Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 234 of 619

Two days after the library was staked, Tucker and Marco rode back through the gate with two men behind them. Ajax was on the wall with Bran when he saw the four horses on the road. He came down and met them in the yard. Tucker swung off his horse and slapped the dust from his jeans. His chains caught the sun. "Two," he said. "Vetted at the port. Marco listened to them all night at the bar." Marco stepped down and glanced at the two men. "They're clean. No collars, no marks, no debts to anyone we care about. First one lost a brother in the guard last spring and needs work. Second one has run gates for six years at three different halls." Ajax looked at the pair. One was shorter, thick through the chest, hands loose at his sides. Neither reached for a weapon. Neither looked away. "Names?" Ajax said. "Kael Thorne," the taller said. "Torren Blackshield," said the other. Marco caught Ajax's eye and gave one small nod. Truth. Ajax stepped closer to Kael. "You know what stands here?" "A house," Kael said. "Walled. Sworn men. Work through winter." "You know who I am?" "Tucker said your name. That's all I need." Ajax turned to Torren. "You held a gate six years. Why leave?" "Master died. His son sold the hall. I don't swear to a man I haven't met." Ajax liked the answer. He looked at Tucker. Tucker shrugged. "Told you." "Wages," Ajax said. "Silver a month, food, a bed in the bunkhouse. You hold the gate on Grayson's word. You don't leave the walls without asking. Ten per cent of every hundred you take on any ride goes to the vault. Loot splits even. You break the rules, you ride out and forget the road." "Agreed," Kael said. "Agreed," Torren said. "Elara will put your names to the gate tonight," Ajax said. "Until she does, one of my men walks you through it every time. Cross alone before that and the iron burns you off the stone." Both men nodded. Ajax told Bran to take them to the bunkhouse and show them where to stable the horses. He watched them go, then turned to Tucker and Marco. "Trouble on the road?" "None," Tucker said. "Quiet the whole way." "Anyone ask after us at the port?" "One man," Marco said. "A broker. Wanted to know who bought the salt last month. Tucker told him a name from an old crew. He believed it." Ajax nodded. "Get them fed. I'll bring Elara down at dusk." Tucker walked his horse toward the stable. Marco stayed a moment. "The gate holds eleven names now," he said. "Two more slots." "Fill them by the thaw," Ajax said. He turned back to the library ground. The stones were rising. The gate had grown.