The Strength of a High and Noble Hill (An Outlander Story)

Chapter 40: Life Goes On But The Threat Looms

A/N: This took a bit longer cause I became distracted/focused on planning out the future of the story and chapters but here it is!

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Life goes on after the Gathering and the lighting of the cross. Those who had come back with them from the Gathering continue to carve out their new life at the ridge.

Arch Bug has been hired as the factor of the Ridge while his wife Murdina settles in as housekeeper at the Big House. There's also Billy Aberfeldy, his wife and daughter who are both called Ruth are nearly in their own cabin after having to live in cramped conditions in the Big House and two other families. One of the families is Geordie Chisholm's, from Ardsmuir, brood. His wife, his elderly mother who narrowly escaped being trampled by Da's high-strung horse, Gideon, when travelling back to the Ridge, and his seven sons. His younger sons, Thomas, Anthony and Toby Chisholm, ranging in age from five through eight, are quickly dubbed "the spawn o' Satan" by Mrs Bug.

Marsali also becomes Mama's new assistant. Brian knows his mother should have the help and support that he and Ellen can't always offer, particularly after Mr Farrish's death because of his wife's well-meaning but murderous methods she used to treat him before bringing him on death door to the surgery meant no hope of being saved.

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"Dr Rawlings?" Brian questions as he looks at the paper his mother had handed to him. The title reads 'Dr. Rawlings recommends' with a list covering the rest of the page. "Do you think it'll work?"

Mama huffs. "It has to. If I have witness anyone else die from supposed cures that's actually killing them because of a 'reputable physician'." She rolls her eyes causing Brian to smirk slightly. "I'm making lots of copies and distribute them to our settlers. Ellen has helped me."

"Want more help in writing more about not to do?"

Mama smiles. Grateful for the help, she hands Brian a pen and paper. Brian sits down and starts helping her copy the list.

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Brian looks around the hallway as he follows his parents in the Big House. With all the men diligently working around the clock, it is now safe to walk around upstairs and the basics of it are done. But there is still a lot to do to get it finished, like carpeting the floors or putting wallpaper on the walls, etc. What will one day become bedrooms are just empty spaces with nothing in them. They don't even have doors. Except for one.

The three of them stop outside of one room that has a finished door, painted white with maroon trim and a silver doorknob.

"What's this?" Brian questions.

"It's yer new room." Da casually states.

He raises his eyebrows, not understanding. "What? What do you mean? What do you mean my room?"

"Go inside and see for yourself." Mama adds.

Brian is trying to remain cautiously optimistic as he slowly turns the doorknob and opens the door.

"Wow," is all he can say at first. Inside is an upgraded version of what he had in the kitchen.

Not only is it twice as big but there is a new bed as well. On the wall across from the door, which is wallpapered off white, is a large window that looks over the back fields and has curtains that are the colour of the door's trim that at the moment are drawn back. He no longer has only a small dresser for his clothes. Now, he has a tall and wide-standing wardrobe for just himself that is dark wood with intricate patterns carved out in it. He takes one step at a time going around the room, wondering if this is real.