The Tales of the Wanderer Volume One: A Book of Underrealm (The Underrealm Volumes 4) Garrett Robinson (poetry books to read TXT) 📖

my own experience, and from what I have seen, it is … it is as though the body was always supposed to be that way in the first place. We only use our magic to get it back on track, if you will. It is more like righting a ship so it can resume its course, than truly ‘changing’ anything. Which is why many ander people do not get a wending at all. They enjoy themselves just the way they are. The body was never off course in the first place.”

“I still do not see how that is different from an injury,” said Sun. “Is a wound not just a body getting ‘off course,’ as you put it, in what is clearly an attempt to relate to my Dulmish sensibilities?” She smiled.

Dawan gave a loud guffaw before she could help herself, and then turned it into a more dignified titter. She glanced at Albern. “Oh, I like her. As for your question, girl: that might be the case, but it does not mean medicas can accomplish true healing. We cannot, and the results can be very dangerous if we try. Things can be different with a disease, or some injuries a person may be born with. Sometimes our magic can treat such a disease, other times it cannot. But since the side effects can be so severe, it is rarely attempted unless a life is at stake.”

The room settled to silence. As Sun pondered what the medica had said, she realized that Albern and Dawan were both looking very intently at her. It was the same look Albern had given her earlier that day, when she had asked him about the time he left home. Suddenly she felt self-conscious, and she rolled her shoulders as if casting off a cloak.

“What is it? Did I say something wrong? I did not mean to …” She trailed off, for she did not know what she had not meant to do.

“Nothing like that,” said Dawan. She came over and crouched before Sun, looking at her from eye level. Her warm, soft hands wrapped around Sun’s own. “I must ask, and there is no wrong answer—even no answer. Do you think you might be ander?”

Suddenly Sun understood their reaction. She smiled at them both. “Ah. I see. I … I have thought about it. I do not think so, though I am not entirely sure.”

“And you do not have to be,” said Dawan quickly.

“Of course not,” said Albern. “I am glad to hear you have given thought to it, though. That was more than I had done, when I left Tokana.”

“Now I know why you were giving me all those looks this morning,” said Sun. “You could have simply asked me.”

“That is a conversation that must be had in the right time and place,” said Albern. “As I know better than most.”

“He is not entirely a fool,” said Dawan. But the look she gave Albern was so fond that Sun could not believe any of the chiding in her tone. “And with that, we are done here.”

Sun stood from the chair. She had not realized how much time had passed until her leg muscles suddenly screamed in protest. “Sky above, I need to walk.”

“I am sure you will, if I know anything about Albern,” said Dawan.

Albern stood from the bed, tugging gently on his tunic to adjust it. “Thank you, Dawan, as always.”

“You are most welcome, old friend.” Dawan went and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “And do not try any of your tricks this time. I have already given the innkeeper gold—more than enough to cover my time here. You will not be able to sneak a payment to her for my services.”

His face twisted in a scowl. “Dark take you. Old age has made you wily.”

Dawan laughed. She went to Sun and took her hand for a moment, squeezing it. “It was an honor to meet you.”

“Honor does not begin to describe it,” said Sun. Then, seized by an impulse, she stepped forwards and embraced the medica. Dawan seemed shocked for the space of a heartbeat, but before Sun could pull back in embarrassment, she felt the woman’s plump arms wrap around her.

“Please,” whispered Dawan. “Please, take care of him for me.”

Then Sun did draw back, but in surprise. She looked into Dawan’s eyes and found them glistening. But her face was turned from Albern, and she had spoken so quietly that Sun knew he had not heard.

“Thank you again,” said Sun. She gave Dawan a look, hoping the medica could see the answer in her eyes.

“And you,” said Dawan, nodding.

Albern ushered her out. Dawan closed the door behind them. “You see?” said Albern. “What did I tell you? Dawan is one of the nine lands’ greatest treasures.”

“She is,” said Sun fervently. “I wish we could have stayed with her longer. But I will accept, as a poor substitute, a return to your tale.”

Albern chuckled. “Very well,” he said. “I will tell you a bit more—but as we walk. Remember, I had other business in Lan Shui, and I still mean to take care of it.”

“Agreed,” said Sun, following him out of the Sunspear.

But as they walked through the streets and out through the north gate, she caught herself looking often back over her shoulder, thinking of all that Dawan had said.

The day after our meeting with Ditra, Gatak finally returned to the other trolls.

She strode into the pack’s midst soon after dawn, the sun just cresting the eastern horizon and shining on her back. The smaller trolls roaming around the edges of the pack saw her first. They went stock still, staring in wonder as she approached. Gatak ignored them. Ambling on all fours, she picked her way between the trolls who were still sleeping. The air buzzed with their snores.

Apok stepped into her path.

Gatak was larger than most of the trolls, but Apok was larger still. Gatak