8. In the Forest

Complete story — includes the ending

After burying Fergus on Fraser's Ridge, Marsali decides to sign papers to receive St Germain's estate to rebuild the print shop and support the Rebels, her family, and her unborn child. From Frank's nickname for Brianna, Jamie thinks his book, dedicated to "Deadeye", might be meant more as a warning to her than him. He studies it, preparing for the coming battle. Buck tells Roger how he went to 1980 and killed Rob, who bought a gemstone to travel through the stones. Brianna builds a Hall rifle to counter the Ferguson rifles they will face. William confides with Brianna regarding Amaranthus. He goes fishing and calls John a sodomite, asking if Jamie was his lover, resentful towards both for withholding the truth. Claire admonishes him that Jamie may soon die in battle. Jamie trains men to skirmish; Aaron and his men join Jamie's militia. William proposes they go hunting together, "in the forest", and Jamie explains why he left William as a boy at Helwater; embracing, they reconcile. After praying at Jane's memorial cairn, Fanny finds a raw gemstone that cracks as she hears the stones buzzing like bees. At Tannahill's solicitor office, Richardson knocks John unconscious while Percy watches.