Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 207 of 619

Rowan banked the fire in the hall and started for his room. The book was set. Rowan would ride point at dawn. Sleep was the last piece. He crossed the yard under a thin moon and heard boots on the stone behind him before he reached his door. Tucker. Wavy hair loose on his shoulders, leather vest open, two flat chains catching the lantern he carried. A cloth bundle under his arm. He should have been in his bunk after the hard ride back from port. "Got a minute," Tucker said. Not a question. Rowan opened the door and stepped back. Tucker came in and set the lantern on the table. He put the bundle beside it and folded the cloth back. A pie, dark berries under a lattice crust. Beside it, a small linen wrap tied with cord. "Cody's wife sent the pie," Tucker said. "To welcome you. I carried it up from port under my coat so it stayed whole." Rowan looked at the pie. Then at him. "And the other?" Tucker pulled the cord and opened the linen. A gold chain lay on the cloth. Flat links, shorter than his own, no charm. Bought money, not looted. "Port smith had it in a case," Tucker said. "I paid out of my cut, not yours. Wanted you to know that before you asked." Rowan liked it. "Why." Tucker leaned on the table. “You’re one of us now. We all wear them. Everyone but you.” Rowan weighed the chain in his hand. Warm from Tucker's coat. He set it back on the linen. Tucker reached for the chain and put it on Rowan. It laid beautifully again his bare chest. He stepped back and said, “it suits you well. “A gift from me. We’re friends now.” Rowan felt the chain against his chest with his hand. “Thank you.” His eyes met Rowan’s and the gazed at each other a little too long.