Page 39 of Defy the Highlander

It had helped, of course, that Lilia had told him that the Ludus Caledonia had been in the hills south of Edinburgh, so when the horses finally came to a halt and Luther removed the sack on his head, he could indeed see that he was in the hills.

The sight was overwhelming.

An enormous castle stood before him, bathed in the colors of the setting sun as the sentinels on the walls lit torches against the coming night. The fanged portcullis lifted and Cam grabbed him by the tunic, pulling him through the gatehouse and following Luther as they headed towards an oddly small keep given the size of the fortress.

Brody couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

“How long have ye been here, Cam?” he asked quietly.

Cam’s gaze was on the keep. “I’ve been a trainer for about a year,” he said. “But I was at The Cal before that for many months.”

“Ye said that ye came here so they could teach ye tae fight so ye could seek vengeance.”

“Aye.”

“Did ye?”

Cam looked at him, then. “Aye.”

“Then ye dunna regret yer decision tae come here?”

Cam shook his head. “Luther was right when he said that it could change yer life,” he said. “It has changed mine. If ye let it, it’ll change yers. But ye must be dedicated, Brody. The Cal must have all of ye, so if ye’re serious about committing yerself tae fight, then make sure ye can give everything.”

They were nearing the door. “I remember the first time ye came tae The Sticky Wick,” Brody said. “Ye were dirty and beaten. I know that look because I have it, too. The look of a man with nothing at all. I’m sorry I dinna make a friend of ye. I suppose we both could have used one.”

Cam smiled faintly. “I dunna think I was ready for it,” he said. “A man must have a mindset for friendship just like anything else. Make sure yer mindset is learning and obedience from now on. The Cal willna accept anything less.”

With that, Luther shoved the door open and Cam pushed Brody in front of him, following Luther into the dim interior that smelled heavily of incense. It was dark inside with the only light coming from a window capturing the last strains of sunset and the blazing fire in the hearth.

A man with flowing silver hair and swathed in pristine white robes sat in a large chair in front of the hearth, glancing up when Luther and Cam entered. He noted his two men but he was particularly interested in the tall, well-built man between them.

He looked Brody over with intense silver eyes.

“Is this the one?” he asked.

Luther nodded. “This is Brody McKay, my lord.”

“Welsh?”

Both Luther and Cam looked at Brody, who realized he was meant to answer. He shook his head.

“Clan McKay, m’laird.”

“A Highlander.”

“Aye, m’laird.”

The man turned back to his hearth, sipping the red liquid from a crystal cup. In fact, everything about the room was luxurious, from the furs on the stone floor to the heavy tapestries that covered the walls.

This was a man with money.

“I find that Highlanders can be the fiercest fighters of all,” the man finally said. “But they tend to be single-minded. Intelligence is not their gift, although Cam has proven to be an exception to that rule. He’s from the Highlands, also.”

Brody looked at Cam, who nodded. Brody’s focus returned to the man in the fine robes. “I have a good mind, m’laird, and I use it,” he said. “I make a decision and I stand by it.”

“Why have you sought the Ludus Caledonia?”

“Because I want tae earn money tae buy my lady’s freedom.”