The Frasers run into a couple of bandits in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 17
As they start their journey to Scotland, the Frasers run into a couple of bandits in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 17. The story doesn’t take the turn that you would initially think, though.
It turns out that the bandits aren’t all that dangerous. They’re not even boys. They’re girls on the run who are dressed up as boys to protect themselves. It really does remind us of the dangers toward women at the time, and it does remind me of how Ayra had to travel around Westeros for a season or two of Game of Thrones.
Young Ian is tasked with getting the two girls to safety. This offers some great character development for him as we see him in a different light to the ones we’ve seen him in before. It always makes me want more about Ian as there are so many more layers to uncover.
The chapter certainly foreshadows trouble in the future, and I’ll get to that in the right section. I’m not certain this chapter will be used in the TV show, though. I’ll get to why I think that in the adaptation section.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 17.
Just the Outlander chapter
We start with the Frasers starting their journey to Scotland. They run into twins who are bandits: Herman and Vermin. Well, it turns out that the young boys aren’t young boys at all. They are girls, and they dress this way to make sure they are safe from others out on the road.
Young Ian looks to get them back to their families. That doesn’t quite go to plan, though. The first place he takes the girls leads to them all being shot at. Then while out, they’re attacked by Arch Bug.
Arch has been a threat since the death of his wife. Claire does note that she wonders if Arch is following them, and it turns out he is. He wants to know where the gold is, but Ian won’t share anything. That’s even when Arch threatens to hurt one of the “boys.”
When the other twin makes it clear they’re girls, Arch drops the child and runs off. Ian wonders whether Arch would have hurt a child. It’s clear that he wouldn’t hurt a girl. Does this suggest that there is still a heart in him? Does this mean Ian doesn’t have to worry so much.
After a night wrapped up in Jamie’s plaid that he gave when Ian went off to be a Mohawk, Ian figures out what he needs to do. He takes the girls to Mrs. Sylvie, along with some gold. While Mrs. Sylvie is clearly in it for the money, she is compassionate. She knows the dangers for girls out there.
Ian makes a comment that it’s dangerous for men as well. We all know that while it is dangerous, it’s not as dangerous as it is for women and girls. I do think some of what Ian is going through right now is clouding some of his judgment in his words.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
I’ll admit that I always forget about the twins until rereading. However, there is some foreshadowing in this for Ian’s character development. He’s focused on helping these two girls during the chapter, and I do feel like this is him slowly opening himself up to others. He needs to go through this to be ready for when Rachel Hunter comes into the picture.
At the same time, there’s the reminder of Arch’s threat. He will hurt the people Ian loves, and he wants that gold. The story with Arch is nowhere near over just yet. However, Arch doesn’t seem willing to hurt anyone for the sake of it.
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
I don’t think we’ll get this chapter in Outlander Season 7. There’s not that much time to start with. This chapter doesn’t necessarily offer a lot for the main storyline. I also think Ian’s storyline in “Hour of the Wolf” gave him the closure he needed to be accepting of Rachel’s love when she comes into the show’s storyline.
Don’t get me wrong; I love seeing these two twins and the way they survive. I just don’t think it’s going to be all that necessary for the overall story. There are so many other storylines that need to be covered.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 17? Let us know in the comments below.
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