“Among other things,” he said. “It means you will be moved into Luther’s troop. You will now be training with a man you tried to blind.”
He snorted with the humor of it, as did Milo, but Clegg remained serious. He took a few steps forward, studying Cam at close range.
There was something behind those piercing eyes that suggested such hardness, such coldness, but in the same breath, there was appreciation there. It was clear that Clegg looked at all of the men under his management as commodities and every one of them had a value.
Some more than others.
“I was correct in my assessment of you,” he said. “You have the natural love of a fight. Your start here was slow, but since your battle with The Beast, you have shown admirable improvement. You will show more as part of Luther’s troop.”
Cam met Clegg’s gaze steadily. “May I ask a question, m’laird?”
“That depends on what it is.”
“Have ye personally fought in arenas like this? As a fighting man for profit, I mean.”
Clegg nodded. “Indeed, I have,” he said. “In Rome herself, in fight guilds that were kept out of the public eye. I have fought all over the known world. Why do you ask?”
“Because I want tae fight today. I’ve a hunger for it. Surely ye understand that, m’laird.”
Clegg drew in a thoughtful breath. “I understand a man’s need for victory,” he said. “I understand his need to express anger or dissatisfaction by beating on another man. I understand many needs. What isyourneed, Highlander? Why do you want to fight today?”
“Because I have something tae prove, m’laird.”
“To yourself?”
“Tae others, m’laird.”
“Your answer is honest.”
“I want tae fight The Beast again.”
That brought an expression of shock from Milo, while Axel nodded his head in approval. He liked a man who wouldn’t accept defeat. Only Clegg seemed to show no immediatereaction, perhaps because the request was not unexpected. He knew The Beast had defeated Cam those weeks ago and, as he’d said, he understood the many needs of a man.
Now it was Cam’s need for redemption.
“Do you think you can?” Clegg asked after a moment. “The Beast nearly destroyed you once. What makes you think you can defeat him this time?”
It was a legitimate question, one that Cam took his time in answering. “When I fought him the first time, I had no real experience in a fight,” he said. “I was… lost. But now I understand the goal. I ask that ye let me try again. I know I can defeat him.”
That brought some reaction from Clegg, who looked to Axel for his opinion. The big Saxon warrior was still looking at Cam with approval.
“Let him try,” Axel said. “We may be surprised.”
Clegg wasn’t so sure, but he agreed with Axel, mostly because he was very curious if Cam could, indeed, claim victory over The Beast. Cam’s skill had grown by leaps and bounds as of late. They had all seen it. It would make for an exciting rematch, in any case.
“Very well,” he said. “Make the announcement. The Beast against The Lion of Caledonia.”
All three men looked at Clegg curiously. For the first time since entering that stone chamber, Clegg smiled and raised his arms in a grandiose gesture.
“I am a showman,” he said, explaining his decision to give Cam that name. “I give my patrons what they want to see and I give them entertainment that they will remember. For the Highlander, let him enter the arena as The Lion of Caledonia. It sounds much better than calling him Cam Netherton. Show us your heart, Lion.”
With that, he headed from the chamber, out into the holding yard beyond. Milo followed him, but Axel remained behind. He approached Cam.
“I admire your courage,” he said, “but do not be foolish about this. Remember what I told you before—you cannot bring The Beast down with strength, so it must be by your wits. Considering the man is as dense as a pile of rocks, that will not take much effort on your part, but be smart about it. He is strong and he is fast, and he has good instincts. Prepare accordingly.”
Cam appreciated Axel’s willingness to help him against a stronger opponent. “Have ye ever seen him brought down?”
“Do you want an honest answer?”
