Chapter 10: All the King's Men

Nurse Randall returned to poke around. Inability to mind her own business led to unintentional time travel to 1743 Scotland. The welcome wagon consisted of Frank's ancestor, Captain 'Black Jack' Randall. He welcomed her to the century with a rape attempt. That's how he behaves on. “Menzies will play both Frank Randall and Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall. Frank is Claire’s 20th century husband and a professional historian with a particular interest in the 18th century and his own genealogy. Frank and Claire are reunited in 1945 after being separated by the war and rekindle their relationship when Claire disappears.

Disclaimer: Diana Gabaldon owns all rights to Outlander

I re-opened my eyes despite my fear, and watched the deadly duel. They were like two bulls rushing at each other, and even though Dougal was a good twenty-five years older, his experience and sheer ferocity were astonishing. And yet, Jamie had the agility of youth and having been trained by his opponent, was a worthy match for his uncle.

The clash of swords and the groans and grunts emanating from the two adversaries made me shudder. I shrieked more than a few times, as Dougal shoved a shoulder into Jamie's already oozing wound, or knocked him about crashing him into the neighboring trees.

While his sword was crossed with Dougal's, he leaned against his rival's chest, bellowing, 'It wasna hard to ken who was behind my capture. You told them where I would be, ye did. I canna believe ye'd turn yer back on yer own kin, and try to steal away my wife, knowing as ye do, how much I love the lass.'

Dougal fought back savagely, murder in his eyes. Just when I thought he had Jamie beat, my Scotsman whipped around, and between furiously slashing and cutting with his blade, lunged headlong at his uncle. He pierced Dougal's heart with his sgian dubh, just as Angus had taught me. The warchief gurgled, his eyes wide in shock, the blood spurting from his chest, and he slumped to the ground, dead.

Jamie stood over him, chest heaving, and breathless, throwing down his sword. I ran to him, and his arms enveloped me. He looked to Mutagh, then to the others, who nodded. Rupert spoke, 'Twas a fair fight. Ye were only defendin' yerself and yer woman. Anyone who says different can take op a sword agin' me.

Angus circled the men. 'Aye, what Jamie said is the truth o' it . The watch were there, surroundin' us on all sides. They kent where we would be, and it was Dougal that sent them after us. He was a traitor, and deserved a traitor's fate, he did. It was only luck bein' wi' us when we took Jamie off their hands. We lied to them; told the buggers that we would return him to Randall and his dragoons.'

His eyes searched the group. 'Are there any o' ye that disagree wi' us?'

The rest of the clansmen looked at each other. Young Willie stepped forward, and quietly spoke, 'We all saw what Dougal was tryin', and I ken it was a fair fight like ye said.'

A chorus of 'Ayes' rose in the air.

Jamie walked me back to camp so I could see to his injuries. Duncan and Murtagh stayed behind wrapping their fallen comrade in a blanket and trussing it securely, in preparation for hauling Dougal's remains to Castle Leoch and his final resting place.

I no sooner had Jamie sitting on our pallet, ready to dress his wounds when Willie yelled, 'Redcoats!'

Everyone scrambled, leaving the tents intact, and the fire pit burning. They mounted their horses while Jamie had the presence of mind to hurriedly douse the flames. I gathered up my treatments and potions, dropping them into their container.

Murtagh shouted at Duncan, 'Leave him; they'll no disturb the dead. We'll come back later to fetch him.'

The others started out with a few seconds head start, and then we were off, trailing behind.

The soldiers were on us more rapidly than I had expected, and to make matters worse, one of the shoes on my mare tore loose. Bloody hell, those deserters did not pay careful attention to the maintenance of their horses', and unfortunately, my hind end was sitting on one of those neglected beasts now. My own beloved Brimstone was still up on the ridge, safely away from all this mayhem.

The animal began to slow her pace, the shoe dangling off her hoof. Jamie pulled his stallion around, turning about to help me. He dismounted, and hoisted me up onto the saddle seating me in front of him.

The troops were gaining on us, due to those precious seconds we lost, and TromLaighe now had to carry my extra weight, which slowed us down considerably. After a few harrowing minutes, Jamie suddenly slipped down from his horse, coiling the reins about the saddle horn. He gazed up at me, a solemn look in his eyes. 'I'm verra sorry, Sassenach. I willna be goin' wi' ye. I'll no have the soldiers cart ye away wi' them, not while I'm still alive. Ye go on. I'll fend for myself.'

My heart seized. 'Nooo—Jamie, no! I won't leave you.'

'Aye—ye will, for ye must. Please, Claire … if ye love me, then obey me now. 'Tis the only way.'

He smiled at me, maybe for the last time, and slapped the horse's rump, sending the beast galloping on ahead. I looked over my shoulder, and Jamie waved with one hand, sword in the other, as the soldiers rode up, surrounding him. I watched as he dropped his weapon, his hands clasped behind his head. Then he fell to his knees in surrender.

I could barely see the road through my tears, but grasped the reins just in time to run straight into … Captain Black Jack Randall.

'Lost are you? A lady of your station shouldn't be out here alone without a male escort. But then you are not a lady are you? I'm assuming your Scotsman has been captured not far from here; else you'd not be on the road such as you are. Allow me to lead you back to that redheaded traitor. I'm certain he'd be glad of your company. He has a taste for dark-haired strumpets. My dragoons would be pleased to partake of a little taste also. I mustn't be selfish, keeping you all to myself.'

I kicked my heels into TromLaighe, urging him forward, thinking to weave to the side of the captain. It was a vain attempt, because I only got a few steps in that direction, when I heard the click of a pistol being cocked.

The barrel of the gun was pointed at me; I had no recourse but to heed his instructions. 'Tsk, tsk, you would remove yourself from my presence? That would not seem proper, since we've but only had a chance to say our hellos.' The tone of his voice hardened. 'Besides, I didn't grant you permission to leave. So … hand over the reins, Mistress Fraser. I believe we have some unfinished business to conclude.'

My mind whirled in thought on the short trip to the place of Jamie's capture. Randall would torture and kill my husband, and probably me as well. My only hope was if I had to die this day, that we would die together.

As we neared the hill, I saw what was happening. Jamie was on the ground, three of the soldiers, punching and kicking him unmercifully, with shouts of, 'Filthy Scottish scum … traitor … insolent ginger!'

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My Jamie never let out a sound during the ordeal, infuriating his attackers that much more.

I recognized two of the dragoons, trying to restrain the other three, Corporals Hawkins, and Leftenant Foster. At least they had some shred of decency.

Randall dismounted his horse, his pistol never leaving his hand. He flicked it in my direction, gesturing me to dismount also. I slid from the saddle, and his unoccupied hand grabbed my arm, squeezing it painfully.

He sauntered up to the scene in his arrogant fashion, jerking me along. The men beating Jamie stood aside as their superior officer approached. We were standing just a few feet away, when Jamie looked up, defeat housed in his eyes.

'Well, well, well … James Fraser, we meet again at last, under a rather unfortunate circumstance I'm afraid.' He sniffed—a habit the captain seemed to employ every time he displayed contempt for someone. 'I brought you your lovely little trollop to share in your misery.'

Resigned, Jamie panted heavily, and defiantly spoke. 'Do yer worst, Randall, only let the lass go.'

Captain Randall, shook me roughly, and taunted, 'Now why on earth would I do that?'

I heard him sniffing again, behind me. He knew without a doubt, that he had the upper hand. He shoved me forward, his weapon pressed against my shoulder blade.

'Shall history repeat itself today?'

He flicked his head toward the men holding Jamie. 'You—Taggart and Madison, tie him to that tree over there. His back hasn't seen the lash in years.'

The man named Taggart, put his rifle on the ground so he could pull Jamie to his feet.

'No … please,' I screamed.

'Shut your mouth, slut, or you'll be joining him directly.'

Jamie lunged for the rifle while his assailant averted his attention to Randall. A struggle ensued, and the other soldiers pulled them apart. A shot rang out, and Taggart fell. I saw the smoke curling around me, and the heat from Randall's pistol.

'I'll not have incompetents in my company. Corporal Hawkins … drag him out of the way.

'Now, you filthy outlaw, are you ready to go quietly?'

Jamie bucked against other two, who now tightened their grip on his arms.

'You know … I can't remember ever meeting a more obstinate Scotsman than you, so maybe it would behoove me to give you a little incentive.'

The gun was now against the side of my head.

Jamie twisted in their grasp. 'Ye bloody bastard. I'll not let ye do this.'

'I beg to differ.'

Randall walked to my side slowly, in carefully measured steps, waving the gun in front of my face. 'I wonder … would your husband still want you if you were missing an eye?'

Once more, Jamie crumpled in a heap. 'Please, dinna hurt her. I'll do anathin' ye say.'

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Turning his head, Randall shouted at Madison and the other man. 'See that. What a small amount of motivation can do! I'll not be needing your assistance now. I'm ordering you to see if you can find out where the rest of his clansmen have gotten to.'

I squirmed against my captor. 'Someday, you will pay for your cruelty, Captain.'

He slapped me hard across the face, the blow making my eyes water. Tucking the gun into his belt, he drew out his knife. Glancing down at Jamie, Randall hissed, 'Your wife has quite an acid tongue on her, and I have a marvelous remedy for that.' He pointed the blade at my mouth, grinning wickedly.

My chest was heaving in fear, but it was not long before I heard another rifle shot. The captain dropped the knife, a stunned look on his face, and then I noticed the bullet hole in his forehead as he sank to the earth. Hawkins was frozen on the spot, eyes wide, grey wisps drifting from the barrel of his weapon. He took a few steps to Randall as he lay there at a grotesque angle, and kicked his corpse several times. I overheard him mumble, 'It is freeing, Captain—very freeing.'

He straightened, then, and said, 'Mistress, you and your husband may leave. We'll not stop you, nor tell anyone. Take Randall's horse. Now go!'

Foster nodded, and helped Jamie up. I kissed both of them on the cheek. 'I'm forever in your debt. I'll never forget either one of you.'

Hawkins aided Jamie to alight on his horse. 'Thank ye, truly, Corporal Hawkins.'

I followed Jamie as he led me, picking through the woods, back to our recently abandoned bivouac. The fighting Scotsmen had all returned and somehow, even the mare with the shoe still hanging loose was there as well, my box of treatments strapped to her saddle.

The men were all busily striking camp except for Murtagh, who after patting Jamie on the back, was grumbling in Gaelic while re-nailing the shoe on the poor animal. Rupert and Willie were up on the ridge, securing Dougal's remains to his horse.

I wanted to check on Jamie's injuries, but there wasn't time. We were on the move— after retrieving my precious box—to the next area of encampment.

Jamie and I were in the saddle for more than four bloody hours before we finally came to the spot. I could just imagine how Jamie must've been feeling. Bone tired, we left our saddles, and I rapidly set out our animal hides, and bid Jamie to take a seat. I couldn't succumb to exhaustion until I was assured that Jamie was all right.