Dragonfly in Amber

Jamie and his men survive the first battle of the Jacobite Uprising, as Claire has predicted, but the reality of war is a difficult reality for most of the men and their families, including Charles Stuart. Again, the theme of Jacobite History is evident as Claire struggles to remember what she learned in school to give Jamie as much information as she can, but the reality of it is much different from the history, a fact Claire has mentioned before.

As the uprising continues, Charles needs as many of the Highland clans to join as possible. To this end, Claire finds herself called to administer to Colum MacKenzie. They have a history from the first novel in this series that causes tension between them. This passage also reintroduces Geillis Duncan to the story, a name that will continue to resurface as the plot develops. What’s made true in the passage is that Claire does not trust the MacKenzies due to their scheming and an attempt made to burn her as a witch in the previous book. This, too, is an important fact that signals a moment of doubt between the MacKenzies and Claire later in the book.

Colum dies and this leaves Dougal MacKenzie, the man who was a surrogate father to Jamie, the leader of the MacKenzie clan. Dougal has always been the one who leads the clan into battle because Colum had a genetic disease that caused him great pain and difficult with mobility. Jamie is relieved, emphasizing the theme of The Wisdom of Sharing Knowledge, because he is concerned that his decision to tell Colum not to join the uprising might somehow alter the future. He knows Dougal will choose to join the uprising, but is simply glad to know the decision is no longer his but someone else’s. This theme is also highlighted in Claire’s interaction with Jack Randall, as she overcomes her disdain for his sexual predation of Jaime to obtain information about the English army. Claire demonstrates wisdom in tolerating Jack to benefit a larger purpose in helping the Highland army.