Page 47 of Defy the Highlander

The voice came from the entry to the chamber and they both looked over to see Isadora still standing there. She’d made it out into the yard beyond the chamber but no further because something in their conversation brought her back.

Her gaze was intense as she returned to Brody and her husband.

“Is that what it’ll take tae convince ye that my husband knows what he’s talking about?” she asked Brody. “A fight? Because I can tell ye from experience that he’s a great warrior. Mayhap he’s never faced an actual battle, but he’s had plenty of fights on his own, fights he has won decisively. I was raised in the Highlands, Brody. I was raised with a father and two brothers, and I held a pike in my hand before I could walk. I’ve had more battle experience than my husband, but battle experience doesna always make a great warrior. I’ve seen Cam fight a man twice his size and win using his wits alone. Dunna challenge my husband, Brody. Ye would be very sorry.”

Brody took another look at Isadora, tall and long-legged and beautiful. “Ye were a warrior?”

She nodded. “I led the lads of our village in many a skirmish, but when I married Cam, I gave that up. Where he goes, I go, and I wouldna say that if he were an ordinary man. What he has is something all men wish they had, so ye’ll not discount him. He’s a man of great wisdom.”

Cam reached up, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze to quiet her. It was clear that she was fiercely protective over him. But Brody met her gaze before silently nodding, just once, to acknowledge her words. Whether or not he agreed with them was another matter, but he did her the respect of not arguing with her. Isadora turned for the chamber door once more and was nearly through it when she heard Brody’s voice again.

“Ye should know I have a history of not listening,” he said. “I do what my instincts tell me tae.”

Isadora paused by the door. “Are yer instincts always correct?”

He looked at her before shaking his head. “Nay,” he said. “They told me tae disobey my father a couple of years ago when the English were waging war on the border, when Berwick was sacked. I thought I had the opportunity tae ambush English knights and as it turned out, they were waiting tae ambush the Scots. I took thirty men with me. Six survived. That was the last time I disobeyed my da and now… now, I’m here, trying tae find that warrior I lost. I was called the Highland Protector, once. My biggest fear is that he’s gone and I’ll never find him again.”

Isadora came back into the room. “Is that why ye came tae The Cal?”

He lifted his big shoulders. “Partly,” he said. “But I mostly came tae earn money tae buy my lady’s freedom. She’s a servant in a fine house, working off the debt of her father. If I can pay off the debt, we’ll be free tae marry.”

Isadora smiled, coming to sit on the bench next to Cam. “Ye came here for a woman?” she said. “That’s very sweet. What’s her name?”

“Lilia.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

“She’s a beautiful lass. I… havena known her very long, but that doesna matter. What we have is what all men hope for. I miss her a great deal.”

Isadora looked at Cam before replying. “Brody,” she said. “I’m going tae say something tae ye, so I hope ye’ll listen because I mean tae help ye. Ye made it tae The Cal, which is a great accomplishment, but if ye dunna listen tae Cam and the other trainers, ye’ll fail and ye’ll never make any money tae help yer lady. Getting kicked in the head by The Eagle is only the beginning.”

Brody looked at her, the light in his eyes suggesting he knew that now. He knew his arrogance was only going to cost him. “’Tis difficult tae listen when ye’ve always been the one giving the orders.”

“Not anymore,” Isadora said firmly. “Ye’ve been in many a battle and I understand that, but fighting in battle is different than what ye do here at The Cal. If ye want tae make money, then ye must listen and stop thinking ye know everything.”

“She’s right,” Cam spoke up. “I’ve been watching ye for several weeks now, Brody. Ye think the exercises we make ye do are beneath ye, but ye do them because ye must. Still, I’ve noticed that even though ye dunna want tae do them, ye put yer entire effort intae them. Ye give them everything ye have and that tells me that ye’re a man of character. But there’s also a restlessness about ye. That’s something that will cause ye trouble here.”

Brody took a deep breath. He was being chastised, however gently, and he knew he deserved it.

What they said made sense.

“I know,” he said. “I suppose my bout with The Eagle made me realized that. Cam, ye’ve been patient with me and ye’re a good man for it. Isadora, I thank ye for yer honesty. Cam’s a fortunate man tae have a wife like ye.”

Isadora grinned. “I tell him that every day,” she said, standing up yet again and heading for the door. “I’d like tae hear more about Lilia when my husband isna putting ye through yer paces. We’ll talk again, Brody. If ye take our advice, ye’ll be here a long time and ye’ll earn yer money.”

Brody snorted softly. “I hope so,” he said. “I intend tae buy Lilia’s freedom as soon as I can and bring her here tae live. I’d be grateful if ye’d be a friend tae her.”

“I would like that.”

Isadora left the chamber, this time for good, heading out into the waning day. Cam’s gaze was on the door as if he could still see her there, the expression on his face suggesting his great love for her.

But he pulled his gaze away, turning to look at Brody, who was sitting there with his head hung. Cam felt a good deal of pity for the stubborn Scotsman mostly because he had been nearly the same when he’d first come to the Ludus Caledonia.

Sometimes, it was difficult for a man to accept help even when he wanted it.

“Let me speak with Axel and see if he’ll let ye fight tonight,” he said. “We have a few novice bouts. I think The Eagle cheated ye out of a chance tae prove yer worth.”

Brody looked at him, surprised. “Ye’d do that?”