"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.

"Come on, what stopped you?"

Morton hesitates again.

Brian sighs, gesturing towards the door of the cabin the Browns had ever so graciously allowed them to have this chat in. Brian wouldn't be shocked if they're building a pyre or something similar outside as they wait. The only reassurance is that the militia's numbers are nearly two dozen men, the Brown men are outnumbered. "Isaiah, that girl clear loves you, why haven't you married her? Do you not return her feelings?"

Isaiah frantically shakes his head. "No, no, I do. It is just– I would do it, Captain. But I can't... Unfortunately, I already ha' a wife."

Great, just great. It has just become a little more complicated than expected.

Brian sighs and scratches the back of his head. "What do you mean 'you have a wife'?"

"My marriage was arranged, betwixt her parents and mine." Isaiah argues, on the defensive. "Ally – Miss Brown – she started te love me when I used te cross Brownsville. And I began te love her... My heart spoke by itself. It was as if I dinna ha' a say."

"Yet, you made vows to your wife, which you broke. And you swore an oath to my Da. How can you be sure that you will stick by it at the end of the day?" Brian demands to know. He can't stand by him if his loyalty is so fickle.

"My wish fer yer Da and yerself was o' my own will." Isaiah declares.

"Yes, your infidelity too!" Brian cries out in frustration more than anything else.

Roger, who's been lingering at the edge of the conversation, speaks up, "We could consider clemency fer this man. After all, love makes us all stupid."

Brian knows an unhappy marriage, he saw it for most of his life with Mama and Dad and knows that she suffered, only finding her happiness again when reunited with Da.

Isaiah's eyes widen with hope at Roger's words.

Brian knows his Da wouldn't do what he's about to do. He would simply get Isaiah Morton to leave if he can't marry her, and never see her again. And, while everyone says that Brian looks just like his father, he isn't his father.

Brian lets out a groan of annoyance. "Fine, fine. If you seriously love her and you'll stand by her—"

"I do."

"Then we'll help you."

"We will?" Roger questions. Brian nods.

"Thank ye, Captain." Isaiah says glancing, looking ready to sprint out of the cabin and wrap Alicia Brown in his arms.

But Brian blocks him. "But, we need to do it once they're all distracted, we can't do it now."

—

Brian knew his announcement that the militia has no intention of handing Isaiah Morton over would be met with anger but a stand-off against the townspeople verging on the potential for violence was what he should've expected.

Lionel Brown, a scrawny man with hair the colour of dried tobacco along with a straggling beard and a spare almost gangly build, leads them, furiously waving his musket in their direction. "Isaiah Morton must pay for his actions, you dare not deliver him to me?!"

"Morton is a militia, under my protection!" Brian retorts. He's worried and alarmed by the situation but to have Roger, Fergus and the militiamen standing by his side with quiet determination is a comfort. If it comes to a fight, it'll be an equal one.

"We are as protective as you, Captain. I also protect mine."

Tense silence between the two factions. Lionel is preparing his rifle. Brian's hand is closer to the gun in his case. Alicia Brown tearfully clings to her aunts and mother as she watches the scene play out.

Suddenly, a man in his fifties, arrives on horseback, irritated by the chaos that surrounds him. Brian thinks this must be another Brown relative due to his similarities with Lionel Brown, the same build and hair colour among other things. He is an imposing man with an impeccable posture, exuding arrogance and self-satisfaction. Brian notices that all the men of Brownsville immediately retreat out of respect. Including Lionel.

Meg Brown comes to greet him, grabbing the horse and the man sets foot on the ground. "Stop! What the hell is going on?" As he strides over, Brian notes that he's only slightly shorter than Lionel Brown.

"Those bastards refuse to give us Isaiah Morton when we have every right!" Lionel cries before turning to the new arrival. "Did you succeed with Elijah Ford?"

"I couldn't persuade him."

"Then we'll have that bastard if the militia lets me do it..." Lionel points to Brian, representing the militia.

Brian draws himself up straight now his the focus of everyone's attention once more. "I am Captain Brian Fraser. Any attack on Morton will be considered an assault on my father's, Colonel James Fraser, militia, formed by His Excellency, Governor Tryon. And I will have no choice but to consider you as traitors to the Crown – like the Regulators we were sent to disperse."

It's a smart attitude to the Browns. As Brian looks around, he sees that he has convinced several men from Brownsville.

Except, of course, Lionel Brown, whose face scrunches up and the vein in his forehead looks ready to burst. "Who do you accuse of treason?! You have the man who disgraced my daughter!"

The new arrival puts out a placating hand. "Stop, my brother. You look like an idiot. And a drunk idiot in addition. I want Morton as much as you, but I will talk to Captain Fraser – and reach an agreement." He looks around him. "Is it clear?"

The men of Brownsville lower their guns. This man, Lionel Brown's brother, managed to calm them down. Brian can't help but admire this quality.

—

Richard Brown, Lionel's brother introduces himself as, now informed of all the details says, "You have a strange company, Captain Fraser. Isaiah Morton, huh? He is not a good Christian."

"I can't do much about a man's character." Brian answers simply to avoid saying too much.

"There is enough sin and illegality every day, not to mention these Regulators who cause unrest in an already shaken society. And we don't want trouble with the Governor. So, if you came to recruit, you couldn't find better men in all the Carolinas. We will accompany you to Hillsborough." Richard declares. An upset Lionel is about to intervene but Richard silences him with a severe look. Richard approaches Brian, looking at him severely. "But they will all be under my orders."

"During the duration of our agreement you will answer in front of my father." Not having the men of Brownsville under his control would not suit Da but that doesn't mean he wouldn't have some control.

Richard's mouth contracts, irritated. "Of course."

Brian sighs, relieved. The tension between everyone is easing.

As he watches Roger take down the names of the new men and Ronnie Sinclair handing everyone his salary, Brian is glad things have calmed, ready for Da and Mama's arrival.

—

A/N: I wanted to show Brian growing more and more into his element. I want to show him beginning to find his place in this century, learning the ways of this world as well as implementing his own values. Like Roger, Brian wants to keep the peace but they're different people with different upbringings. Jamie is also wanting to teach his son all he knows and Brian will try to use that as well as his own morals.

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