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

“sending my own people into town to watch these stragglers will endanger our more important work. You brought this problem to Opara. You can watch the strangers.”

“I can,” said Kaita, fighting not to say it through gritted teeth. “But I cannot stay in raven form all day. And even if I could, night will come, and I have to sleep sometime. You cannot simply bury your head beneath your blankets and hope this blows by. If Mag speaks with the King’s law, they will come hunting for you.”

“They would not find us,” said Riri calmly. “None of their agents have come this far outside the city in a long while. The only danger would be if one of our soldiers were caught—which is why I will not continue to send them to Opara on your errands.”

Her foolishness grated on Kaita’s nerves. The constables might not have made a habit of visiting the stronghold of Maunwa, but it was far from concealed. It was an entirely foolish place to make one’s secret hideout—but then again, it played very well into Riri’s idea of her own importance. Why should she lurk in caves or some backwater buildings, when she could set herself up in this place of strong stone and imagine herself a grand lord? Never mind that she had only a dozen soldiers at her command.

But Kaita had pointed this out already, and Riri had ignored her. She must adopt a diplomatic tone now, if she wanted Riri to see wisdom.

“Do not underestimate the redbacks,” said Kaita. “You do not want them to be on the alert. That is what is important now. The sooner you help me lead Mag and her party north, the safer your mission will be. Abandon this place, and leave evidence that points a trail north. Albern and Mag will discover it. It is only a matter of time. Speed the process, and you can have them out of your life all the sooner.”

Riri frowned. It was a good point, though she clearly would not admit that. She scratched one nail against the wood of the table. For just a moment, Kaita thought she might agree.

“No.”

Kaita balked. “No? That is all you have to say?”

“It is all I need to say,” said Riri. “I am the captain here. I take my orders from Rogan, not you. And the last thing Rogan told me was to keep entirely out of sight, remaining unknown to anyone. And he said that if we were discovered, that we were to eliminate any witnesses. You have been a fool, and have led our enemies right to our doorstep. But I believe you when you say that Rogan wishes for them to be killed. I will do so, fulfilling my duty to him while also cleaning up your mess.”

“Are you …” Kaita stopped, aghast. “Are you mad? You will not do anything of the sort. If you try, you will die. Mag will slaughter you and anyone foolish enough to follow your orders. I must lead her to Tokana. No human can defeat her, but our allies in the north can.”

“Oh, Kaita,” said Riri, giving a scornful smile. “Simply because you have proven too incompetent to deal with her, does not mean that I am.”

Kaita shot to her feet. “Incompetent?” she roared, as her eyes began to glow. “Never forget who you are speaking to.”

She lunged, sprouting a pace taller. Her clothing sank into her flesh even as her hands turned into a lion’s massive paws. The air hissed as her razor claws came slashing forwards.

Riri ducked the grasping talons. A knife appeared in her hand, too fast for Kaita to see where she pulled it from. Twisting, she avoided another swipe.

Her dagger flashed. Kaita felt a stabbing pain in each thigh. A thick, guttural scream erupted from her enlarged throat.

Unable to keep her feet, she crashed to the floor on her front. Riri was atop her in an instant. She snatched Kaita’s arms and wrenched them behind her back, squeezing until Kaita screamed again.

And then Riri seized her temples. Her fingers dug into the flesh there, pushing, crushing. Kaita’s whole body went rigid. She tried to cry out, but all that came was a choked gasp.

She felt the magic slipping away from inside her. Her body slowly resumed its natural form. Her tight blue and grey clothes sprouted out of her skin again. In a few heartbeats, she was herself, and still pinned under Riri. Tears sprang into her eyes at the agony in her legs.

“I will release you so that you can heal those wounds,” said Riri. “But only if you will promise not to be so foolish again. Swear to me.”

“Only Rogan and our father receive vows from me,” said Kaita, gritting her teeth and trying to pull an arm free.

Riri twisted harder. Kaita had to bite her own tongue to hide another scream. “Then I can hold you here as long as I need to.”

“All right,” said Kaita, hating the whimper in her own voice.

“Say it.”

“I swear.”

Riri let her go and rose, backing away quickly. But Kaita could not even think of breaking her word. She could only think of the pain in her legs. She focused upon it, and her eyes glowed once more. Slowly, painfully, the flesh turned fluid and melded together. The skin rejoined last, sealing the wound. Kaita gave a sigh of relief and let her magic slip away once more.

She got to her feet. Her arms still pained her; no weremagic could heal a twisting like that. Leaning heavily against the table in the center of the room, she glared at Riri, who now stood by her chair.

“Darkness take you and your Mystics’ tricks,” snarled Kaita.

Riri smiled. “You have remained the same girl you were in our youth, but I have not. I have grown stronger. And if I have learned the secrets of the mage hunters, now I use them in service of the Lord—a service you have been unable to render.