Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 493 of 619

The ship reached Silvermoor after eight days. Ajax rode north on the next tide to check the hall cellar himself. He wanted to see the weapons stored and the door watched before the hired swords came through. He found the ship moored and the crates already ashore. He climbed to the bunk room where Marcus and JD had slept the crossing. Marcus stood alone by the window, vest open, chain flat on his chest. He turned when the door opened. His eyes went to Ajax and stayed there. He did not step back. Ajax knew Marcus mostly at a bar, easy with a cup and hard at a dock. Now the captain looked him over slow, from boots to shoulders, and let the look land. "You lift those crates yourself?" Marcus said. His voice was low. He set a hand on the sill and leaned, chest turned to the light. "Big man for a big load." Ajax knew the game. He had played it with half his own men. He crossed his arms and let his shoulders fill the frame. "Bigger than the load," he said. Marcus smiled. It was a real smile, not a trader's. He pushed off the sill and took one step closer. "I've watched you flex for your council. Never for me." He lifted his own arm, turned it, showed the muscle under the loose cloth. "Fair trade. I show. You show." Ajax raised his arm and made the muscle stand. Marcus watched it, then met his eyes. The room held quiet. Ajax felt the pull of it and let himself want it for one breath. Then he thought of the door downstairs and the twelve swords coming, and Tucker, who kept this captain sailing on a promise held back. Marcus held his eyes a long moment. Ajax turned for the stair. He stopped in the door. "Sail for the swords tomorrow. Tucker's waiting." "He always is." Marcus almost smiled again. This time it was for the man across the sea, not for Ajax. Ajax went down to find JD at the cellar door, counting spears. The captain's loyalty was proved twice now, and cheaply. Marcus would sail for the twelve swords. The route held.