Page 109 of Enter the Highlander

“Fought and killed him.”

Axel’s eyes widened as he looked at Clegg, who was still looking quite amused by the entire situation. Stranger things had happened in his world, the great and mighty world of the Ludus Caledonia. In fact, when Cam mentioned that The Beast had been killed, Clegg started to laugh.

“It was destiny,” he said. “Do you not see, Cam? The Beast represented your vengeance. He represented everything you had to overcome, and in the end, you had to kill him to find peace. We all have our Beasts, Cam. You were fortunate enough to vanquish yours.”

Cam wasn’t so sure he saw it that way, but it sounded reasonable. As he thought on it, it actually made a good deal of sense.

“I did,” he said. “I thought ye should know. I have now returned as I said I would and am ready tae resume my training. But I’ve brought my wife with me; the woman is stronger than all of the armies the world has tae offer and wise beyond measure. She will make a good addition tae The Cal, I promise ye.”

Clegg’s attention shifted to Isadora, who was standing tall and proud and visibly pregnant next to Cam.

“I know you, my lady,” he said. “You were here with your father those months ago.”

“I was, m’laird.”

“You were the family who made the offer for Cam.”

“We were, m’laird.”

Clegg’s eyebrows lifted as he understood that Cam married his liege’s daughter, but he didn’t say anything further. It was a rather neat arrangement, in truth, and perhaps the marriage was even a reward for Cam, though he didn’t ask about the particulars. It was clear that Cam thought a good deal of his wife. He could see it in the man’s expression.

“Your wife is welcome,” he said.

“Thank ye, m’laird.”

“And I also think you more than likely no longer need to train,” Clegg continued. “If you killed The Beast and satisfied your vengeance, then you are more than atiro. You are a warrior, Highlander, and at The Cal, warriors train.”

A smile flickered on Cam’s lips. “I hope so, m’laird.”

“You will shadow Luther for now. He will school you on your duties, which will also include finding new recruits just as we found you. We will make you a hunter of men, Highlander. You will become very familiar with The Sticky Wick and other taverns we haunt.”

“I will not fail ye, m’laird.”

Clegg snorted as if that was a ridiculous statement. “Of course you won’t,” he said. “In fact, Luther is off to The Sticky Wick later this night because we have received word of a viable prospect. A lady who frequents The Cal has come to us with information on a man with fists of steel, who haunts The Sticky Wick much as you did, once. You will attend Luther and discover what you can of a man called Bane Morgan.”

“Bane?” Cam repeated. “I dunna remember a man by that name.”

Clegg shrugged. “That is not surprising considering the number of drunkards who inhabit that place,” he said, flicking a wrist in a gesture of resignation. “But it is the nature of the establishment. I want you and Luther to see if this Bane is worthy of us. All indication is that he is even better than you were, Cam. If he is worthy, bring him back.”

“Aye, m’laird. And no one was better than I was.”

That brought a grin from Clegg, a rare occurrence indeed. With business now concluded, his gaze moved between Cam and Isadora. “Come inside,” he said, turning for the keep. “Let us eat and drink and speak on our future together, which will apparently include a new infant Scot soon.”

Cam looked at Isadora, who had her hand on her swollen belly. “Aye, m’laird,” he said. “A son tae raise properly.”

“I will be his godfather, of course.”

Cam fought off a grin as he and Isadora exchanged amused glances. “Of course, m’laird. I would have no other.”

That was exactly what Clegg wanted to hear. On a cold December night three months later, a healthy lad was born in the keep of Caelian Hill because Clegg wouldn’t hear otherwise. He insisted that Isadora deliver his godson in a comfortable bed, tended by the best midwife in Edinburgh.

When the screaming infant was finally handed over to Cam, he wept tears of joy that Nikolaus Niall Clegg Netherton had arrived safely and that his wife had come through the delivery without incident. It was a joyous time at the Ludus Caledonia as one of their own was blessed with an heir.

But they weren’t the only ones overjoyed with the birth.

When Clova received a missive a month later from Isadora telling her that they’d named the baby after Cam’s grandfather, the old woman was suffering from a terrible lung infection withNikolaus carefully tending her. The news was the only thing that seemed to lift her spirits and Nikolaus gave her the missive to hold when he was finished reading it to her. When the old woman finally drifted off to sleep, it was with the missive clutched to her heart and Nikolaus’ arms around her.

Like Isadora and Cam, Clova and Nikolaus were another love story for the ages.

Thu fhèin…for eternity.

*THE END*