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

Chapter 44: Misunderstandings

A/N: It's been a year since I started posting this story!!! Thank you to all the love you've shown!

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Brian grips his bridle tightly, trying not to alert his horse to his nerves. This is all becoming increasingly too real for him. It was one thing to learn about it all in the history books. The distorted story of the victory of the underdog versus the villainous oppressor. But now here he is heading out to Hillsborough to join the militia with the British army to tear down the traitorous regulators and his Da's own godfather, practically second father.

Brian rides at the head of the militia, along with Fergus and Da, into Hillsborough and is greeted with a less than cordial welcome. First, they are assumed to be part of the Regulators and then can't find any new men to join them. In fact, the residents of Hillsborough are already annoyed because the Red Coats are taking advantage of their hospitality. Brian gets how the third amendment came along.

His initial relief in getting off the streets inside is quickly dashed when he, Fergus, his Da and John Quincy enter the tavern to the sound of a loud thud in the wood before drunken cheering reaches their ears. Brian sees that William Reed's Tavern is full of drunken redcoats throwing knives at a wanted poster. His heart drops when he sees that it's Lieutenant Knox who had thrown it and his heart drops further when he realises it's Murtagh that is on the poster, covered in many knife marks.

While Knox removes the knife from the poster, Da pulls a coin out of his pocket and hands the money to John Quincy.

"Go buy a barrel of rum. Let the garrison settle down. And tha' they drink the whole barrel." He instructs.

"Don't say more, colonel - your orders suit us." Quincy says, impatient and happy, before departing.

Da, Brian and Fergus make their way through the crowded tavern to Knox.

The lieutenant sees Da as he plants the knife on the table. He turns to his men, announcing, "Didn't I tell you the colonel would arrive as promised? And before nightfall."

"And wi' a few men in reinforcement, lieutenant. About fifty." Da tells him.

Knox addresses Fergus and Brian in greeting then turns to a red coat lingering at his elbow. "Bring them all beer."

Da nods to Fergus and Brian. "Go with him. I need a moment alone with Knox."

Brian is thankful for this and leaves with Fergus and the red coat to the bar. Brian's eyes flicker nervously around the vividly red tavern, anxious and unnerved by it all. Maybe this is why he doesn't notice a very familiar man standing right in front of him until it's too late and collides into him. They quickly right themselves before they tumble to the floor. This causes the red coat and Fergus to stop as well once they notice Brian's near-floor splatter.

When he looks at the man's face, he splutters in surprise, "Brynmor?"

Brynmor's eyes widen in panic before he carefully rearranges them so his face gives nothing away just as quickly but Brian had spotted it. Was it the fact that he's previously been rather up close and personal with said face?

"Brian."

Brian forgets that Fergus is right there until he asks, "Do you know him?"

Brian clears his throat. "Er, yes, he was at Ellen and Roger's wedding."

"I accompanied Knox." Brynmor adds. His eyes flicker over to the red coat who was accompanying them to the bar still lingering close enough to hear the conversation.

This admission causes Brian to snap his head to him so violently that he's surprised it doesn't fall off. "Oh, you didn't say that."

"Well."