Page 34 of Conquer the Highlander

And the crowds loved them for it.

If there was any confusion as to why Titus was called The Eagle, that was quickly dispelled in the first few moments of his bout. He emerged onto the field, nearly naked but for a red cloak, a snug leather loincloth that covered his groin and buttocks, a mail apron from his waist to the top of his thighs, shoes on his feet that were secured with leather straps, and leather pads over his knees to protect them. He carried a shield with him, but no weapon.

Esme’s heart was pounding against her ribs at the sight of him. He looked like a god, strutting across the dirt of the arena, the finest form of a man that anyone had ever seen. There was nothing about him that wasn’t perfect as far as she was concerned, and the pride she’d felt in knowing the man was turning into something else.

Attraction.

It wasn’t that the stories of his greatness were starting to affect her judgment. Everyone thought he was great, he thought he was great, and from the reaction of the crowd, he really was great. It wasn’t hero-worship that she felt.

It ran deeper than that.

For Esme, it was the man’s kindness. He’d been very kind to her when he didn’t have to be. She had been rude to him when they’d first met, but he hadn’t held a grudge. When she’d come seeking his help, he’d agreed without hesitation. Even this afternoon, when they’d had some miscommunication, he’d remained kind and patient. There was something in the way he looked at her that made her heart pound. A glimmer, a certain warmth… something.

All she knew was that she liked it.

She knew he was special. She wondered if he thought she was special, too.

As for The Eagle, Esme watched him fly into the air within the first few moments of the bout and kick his opponent in the head. Titus landed on his feet, his opponent fell like a rock, and the crowd screamed for their Eagle.

It was the most astonishing thing Esme had ever seen.

The bout had ended quickly and Titus disappeared into a holding area next to the arena. There were a few more fights after that, and she was fighting off boredom until the final primus bout was announced between The Eagle and The Bear.

The crowd was worked into a frenzy and the exchange of money went on at an alarming rate. As all of that was going on, Isadora and Lilia decided they’d seen enough and wanted to leave, but Esme wanted to remain. They’d brought her to experience the Ludus Caledonia in full and she wasn’t finished yet, especially with Titus fighting the last bout. Given what happened the last time he fought, she was excited to see the next one.

And what a fight it was.

At least, what there was of it.

Titus had delayed the start of the fight for several minutes while he removed his red cloak and adjusted the gloves on his hands. Esme was so far up in the arena that she couldn’t really see what he was doing, but his opponent was pacing around like a caged animal. There was a good deal of chest beating going on and, at one point, a big man came out to speak with Titus. Within a short time after that, the match abruptly began.

And then, it was over.

But not before Esme saw Titus clobber his opponent with a club. One blow to the groin, one to the head, and the man collapsed in a heap. He had to be carried away by men bearing a stretcher, and money fell onto the arena floor like snowflakes. Esme watched, a smile on her lips, as Isadora finally tugged on her.

“Come along,” she said. “We must get back tae the village before the patrons leave. It will be very crowded.”

Esme went with her, but it was reluctantly.

She rather liked watching Titus absorb the adulation of the crowd.

By the time they cleared the arena, it was already crowded in the area where carriages and horses awaited. Men were leaving in droves, making their way to the betting cages to collect their money, and Esme got separated from Isadora and Lilia. She was swept away with a tide of men rushing for the betting cages, which were over by a viewing area that looked down over the staging area. She was about to be pushed into a fence when a hand grabbed her and she looked over to see Isadora.

“Hurry!”

Esme summoned her strength, and her courage, and pushed through the crowd, holding tightly to Isadora. They finally made their way out of the sea of men and rushed back to the village, which was smelling heavily of cooking fires on this clear and bright night. Even though it was only a few hours until morning, many of the participants would want to eat before they retired.

Esme slowed her pace.

“Do you think Titus will wish to eat?” she asked. “I can procure food for him if you will just tell me where it is.”

Isadora didn’t say what she was thinking – that Titus was probably already hip-deep in food with a high-paying noblewoman stroking every part of his gorgeous, naked body. That’s what always happened after his victorious bouts, but she didn’t want to tell Esme that.

Somehow, she thought it might hurt her, or at the very least, set fire to that veil of innocence she had between her and the reality of what Titus was really like. Isadora had seen that all day. The more time she spent with Esme, the more naïve she realized the woman was.

She seemed to have no idea what kind of man Titus was.

But that would come with time.