Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 106 of 619

Ajax rode at the front with Marco beside him and Tucker behind. The night's crossings sat inside him, but the road did not care. He watched the tree line for the small figure he expected before noon. The gnome stepped out from a stand of pines with a satchel across his chest. Round glasses caught the light. His green vest was buttoned tight, boots muddy from the creek bed. He held up one small hand and Ajax raised his own to halt the line. "Down," the gnome said. "All of you. Bare hands." Ajax swung off his horse and called the others in. Grayson dismounted last, watching the trees. Chalam stood at Ajax's shoulder. Elara came forward with her sleeve rolled back. Asher, Marco, and Tucker made a loose half circle. The gnome opened the satchel and set seven rings on a folded cloth. Each was dull dark metal with a small green stone, cut to different sizes. He looked up over his glasses at Ajax. "One for each," the gnome said. "Put them on now. The Keeper's eye slides off you while the stone holds light. Sleep them in the moon each night. They drink it back." Ajax picked up the largest and pushed it onto his finger. The metal warmed once, then cooled. He felt nothing else, but that was the point. Chalam nodded and took his. "Test it," Ajax said. Chalam drew a thin line on his palm with a knife and touched the blood to his staff. He spoke low, eyes closed, and opened them again. "I cannot find any of us," Chalam said. "Not you. Not myself. The working slips." "Good," Ajax said. He turned to the others. "On. Now." Grayson slid his over his knuckle without a word. Elara worked hers past the joint. Marco and Tucker took theirs together, careful not to touch. Asher fit his last and closed his hand into a fist. Ajax looked at the gnome. "Each night?" "While wearing it or not. Under sky, not roof. By dawn they hold again." The gnome tied the cloth back into his satchel. "If a stone goes black, that ring is done. Come find me." "Silver?" Ajax asked. "Paid," the gnome said. He touched two fingers to his brow and stepped back into the pines. Ajax stood a moment with his hand at his side. The weight on the road lifted. The Keeper had been staring at the space where he stood for weeks. Now that space was empty. "Mount up," Ajax said. "We ride north. The last name on the list does not know we are coming, and now no one can tell him." He swung into the saddle. For the first time since the port, he could plan more than one day ahead.