Chapter 10: All the King's Men

Outlander Fanfiction Black Jack Randall Jack
Outlander Fanfiction Black Jack Randall Brown

In Outlander Season 2, we found out that Black Jack Randall wasn’t a direct ancestor of Frank Randall, despite Frank’s beliefs. Mary Hawkins’ baby was that of Alex Randall, with her and Jack only marrying to ensure Mary was provided for after Alex’s death. But that didn’t make Mary and Black Jack Randall’s wedding valid. Instead, the wounded Fraser spends the first section of the episode locked in an intimate, ghoulish embrace with his enemy, Jack Randall, whose draped, dead body saves Jamie from being speared. Outlander Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series, has posted a clarification about Black Jack Randall. Apparently, the character is not gay, as has been assumed by many fans.

Disclaimer: Diana Gabaldon owns all rights to Outlander

I re-opened my eyes despite my fear, and watched the deadly duel. They were like two bulls rushing at each other, and even though Dougal was a good twenty-five years older, his experience and sheer ferocity were astonishing. And yet, Jamie had the agility of youth and having been trained by his opponent, was a worthy match for his uncle.

The clash of swords and the groans and grunts emanating from the two adversaries made me shudder. I shrieked more than a few times, as Dougal shoved a shoulder into Jamie's already oozing wound, or knocked him about crashing him into the neighboring trees.

While his sword was crossed with Dougal's, he leaned against his rival's chest, bellowing, 'It wasna hard to ken who was behind my capture. You told them where I would be, ye did. I canna believe ye'd turn yer back on yer own kin, and try to steal away my wife, knowing as ye do, how much I love the lass.'

Dougal fought back savagely, murder in his eyes. Just when I thought he had Jamie beat, my Scotsman whipped around, and between furiously slashing and cutting with his blade, lunged headlong at his uncle. He pierced Dougal's heart with his sgian dubh, just as Angus had taught me. The warchief gurgled, his eyes wide in shock, the blood spurting from his chest, and he slumped to the ground, dead.

Jamie stood over him, chest heaving, and breathless, throwing down his sword. I ran to him, and his arms enveloped me. He looked to Mutagh, then to the others, who nodded. Rupert spoke, 'Twas a fair fight. Ye were only defendin' yerself and yer woman. Anyone who says different can take op a sword agin' me.

Angus circled the men. 'Aye, what Jamie said is the truth o' it . The watch were there, surroundin' us on all sides. They kent where we would be, and it was Dougal that sent them after us. He was a traitor, and deserved a traitor's fate, he did. It was only luck bein' wi' us when we took Jamie off their hands. We lied to them; told the buggers that we would return him to Randall and his dragoons.'

His eyes searched the group. 'Are there any o' ye that disagree wi' us?'

The rest of the clansmen looked at each other. Young Willie stepped forward, and quietly spoke, 'We all saw what Dougal was tryin', and I ken it was a fair fight like ye said.'

A chorus of 'Ayes' rose in the air.

Jamie walked me back to camp so I could see to his injuries. Duncan and Murtagh stayed behind wrapping their fallen comrade in a blanket and trussing it securely, in preparation for hauling Dougal's remains to Castle Leoch and his final resting place.

I no sooner had Jamie sitting on our pallet, ready to dress his wounds when Willie yelled, 'Redcoats!'

Everyone scrambled, leaving the tents intact, and the fire pit burning. They mounted their horses while Jamie had the presence of mind to hurriedly douse the flames. I gathered up my treatments and potions, dropping them into their container.

Murtagh shouted at Duncan, 'Leave him; they'll no disturb the dead. We'll come back later to fetch him.'

The others started out with a few seconds head start, and then we were off, trailing behind.

The soldiers were on us more rapidly than I had expected, and to make matters worse, one of the shoes on my mare tore loose. Bloody hell, those deserters did not pay careful attention to the maintenance of their horses', and unfortunately, my hind end was sitting on one of those neglected beasts now. My own beloved Brimstone was still up on the ridge, safely away from all this mayhem.

The animal began to slow her pace, the shoe dangling off her hoof. Jamie pulled his stallion around, turning about to help me. He dismounted, and hoisted me up onto the saddle seating me in front of him.

The troops were gaining on us, due to those precious seconds we lost, and TromLaighe now had to carry my extra weight, which slowed us down considerably. After a few harrowing minutes, Jamie suddenly slipped down from his horse, coiling the reins about the saddle horn. He gazed up at me, a solemn look in his eyes. 'I'm verra sorry, Sassenach. I willna be goin' wi' ye. I'll no have the soldiers cart ye away wi' them, not while I'm still alive. Ye go on. I'll fend for myself.'

My heart seized. 'Nooo—Jamie, no! I won't leave you.'

'Aye—ye will, for ye must. Please, Claire … if ye love me, then obey me now. 'Tis the only way.'

He smiled at me, maybe for the last time, and slapped the horse's rump, sending the beast galloping on ahead. I looked over my shoulder, and Jamie waved with one hand, sword in the other, as the soldiers rode up, surrounding him. I watched as he dropped his weapon, his hands clasped behind his head. Then he fell to his knees in surrender.

I could barely see the road through my tears, but grasped the reins just in time to run straight into … Captain Black Jack Randall.

'Lost are you? A lady of your station shouldn't be out here alone without a male escort. But then you are not a lady are you? I'm assuming your Scotsman has been captured not far from here; else you'd not be on the road such as you are. Allow me to lead you back to that redheaded traitor. I'm certain he'd be glad of your company. He has a taste for dark-haired strumpets. My dragoons would be pleased to partake of a little taste also. I mustn't be selfish, keeping you all to myself.'

I kicked my heels into TromLaighe, urging him forward, thinking to weave to the side of the captain. It was a vain attempt, because I only got a few steps in that direction, when I heard the click of a pistol being cocked.

The barrel of the gun was pointed at me; I had no recourse but to heed his instructions. 'Tsk, tsk, you would remove yourself from my presence? That would not seem proper, since we've but only had a chance to say our hellos.' The tone of his voice hardened. 'Besides, I didn't grant you permission to leave. So … hand over the reins, Mistress Fraser. I believe we have some unfinished business to conclude.'

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My mind whirled in thought on the short trip to the place of Jamie's capture. Randall would torture and kill my husband, and probably me as well. My only hope was if I had to die this day, that we would die together.

As we neared the hill, I saw what was happening. Jamie was on the ground, three of the soldiers, punching and kicking him unmercifully, with shouts of, 'Filthy Scottish scum … traitor … insolent ginger!'

My Jamie never let out a sound during the ordeal, infuriating his attackers that much more.

I recognized two of the dragoons, trying to restrain the other three, Corporals Hawkins, and Leftenant Foster. At least they had some shred of decency.

Randall dismounted his horse, his pistol never leaving his hand. He flicked it in my direction, gesturing me to dismount also. I slid from the saddle, and his unoccupied hand grabbed my arm, squeezing it painfully.

He sauntered up to the scene in his arrogant fashion, jerking me along. The men beating Jamie stood aside as their superior officer approached. We were standin

Outlander Fanfiction Black Jack Randall