“Hello,” Siena said, once she reached them.
Elen jumped, startled. “Oh, lass,” she said, grabbing her chest. “Ye gave me a fright.”
Siena saw Elen’s face was bright red, so Siena asked, “Are you feeling poorly?”
“Something isn’t right, lass,” Elen said, shaking her head. “I’ve no felt like this since we were attacked, and then I dinna move fast enough to warn everyone.”
Barra fluttered in front of Elen, bobbing up and down. “Aye, Elen is correct and I bet you can tell us what is wrong, Siena.”
“Actually, I can,” Siena replied. “I’ve come to ask for your help, Barra.”
“Help?” Elen grabbed Siena’s arm. “What are ye talkin’ about, lass?”
“M--Michael is alive!” A sense of power came to Siena and she rushed on, “My father is holding him at the castle where I grew up.”
“How do you know this?” Barra asked.
“A note came for Roderick today. Since he isn’t here, I opened the message. It said that my father wants to exchange the boy for me,” Siena paused, “but he lied. He will kill Michael for revenge for my brother’s death.”
“So, this is why my head hurts,” Elen said. “When something affects the clan like this, then I always get these terrible headaches.” She took a couple of puffs from her pipe. “Dinna fear, our laird will know what to do.”
“No!” Siena shouted. They both looked at her. “I don’t want anyone to lose their life over me.”
“But Laird Scott will no want ye in danger,” Elen argued.
“It’s better to lose me than to lose his son. Besides, if my plan works, we both will escape and no one will die,” she spoke with firmness, then she peered at Barra. “I need to able to use my magic if I’m going to rescue Michael, and I’ll need your help.”
Barra fluttered up and down. “How may I help you?”
“You have given me the stones which are how I know what my father is planning. But can I go and get Michael and bring him back here?” Siena held her hand out and Barra landed on her palm.
“You have always had the power to go where you want to.”
“But how?”
“All you have to do is think hard about the place where you want to be, close your eyes and you will be there.”
“But what about coming back?”
“You can come back, but you cannot bring someone else with you.”
“That won’t work. I need to get Michael back safely.” Siena thought for a moment. “I know. The castle has many back hallways and passages. I’ll go and get Michael and then escape out the back of the castle, but we will need horses.”
Barra giggled. “I can help you there. I’ll come with you, as I don’t count as someone else,” she giggled again. “I have my own powers so I can get the horses you need to return. I’ll also stay with you for a little extra magic.”
“I would hug you,” Siena said. “If I were not afraid of damaging your wings.”
“That’s all right,” Barra said with a magical laugh. “I’m glad to help.”
“Are ye both crazy?” Elen said, jerking her arms straight up in the air. “Ye will be in the enemy camp with many men. Ye should wait for our laird.” Elen shook her head. “He will no be pleased.”
“Roderick will forget about his anger once he sees his son.” Siena clenched her jaw to kill the sob in her throat. “And I’ll be accomplishing his greatest wish . . . to have his son home safe and sound.”
“I’m one hundred and ten, lass. Ye should listen to me. He’ll no be happy if ye are killed in the process.”
Siena hugged Elen, wondering if Elen truly knew her own age. “Thank you for caring, Elen. I’ll send word to Roderick as soon as I leave so that he might meet us on the way home. Everything will work out. Wait and see.”
“Ye have powerful magic,” Elen paused, then continued, “it will take everything ye have to accomplish this task.”
