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His father had believed strongly in the prophecy and had claimed that the true king would one day appear, and his reign would bring peace and prosperity. Perhaps if the warrior was connected with those who fought for the true king, he could help the lad rescue his father and see them settled in a safe place.
Suddenly, the lad was glad for his near brush with danger, for it had provided him with an introduction to the Highlander and a better chance to free his father.
The Highlander dropped a sack to the lad with a warning. “Eat, but do not show your hunger. It demonstrates vulnerability.”
The lad understood, and, though anxious to devour what food staples were in the sack, he reached in and tore off a hunk of bread. With hunger that crawled up and out of his mouth, the lad managed to eat slowly as he walked beside the Highlander, taking two, sometimes three steps, to the Highlander’s one.
“Your name, lad?” the Highlander asked, as they approached the end of the marketplace.
“Charles, sir.”
“Call me Bryce.”
“Thank you, Bryce, for helping me,” Charles said.
“Help you? I bought you, lad.”
Charles stumbled, and Bryce grabbed hold of his arm. “Watch your step.”
The Highlander kept a firm grip on his arm until the market was far behind them, and they entered the woods lush with fresh spring growth.
What a fool he was, forgetting that the Highlander had purchased him. He was now the warrior’s property. And the strength of his grip had only served to remind him of the invisible shackle that duty-bound him to Bryce.
Questions assaulted the lad’s mind and spilled rapidly from his lips. “What do you want with me? How long am I beholding to you? Where will you be taking me? Will we be going far from here—”
“Stop!” Bryce snapped. “You’re a bit of a thing that not only needs feeding but help in growing into manhood.”
“And what?” Charles halted in his tracks. “You expect to make a man out of me?”
Bryce peered down at him. “That’s exactly what I intend to do.”
He kept walking, and Charles had no choice but to follow, with only one thought in mind.
There was no way this mighty Highlander would ever accomplish making a man out of Charles. And for a very good reason.
Charles was actually Charlotte, a woman!
