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

Kun’s jawline went rigid.

“Soldier,” said Tou, frowning. “What is it?”

Chausiku lifted his hand. And now they could all see that it held an arrow, and to the arrow was tied a roll of parchment.

“This struck the ground near me, sir,” said Chausiku. “It was only moments ago. The outside …”

“Let me see it, soldier,” said Kun.

Chausiku swallowed hard. “Captain, mayhap I should give it to Lieutenant—”

“Yes, Captain, let me—” Tou began.

“Soldier,” said Kun in a cold tone. “The arrow.”

Chausiku hesitated a moment more, but finally, he handed it over. And on the outside of the parchment scrawled in ink, Kun could see a few hastily written words:

Chausiku. Give this to the lieutenant for the captain.

Kun’s grip on the parchment tightened.

“Do you see?” he said lightly. “It is even addressed to me.”

He forced his fingers to loosen, seize the string, and untie it. The parchment unfurled in his hands, and he began to read silently.

Honorable Captain Zhou,

I, Sergeant Albern of the family Telfer, and Sergeant Mag, tender our resignations. Though she is not here to confirm this letter before it is sent, we feel qualified also to tender the resignation of Yue of the family Baolan. We regret the circumstances that necessitate we leave so abruptly. We regret, additionally and sincerely, the animosity between us at the parting. 

We never intended you or your forces any harm. We love Underrealm. We hope that one day, with enough service on our part, you will see fit to approve a petition of clemency for us.

Speaking of service, we have spent the last day in pursuit of the enemy, and we have been successful. We have slain two sentries of the Shade army, and we can confirm that they are continuing their westward course towards the Greatrocks. We also have slain the weremage. You will find her corpse in the cave half a league to the northeast if you care to.

Captain, we are ashamed eternally for every detriment we were to your intention. We hope the squadrons we have trained are of great aid to you in the war. If you see fit to do so, give our love and our apologies to Tou and our units. 

We hope to see you on the other side of the war, and we hope as well that you may think more kindly of us then.

Regretfully,

Albern of the family Telfer

Mag, the Wanderer

Kun read the letter. Then he read it again. Not once did he take his eyes from the parchment, but he curled the top and bottom ends of it, as though he was preparing to wrap it around the arrow again.

The letter solved nothing, of course. Mag and I had known what we were doing. We were criminals under the King’s law, and Kun would punish us if he could. Slaying the weremage was good for the cause, but it did not undo what else we had done. Not really.

But for the first time since we had left him, his smile returned to him. It was not as strong as it once had been. It might never be that strong again. But it was back.

Tou saw it. “Sir?” he said.

Kun handed him the letter. “Had I known of his penmanship, I would have retained him as a secretary instead of a sergeant. Remarkable to fit so much on a single sheet. Read this. Show no one else. Relay the sentiments or not, as you will. But burn the letter when you are done.”

Tou looked confused, but he took the letter. He started to read, and almost at once, a look of fury began to build on his face. When he finished, he looked up at Kun.

“We must go after them, Captain.”

“No,” said Kun with a heavy sigh. “We must not. For one thing, I doubt we could catch them without … without a tracker of our own. For another, we simply do not have the supplies for it. We must find somewhere to procure more. Then we must proceed west to the Greatrocks with all possible speed, and find a way to send a message warning our comrades about the mountain passes.”

“But Mag and Albern—”

Kun forestalled him with a raised hand. “My order is given, Lieutenant. Besides, while killing the weremage is far from deserving of a pardon, mayhap it has earned them a respite. Mayhap fate meant it to. Let them have a brief time, at least, where they need not fear us at their backs.”

His eyes fell upon the empty tent door again. “It will not last forever. Their time will come, one day. I promise.”

And then to himself, he thought, I promise you, Zhen.

Some time later, we strode into the camp where Yue and Dryleaf were waiting. They were both awake, and they straightened when they heard us coming. Yue stood, and then she helped Dryleaf to his feet as well. Oku came running up to the old man, who reached down to scratch him behind the ears.

Mag gave me a look before we reached them. We had spoken already, and I knew she wanted me to say nothing of what I had learned. I gave her a quick, small nod to let her know I understood.

“Rest easy,” Mag told them. “It is done.”

“Truly?” said Dryleaf. He bowed his head. “After all this time.”

“And all this long way,” I agreed. “But yes. It is over.”

“Well, I am glad,” said Yue. “For the sake of avenging Lan Shui, if nothing else.”

Mag went to Dryleaf and took his hand in hers, placing her other hand on his arm. “Come, my friend. Sit with me.”

“Of course,” said Dryleaf. He hobbled beside her and sat on the blankets when she helped him down, and then she took her place by his side. I was pleased to see that his head seemed to be getting better. Yue had changed the bandages, and the