Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 333 of 619

The four new men waited in the bunkhouse while Ajax went to the shed. He needed them dressed before they met the brotherhood. Silk clothes would mark them as lodge workers, fit to pour wine for wealthy men. He found Tarron at his loom. Tarron Woolwright had come to Black Oak in the winter, a shepherd turned cloth worker, tall and thin with gray hair and a kind face. He swore no oath to the wall, only to the craft. He built the loom behind him with his own hands. Now he ran a needle through silk without looking up. "You want clothes," he said. "For the four." "Fine ones," Ajax said. "Cut to show their build and broad shoulders. Men will pay to be served by men who look the part." Tarron nodded and set the needle down. He crossed to a cedar chest and lifted out folded silk, deep blue and gray, edged with thread the color of gold. He had already sewn them. Four shirts, embroidered along the collar and cuff, cut wide at the chest and snug at the arm. "Measured them yesterday," he said. "While Tucker fed them." He handed the stack to Ajax. "Try them or don't. They'll fit." Ajax ran a thumb over the stitching. The work was clean and fast, better than anything sold at the port. "They'll fit," he agreed. He gathered the silk and closed the subject the way Tarron would. "Good work." "It's done," Tarron said, and went back to his loom. Ajax carried the clothes to the bar that night. Tucker had the four men waiting shirtless, as Ajax asked. They stood in a row. Tucker leaned on the bar with a cup, chains catching the lamp. "Told you I'd find you some sharp ones," he said. "Now dress them and let's see how they look." Ajax handed each man a silk shirt. They pulled them on over bare skin. The blue silk stretched across their shoulders. The snug sleeves fit their arms well, and the gold thread caught the lamplight when they moved. Tucker whistled low. "That's coin," Tucker said. "Every master who walks in will remember these four." He drained his cup. "Tarron does fine work." Ajax walked the line and looked each man in the eye, checking the fit and the way the shirts set on their builds one by one.