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

Tou’s company had five squadrons: three of archers, including mine, and Mag’s and Yue’s with swords. And then, of course, there were Kun’s Mystics, all carrying swords and shields, and each wearing chain.

We deployed two squadrons of archers on the south of the road and my unit to the north. Kun would signal the attack by firing a flaming brand into the air, and the archers would loose. Our bowfire would sow confusion in the Shades’ ranks, miring them down. Then would come the second strike. Kun’s Mystics would attack straight down the center, with Mag’s squadron supporting him on the left and Yue’s spears on the right.

Kun knew we would not be able to stop the Shades entirely, not with only a hundred of fighters. His idea was to make them retreat instead. We wanted them to run north, where the Greenfrost gave way to a vast, broad land with many hills and dells.

“Captain,” said Yue, when Kun told us the plan. “Will they not vanish into the hills? How will we keep track of them?”

“Indeed, we hope they try it, because it will not work,” said Kun. He nodded to Mag. “Mag here knows this region. The land there is too gentle to block sight very well. Nor will it let them funnel us into a trap, nor will the gentle slopes give them much of a high ground to defend. The hills only look impressive from a distance. Once inside, they will never leave again.”

It was a cunning ploy, and Mag and I were impressed. I think Kun could tell we approved, which seemed to please him, despite himself. Something had changed in his attitude towards us. I did not get the sense that he trusted us, but no longer was he always suspicious of us. He spoke frankly with us as he laid out his plan.

“I wish to impress upon you both,” he said to Mag and me, “that your squadrons will be in the path of the Shades’ retreat. You must withdraw the moment they move in your direction. I hope you understand that I am not placing you in this position out of any wish of harm to you. With your experience, I know—or hope—that you will be able to lead your squadrons in a disciplined retreat.”

Mag cracked a smile. “You can say what you mean, Captain, if you mean to imply we are cowards.”

Kun’s small council erupted in laughter, which we all quickly cut off. The humor was a good thing—all our faces had been grim, and there are few things more harmful to a fighting force than for its commanders to be too moody.

“Hardly,” said Kun, smiling as usual. “Discipline and speed are all I ask of you. Maneuver west, swing around, and join the rest of us in pursuing them north.”

“As you wish, Captain,” I said.

“Good,” said Kun. His smile lost some of its luster. “All that is left, then, is the waiting.”

As any soldier with experience will tell you, the waiting is the worst part.

I gathered my squadron and moved with them to the north, positioning them in the forest where Kun had directed us. Mag and her unit came with us. Our troops kept their eyes cast down at the ground, and their fingers were pale where they gripped their weapons. Only Hallan seemed to be in better spirits, and that was only compared to the rest. His mouth was set in a firm line; he told no jokes, but kept his now-spectacled gaze on the beautiful jade forest ahead.

We stopped at Mag’s position, and I turned to her to clasp wrists.

“Take care of yourself,” she said. “If you are killed, I shall be very cross with you.”

“And the same to you,” I said.

I glanced over her shoulder at her squadron. Li stood there. Her gaze wandered like always, but her hands were shaking. Beside her was Dibu, who was as still as a rock.

I stepped past Mag.

“Listen to me,” I said, loud enough to cut through their stupor. “I know your minds. I was there once. We all were. Even Mag, hard as it is to believe it.”

Gently I punched her in the shoulder. She responded with a chop under my bicep, and my whole arm lanced with pain. I shook it hard to get the needles out.

“That is my drawing arm, you sow,” I growled. Despite themselves, her squadron chuckled. “Yes,” I told them. “That is how you should be feeling. Not thrilled, for you are not fools. But neither should you worry overmuch, for you have one great advantage in the battle you are about to fight. You have her. You have all heard stories of the Uncut Lady. Sky above, Dryleaf has told you plenty of them in the last weeks.”

I hooked my thumbs in my belt and threw my shoulders back. “Well, tonight Dryleaf is going to need you. He will need you to tell him tales about your sergeant so that he can add them to his trove. I have fought with Mag on more battlefields than most of you have years in your life. She will not let you down. She will do everything in her power—and that is considerable—to lead you home safe from the field. Do the same for her, and each other, and you will be fine.”

As I spoke, I watched them straighten. They turned to look at Mag, and then back to me. And in that brief moment, fear turned to resolution.

Once more I took Mag’s wrist, and then I pulled her in for an embrace. There was nothing left to say, and so I led my squadron off.

We were half a span away from Mag’s squadron when Jian cleared her throat. “Well, Sergeant. Have you any inspiring speech for us? I half thought Mag would speak on your behalf the way you spoke on hers.”

“And what did you think