Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 531 of 619

The Seraphine reached Silvermoor at dusk. Ajax carried the burned house's gold up from the boat and left the sealed pit behind him. His hunting crew unloaded the last hides. But his mind was already ahead, on the sea road north, on Marcus's next run, on the trade the whole house depended on. He walked to the harbor lodge and took the best suite to wait. Marcus Tidewater found him there. The captain ran the Seraphine and had sworn a silver chain never to name Ajax's hidden dock. Ajax trusted him with eight days of open water twice a season. Marcus set two cups on the table and poured wine without asking. "Tucker sent word," Marcus said. "The north hold is short. He wants furs and needles before the thaw closes the quay." Ajax took the cup. "How soon can you sail?" "First tide. If the hold's full." Marcus drank. "It isn't. Two hides shy of a fair load." Ajax set the cup down. "Rowan can hunt one more day south. I want the ship packed before you leave." Marcus watched him over the rim. He did not push, but he did not look away either. Ajax knew that look. The captain wanted Tucker, and every idle hour turned him restless. Ajax had learned to feed that hunger, not fight it. "You'll see him in three weeks," Ajax said. "Sail north, count the silver, meet him at the quay." Marcus said nothing for a moment. Then he nodded. "He owes me a room and a night. Told me so himself." "Then earn it," Ajax said. "Bring the ship back whole." The door opened. Tucker Hoskins stepped in, gold chains catching the lamp, boots loud on the floor. Ajax had sent no word he was coming. Marcus straightened in his chair like a man caught. Tucker had run the bar at Black Oak and now worked the trade north, charming captains and reading rooms for what they would not say. He crossed to the table and looked between the two men. "Heard the Seraphine docked," Tucker said. "Thought I'd count the load myself." He poured himself wine from the same jug. "It's light." "Two hides," Marcus said. Tucker glanced at Ajax. "Then we hunt at dawn and sail at noon. I'll ride the run north with him this once. Keeps the captain honest." He smiled at Marcus without warmth or coldness, just the ease of a man who knew his own worth. Ajax weighed it. Tucker on the run bound Marcus tighter than any chain. The trade would move faster with them both wanting the same thing. "Do it," Ajax said. "Full hold. First tide after the hunt." Marcus stood and gripped Tucker's shoulder as he passed. The suite settled quiet again. Ajax finished his wine. The wait was over. His captain would sail, his goods would move north, and the sea road that fed his brotherhood would hold one more season.