Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 139 of 619

Ajax was setting the west course at midmorning when he saw two riders on the coast road. He knew the shapes before he knew the faces. Tucker sat easy in the saddle. Elara rode beside him with her vest open at the throat and her hair loose from the ride. Ajax climbed down from the wall and met them at the track. Tucker swung off first and slapped dust from his jeans. The gold chains caught the sun the way they always did. "Bran's sister," Ajax said. "She'll live," Elara said. "The fever broke. She’ll be fully well in two days. She was drinking broth when we left." "Herbs?" "Herbs and rest. No casting." She met his eye. "I kept my word." Bran was shirtless on the north wall setting a cap stone. He came down the ladder fast when Tucker waved. Elara told him plain. His sister was sitting up. Bran covered his face with one hand, then wiped it on his arm. “Thank you. Really.” He said and went back to the wall. He worked faster after that. "Anyone see you on the road?" Ajax asked. "No one who mattered," Tucker said. "I took the long way in." Ajax nodded and turned back to the shelf. He had his best worker steady and his healer back before the gate. That was the day's work done by noon. The gnome came at the hour when the sun sat low over the water. He walked up the shelf on his short legs with his round glasses catching light. His green vest was dusted with pollen. He stopped at the edge of the work and waited to be seen. Ajax went to him. "Sunset," the gnome said. "The cart clears the trees at sunset. Six of us on it, and the gate on rollers. You'll want your men at the track to help lift." "Today," Ajax said. "Today. The grove finished the last weld this morning.“ Ajax looked at Elara. She was already unbuckling her vest at the throat, working through what she would need. She gave him one short nod. "We'll be ready," Ajax said. The gnome tipped his head and went back down the shelf the way he came, unhurried. Ajax called the crew off the wall. Grayson was already coming up from the water with rope over his shoulder. Chalam set his staff against the stack and rolled his sleeves. Marco and Asher pulled the sledge to the track. The gate would come tonight. The ward would set tonight. Ajax had two days on his count and the woman had five. He had bought the edge he needed. Now he had to hang iron before dark and put six names into it before the ward could hold.