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

“You did!” insisted Sun. “You saw her in Tokana again and again, and probably another thousand times that you have never told me about. Yet you told me you had never seen her before.”

“I said nothing of the kind,” said Albern. “You asked if I knew her. I did not.”

“That is splitting hairs,” said Sun, folding her arms. “You know what I meant.”

“I do know what you meant,” said Albern. “But you have been thinking about it all wrong. Tell me: did you know every soldier who served your family?”

Sun frowned. “I knew our master of arms. Her name was Hilde, and she—”

“I said everyone.”

It felt as though she was being drawn into a trap, but Sun did not know how to get out. She waved her hands in irritation. “There were dozens of people running in and out of our kitchens,” she said. “I did not meet every baker and scullery maid, if that is what you are asking.”

“And we had dozens of rangers, of which Kaita was not one, not to mention hundreds of guards, not only in Kahaunga, but all across our lands,” said Albern. “And I have told you already that my mother strictly forbid us from becoming too friendly with anyone, least of all those who were not even of the nobility.”

Sun huffed and shook her head. “You could have told me about Kaita from the beginning.”

Albern grinned at her. “What was it you said this morning? Every part of the story must be told in its proper turn, or the whole thing will collapse. You were quite right, though you hardly knew it.”

“Dark take me for a fool,” growled Sun. “Had I known you would throw my own words back at me, I would never have spoken them. This conversation is not over, old man, but fortunately for you, I want to know what happened next more than I want to trounce you.”

He chuckled and gave a nod. “Very well. Let us return to Tokana.”

I stood in the ruined village, staring at Maia in horror and fury. But that only lasted a moment before I turned and stormed off towards the horses, Oku at my heels.

“What is it?” Mag’s confusion was plain in her voice.

“Where is he going?” said Maia.

Mag did not answer, but I heard her footsteps behind me as she followed. Soon Maia joined her. He ran up beside me and tried to get in front of me.

“Listen, friend, I do not know what—”

He stopped as Mag snatched his arm and pulled him out of my way. “I do not know what is happening either,” she said. “But I would advise you not to try to touch Albern while I am present.”

Maia frowned. “Albern?”

Mag floundered for a moment. “Kanohari,” she said lamely. “I meant … oh, dark take it all, just get on your horse.”

I ignored them both, swinging up into Foolhoof’s saddle and spurring him south. I rode hard, slowing only just enough for Oku to keep the pace. Soon I heard thundering hooves behind, and Mag and Maia drew close.

“Albern!” she called out. “What is wrong?”

I ignored her, and she seemed to give up on getting an answer. The three of us rode in silence all the way to Kahaunga.

Farmers in the outlying fields stopped their work and straightened, staring at us as we galloped past. I do not know what went through their minds. Mayhap they thought we were rushing to deliver news of a fresh attack. But I paid them no more attention than I gave to Mag or to Maia. We hit the streets of the outer city. Thankfully they were clear, and I did not have to slow Foolhoof very much. But at last I had to pull to a stop at the gate of the Telfer keep.

“Open the gate!” I called up.

A guard atop the wall peered down at me in confusion. “Who under the sky are you to issue such an order?”

“I am Albern of the family Telfer, and I have returned to my homeland,” I answered her. “Open the gate!”

The woman’s eyes went wide with shock. She looked past me to Maia, who was just as surprised.

“The family Telfer?” he said to me.

I pulled down my sleeve and showed him our family’s mark. He stared at it in wonder for a moment, sighed, and looked back up at the gate guard.

“For good or for ill, I think you had better do as he says.”

That seemed good enough, and the guards hastened to open the gate. I spurred Foolhoof forwards as soon as it was high enough for me to avoid hitting my head. Once I reached the keep, I dismounted and left Foolhoof behind as I stormed up the steps. The doors stood open, and I passed through them to stalk down the wide entrance hall.

“Albern,” said Mag. It was one of the few times in her life I had heard her sound nervous. “Are you certain about this?”

“More certain than I have been about anything since we got here,” I growled.

Two Telfer guards stood at the door to Ditra’s audience chamber. They stepped forwards, hands tightening on their spears as I approached.

“Let him pass,” said Maia in resignation. “I am with him.”

They did not look pleased about it, but they did as he said. I threw open the double doors as hard as I could, and they slammed against the stone walls on either side. Ditra sat on her chair atop the dais, and her head snapped up in shock as I entered. A small cluster of advisors huddled before her, and they, too, turned to stare at me in amazement.

“Kaita!” I roared.

Ditra’s eyes went wide. The guards at the edges of the room stepped forwards, ready to defend their lord. Among the councilors I spotted a woman in robes of Calentin colors—the king’s representative. She studied me with great interest.

“Kaita!” I said again. “She is the weremage. And you knew. You