Page 40 of Defy the Highlander

That seemed to bring the man’s interest and he stood up, setting his wine aside. “Who is this lady?”

Brody wasn’t honestly sure how much to tell him. Given that Lady Currie came to the Ludus Caledonia to buy lovers, this man probably knew her. He seemed to be the one in charge and Brody didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot, so he decided to keep Lady Currie to himself.

For now.

“She is the lady I wish tae marry, m’laird,” he said quietly. “She is working off her father’s debt and it is my intention tae pay it off and marry her.”

The man smiled, though it was without warmth or humor. “A noble enough goal, I suppose,” he said. “And you want to make the money here?”

Brody nodded. “I’ll fight until I drop, m’laird. I’m strong and I’m fearless. Where I come from, they used tae call me the Highland Protector.”

The man cocked a bushy, silver eyebrow. “Used to? They do not call you that any longer?”

“I’ve not seen them in a few years, so I have no way of knowing.”

“Why did you leave?”

“Tae seek money and opportunity, m’laird.”

The answer seemed to satisfy the man. He turned back to his wine. “If Luther and Cam have brought you here, then I shall assume you are worthy of what we can provide you,” he said. “My name is Clegg de Lave and all that you see belongs to me. I am the god, the master, the mother, and the father of everything at the Ludus Caledonia. Do you understand so far?”

“Aye, m’laird.”

He gestured to the men standing on either side of him. “And you have met your escorts.”

“They introduced themselves, m’laird.”

Cam spoke up. “The truth is that Brody and I know of each other, m’laird,” he said. “We were both patrons of The Sticky Wick at the same time, though we were not friends.”

Clegg nodded. “I see,” he said. “Have you told him of the Ludus Caledonia yet?”

Cam shook his head. “That is yer privilege, m’laird.”

Clegg went to pour himself more wine without offering it to anyone else. “Luther and Cam are doctores, or trainers here at the Ludus Caledonia,” he said. “I have modeled my guild after the ancient gladiatorial schools of Rome and it runs quite efficiently. We accept only the most dedicated men and expect strict obedience. Anything less and we shall reduce you in status to a servant and you can work off what you have cost me before you are sent on your way. Resistance to discipline results in severe punishment. Am I making myself clear?”

Brody nodded. “Aye, m’laird.”

Clegg sipped on his wine. “This castle is the heart of my complex, the Ludus Caledonia,” he said. “That is the term for everything you see – the castle, the village, the arena. The arena is called the Fields of Mars and it is both our training facility and our entertainment field. Wealthy Lords pay a good deal of money to gamble on our fights.”

“Is that how I will earn money, m’laird?”

Clegg nodded. “In part,” he said. “When you are raised in rank from a novicius, or novice, to a tiro, which is a professional fighter, you are eligible to win purses. But know this; you are an investment to me. I will invest money into your training and your housing, and in return, you will swear fealty to me and you shall fight for me. The usual duration of your oath is seven years and I will expect you to hold to that oath. If you cannot wait that long, then you are free to leave now. I will not waste any further time on you.”

But Brody shook his head. “I was told of the seven years,” he said. “I was also told that I can bring my wife here tae live with me.”

“That is true.”

“Then I shall buy her freedom and she will come tae live with me while I serve ye,” he said. “Mayhap it is strange for a man tae be driven by emotion tae something like this, but until I met Lilia, I was directionless. I had no hope. She has changed that. She has given me the will tae regain what I have lost.”

“What have you lost?”

“Myself.”

It was an unusual answer, one that had Clegg’s interest, but he didn’t press. He simply lifted his hand. “Each man has his own motivation,” he said. “I will not question it. But understand something else about the Ludus Caledonia; men come here to be trained so they may secure positions in big armies. Some of the lords who come to watch the bouts do so in order to find strong warriors for their ranks. If a lord is willing to buy out the remainder of your contract, then you shall serve a new master until such time as the contract is finished. Whether or not you wish to continue serving the man after that will be up to you, but you will swear fealty to him if the price is right. Do you understand?”

“I do, m’laird.”

“And you have no hesitation?”