Page 4 of A Highlander for the English Widow

“I’m sae sorry. I keep telling him nae tae rush about everywhere. The world is nae in a rush tae get away from ye,” she said, grabbing the boy’s hand forcefully.

He offered a mumbled apology, but Logan just continued laughing.

“I was the same at his age,” he said, ruffling the boy’s hair before he continued on his way.

“Ah, Logan! I hae something special for ye taeday. Come here,” Iain proclaimed, the red-haired man beckoning Logan wildly over. His face was covered in freckles and a beaming smile.

Logan arched his eyebrows and wore a skeptical look.

“What hae ye got for me this time, Iain?” he said warily.

Iain held his hands up. “I know that ye hae nae been impressed with some of the things I hae offered ye before, but this time I hae something I think ye will like.”

He bent down and rummaged around his belongings for a few moments while Logan waited impatiently. His expectations were not high given Iain’s history of exaggerating his goods, but he was intrigued nonetheless. Iain emerged from the stall holding a sword. It was long, the blade dull, and it didn’t look impressive at all. It was certainly nothing like the ones that Logan had grown up wielding.

“What is this?” he asked.

“This is an old blade, an ancient blade. This is the lost blade of the McCall clan.”

“The lost blade of the McCall clan?” Logan asked wryly.

Iain spoke in a hushed, awed tone as he nodded. “Hae ye nae heard the tale of the McCall clan? Fine warriors they were, warriors of old. They fought men and beasts and monsters, and their warriors were always the most feared in the land. The laird always wielded a blade that was said tae be enchanted by a witch.”

“And how was it enchanted?” Logan asked, happy to entertain the notion for the time being.

“It was said that anyone who wielded this weapon would never be defeated in battle, nay matter how strong his enemy was.”

“And sae how did it come tae be in yer possession if naybody ever lost with it?”

“Well, that’s the thing. It’s said that the last man who wielded it, Angus McCall, was lost at sea, frozen in a block of ice. There was a fishing expedition that was searching for new waters tae feast on, and they came upon it. At first they didnae know what they came across, but if ye know the story then ye know the blade, and I happen tae know both. I thought ye may want it, being a man who is nae shy of combat.”

Logan looked at the blade and pursed his lips. “I think ye may be selling me the story more than the blade,” he said cautiously.

Iain shook his head. “I swear that it’s true! Now, I cannae speak for the enchantment, of course. I dinnae know if it’s only able tae be wielded by a member of the McCall clan, but dinnae ye think it’s worth finding out?” he asked.

Logan sighed and shook his head.

“As much as I enjoy yer yarns, I dinnae think there’s any truth tae it. It’s just a sword, Iain, naything more and naything less, and I hae plenty in the keep that are in far finer condition,” he said.

Iain shook his head and sighed. “Well, dinnae say I didnae warn ye. I hope that ye dinnae get intae a fight and regret nae buying this when ye hae the chance,” he said.

Logan smiled wryly. “I think I should hae other things on my mind if I find myself in battle again. Why dae ye think I’ll be in combat? Hae ye heard anything?”

Iain glanced around and leaned toward Logan. It always helped to maintain good relations with the merchants as they heard things far and wide, and it always helped to be informed. Although Logan wasn’t going to buy the sword, he was going to buy something else.

“Bram MacGavin is on the move again. Folks say he’s planning something big.”

“Oh aye?” Logan scowled. “I hae been trying tae get him for years. He always manages tae scuttle away like a spider heading for the dark.”

“Aye, and he haes us all in terror. Naybody knows where he’s trying tae strike next, but I hae heard that people hae been boasting of earning a lot of coin for working for him. Some of them were good men, but I guess even the hearts of good men can be swayed with a wee bit of coin.”

“If they are truly good then they hae nay business with Bram. Keep yer ears open, Iain. If ye hear anything else, dinnae hesitate tae tell me,” Logan said, handing Iain a few coins for the information.

Logan’s heart clutched with tension as he thought about Bram MacGavin. The man had been a scourge on the local area. There were many times when Logan had gone out in search of him, but he had picked up nothing but a trail. Bram had the uncanny ability of sneaking away as though he could disappear into thin air. There was always a rumor of his appearance, but then he was gone again. Logan wasn’t sure he would ever be able to settle if he didn’t get his hands on that man.

“Hae ye paid yer respects tae the duchess?” Iain asked, turning his attention to another matter.

Logan shrugged and shook his head.