Outlander: Returning Home
Chapter 3: Remembrance and Friends
Mrs. Graham
I didn't know just how long I stood on the hill praying that Claire would be able to send wee Roger back, but the longer I stood there I knew it was fruitless. I hated the idea that Roger had hidden in the car and had run to Claire. I knew he had taken a liking to her, but who wouldn't when you got to know her. I also understood her need to get back to the man she loved. And I now had the heartbreaking task to break the news to Reverend Wakefield. He had trusted me with Roger and I had lost him.
"Mrs. Graham, we have a visitor," I vaguely heard Reverend Wakefield say as I opened the front door heading toward the kitchen.
"Is she alright?" asked the other voice. I thought I knew it, but couldn't place it at the moment.
"Mrs. Graham," the reverend said as he came into the kitchen. I turned to look at him only to see Frank Randall behind him. Silently I sat down as both men came forward.
"I... I don't know wh...what happened," I stammered as I could tell neither man was sure of what to do with me.
"About what?" Frank muttered as he looked down at my hand. I had on a bracelet that Claire gave me. "Wherever did you find that?" he demanded, bringing my hand up to look at the trinket.
"Claire gave it to me," I answered, raising my chin. He raced up the stairs and into the room where he'd left her belongings.
Surprised, the reverend asked, "Claire was here?"
"Yes, but she's gone back now," I replied. He looked around for a moment before calling for Roger. I broke down even more, tears streaming down my face.
"What have you done?" Reverend Wakefield thundered, standing up as I reached out for him.
"I was only trying to help her go back," I finally said. I could see the look in Frank Randall's eyes when he walked back into the room holding onto a scrap of paper with Claire's handwriting on it.
"Where is she?" he rasped, looking from me to the reverend as he slammed down the sheet of paper. I told both men about Claire coming back from the past and how she said she had to get back. I explained that for the past couple of weeks, I had helped her look through the reverend's books about the battle of Culloden and the Jacobite rising. I went on to tell them how the ladies and I mapped out when the best time would be for her to travel back, that it was this morning. I wanted to keep the last part to myself, but I knew the reverend wasn't going to forget about Roger. So I told him how I had driven Claire up to the stones, but had thought Roger was with my niece. Yet when Claire had made her way toward the stones, Roger ran into her causing them both to fall through the stones.
"This is crazy talk," the reverend insisted heatedly as Frank looked over the paper he had laid on the table. I noticed that it had a list of dates and famous battles that led up to the rising and after it. Frank quickly left the kitchen and went into the study where the reverend kept his books about the clans. I followed close by to see what he was up to.
"Fraser, that was one of the clans that was destroyed after the rising. I remember seeing a deed of some kind with that name and one of, I believe, Murray," he murmured as the reverend shuffled through a stack of papers.
"Right, here you go," he said as Frank's eyes popped out a little.
"Look here." Even from where I was standing, I could see the familiar name of Claire Fraser on it. "Now look here." He pulled out a photo he must have taken before. The paper was the same except for the names. Now, beneath Claire Fraser, was the signature of one Roger Wakefield on the document instead of Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser.
"Oh my god!" The reverend collapsed on the seat beside Frank. I thought for sure I was going to be dismissed by the reverend, but he didn't let me go. No, instead he had me help in the search to see where Roger might pop up in history. The three of us had been searching through books, letters and several other items when a post came for me.
"Mrs. Graham, a letter arrived for you. I left it on the table near the front entry," Frank said as he walked past me into the study. I went and picked it up, astonished to see familiar handwriting.
"Oh, my!" I rushed into the study. "This letter's from Claire." Both men looked up at me. I opened it and pulled out the pages.
Mrs. Graham,
I must tell you that I have been transported back to the very beginning of my journey. When Roger and I went through the stones we ended up back in 1743, right where I had first met Jamie and the others. Murtagh once again rescued me from Black Jack, but things didn't quite happen like they had before.
I hate to have to say that I'm sitting in my chamber hiding from the men who told me they wanted me as their guest, but won't let me move freely. I've had an interesting time this time around because unlike my first time alone I now have Roger to look after. He's been a rock to me the last few weeks. I am glad I have him, but I know you and the reverend must miss him terribly.
At some point I will be going with the rent party to collect the money owed to the laird of the MacKenzies. We should be passing by Craigh na Dun. I'll try to see if the stones will allow Roger to pass. We tried several times after we arrived, but Roger could no longer hear them. I'm unsure if we will be able to succeed, but I hope you know that if we don't, I will take care of Roger as if he were my own. I have grown to love him during my trying time reacclimating to 1743. I do though have a friend in an unlikely person. Jamie's godfather, Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, seems to remember everything that had happened during the three previous years that we had been together. It's good to have at least one friendly face. He's made sure that Roger has been looked after as well.
Please give my love to the reverend and tell him I will try my hardest to get Roger back to him. I know I didn't want you to tell Frank anything, but try to reassure him I'm well and I'm where I should be. The past few weeks have been rough for me, but most things are moving along. We are both doing well.
Claire Beauchamp
"Well, that's good news," the reverend remarked as he looked up from his books. "I think we will just see what's going to happen." He closed the book he was looking through.
"What did she mean 'we are both doing well,'" Frank inquired. I knew exactly what she meant, but I also knew she probably wasn't certain who would be reading the letter.
"I'm pretty sure she was speaking on behalf of herself and Roger," I replied. I could see he didn't want to accept that thought, but he certainly didn't need to know Claire was referring to her pregnancy. At least that's what I thought she meant. I decided to leave them alone and left the room. I absently watched Frank move toward a stack of books and begin looking through them again as he scanned through the page Claire had left with dates on it.
Jamie
I was surprised as to how much I felt like I knew the woman sitting in front of me. It was strange because I knew there was no way I kent her, but there was something just so familiar about her. So much so that it was naggin' at me. It also bothered me slightly that she had nae once, but twice bandaged and mended me in the last day and a half as if it was second nature to her.
It bothered me how the men would degrade her in the Gàidhlig as we rode, only because they kent she had nae clue as to what they were sayin'. I would catch Murtagh shakin' his head at times, but he wouldna look me in the eye. Dougal was dead set on her being a spy, but who would really bring their bairn along to do a job like that? I kent well enough that she wasna a spy. Yet, she did hold secrets that she wasna sharin', and that was verra dangerous for her.
I had to demand for her to ride with me the second time because Rupert wanted her with him. Dougal thought it wise, though, for her to stay with me in case I passed out once again. I did get a very stern look from Murtagh. Yet, it was comfortin' to see how at ease he had become with the boy. It reminded me of when I was younger, he had become like a second father to me. He had been through some very rough times with me over the last few years; he kent me verra well.
"What's goin' on in that heid of yours, boy?" Murtagh asked as he rode up beside me after he'd avoided me for a while.
"Tryin' to puzzle out a mystery," I replied as he tsked at me.
"Dinna go doin' anythin' stupid," he warned as I noticed the wee laddie looking up at him.
"Mama," he said, pointing to the woman in front of me.
"Aye, she's sleeping." He tilted his head and looked up toward me.
"Mama's sad," he said, turning to look toward the castle that seemed to be gettin' closer. I felt her movin' in front of me. I dinna ken if she kent just what her movements were doin', but I began to try to think of anything but her warm body pressed up against mine.
"Stop," I finally hissed through gritted teeth.
"Oh, sorry, my leg's asleep," she replied, stretching her leg out a few times before giving up.
"Och, weel, we're almost there," I muttered as she looked back at me before pulling my plaid closer around her body, enclosing more of her warmth around us.
Claire
I felt bad after Jamie hissed in my ear. I hadn't really thought about how he might have been feeling as I was moving around. It was true though, my leg was getting cramped from all the riding and very little movement. I pulled the plaid closer around me and felt him wrap his arm around my waist once more. It seemed as though he did it without thinking. I knew from our previous life together that he had taken a liking to me right off the bat. I was still a little worried about Murtagh because there was definitely something going on with him.
I heard someone call out as our group made their way into the courtyard of the castle. "Dougal, you're back early, man. We hadna thought to see ye before the gathering." I wasn't really listening to most of the conversations going on around us, but I did watch as Murtagh got off his horse and helped Roger down.
Then I saw her; it was Mrs. Fitz. "Mwah! Ye'll all be needing breakfast, I reckon. Plenty in the kitchen. Away and feed yerselves." She wandered closer to Murtagh before slapping him away when he tried to kiss her. It was amusing to watch the scene this time around, knowing more about the people around me. "And what do we have here?" she asked curiously as she came to stand closer to Jamie and I. I had already gotten hold of Roger who was looking at everything with wide-eyed wonder.
"Claire Beauchamp and son, Mistress Fitzgibbons. Murtagh found her and Dougal said we must bring her along with us, so..." Jamie sort of stumbled over the words as he looked from me to Roger and back at his horse.
"Claire, why don't the two of ye come along with me. You probably need some food and clean clothing it looks like," she remarked, looking the two of us over before turning around.
"Mr. MacTavish should come with us," I said hurriedly, getting a questioning look from her.
"I can handle myself verra well, mistress," he muttered, handing me my box.
"He was shot and stabbed along the way. I bandaged him up as best as I could while on the road, but his wounds need cleaned and his arm needs restrapped." I happened to glance up and saw Colum looking out the window above the courtyard.
"Really, I'll be fine," Jamie insisted, moving to take his horse and leave.
"No, he won't. He needs it looked at to keep it from getting inflamed and maybe catching fever. He passed out from losing too much blood already," I argued. Mrs. Fitz raised an eyebrow and looked directly at Jamie then me.
"You know what to do? Yer a Beaton, then?" she questioned as I looked from her to Roger and slowly nodded, unsure of what a Beaton was.
"Yes, I'm a healer of sorts. I know how to clean wounds, stitch them, and I have a good knowledge of herbs." I wasn't going to repeat what happened last time. I was going to try to keep myself from becoming a prisoner if I could help it.
"All right, ye heard the lady, Jamie, come along," she said. I could feel the weight of everything falling heavily over me. There had to be a reason why the stones sent me back to this time. I had to keep faith that maybe this was a chance of righting the wrongs I made the last time.
I held onto Roger as Mrs. Fitz led us down the hallway toward the same room I had been placed in before. I immediately noticed Laoghaire standing in the kitchen as we entered. She looked like she had wanted to run right to Jamie, but one of the other girls distracted her as we walked by. I entered the warm room, placing my box down on the table near the fire. Mrs. Fitz helped Jamie remove his coat and shirt. I moved toward Roger and helped him get settled on the bed before giving instructions to the girl who had followed us. Mrs. Fitz ordered the girl to bring hot water in a pot and other things as well.
I was busy with checking the water and putting the necessary herbs in the pot and didn't notice Mrs. Fitz talking to Roger. When I turned around she was about to leave with him. "It's alright, he can stay with me," I said as she looked from me to the maid.
"He could go and play with the other children," Jamie suggested. I looked at him and shook my head.
"No, I don't know you at all and would appreciate it if my son could stay with me. I don't think any mother would let her 4 year old son go about without any knowledge of where he was or who he was with," I replied as nicely as I could. I walked to where they were standing and reached for his hand. She reluctantly let him go and I ushered him back onto the bed.
"Call out if you need anything else," she said quietly as I went back toward Jamie and the fire.
"Yes, ma'am," I said softly, hoping that I hadn't offended her.
"Oh, everybody calls me Mrs. Fitz. You may also," she said before leaving us alone. I let go of the breath I had been holding in. I walked around Jamie and moved the blanket that had been placed over his scarred back. It had never bothered me and it certainly didn't matter to me now. As before, he told me of how he got the scars and about his encounter with Randall. Although I knew the story I had still listened, thrilled, to hear him tell it to me again, trying to gather any information that might change things for us.
"I was taken to Fort William. After that, I dinna ken what happened," he said as I glanced at Roger who had fallen fast asleep.
"That must have been a horrible experience for you," I remarked quietly, looking toward the fire. He moved to twist his back from side to side. "Don't do that. I'm going to strap that arm to your side."
"You're a kind woman with a good touch," he said as I pulled the cloth tighter to keep him from being able to move the arm. I wanted him to let it rest after the dislocation of the joint and then the gunshot wound. He grunted and winced as I tied the knot.
"Yer man is a lucky one to have ye. I bet he is missin' ye and the lad." I just looked at him and fell to my knees under the weight of it all. "Mistress, Mistress Beauchamp, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I was just thinking about my husband," I replied brokenly, the tears gathering in my eyes.
"Is he not alive?" he questioned. I found it difficult to know what to say. I couldn't lie to him, but at the same time he didn't know he was my husband.
"No, not really," I finally answered as I collapsed.
"Hush, now. Dinna cry. Things always seem to work out for the best." Then he whispered soothing words in Gàidhlig. I wasn't too sure what they meant, but I had heard him say them to me before.
"Forgive me," I whispered and tried to compose myself before he released me.
"There is nae need for ye to be scairt of me. Nor anyone else here, so long as I'm with ye." I knew in my heart that he meant those words.
"What about when you're not here?" I finally asked, trying hard to keep myself from grabbing onto him and shaking him until he remembered me.
"Yer English, never forget that. Especially in a place where that's not a pretty thing to be," he said as he gathered up his belongings.
"Thank you," I replied. The door opened before he reached it. Murtagh was standing on the other side of it watching the two of us.
"Watch yerself. Rest up, you'll probably be summoned shortly," he remarked as I watched he and Murtagh speak in low tones before closing the door. I removed my shoes and placed them near the fire. I removed the small pouch of coins from my pocket and went toward the fireplace. I remembered there was a loose stone from when I was here the last time, so I pulled it out and stuffed the pouch in the cavity. Replacing the stone in the fireplace, I pushed it in as far as I could. Heaving a sigh, I climbed into bed with Roger and went right to sleep.
"Come along! Up with ye! You slept the whole day away," Mrs. Fitz was saying as I reached out to pull Roger to me.
Frantically, I asked, "Where is my son?" as I sat up abruptly, jumping out of bed in a panic.
"Murtagh took him to the stables. Ye need to get cleaned up before ye meet the laird," she said, fluttering around the room. Calmer now, I watched bemused, while she pulled things out and poured water in a wash basin. I took a few swallows of the broth she'd given me before standing up and allowing her to undress me. She helped me get washed up. I felt a little strange as she washed over my stomach as if she could see right inside of me. "Now you're ready to be taken to himself," she said with a satisfied smile while she pulled a few strands of my hair loose.
"Are ye ready?" Murtagh rumbled. I looked back at Mrs. Fitz before moving closer to the door.
"Yes, thank you." I had to hurry to keep up with him.
"Wait here." He opened another door and left me. I wanted to question him, but there were people all around us as he led me to Colum's room. I entered and just as before I was drawn to the books lined up on the shelf. I ran my fingers over the binding before pulling on out to flip through it.
"I see you've met some of my friends," Colum's familiar voice said as he entered the room.
I placed the book back on the shelf. "I apologize. I do enjoy a good book," I said softly. He walked around the table and sit down.
"My name is Colum Ban Campbell MacKenzie, laird of this castle," he said proudly. Nervous laughter threatened to spill out of me, but I held it back.
"My brother has told me one of his men found you and yer child in a distressing situation," he said as though the issue was of my own making.
"I was attacked and nearly raped by one of the soldiers of King George, while my son stood on a ledge waiting for me," I snapped, knowing he thought it was all lies on my part.
"Other than this near rape, you suffered no further molestation?" he questioned while I held back what I really wanted to say.
"None. Your brother and his men were kind enough to help us in our time of need," I responded and watched his eyes widen slightly.
"Of course," he said as I decided what to say next.
"My son and I were traveling with companions on our way to Edinburgh. Our party stopped to rest and I wandered off with my son to look for some herbs and other plants to take with us. I must have lost track of time and before I knew it, we were in the middle of a skirmish between your kin and the Redcoats." He looked me up and down before nodding.
"I could make some inquires as to where your party is, and perhaps see if they are traveling this way anytime soon," he offered as I gave him a tight smile.
"That would be very kind of you. I was traveling with a man name Raymond. He was heading to Edinburgh and then to Paris, I believe. My husband recently passed and I decided I need to find somewhere else to go," I said, twisting the gold band on my finger.
"I'll see what I can do for ye, mistress. In the meantime, ye and yer son will be my guests," he said, dismissing me. I knew Master Raymond had said he traveled through Scotland to get to Paris, but I wasn't sure when it was. Hopefully the time frame fit.
I wandered around the castle for a bit until I came back to the courtyard. I found the boys playing swords until Dougal stepped in and began fighting with Hamish. "Mama," Roger called out when he saw me. Dougal looked up from his playing at me.
"Hey, sweetie," I said, bending over to pick him up. "Come on." I could see everyone looking at us. I watched Murtagh briefly talk to Jamie before he walked away. At the moment I couldn't have cared less about what they thought. Mrs. Fitz came to get me for dinner, but said that Roger had to stay behind in the kitchen since children didn't eat in the dining hall. She promised me she would watch over him, but I let it go once I saw Jamie enter the back door of the kitchen and Roger saw him. I gave him a quick nod before following Murtagh out to the dining hall.
As he'd done the first time, Colum tried to get information out of me. He kept on having my drink refilled as he asked questions of me. I knew I would be drunk if I continued this drinking game. I finally found the voice of reason in my head and retold the same story I had provided to him earlier.
I felt very queasy and noticed Colum looking at me. I'd definitely had too much to drink during his interrogation. "Are ye alright?" he questioned as I stood to leave. I placed my hands firmly on the table before making my move.
"Yes, fine, just a little lightheaded," I murmured, walking away as fast as I could without tripping or falling over myself. I made it to the doorway of the kitchen before losing my balance.
"Och," I heard a voice say as I placed my hands on something hard. "Mrs. Fitz, some hot tea for the mistress," I heard the voice order. I could feel myself being picked up and carried.
"Damn," I muttered as I felt a cold cloth on my forehead.
"Do tell me what the hell ye were thinkin'," Murtagh snapped.
"What do you mean? I was having dinner and then I felt lightheaded. You and your kin have kidnapped me and my son. I'm being held hostage and you want to know what I was doing," I replied, highly irritated.
"Thank ye," I heard him say as I turned back to see him holding out a cup to me. "It'll help ye," he said as I took it. It smelled of peppermint.
"Where's my son?"
"I left him wi' Jamie," he said while I pulled the blanket closer to me.
"How did you know about the Redcoats?" I demanded curiously as he chuckled.
"Ye should know," he replied with a grin.
"How should I?" I was getting angry.
"Ye told us," he said. I almost dropped the mug. I could see he knew I understood what he meant. "I dinna ken what happened or why, but one moment I was on Culloden Moor watchin' Randall attack Jamie. I stepped in front of him only to be sliced opened by that bastard's sword. I took my last breath in Jamie's arms. I thought I had finally been given rest, but then I opened my eyes and saw Randall attack Jamie once again, but it was three years prior," he explained while I moved closer to him.
"And Jamie," I asked hopefully. He shook his head.
"Nothin'," he muttered. I looked away from him and then back at him. "The lad, is he really yers?" he questioned as I looked up again. I told him everything. About Jamie making me go back through the stones to my time; how I found out he survived and decided to return. I went on to explain that Roger had accidentally joined me on the trip, but that I wouldn't leave him behind no matter what.
"So we've got to go through it all over again," he said grimly. I nodded.
"Hopefully not everything. You know just as much as I do about what happened before. Perhaps if we try to stick to the same plan, but change a few things here and there it will alter the prior events," I said. He raised an eyebrow.
"Wentworth," he muttered. A sob escaped before I nodded.
"Murtagh, one other thing and it's serious, so very serious. I was pregnant when Jamie sent me through. I'm not sure if I am still, though," I said with a catch in my voice. He moved to stand up.
"Things will be as they should be, Claire. Get yer sleep. I'll keep an eye on the lad."
I felt slightly better, but still wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. I thought I would keep to the same routine and see where things went from there. When I opened my eyes I found two little ones staring back at me.
"Roger," I smiled as he laughed. I wasn't aware he had joined me, but I was glad to see him. "Have you been behaving?" I asked; he nodded. I could see he was already dressed for the day. "Let me change and then we can go outside." He jumped on the bed excitedly and I chuckled at how carefree he was.
"Ye missed breakfast," Mrs. Fitz grumbled as we entered the kitchen area.
"That's alright, I was wondering if you could tell me where Mr. MacTavish was?" I asked. She gave me a perplexed look. "Jamie," I elaborated; she finally smiled. She told me where he was and how to find him. I gave her my thanks when she handed me a blanket and a small basket with food. Roger and I headed out toward the stables where I saw Murtagh talking with Dougal as I passed them by.
"Why don't ye leave the lad here?" Dougal called out.
"No, thank you. He'll be fine with me." Murtagh shook his head at me. I continued on my way toward the stables. I was amazed at just how pleasantly at home Jamie was with the horses. I had moved closer to the makeshift ring when Roger knocked into the railing, spooking the foal Jamie was working with. He shook off the sling and did his best to calm the horse down.
"Roger," I called out as he moved toward the opening in the gate while I follow him.
"How can I help ye?" Jamie questioned; I held out the basket of food.
"Well it's more like how can I help you," I replied as he chuckled. We talked a little while Roger walked around the area near us. I had already changed his bandage and made sure the dressing was tight before we sat down to eat. We joked about eating grass and him raiding cattle. I couldn't believe just how easy it was to talk to him. I remembered that it was the same way before, but I was so determined to escape that I didn't ponder on just how much he did for me.
"Why couldn't you go home?" I asked as I watched him look from me to Roger. "I mean, you do have a home right?" I tried to lighten the mood a little.
"Yes, my family owns land. I would love to go home, but it's nae safe for my family. I have a price on my head. It's a lot of money; some people would gladly turn me in for it." He looked as if he was thinking hard about something.
"I think that seems a little excessive for an escaped prisoner." He just chuckled at my outrage.
"It is, but the price is for murder. I didna kill anyone, but during my escape a guard was killed and Randall saw fit to charge me with the crime." He gave me a tight smile. He went on to explain in detail about the events he remembered. I knew the story already, but listened intently just like I had the night before.
"You seem like a very complicated man." I lifted Roger into my lap when he came over to me.
"I wouldna say that, but probably not as complicated as most," he said with a laugh as I saw Alec coming back.
"I take it your real name's not MacTavish." He chuckled before saying it wasn't. "Thank you for telling me, but why did you?" I was curious.
"Ye asked me. I told ye because ye wanted know," he said, looking up at the man who was coming closer.
"Why didn't you just tell me to mind my own business, or that it wasn't my concern?" I asked as he leaned down toward me.
"I didna think to. I guess I decided to trust ye." He stood back up. I took the blanket he offered me as I listened to Alec reprimand him in Gàidhlig before turning to head back to the castle. Roger ran a head a little. I decided not to engage Rupert even though I wanted to.
Dougal was waiting for us as I reached the courtyard. I just walked by him as I headed toward the entrance to the kitchen. I went to follow Roger when I felt two arms pull me away.
"What the hell?" I cried as I was turned abruptly to face Dougal.
"Aye, you still speak like a whore," he muttered, pushing me up against the wall. He was hurting me.
"Stop!" I struggled to get away from him, but to no avail.
"Ye do as yer told and nothin' will happen to ye," he sneered, pushing me roughly into the wall again.
"I haven't done anything wrong." I shoved him trying to get him to release me.
"I ken yer a spy working for the English. I'm going to find a way to break ye." He rammed me into the wall causing me to slip down. I tried to stand but collapsed as I felt the weight of the roughness of his hands on me still, almost as if I were back in the ravine with Randall. Things blurred and the world faded away. After a while hand dropped on my shoulder which caused me to jerk.
"Claire, are ye alright?!" Murtagh queried. I couldn't help the tears as they fell. I told him of my encounter with Dougal while he helped me to my room.
"Ye need to steer clear of him. Be more watchful, lass," he advised. I grimaced at the awkwardness of it.
"It's different now, though." He looked over at me, his eyebrow raised. "Dougal wasn't this rough with me beforehand. He threatened me, but he was never rough," I insisted. He moved away from me.
"Weel things are slightly different. Ye brought the boy, things have changed; tread carefully," he warned as Mrs. Fitz walked into the open room.
"How're ye feelin'?" she questioned as Murtagh took his leave. She gave me more tea and checked my back for injuries. I had a good deal of bruising on my back and a knot on the back of my head, but she said it was nothing too bad. I explained to her that I'd been accosted and roughed up, but left out by whom. I had a feeling she already knew who had done it. She left me alone while I considered what to do next.
Mrs. Fitz did her best to keep me busy and away from the castle as much as possible. She also made sure that I had a maid with me. I wasn't sure how she would help me, but was thankful for the company. Angus and Rupert continued to follow me around, but both steered clear of me. At times they would grumble about how fast I was moving or how far we'd gone, but when I slowed or moved differently they stopped. I would catch Rupert speaking with Murtagh at times when they both thought I wasn't paying attention.
