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

“I am well,” he said. “You killed the monsters?”

“We helped,” I told him. “Many in the town fought them together.”

“I am glad,” said Liu. “I am glad they are dead.”

Mag looked a little sad at that. But she reached out and ruffled his hair. “We have to be going now, but we know we leave Lan Shui under your protection. You will watch out for all these people for us, will you not? Many of them are not very smart. They will need you.”

Liu smiled at that. “Of course. I am going to be a constable one day.”

“I think you will be a great one.”

“I think Oku should go with you,” said Liu.

I took a step forwards. “Liu, that is very kind of you,” I said. “But he is your hound. This is his home.”

“His home was in the mountains,” said Liu. “So was mine. But I think he needs to go and protect other people’s homes now. That is what you are going to do.”

“Let him stay and protect you,” I said.

Liu’s eyes began to well with tears, and his cheeks flushed. “I am safe now. You killed the monsters. But there may be other monsters out there. I want to know that you are safe, too.”

Mag had moved behind the boy, and she was giving me a scowl he could not see. And in my mind, that settled the matter. I gave Liu a warm smile.

“Then it would be our pleasure to take him along with us.”

Mag barely stifled a groan. But she plastered a smile on her face as Liu turned and hugged her legs. Then the boy went to Oku and clutched at his dark brown fur.

“Take care of them,” he said. “Mayhap I will see you when we are both older.”

“We will make sure to come and visit,” I said. “Thank you, Liu.”

“Fare well,” said Mag. She gave the boy another tight hug and then headed north. I followed her, Dryleaf on my arm. Oku took two tentative steps after us, but then he stopped and looked back at Liu.

“Kip, boy,” said Liu. “Go with them.”

Oku looked at us, and his mouth snapped shut. He looked back at Liu and whined.

“Oku, tiss,” I said.

The hound met my gaze. He ran back to Liu and licked his face twice. Liu laughed and gave the dog another hug. Then Oku ran after me, trotting at my heels. Just before we turned the corner out of sight, he gave one last glance back at Liu. Then the boy was gone.

I had forgotten the way to the constables’ station, so we followed Dryleaf’s directions to find it. A sharp knock produced Constable Ashta in short order, and she ushered us in to visit Yue. The sergeant had been laid upon a wide, soft bed in the back room of the station, where she was propped up on many pillows. She appeared to have been dozing when we arrived, but her eyes snapped open as we entered. She shifted herself so as to appear more upright. As we came to her bedside, she surveyed us with stern, uncompromising eyes.

“You lot are off, then?” she said brusquely.

“We are,” said Mag. “But we wanted to ensure you were well taken care of.”

“Of course I am,” said Yue. “And entirely unsurprised to see you scuttling off after having made so much trouble.”

I chuckled. “Yes, but at least we leave you with our apologies. That must be worth something.”

“Hardly,” said Yue. “But actually, there is one matter that must be tended to before you sally off. By the King’s law, there is a bounty on vampires. Any killed and turned in to the law are worth five gold weights each. You have killed seven while you have been here. I never learned my numbers very well, so let us call it forty weights.”

Mag gave a loud, frustrated groan and turned to me. “Darkness take all these people. Do they not realize that coins are worth money? Why are they so eager to be rid of them?” But then her eyes lit up with an idea, and she whirled back to Yue. “No! Keep the coins. Use them in our name, to support those who lost homes and loved ones to the vampires’ attack. And start with that absolute fool of an innkeeper whose custom we took. Will you do that for us?”

“Lan Shui has more than enough helping hands to take care of those who are bereaved,” said Yue. “And I am afraid the King’s law is quite clear about the terms of the bounty.”

“Sky above, you—I will not—this—” Mag ended in a sputter, thrusting a finger at Yue. “I am not taking your gold. So unless you mean to get out of that bed this instant and pursue me out of town to hide a coin purse in my saddlebags, I am afraid you must be disappointed. Albern, I am taking my leave. Say your farewells, and then let us ride on from this haven of woodenheads.” She stalked out of the room, only pausing for a moment at the door to turn and give Yue a final “I am glad you will recover” before vanishing.

I stepped up beside Yue with a smile. As I did, Ashta passed Mag on the way in. She stared after Mag, who had stormed off in a huff, and shook her head as the door slammed shut behind her.

“You shoved the purse in her saddlebag?” said Yue.

“I did, Sergeant,” said Ashta. “And judging by the look on her face, I am glad she did not see it.”

“Despite her admonishment,” I said to Yue, “Mag herself has never been good at holding on to coin. I hope you will forgive her rash words.”

“If she follows the King’s law, I will,” said Yue, arching an eyebrow.

“Thank you, constable. Though you know, you helped us kill two of the beasts.”

“Yet constables are exempt from the bounty,” said Yue.

“That seems unjust,” I said.

“I do not write the