Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 389 of 619

The rooms were full and the silver kept climbing, but Ajax's mind stayed at sea. His ship had sailed north sixteen days past. It should be turning home by now. He needed to know where it stood before he counted any profit. He found Tucker at the bar, wiping down cups, and pulled him aside. "I want the wizard," Ajax said. "He marked the deck before it left. He can find it." Tucker set down the rag. He worked the captains and knew Marcus better than any man here. "You worried about Marcus?" "I'm worried about my ship," Ajax said. "Bring Chalam." Chalam came up from the cellar, blue robe open, satchel at his belt. Ajax told him plain. "You put a mark on Marcus's deck. Use it. Show me where the ship is now." Chalam did not argue. He drew his staff and knelt on the floor. From his satchel he took pressed chalk and a pinch of powdered lodestone. He scratched a circle on the boards and set the lodestone at its center. "I need water," he said. Tucker fetched a bowl. Chalam poured the water into the chalk ring. He spoke three low words and touched the staff to the surface. The water darkened, then cleared. A shape formed—a hull, a single sail, dark sea around it. "There," Chalam said. He watched the water a long moment. He should arrive tomorrow.