City of Fallen Souls: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 3) by Jez Cajiao (fb2 epub reader .txt) 📕

Relieved, I dropped them inside. When I checked the limit on the bag, I found that there were thirty-seven slots left out of the original hundred; each bag had taken up ten slots, for some reason. I was suddenly glad I’d taken the time when we had returned to unload as much loot as possible into Fenris. Man, that thing could carry. I’d also taken the time to grab a few bits from it while I was there, although until now, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it.

“Well, that’s fucking awesome,” I said to myself.

“You ain’t goin' to check it over? See how much you made?” he asked me.

“Nope. I’ve got no time to fuck about with that right now. I’ll give some to my team as a reward for fighting with me later, but it’s not like we’re gonna get the chance to go shopping tonight, is it?”

“Fair enough. I’ve got some people gettin' the animals ready, as well as that damn glowin' horse of yours. The stablemaster thinks we’ll be ready to move out in about half an hour, but we’re gonna draw a lot of attention with that thing. Don’t suppose you’d consider leavin' it behind?”

“Hell, no. Fenris will be awesome for exploring the lands around the Tower,” I said, staring at him as though he were mad.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so.” He sighed.

“Besides, he had a few bits and bobs in storage I thought you wanted?” I asked, pulling the first of the boxes out and making Mal’s eyes bulge.

“Hell, no!” he scowled and gesturing for me to put it away. I slipped the box back into the bag and frowned at him.

“Okay, so what don’t I know here?” I asked, earning another glare from Mal.

“You know what… I’m gonna let you deal with that shit, and the trouble it brings, on your own.” he said, eying Augustus warily.

“What?” I asked, confused. “These were part of the cargo of the smuggling caravan. I figured if anyone would want it, it’d be you?” I’d kept the vast majority of the smaller items, giving the biggest, most space –intensive, and low value items to Soween to dispose of, and kept what I’d assumed were the drugs for Mal. I didn’t like them, personally, but I figured he’d paid for them and it was his business.

“Uh huh. Well, they mighta been part of the caravan, but they weren’t an authorized cargo. I’ll have a ‘word’ with the guys who came with you from the caravan about it. Also, they asked to join your party; said they’d sworn to you, so I released 'em from the Smugglers Oath. Seems I’m still counted high enough to be able to do that, for now.”

“They’re not fighters. Can you direct them to join the refugees?” I asked. “I’ll sort them out once we’re on our way, but tonight, they’ll just get in the way. Also, what’s happening with the Smugglers Guild? You’ve never mentioned them since I arrived…”

“Yeah, I can tell ‘em where to go. As to the Guild... well, it’s fallin' apart, frankly. Not bein' able to use the Path, and the airships being under a tight watch now, the guild was failin'… Wait… You said you claimed the Smugglers Path, right?” I nodded, and he seemed to come alive suddenly, as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “I’ve been so caught up in all of this, I’ve forgotten to do what I should have. I’ll take the Path now, like you offered before…”

“Okay, but what about the notifications?” I asked.

“Don’t claim it! Just… will it to me; concentrate on handin' the rights over.”

I closed my eyes and focused, finding the prompt easily enough, and I mentally ‘pushed’ it at Mal, concentrating on the intent to give him control over it.

“That’s it!” Mal grinned. “Now, give me those drugs, after all. I’ll take 'em and stop off on my way to the Stockpile, drop 'em in with an old friend and transfer the rights to the ‘Path’ to him. Maybe that’ll satisfy the Guild, so they don’t come after me for all this…”

“Come after you?” I asked, and he nodded.

“You think the Guild wouldn’t be wantin' a part of tonight? Believe me, they would, and they’d be taking at least half; plus then half of 'em would try to make themselves better off by runnin' to the nobles and sellin' the deal down the river. No, when word gets out and they figure out this was me, they’ll want my head. With the drugs and the Path, maybe they’ll settle for just expellin' me. Probably not, but hell with it.”

“Shit, okay. Sorry, mate, I’ve been so caught up in all of this that…”

“Yeah, I know. I don’t blame you, kid, believe me. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t want an ‘out’ anyway. I’m gonna go get things movin', so I suggest you leave as soon as you can. Gaion will lead you through the streets to the Skyking’s tower, then you’re on your own. So… I guess this is goodbye, until I need a safe port or some repairs… I’ll make sure the rest of your gear is on the Battleship and it’s all goin' smoothly before I take my own prize. I’ll follow along for a day or two, as we agreed, but after the Sunken City, I’ll be goin' my own way.”

“I understand. Mal, thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you,” I said, gripping his wrist.

“Of course you couldn’t!” he replied with a grin. “Worth it, though. It’s been fun, kid. If you ever get bored of the ‘lord’ shit and fancy an easier life, come see me…”

“I will. And if you ever want to earn some serious money, and you know, make a real difference, rather than being a ‘solo’ operator, come see me. I’ll always have jobs for a man of your talents…”

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