The Forgotten Faithful: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 2) by Cajiao, Jez (best reads txt) 📗

If we hammer th’ engines, we could be there afore three full days o’ flyin’. Go steady an’ careful-like, closer to five. If we’re headin’ straight there, I’d be saying give repairs another day. Th’ lads could replace t’other damaged engines and fix a bit more. We’d be there at nearly th’ same time from today, but wit’ a faster ship.”

“You mean it’d take five days as it is, or if we give them another day, they could do more to the engines, and it’d be four days’ flight time instead of five… if we’re going slow and careful. Okay, makes sense. How long to Decin?” I asked, pulling out my map and showing him where I’d observed the ship’s landing. Oren counted off distances with his fingers and thought for a second, nodding to himself.

“Tha’ be aboot four, mebbe five hours’ flight, as bad as th’ ship is right now.”

“Then get the ship ready. We’ll fly light, nothing that’s not needed aboard, and we’ll need a little security force, as well. Not Barrett, though; we need him here to look after things, just in case.” Oren nodded and grinned at me. “What’re you grinning at, you mad bastard?” I asked.

“Just one wee thing, afore we join t’others downstairs… Oh great an' powerful Lord Jax...” he hedged, and I nodded impatiently. “Well, ye might want to tie yer troos properly…” He cackled as he kept walking. I frowned before realizing what he meant and looked down.

Sure enough, my pants were undone slightly, and I hadn’t even realized, between all the armor and bits, as my belt was still done.

“Oh, for…” I groaned and did myself back up, resolving to get my hands on Oracle later…and I had no clue which way round I intended to do that…

Chapter Six

When I got back to the ship, it had changed dramatically from its gory, battered condition early that morning. Instead of the aftermath of battle, with bodies and blood still strewn liberally about, the ship looked clean and in fairly good repair. There were still scorch marks across the deck in places, and chunks cut from the railings, stains in the wood, and even the occasional bang and clank coming from below decks, but the majority of the main deck and the upper deck were clean and well laid out.

I headed toward the ship quickly, calling out to Barrett as I saw him standing with six of his team members.

“Yes, Lord!” he answered, jogging over, and saluting as he came to a halt.

“Thanks, Barrett,” I said, nodding in response to the salute, and he relaxed. “We’re going to go to find Decin, see if we can recruit him and his people, and then we’re heading back. I need a team to fight alongside me if things don’t go well.”

“Yes, Lord,” Barrett repeated, gesturing to the group he’d left behind. I looked them over and recognized them all. Lydia stood in the middle, a mace in one hand and a large heater shield resting against her legs. Her appropriated armor from the guards she’d looted suited her, and although she looked skinny, she was fit and strong. Stephanos was off to one side, testing his bowstring. I’d caught his name, but didn’t know much more about him, aside from the fact he was one of the hunter wannabes. Next to him, cradling an identical bow, was Miren, the tiny blonde girl that had some training to hunt already under her belt. Arrin stood next to her, a small firebolt balanced in one hand as he winked at Caron, who was trying to hide nearby. I pretended not to see Caron, and instead moved straight on to Jian. I had hardly seen him since the fight, and not at all last night, as near as I could remember, but he looked…well, he looked great, actually. He looked healthy, not just because he had been near skeletal as I had first met him, but he’d filled out and appeared full of vitality.

I’d heard that most of the fighters had gained at least one level, but in his case, he’d gone from barely being able to hold the twin swords he insisted on using, to now looking like he’d been born with them. He’d cut the sleeves from his tunic and stood with his arms crossed, solid if wiry muscle covering them, and he stared at me as I appraised him. I nodded in respect, guessing that he’d piled most of his points into his strength and constitution stats, from what I could see.

The last of the team was Cam, a tall elf that had lost his family just before being sold as a slave. He stood there with the same thousand-mile stare he’d worn since I met him, a large wood axe leaning against his hip. He wore no armor, and his dark hair was cut short, but he nodded to me, ready to fight.

“They’ll go with you, Lord Jax, and protect you and the ship.” Barrett said, looking them over proudly. I smiled at them, speaking up quickly.

“Sounds good to me. Thank you, Barrett; I’m glad to know I’ve got this lot watching my back!” I addressed the team next, walking over to stand before them. “Is there anything you need to get? I want us to take off within the hour, so there’s still time.” All six stood straighter and stayed silent, so I gestured them onto the ship with one hand. “Okay, then, get yourselves and your gear aboard.” I turned to Barrett. “You’re in charge of security when I’m gone. Err on the side of caution; if there’s something you don’t like, and you think it’s a risk to my people or my Tower, stamp on it hard with both feet, okay?” I said, and he nodded firmly.

I dismissed him and strode across to Oren, who had come to a halt, talking to Cai.

“Cai, Oren, how’s the ship looking? How soon can we leave?” I asked, receiving a nod from them