Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 512 of 619

At dawn Ajax left the island town behind. The Seraphine carried him north with Marco, Chalam, and Marcus at the helm. The woman in the stone hall had bought his keepers and sent hunters south. Ajax meant to reach her and end it. But first he had to find a way into her hall. Marcus stood at the wheel, vest open, chain bright against his chest. He read the water the way Marco read men. "North quarter," he said. "Stone hall by the wharf. I've moored there before." He named no more than that. They reached the harbor at dusk and paid the tenth tax at the gate. No one asked their names. Ajax pulled his hood low and walked the wharf with Marco beside him. Chalam kept back, satchel under his arm. Marco slowed near a tall stone hall with iron doors. "She's inside," he said. "Six men in the yard. Two at the door." He tilted his head. "They're paid, not sworn. One's thinking about his supper." "A way in," Ajax said. "There's a trade door at the side," Marco said. "For carts. She takes deliveries there." He read the guards a moment longer. "They wave through anyone with goods for the house." Ajax looked to Marcus. "You've carried for her before." "Twice," Marcus said. "Wine and salt." He shrugged. "They know my face at that door." That was the way in. Ajax bought two casks off a wharf seller with northern silver. Chalam warded them light, so no eye would mark them false. Marcus rolled one to his shoulder and walked to the trade door like a man owed pay. Ajax carried the second, hood down, back bent. The guard at the side door knew Marcus. "Late run," the guard said. "Ship was late," Marcus said. Nothing more. The guard waved them through. Marco slipped in behind, reading each mind as they passed. Chalam came last with his satchel. The iron door shut behind them, and they stood inside the hall. A narrow stair led up. Marco pointed. "She's above. Two rooms up. Alone but for one guard." He set the cask down. "She doesn't know we're here." Ajax set his own cask beside it. He drew his father's blade under his cloak. They were inside her walls now, past her doors, one flight from the woman who wanted his harbor. The hunters, the bought keepers, the false dock in the cliff—all of it had led here. "Up," Ajax said. Marcus stayed at the door to hold their way out. Chalam readied a vial. Marco climbed first, silent, reading the guard's thoughts as they went. Ajax followed with the blade. He had found the woman. Now he would stand in her room and put a name and a face to the threat that had chased him across the sea.