Page 42

“Dismiss Gideon Lloyd?” he said. “But he has been with us a long time. His reputation is without equal.”

Clegg grunted and shook his head. “That is true, but he married last year and his wife has an appetite for fine things,” he said. “The woman was dripping in jewels, and I know for a fact that Gideon does not make that kind of money, so he is getting it from somewhere. I left Luther there to see if he could discover if Gideon has been cheating us. I told Luther that if he felt the man has been abusing his position, then he has my permission to dismiss him.”

Axel nodded. “Mayhap I will go to Hades and see for myself,” he said. “Is there anything else of note?”

“Nay,” Clegg grunted. “I went to Antonine and Hadrian, but everything is as it should be. And here? You said all has been well?”

Axel nodded. “Mostly,” he said. “Nothing really to note, except for last night. The Eagle had some trouble.”

Clegg grew serious very quickly. “Not Titus,” he said. “Please tell me the man is not injured.”

Axel shook his head quickly. “He is fine,” he said. “But he was forced to kill his opponent last night, a Saxon warrior known as The Bear. The man was out to kill Titus and I am convinced that Titus acted in self-defense. I am telling you because The Bear’s trainer is demanding compensation for his loss, and he is demanding to see you upon your return.”

Clegg didn’t seem particularly concerned. “I will see him when I am rested,” he said. “That could take weeks. Months, even. But send for Titus. I want to speak with him. Did you punish him?”

Axel shook his head. “Nay, because The Bear was twice his size and out for Titus’ blood. Truly, he had no choice.”

“Then there is no issue, but I would speak to Titus, anyway.”

“As you wish, my lord. Is there anything else you desire?”

“Not immediately, but do not stray far. I want to hear more of what happened while I was away, but not at the moment.”

They finished the rest of the journey in relative silence, with Axel escorting Clegg home as he always did. Clegg was a wealthy man, wealthier than God as the rumors went, so he expected a certain amount of respect and admiration.

When the carriage came to a halt, Axel and Wendell were there to make sure Clegg was escorted inside and his baggage collected. It was Wendell who went to the other wagon with the men inside, releasing the warriors and taking them to the warriors’ village for orientation.

Somewhere in the process, word was sent to Titus.

On two hours of sleep, Titus answered the summons.

“I hear there was a death, Titus. Tell me about it.”

Titus was standing in Clegg’s solar, which was quite possibly the most lavish chamber in all of Scotland. There were rare hides on the floor, expensive leather furniture, and tapestries on the walls from distant and exotic places. Most of all, it smelled heavily of incense that Clegg had sent all the way from Rome. He burned the stuff heavily, as he felt it kept him healthy and sane.

Titus thought it smelled like dirty feet.

At the moment, Clegg was burning it happily, inhaling deeply of a scent he’d missed. Dressed in his usual garb of flowing robes made from expensive materials, he’d just asked a question that Titus had been expecting, so he replied honestly.

He wasn’t a man who condoned lying, in any case.

“Aye, m’laird,” he said after a moment. “A man I was fighting.”

“Axel said he wanted to kill you.”

Titus nodded. “He did,” he said frankly. “I had beaten him in a bout before, and he would not take his money and leave. Instead, he demanded a rematch. I was told that he was known tae kill his opponents, so I knew that was his intention with me. Everyone knew it, including Axel. I had no other choice but tae kill him before he could kill me.”

Clegg waved his hand in the gray ribbons of smoke rising from the incense bowl as he continued to inhale deeply. “You have every right to defend yourself, Titus,” he said. “I do not fault you for what had to be done. But we will not make a habit of this, shall we? Killing your opponents is bad for business.”

“I understand, m’laird.”

“Good.” Clegg took one last hit off the incense smoke and came around the table, looking at Titus at closer range. “I was at The Ant a few weeks ago and saw many of your old comrades. They send their greetings.”

Titus grinned; he couldn’t help it. Clegg was speaking of the Ludus Antonine in Glasgow where Titus had spent several years of his life prior to coming to the Ludus Caledonia. He had enjoyed his time there immensely.

“And how is that motley group, m’laird?” he asked.

Clegg snorted. “As motley as ever,” he said. “But making me money, so I do not care. I brought one of them back with me, in fact. Aurelius Finn.”