades. They posed as Dorsean soldiers to foment discord between us and Feldemar.”

Mag and I glanced at each other again. “That seems a sensible guess,” said Mag. “We have had several encounters with the Shades so far, and they are fond of getting others to do their fighting for them.”

“And so now we expect to meet these Shades on the field?” I said.

“The captain thinks so,” said Tou. “And in very little time. We do not know their destination, but we mean to keep them from reaching it.”

“Good,” said Mag. “What does he need from us?”

“Only to be ready,” said Tou, scratching his goatee. “And to make sure your squadrons are ready as well. You all have good heads on your shoulders and at least some experience in a fight. The same cannot be said for everyone you command. See to their readiness. Prepare them for what is