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

furrowed as she studied it. She circled a spot. Twenty-five leagues west of our position, there was a narrow pass between a wood to the south and a cluster of hills to the north.

“This place,” she said. “It is the northern edge of the Greenfrost. We march right for it, and so do the Shades. It would be a perfect place to attack them. But Kun’s army has no hope of catching them before they reach it. Not unless we send a smaller force to ambush them, to delay their march until the rest of the army can catch up.”

“It will be a hard trek even so,” I said. “But with us guiding Tou’s company, we could get there in time.”

“Then let us bring this to the lieutenant at once,” said Yue, “before Kun begins the day’s march.”

We found Tou with little trouble. He was finishing his morning meal, and he arched an eyebrow at us as we approached.

“Good day,” he said. “What is it? You look as though something important has happened.”

“Not yet,” said Mag.

As quickly as we could, we outlined our plan. Tou listened attentively, curling his fingers through his goatee and frowning.

“The Sunmane Pass,” he said. “I admit, it makes more sense than anything else we have guessed at. But they would have a hard time holding it with no place of strength to defend.”

A chill went through me. “They may have a stronghold in the peaks,” I said.

Tou met my gaze, nonplussed. “Oh? I know of no such places in those mountains. How could they keep it hidden?”

My throat went dry. “I … I have seen something similar before. In the mountains west of Northwood. It is where I first saw Shades, though I did not know who they were at the time.”

I was afraid Tou might have heard something of that stronghold and know that there was more to my tale. But to my immense relief, he only nodded. “Well, then. I think you are right. This must be brought before the captain.” His expression soured. “Though I wonder if I should bring it to him myself. He is … not overly fond of the two of you.”

“An understatement if ever there was one,” said Mag lightly. “But you will need Albern and me to guide the company if we have any hope of catching the Shades in time.”

Tou tilted his head. “You know the area well?”

“She is Dorsean,” I told him, “and grew up not far from here. And I was trained as a ranger in Calentin. Though I do not know this land well, I can guide a force through any wilderness if I know where I am going.”

Mag’s mouth opened and then clamped tight again. I hoped I had not overstepped, saying more than she had wished. But she did not look angry, only conflicted.

“All right,” said Tou. “The troops have risen, and most will soon be ready to march. We must speak to the captain at once. Come.”

“Ser,” said Mag, Yue, and I together.

We followed him through the camp to Kun’s tent. A small table had been set up, and Kun was enjoying a meal upon it. Upon another, smaller table beside him, he read reports and letters. As he noticed our approach, he looked up, gave us a beaming smile, and wiped a bit of grease from the corner of his mouth.

“Lieutenant Shi,” he said. His eyes roved across the rest of us. “And your sergeants. To what do I owe such a pleasure?”

Tou drew up smartly and gave a salute. “Captain. Mag and Albern have shared some thoughts with me this morning, and I thought it best to bring them to your attention.”

“Indeed?” said Kun. “I am sure I cannot wait to hear what is going on in their inimitable minds.” He stood and motioned to one of his attendants, who began to clean the remainder of his meal. “Let us speak in my tent.”

We followed him inside. Like those of most military commanders, his tent was a grander thing than the one- and two-person tents of the rest of the camp. He had a space in the middle for a desk, upon which had been laid a map of Dorsea, larger and more detailed than Yue’s.

“Now then,” said Kun. “I imagine this has something to do with whatever Sergeant Telfer was poking his nose into this morning?”

So, someone had reported my investigation to the captain after all. I tried not to look like a guilty child who had been caught stealing an extra slice of apple tart. “Yes, Captain,” I said. “I was curious about the Shades and what their aims might be. And I am somewhat skilled at woodcraft, so I thought I might be able to glean some information.”

“Lieutenant Zhou is also quite capable in such matters,” said Kun. “Tell me: do you think you discovered anything he did not?”

“I am certain he saw everything I did, Captain,” I said. “Yet Mag and I might have been able to guess more from the information.”

Mag stepped in. “Ser, we believe the Shades are making for the Sunmane Pass. If they can prevent travel through it, and if an equal force can do the same in the Moonslight Pass to the south, they will deal a devastating blow to Dorsea. It will help Wojin hold the throne, and even if he were usurped, Dorsea will be utterly unable to aid the High King against Dulmun.”

Kun’s brows shot for the tent’s ceiling. “That is quite an assumption. Do you know something of the Shades’ intentions?”

The meaning behind the question was obvious. Kun rarely missed an opportunity to needle us with the possibility that we were on the side of the enemy. I ignored it, and as Tou rolled out Yue’s smaller map atop the larger one, I pointed to the marks we had made with charcoal.

“It may be an assumption, Captain, but I believe it is a good one,” I said. “Mag was the first to think something was