Titan: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 4) by Jez Cajiao (beach books .txt) 📗

hallucination brought on by overwork, stress, and an excess of being stabbed lately.

“Right, then. I’ll sort out Hellenica and Augustus later, as wherever they are right now, I’ll bet not being interrupted is more important to them…” I started, getting a round of laughs and sniggers.

“You all fought with me for the good of Dravith and the Great Tower. While I know that, officially, it was either your damn job, or you were already sworn to me, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be rewarded for that. Each and every one of you went above and beyond what you could have expected I’d ask of you, so here’s a little something as a thank you.” I pulled out a pouch, asking them to gather round.

I took my time, thanking them individually, referencing an instance when I’d seen them show bravery, and I handed them a single Platinum coin. Knowing that Platinum was worth a thousand gold was one thing, but seeing the faces of my people as they held what was undoubtably the most money they’d ever seen in their hand, in a single coin, was worth it, beyond a doubt.

“There will be more in the future, but I doubt there will be a windfall like this again. When we return to the Tower, I’ll start to pay wages; that seems reasonable, after all. So, thank you for all you’ve done,” I said, smiling at them and getting a shocked cheer in response.

“Now, I need a few volunteers…” I began, and I was swamped as everyone stepped forward, including Joya, who’d basically been there just because she was holding Barrett’s hand in a death grip, and Mistress Nerin, who glowered at me while mumbling something about ‘damn fool will get himself killed if I don’t…’

“Whoa, honestly, guys, this is serious!” I protested, raising my hands to call for quiet. “We’re aboard the ‘Sunken City’ at the minute, and Jenae has informed me that there are some spells we need that have been buried somewhere below. I’m going to lead a team, including some Legionnaires, down there to get them. We don’t know what there is, or where it’s hidden, though …”

Again, they all volunteered, and I grinned at them, trying to hide the proud tears as I looked around.

“Okay, okay!” I shook my head, resigned to having to choose. “I’ll shout when the time comes, but it won’t be until tomorrow at the earliest. I need to meet the locals first. Lydia, keep your team close; I need a word. Now all you other buggers, go get back to whatever you were doing.” I gestured their dismissal and began to turn when I heard a cough from Romanus.

“You have something to add, Prefect?” I asked him curiously.

“No, Lord Jax.” He shook his head. “And please, forgive me for my counsel earlier. What I said was true, and I meant to help you, but I see from your actions here, that these people, both yours and mine, already love you. That’s a rare thing for a commander to earn, that level of devotion,” he said seriously. “My impression was based on incomplete knowledge of you, and for that, I apologize. And you know you could have given them a single copper piece, and they’d have been thankful, don’t you?”

“I do, but I gained that money thanks to them, so they deserve a share,” I explained.

“Oh, I agree, and believe me, serving a lord who pays in gold and platinum, rather than back handed compliments or daggers in the back, is appreciated.”

Chapter Five

I grinned at Romanus, then relaxed as the others wandered away. My small team that had come with me from the Tower gathered around, and I called out to Barrett as he passed.

“Barrett, mate, your sister and her little one okay?” He smiled, nodding in clear gratitude.

“They are, thank you, Jax; as are Orin’s family. They’ve asked to meet you and thank you personally at some point?”

“Sure, but it’s not necessary,” I said, waving my hand dismissively. “As things stand, though, we’re going to be here for the next few days on the Sunken City. I know you volunteered to come explore, but I need you here, man. You’ve got a gift with people, with getting them to follow your instructions. I need you to do manage the refugees, which means you’re in charge of them. Make sure they’re organized and fed, they have room to stretch their legs, and they don’t cover the ship in shit, because I’ve no idea where we would find toilets for that many people right now. This is Romanus. He leads the Legion, so work with him, okay?”

“Of course, Jax, and thank you for your confidence,” Barrett said simply, nodding deferentially to Romanus before leading Joya off the deck and deeper into the ship.

I turned around cautiously, looking back and forth, then moved to the side of the deck and peered over the edge, before sighing and speaking up.

“Okay Bane, I give in. Where the hell are you?” I asked plaintively, and I nearly shat myself when he spoke, predictably, from right behind me.

“Here, Jax.” His voice was filled with the deep thrummm of amusement I’d learned to expect from his race.

I spun around and glared at him, searching the area, and trying to figure out how the hell he’d hidden himself there, but try as I might, it made no sense to me.

“You’re an asshole,” I said to him, and he replied as I’d taught him:

“Takes one to know one.”

“I wish I hadn’t taught you to shit-talk…” I muttered, shaking my head. Sighing, I scanned the deck. Now that the rest had left us, we were down to the two Legionnaires who were on guard for me, Romanus, and Lydia’s squad of five. I contemplated the small group, the seven of us, that were survivors of the journey from the Great Tower. “I know it’s been a harder trip than we were hoping for,” I admitted, meeting their gazes, noting the battered armor,