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

Chapter 41: Building Arsenal

"A show of force to prevent war."
– Claire  Fraser

"Here." Brian says, making sure he looks directly at Keziah as he hands him some food.

Keziah smiles in thanks while his twin, Josiah, voices his.

Brian smiles back and with a murmur of "you're welcome" he joins the rest of the men, including Roger and Fergus on the other end of the campfire along with Myers, Sinclair and the Lindsay brothers. He glances over to the two brothers. He had liked Josiah when had met him at the Gathering, particularly when Lizzie's attention was diverted to him, away from Brian, but now, knowing the truth of his and his brother's backstory, Brian wishes to help them as much as he can.

Things had gotten sidetracked on the way to Brownsville when they came across the Beardsley twins. Da declared he would go to the Beardsley Post himself to buy back their thirty-year contract, to save them from their enslavement. Brian in the meantime had been sent with the boys and the rest of the company to Brownsville to fill the recruitment register with as many men as possible. A daunting task but one he knows needs to be completed considering the corner Da has been backed into.

"Captain Fraser, how long till Brownsville?" Hugh Findlay asks. The teenager sits with his brother, Iain, and their two uncles. Brian had felt he had done a good job so far, recruiting members of the Findlay family. It had to take some persuasion with money to encourage Joan Findlay to part from her sons though he would've preferred it if Roger hadn't stepped forward with a bold promise to bring them home safe.

The young boy is nervous with the thought of battle and Brian doesn't blame him as he feels the exact same way. He tries not to show it with a shrug and a, "It shouldn't be far. Sinclair?"

"Aye, he's right lad, weel reach 'em tomorrow." Ronnie Sinclair replies with a grin.

"At least yer ken kno' weel yer geography, I ken kno' weel yer lack o' other abilities." Kenny Lindsay grins.

"Like wha'?"

Brian watches the small rise of smoke emanate from the pile next to the fire. "The ability not to burn your socks?"

"Ugh! No!" Sinclair frantically lunges forward to pick up his socks which he has laid near the fire to dry them. He tries to put them out by beating them on the ground. This causes the rest of them to laugh.

——

Brian honestly doesn't know what to do. Does he listen to Fergus or Roger?

Essentially, it was realised soon after arrival that the militia is not welcome, in particular Isaiah Morton due to Lionel Brown's daughter, Alicia, wanting to marry him rather than Elijah Ford causing the match to fall through.

The Browns declare that they want Isaiah as he dishonoured Alice and demand that Brian hands him over, to kill him. Roger argues that they should then ply them with Fraser whiskey to keep the peace and alleviate the murderous atmosphere. Fergus, however, argues that all that'll do is betray the trust of the men and dishonour their loyalty.

And Brian is in the middle of it all.

He understands Roger's wanting to keep the peace but Fergus, on the other hand, understands this world and battle more than him, about what it takes to maintain these men's loyalty and respect.

Eventually, Brian settles for pleading for time, to talk to Isaiah before he decides.

——

"Why haven't you married her?" Brian questions him. Isn't that what you do to save a woman from disgrace around here?

Isaiah Morton empty-handed, unable to answer.