Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 194 of 619

They rode the creek down to the split pine and turned east through low brush. Ajax kept the chest on his saddle. Rowan led. Chalam followed with the wrapped knife across his knees. Asher and Grayson took the rear. Ajax listened for hooves behind them and heard only water on stone. A mile on, Ajax raised his hand and pulled up in a stand of young oak. He waved Marco forward from the flank where he had ridden all morning without a word. Marco had joined them at the creek an hour ago, come up from the shelf to meet the group returning from the raid. "Read them," Ajax said. "Three riders on the creek road behind us. I want to know who sent them and what they carry." Marco slid down and knelt in the leaves. He pressed one hand flat to the ground and closed his eyes. The gold bracelet on his wrist caught a shaft of light. He held still a long minute. "Two hired," Marco said. "One collared. The collared one is listening for the old woman. He does not know she is dead. He is calling and getting nothing back." "Names on his list?" Ajax said. "Yours is not on it. The house is. He was sent to check the ward and report." Marco opened his eyes. "He will report the ward is down within the hour. Then the Keeper knows." Ajax swung down. He set the chest at his feet and looked at Rowan. "How far to a place we can turn and fight?" "Half a mile. A cut in the bank. High ground on the north side." Rowan did not blink. "Two bows carry it." "Then we do not run. We break the collar before he sends." Ajax looked at Chalam. "Sleep vial on the collared one. Fast. Before he calls out what he saw at the house." Chalam nodded and drew a vial from his satchel. "Asher on the ridge with Rowan," Ajax said. "Take the hired ones first, quiet as you can. Marco holds the collared man's mind until the vial lands. Grayson and I take him off the horse and cut the iron." Marco stood. "He rides second. Brown horse. Iron under his shirt." They moved. Rowan and Asher went up the bank on foot with bows. Chalam crouched behind a fallen trunk with the vial ready. Marco set his back to an oak and shut his eyes again, hand open at his side. The three riders came around the bend at a walk. Rowan's arrow took the lead man in the throat. Asher's took the third. The collared man reined up, mouth open to shout, and no sound came. Marco held him. Chalam's vial broke on his chest. He slumped in the saddle. Ajax caught the reins before the horse spooked. He cut the iron collar off with the enchanted blade and dropped it in the dirt. "Now the Keeper hears nothing," Ajax said. "Ride."