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

meantime, there is plenty to do,” said Yue. “We have wounded to see to, and troops who need our guidance.” But she sounded disgruntled, and she poked savagely at the logs of our fire with a long stick.

“All of that is well and good if it helps us find Kaita and end her,” said Mag. “Yet now it is only a delay. She has evaded us before, and it seems she has done it again. But this time she brought a whole army into the shadows with her.”

Dryleaf’s hand rested on Oku’s head, scratching him behind the ears. Oku sat patiently, enjoying it, but his gaze was riveted on Mag’s abandoned food bowl. “You fear losing her forever,” said the old man. “But I do not think that is how your hunt will end. One day you will have the confrontation you desire, even if it is not here in these hills.”

Mag’s fist clenched. “No,” she said. “It will be here. It must be.”

“Mag, come now,” I said. “Why is it so important that—”

“Because I am tired, Albern,” said Mag. Her voice cracked, and hearing it froze me. “I am tired of having her dangled in front of my face, luring me along like a carrot does a mule. I am tired of wandering endlessly across the nine lands. I want this to be over. Now. I am tired of—”

She turned away, looking towards the center of camp.

“Mag …” I said slowly. “I did not—”

“I do not know what comes next,” she said, almost whispering. “I have no plan for it. But I want one. I have been trying to think of it, trying to picture it. I cannot. It is as though my road ends with Kaita, vanishing at her feet. It makes my life feel so small, and I am tired of that, too. I want an after.”

She stood.

“And I am going to have one.”

“Mag?” I said sharply. Yue and I scrambled to our feet as she stalked off. I helped Dryleaf up and brought him along. “Where are you going?”

“To speak to the captain,” she replied.

“Mag, wait,” said Yue. “Why?”

“I am going to find her.”

“What, alone?” I said. “Mag, you are not going anywhere without us. Or me, at least.” I gave Yue a furtive glance.

“Us,” she said, frowning at me. “She has the right of it. It would be better than sitting here on our rears.”

“That is the spirit,” said Mag, still walking at a breakneck pace.

“Mag,” said Dryleaf. His voice was almost too quiet to hear. But Mag’s gait hitched for a moment, as though she had nearly paused but forced herself on. “My dear girl. Do not risk too much with rash action.”

“I risk nothing,” said Mag. “Every time I have faced her, I have defeated her without taking a scratch.”

“Of course she cannot harm you,” said Dryleaf, who was breathing heavily now with the pace of our walk. “But what about everyone else?”

At last, Mag stopped. She wheeled on him. “And why do you think I am doing this?” she snapped. “What do you think this whole journey has been for? I started chasing Kaita because of what she did to my home, to my … to my Sten. In Lan Shui, she killed many. In Kahuanga, she started a war that killed even more. Even now, though we win each battle, dozens fall every time. It seems clear that I can protect no one by moving slow, by ensuring each step is safe. So I am done with it. I am ready for the end, and I am sick of people telling me to wait!”

“Mag,” I said reproachfully. The look on her face was so fierce, I had an urge to put myself between her and Dryleaf.

“It is all right, my boy,” said Dryleaf. He patted my arm. “Strong words are of no concern to me. But I beg of you, Mag: if you want to know what comes after Kaita, then turn aside from her. I have suggested it before, though I knew you might not be ready to hear it. You need to hear it now. You have allies, friends. You have the good Captain Zhou and this little family that has taken you into the fold. It will not replace what you lost in Northwood—but you are wise enough to know that nothing will ever replace that. Build something new instead. It will be no less dear simply because it is different.”

“Mayhap I will,” said Mag. “But after. Northwood is not over. Not until she lies dead at my feet.”

“And will that help Sten?” said Dryleaf quietly.

“It has never been about Sten,” said Mag. “I know that. I am not a fool. It was always for me.”

And she turned and set off towards the captain’s tent again.

Yue followed her, and I started to do the same with Dryleaf. But he patted my hand and shook his head. “Leave me, boy. I will be of no help, and I may only anger her until she says something foolish to Kun. I will find my way back to our fire with Oku’s help.”

“All right,” I said. “We will return as soon as we may.”

I ran after Mag and caught her as she reached Kun. He was in conference with Tou and the other lieutenants, including his nephew, Zhen. The group of them all looked up at us in confusion.

“Sergeants,” said Tou, looking confused. It was a breach of protocol to approach him while he was in conference with the captain.

“Lieutenant Shi,” said Mag. Then she turned from him to Kun. “Captain Zhou. I request permission to investigate the Shades’ disappearance, along with Sergeants Telfer and Baolan.”

“Sergeant,” said Tou, speaking sharply now. “That is something to discuss with me first, and with the captain only if I approve.”

“Apologies, ser,” she said, nodding to him. “But time is of the essence. Hours have passed since we saw them. Wherever they are now, we can be certain they are moving farther away. If we