Chapter 8: Subverter

Feeling uncomfortable is what rose Claire. Half-awake, she contemplated whether it was Jamie's weight that pressed against her leg, but she ultimately realised that whatever it was, it felt too cold for that. Come to think of it, the softness of her covers and her husband's warmth around her was missing too and it was that unfamiliarity that made her open her eyes, waking to a harsh, bleak and cold reality, where the weight on her leg constituted in shackles and her bed was the hard, stone ground. She recoiled and sat up, instinctively drawing back towards the wall, though equally cold and uncomfortable, where Claire tried to get her bearings and looked into the eyes of the man sitting on a stool without much expression at the other wall at the opposite end the room, barely a few feet away as it were, given the size of what obviously looked like a cell.

"Your husband provided you with blankets, as well as ham and bread enough for a good few meals," Jack inclined his head towards a knapsack within her reach.

Claire only blinked at it before going on the offensive, "what have you done with Jamie!" She seethed.

"Me? Nothing, nothing at all." On the younger man's request he wouldn't say any more about their encounter when Jamie surprised him at the castle, he had given his word. "Your husband merely wants you safe. You and his child," he eyed the baby bump that was starting to be visible even under her woollen mantle somebody has taken care of dressing her into, along with her warmest gown and by the feel of it, warm undergarments too, though she felt reluctant to see for herself while Jack was looking. Who would go to such trouble only to kidnap her? Although the Englishman had done something like this before, making sure he brought a cloak for her when he forced her to follow him and have a conversation in the old abbey. "What do you want with me!" Claire demanded. "And whatever it is, do it fast, cause I've got things to do!"

"I want nothing with you. You are seriously not my type, though if I was inclined that way, you would certainly be my first choice," Jack mused.

"So it is Jamie you're aft, after all. I can't believe it! Given everything we've done for you! Have you no sense of decency at all! One speck?"

"Think woman!" He grunted exasperated, "if I wanted to lure you here, I could've used an illness as an excuse! No, your man was trying to make sure no force was needed and it was certain you didn't get away. Thus the making you unconscious without causing any harm," he explained, "and you will remain unmolested and safe here as requested, Madam."

The puzzling situation was certainly something to think about. "Making me unconscious?" She contemplated out loud, already sure she could detect the undoubtfully nauseating and fruity smell of vitriol on her clothes now that she knew in which direction to look for answers. It was a smell she knew well, that of oleum dulce vitrioli, a compound she sometimes used for anaesthesia, no doubt taken out her very medicine bag. And come to think of it, Jamie had only a few days ago taken special interest in its use.

The devastating conclusion must've been obvious from her fallen face because Jack felt like he needed to defend the decision, for Jamie's sake, "it's for your own good. So you don't throw yourself in battles you can't win while pregnant."

"I should be the one deciding that," she argued still, even though the fight went out of her at the chilly realisation that this was her own Jamie's doing.

Jack seemed amused by the concept, "I have to admit, as I've said the likes before, you are an extraordinary specimen of a woman. Push comes to shove however, still a woman, who's greatest enemy is herself, proven many times by exceeding recklessness and disregard for custom, propriety and authority. A woman who needs to be put in her place once in a while. For having to go to such measures to achieve this, I do not envy your husband."

"How dare you! My reckless behaviour saved your life," Claire spat, "me coming in here amongst the enemy, not caring for my own well-being."

"Well then, it will be my reckless behaviour that saves you," Jack countered, "perhaps then we shall call it quits."

"We can never call it quits!" The time traveller was getting really aggravated now. "Where is Jamie!"

"On his way to wherever the Pretender and his pretend army are playing gathers."

The pejorative language stopped Claire for a moment from being completely engulfed in her own situation, "you don't even regard the Jacobites a serious threat," she deadpanned. Of course she knew about the Scottish side's disadvantages, from history and currently, mostly from Jack himself, but the English government was trying to enlarge their forces in somewhat of a panic only a few months ago.

Jack sighed, "I suppose a little more espy tidings will do neither of us much harm. You see, your Swedish allies haven't sent as many troops as their old king promised before he died. And seemingly, Charles has angered more Highlanders as well with his lies and plight to take England as well, more than initially thought. There won't be much more than five thousand men for him to command. That is partly why I'm so sure of victory. The other part comes from you."

"How so." Claire was defensive and reluctant. Has she dropped more hints of the future than she had thought?

"I do not know exactly what you are, witch or oracle, but I have been in your company enough to know to take your words seriously whenever your husband also does. And based on his hints this morning, you foretold the demise of the Jacobites, along with his, and mine, on that battlefield."

The brunette in chains didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her and Jamie's intentions was to change history, the ocurrence or outcome of the rising, or at the very least, to save the Frasers. Instead, the only person's life that was going to be saved was their arch enemy's. And the hardest thing to believe about it all was, "Jamie wouldn't leave me with you out of all people. He could've hired someone to kidnap me, order or ask one of his men. Fergus for instance, it isn't his battle, anyone."

Jack gave her an amused look, "and they would've been able to keep you if you were anywhere else but the castle vaults?" He stood, point made as conclusion as far as he was concerned, "I can bring more blankets, items from your medicine bag if needed, and I will provide you with the best foodstuff I have access to. Anything else, you only need to ask."

"No," Claire shook her head, exasperated, "I can't believe this," she raised desperate eyes at Jack, "not without a good bye," she mumbled, hand going to her baby bump. It shouldn't surprise her Jamie tried to protect her, in her heart of hearts she knew it was him and she also knew her stubbornness would leave him no other choice. Not caring for once about showing weakness in front of the man she at one time thought the most evil of the century, she folded backwards onto the hay that served as a bed and gave a chocked sob. Her fight to escape wasn't over, but she was allowed a moment of despair.

Tbc