Chp 2

Storms

Darkness. Soon everything was dark. Blair stiffens when the lights all went out and darkness crept into the room.

"It's alright Blair, I will start lighting the candles" Claire said as she walked out of the bathroom they were in and Blair followed her. "Her love you start over there, soon it will be bright in here"

Blair had a slight fear of the darkness, usually bad things happened to her when it was dark and she tended to stay away and always kept one light on. Blair was lighting candles when she heard the door open and saw Frank walk with a serious look on his face as he went to the window and looked out of it.

"Frank, we were hoping to have the whole place lite up by the time you got back" Claire said and then looked at Blair. "Darling what's the matter?"

"You look like you've seen a ghost" Blair said as Claire set down the matches.

"I'm not really sure that I haven't" Frank said as Blair walked over and got his coat, and they were sitting in chairs in front of the fire place. "When he pushed past me, he was close enough I should have felt him brush my sleeve as he passed, but I didn't, and then I turned around to say something and he's gone" he snapped his fingers "Just vanished, and then I got a chill down my spine."

"Did you have many Scots in your charge in the war?" Frank asked Claire and Blair saw where this was going.

"I shall leave you both alone, goodnight" Blair said and kissed Frank's cheek then Claire's and headed back to her room to light some candles.

Blair decided to head to bed after since there wasn't much to do and she was not going to go next door when she expected that they would be undressing each other soon.

"Hello?" Blair said as she walked through the woods "Claire! Are you here? Frank?" she moved some brush around and saw Claire's back and smiled as she ran forward to see Frank in a redcoat.

"Another one of you I see" he said.

"You're not Frank" Claire said and turned and grabbed Blair's hand and took off running.

"Sweetheart, time to get up" a voice stirred Blair out of her sleep "Come on get dressed"

"Frank" Blair said sleepily and saw her brother standing there "What's going on"

"We are going to go and watch some druids" Frank said.

"Oh okay" Blair said and rolled back over.

"Blair" Claire said with a laugh and shook her "Get up or we will be late"

"Okay I'm getting up" Blair said and pulled the covers back and realized she was still dressed "Guess I am already to go"

"Come on love" Claire said as they headed out of the bed and breakfast and into the car.

"Where are we going" Blair asked with a yawn.

"A hill just outside of town, I think you will love it Blair" Frank said with a smile as they drove a short distant and soon they were out of the car walking in the dark woods. "Did you know these stones were carried here from Africa, by a race of Celtic Giants"

"I wasn't aware the Celts make a lot of trips to Africa" Claire said.

"I sincerely doubt they did" Blair said as the walked in the woods and she smiled as Claire and Frank held hand fondly.

"Only the giant ones" Frank said with a smile.

"Is that Inverness?" Claire said and pointed to the lights in the distant.

"Yes it must be" Frank said.

"Looks beautiful" Blair said and they all heard a noise. "Someone is coming" Soon the three of them were crouched down in the grass and watched as women poured out of the woods.

They were dressed in white holding topless funnel like containers that looked to hold candles. A shiver went down Blair's spin as they bowed and started to move gracefully across the landscape between the stones. Blair ignored what Frank and Claire were saying as they raised the candles up and Blair felt as if she was being pulled towards them as they started doing circles on the hill. The danced continued with the women spinning around and then dipping the candles as their white dresses flowed behind them. Blair noticed the sun rising cast a shadow on the large stone and it made the dance feel as if an ancient power was being drawn into the stone. As soon as it started it stopped when they all raised their candles to the stone and then blew out their candles. Blair remained slightly memorized as the women were leaving.

"That was wonderful Frank" Blair said as they were left alone with the stones and walked up towards them.

Frank walked up to the center stoned and touched it as Blair looked around them. Soon Frank gently grabbed Blair's arm and called to Claire and they hide behind a stone as a young women came and looked around and picked up a small white ribbon and then sat on a fallen tree root and looked over the landscape. They all took off and Blair took one last look and followed them to the car.

As they sat in Frank and Claire's room Blair was standing near the window looking out at Inverness with a smile. This little town certainly had a lot ot offer in stories and legends. Blair thought back on to the man she kept seeing around and wondered if it was real or just her imagination running wild.

"You coming Blair?" Claire said as the door closed.

"Coming where?" Blair said.

"Back to the stones so I can pick that flower I can't find" Claire said. "Frank went to meet with the reverend"

"Oh yes I did like it there" Blair said as they both headed out and Blair grabbed a black like Claire and they headed back to the site.

As they reached the sight Blair looked around the stones as Claire went to the flowers and Blair soon followed after and looked down.

"It's very pretty" Blair said as Claire pulled out a handkerchiefs and Blair went down and picked the flower giving it to her just as the wind started to blow. "What's that?"

She and Claire got up and and they both looked at the large stone in the middle that seemed to be the source of the wind and noise. Blair reached out just as Claire did and suddenly Blair couldn't breathe, the air had been taken from her as she felt like she was falling. Blair suddenly opened her eyes and found herself and Claire lying next to each other on the ground.

"What happened?" Blair said as Claire took off running leaving her blanket behind and Blair took off after her clutching her blanket close.

They ran to where the car was but saw no road and no fence. There was nothing but field, and it confused them both. Claire took off into the woods with Blair following her close behind so they wouldn't get separated. Claire trudged forward as Blair followed ducking under trees till they came to a clearing and heard a shot. Blair had no idea what was going on, it looked like redcoats and Blair heard what appeared to be Gaelic that she heard in town. Claire took off running and fell down a small hill leaving Blair, alone. Blair ran in the direction that she last saw Claire and found her and caught up as they ran through the woods to escape the men that were now following them. After being shot at again Blair ran a little fast till they ran down a bank and came towards a river and Blair couldn't believe it, it was Frank dressed in a redcoat. Both stared at him for a moment.

"Frank?" Claire said "What the devil are you doing" he then stood up and Claire put an arm in front of Blair who was behind her "You're not Frank"

"No madam I'm not" he said.

"Who the bloody hell are you?" Claire questioned and took a step back as Blair did all the while standing in front of her.

"I am Jonathan Randall Esquire, Captain of his Majesty 8th Dragoon at your service" He said and Claire pushed Blair a little and they took off running with him running behind, which they didn't get vry far before a sword blocked them off. "Who are you?"

"My husband is expecting me" Claire said as she held on to Blair trying to keep him away from her "He'll come looking for me if I'm not back in 10 minutes.

"Your husband what's his name" Randall said and when Claire didn't answer she grabbed her hard and pulled her down more on his sword "What is his name?"

"Frank" Claire said as Randall starred at her.

"Frank what?" Randall said.

"Frank Beauchamp, he's a teacher" Claire said and then Randall smiled

"Oh Mrs. Beauchamp a teacher's wife" Randall said "You must take me the fool, you must take well advise to tell me exactly who you both are and why you are here" Claire then fought against him "Madam you will find my patience if not infinite"

"Get off of me you bastard" Claire said and spit in his face.

"The speech of a lady the language of a whore" Randall said and turned Claire around.

"Stop it!" Blair called out and flew at Randall who punched her in the face knocking her down stunning her.

"I will have my way with you after this whore" he said and ripped Claire's dress only to have a man jump down on Randall getting him away from Claire who stood there shocked.

He held out his hand to Blair and helped her up and then heard shouting held on to Blair and put his hand out to Claire.

"Druid" he said.

"What" Claire said as she starred at him.

"Druid" he replied again with more urgency in his voice as Claire took his hand and then dragged them through the woods.

"Where are we going" Claire said as they hide behind a tree and Claire started to call out and then guy knocked her out as Blair remained quiet.

She figured if this man wanted to hurt them he would have left Randall have his way with them. Blair helped him carry Claire through the woods to a black horse. Blair had always loved horses and when they approached Blair held out her hand and the horse smelt it and touched her hand. The man was looking at her for a moment before putting Claire on the horse and holding out his hand. Blair looked and didn't know if the horse could carry them all. Claire was much lighter than Blair and she didn't mind walking if she had to.

"Druid" he said and moved his hand and she grabbed it and he pulled her up behind him with ease.

"Thank you" Blair said and he nodded to her as he moved the horse forward.

Blair wrapped her arms around his waist not wanting to fall off the backside of a horse; she felt very awkward since she had never actually touched a man besides her brother. The man also didn't smell the nicest but she wasn't going to complain in fear that his goodwill would end and he would give them abck to the redcoats. It sent nervous chills in her as they road down the road to what seemed to be a small cabin when Blair noticed how cold she was.

Blair noticed Claire was awake by the time they reached the cabin and were pushed inside to see a group of men looking at them now. Blair took a step behind Claire as she looked around as they talked in a language they couldn't understand. Blair looked around and saw a man sitting by the fire as his head turned to them, he looked injuried and Blair could see the pain on his face. One man sitting down stood up and walked over to them and pushed them by the fire.

"Let's have a look at you now lassies" he said.

"I trust you are able to see us now" Claire said staring at him.

"What's your name" he asked quietly.

"Claire, Claire Beauchamp" Claire said and the man turned towards Blair.

"And you lass?" he asked.

"Her name is Blair Beauchamp, shes my sister in law" Claire said as Blair grew increasing uncomfortable and silent in the presence of all these strange men.

"Claire and Blair Beauchamp" he said.

"That's right, and just what the hell…" Claire started.

"You said you found them" he said to the man that saved them.

"Aye, they were both having words with the Captain of Dragoon," he said "From who we are acquainted, there seem to be question whether the lady was or was not an oul."

"What was the lady's position in this discussion" the other said as he looked at Claire.

"I am not" Claire said.

"We could put her to the test" another said and they all smiled.

"I don't hold with rape" the previous one said and his look made the men stop smiling. "You're not our type anyway."

"Dougal, I have no idea what she might be or who but I will steak my best shot she is no ahoul" the man who recused them said. "Neither of them"

"Well puzzle it later" Dougal said as he turned and headed back to the fire and sat down across from the guy sitting down. "We've got a good distance to go to night and we must do something about Jamie first"

Blair looked around and then at Claire and then looked back at the guy who was in apparent pain. Blair was unsure about the men she was surrounded by, however since none of them have tried to harm either of them in any way she thought it was the safest to remain with them.

"You cannot ride with that can you lad" Dougal said to Jamie.

"Hurts when I sit still, I cannot manage a horse" Jamie said.

"Well won't mean to leave him behind" Dougal said as he stood up.

"There's no help for it then, I will have to force the joint back" another man said.

Blair looked at Claire and then back towards Jamie, and decided before they did anything to speak up.

"Stop you will break his arm" Blair said and everyone stared at her as she moved forward only to have knives pointed at her.

"Stand aside at once" Claire said "If you do it like that, you have to get the bone in the upper back into the correct position before it slips back into joint"

"If you do it any other way, you will break it" Blair said.

"Blair hold his shoulder" Claire said and Blair walked to the side of Jamie and rested her hand on the top of the bone "Hold him steady" and the men around him held him steady. Claire then pulled and twisted his arm making noises "This is the worst part" she then pulled it forward as Blair helped put the bone back into place.

"Thank ye, it doesn't hurt anymore" Jamie said as Claire kept his arm in place.

"It will" Blair said as Claire let go of the arm and Blair held on to it.

"It will be tender for about a week, you need a sling." Claire said and looked around "You fetch me a long piece of cloth or a belt."

"Fetch me she says" as he let out a little laugh and looked at Dougal "You hear that lads"

"Give her your belt" Dougal said and his face fell and he then gave his belt to Claire.

"Taking a guess you have done this before" Jamie said to them both.

"I'm a nurse" Claire said and Jamie looked down for a moment "Not a wet nurse"

Blair held in a soft laugh as Claire handed her the belt and Blair carefully wrapped it around his shoulder keeping his arm in place.

"You mustent move the joint for 2 or 3 days, and when you begin to use it again, very slowly at first, stop at once if it hurts" Claire said as she adjusted the belt on the back and Blair tightened it "Use warm compresses on it daily "Alright how does that feel"

"Better thank ye" Jamie said and Claire nodded as Blair just smile.

"Can you ride?" Dougal said and Jamie nodded and then he threw a blanket at him "Good we're leaving"

Soon they headed out and Blair realized it was dark and raining and almost ran into Claire as she stopped.

"Where it is? Where's the city" Claire asked looking out in the darkness. "It should be visible from here"

"Inverness? You're looking straight at it" Jamie said and walked away to his horse.

"Claire there are no lights" Blair whispered as she heard movement behind them.

"Get yourself up" Dougal said getting his jacket on and tugged Blair along, "You will be riding with Jamie and you will be riding with me" Dougal then turned to Blair as they stopped in front of Jamie's horse "You be sure to stay close to the rest of us and if you try anything else I shall slit both your throats, do you understand me?" both Claire and Blair nodded as Dougal turned to Blair "Give me your foot" He then hoisted her up on Jamie's horse and then walked away with Claire behind him and got on his.

Blair started to shiver lightly because of the rain but put it to the back of her thoughts as she took the reins from underneath her and in front where Jamie could grab them.

"What are you doing" Blair asked softly as she felt Jamie moving behind him.

"Getting my parfleece to cover you, your shivering" Jamie said.

"I'm alright" Blair said "I will be fine"

"Your shaking so hard its making my teeth raddle" Jamie said and then Blair noticed he was having a hard time and helped him pull the blanket over them both. "It will keep us both warm"

"Thank you" Blair said as she moved it around front where she grabbed it and heard Jamie make a sound like he was in pain "Did I hurt you? I am so sorry"

"It's alright lass I am fine" Jamie said as he moved his hand across Blair underneath the blanket to grab the reins "Don't need you freezing before sun up"

"Riding all night?" Blair asked as the horse started to move forward.

"Aye" Jamie said as he felt her shivering lessen slightly.

As Blair sat on the horse she couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen to her and Claire. They were obviously not in the 20th century anymore, but were still in Scotland. This thought both terrified and excited her. As they rode she felt Jamie's chest again her back and his arm that they had held together with a belt from keep moving. She was surprised at how well he managed with just his left arm as they rode. Blair kept trying to keep sleep at bay when they rode because she didn't trust them completely yet.

"Lass, sleep your head keeps snapping up like that it is likely to come off" Jamie said as she saw Blair jerk away again "I won't let you fall off"

"I couldn't you are probably just as tired" Blair replied as she held on to the blanket that was around them. "I can manage"

"It's alright lassie" Jamie said as he noticed Blair was fighting a losing battle with sleep "Sleep it will be alright, I have done this many times, besides every now and then a slight pain keep me awake"

"I'm sorry" Blair said when the horse jostled and she knocked into his shoulder.

"It's alright, get some sleep, maybe it won't be raining in the morning" Jamie said and then noticed that Blair had actually already fallen asleep and he saw her head sway slightly side to side as the horse kept moving. The sight brought a small smile to his face.