Outlander Book Club: Drums of Autumn Chapter 20 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The start of the chapter is mostly about catching us up on things that happened in the month since the previous chapter. It’s not until there’s a visitor at Fraser’s Ridge that we really get into things.

The visitor is Nacognaweto, the Anna Ooka village chief and one of the men who Claire and Jamie came across after the bear attack. He brings his wife, stepdaughter, and grandmother along with him, and Jamie notes they are all dressed well. He and Claire will need to change their clothes, leading to Jamie wearing his plaid again.

Nacognaweto’s wife, Gabrielle, speaks French, which is perfect for Claire and Jamie since they are fluent in French. It opens up the conversation enough allowing for translation between the parties.

When Jamie and Nacognaweto head off to talk with Young Ian, Claire remains with the three women. That’s when she learns that Nayawenne, Nacognaweto’s grandmother, had a dream about Claire.

This is the important part of the chapter. Nayawenne is known as a shaman. She helps to heal her people, and she notes that Claire is like her. Nayawenne shares a little information about the plants, but also notes that Claire’s full abilities will come through when her hair turns white.

This isn’t the cryptic part. It’s the end of the chapter when Nayawenne shares that what is to come will not be Claire’s fault. It will be because of the sickness. That’s all that Nayawenne shares, leaving Claire to question what won’t be her fault.