Page 66 of Highland Storm

“Where did ye get a bone?” asked Phoebe, impressed, as they left the infirmary.

“I’m a sorcerer, Phoebe. I saved it from dinner, seeing that I would need it tonight.”

“Ye ken that I’d be askin’ for yer help?” she asked in surprise.

“Aye. And I have a feeling I know where we’re going, but I warn you, Hawke isn’t going to like this.”

“Hawke will never find out. We’ll be to the isle and back before he even awakes. Now, I only hope ye ken how to sail a boat.”

They made it to the boat quickly in the dark. Phoebe kept looking back over her shoulder but, thankfully, no one followed. They traveled only by the light of the moon.

“I’d think you’d try to escape and go back to Crookston Castle instead,” said Orrick.

“Nay. I willna leave my siblin’s here without me. And I willna go back to the castle without the means to heal my faither. Will we be able to find the Common Centaury and Hart’s Tongue in the dark?”

“Aye. I know exactly where to find it, and also how to get to the island since I’ve been there before.”

“Great,” said Phoebe excitedly. “Here’s the boat.”

They boarded the boat and were about to push off when Phoebe heard a noise from inside the cabin. She looked over to see Hawke bent over, staring out the small door. “Goin’ somewhere, lass?”

“Hawke!” Phoebe stiffened. She’d been caught and now he’d keep her from her mission.

The sound of a barking dog drew her attention in the opposite direction. Her head whipped around to see Trapper bounding down to the lake with Ethan running right behind him.

“She’s gettin’ away,” cried Ethan, running with his dog onto the pier. “Trapper came to get me.”

“Aye, a little late for that,” said Hawke, stepping out and straightening up to his full height. “Orrick, I’m surprised that ye’d be a part of all this deceit,” Hawke told the sorcerer.

“I’m sorry, Hawke. It’s just that she asked for my help and I couldn’t turn her down because it is for a good purpose. Besides, I have an interest in this, too. It’s only once every two years that the Common Centaury blooms. I’m in desperate need of it myself.”

“Phoebe,” said Hawke, looking down at her in the moonlight. A bluish glow encompassed him.

“I ken what ye’re goin’ to say.” Phoebe hung her head and wished that she hadn’t been caught. “I’ll head back to camp at once.”

“If ye do that, how are ye ever goin’ to collect that silly plant?” asked Hawke.

Phoebe’s head snapped up. “What did ye say?”

“Come on, let’s raise the sails and get to the isle and back before daybreak. I have our laird to save come mornin’.”

“Thank ye, Hawke!” Phoebe threw her arms around Hawke’s shoulders, giving him a hug and a kiss. The action rocked the boat and Orrick fell onto the seat.

“Hold on, I think I’d better come with ye,” said Ethan, jumping into the boat, being followed by his hound. “If anyone is goin’ on a journey in the middle of the night, I will no’ be left out.”

“I am so excited,” said Phoebe as they set sail.

“So, where is it exactly that we are goin’?” asked Ethan, helping Hawke man the lines. His dog put its front paws up on the side of the boat and eagerly looked over the edge, panting.

“We’re goin’ to the Isle of Kerrera to collect some Common Centaury and Hart’s Tongue to heal my faither,” said Phoebe excitedly.

“The Isle of Kerrera?” Ethan frowned and shook his head. “Nay, that isle’s said to have a haunted castle and anyone who steps foot in it will be cursed forever. I’m no’ goin’.”

“We’re no’ steppin’ foot in the castle. Besides, it’s too late to turn back,” said Hawke with a chuckle. “Mayhap it’s time for ye to face yer fear of all these silly superstitions.”

“How is the castle haunted?” asked Phoebe.

“A woman was murdered and pushed from the tower,” said Orrick. “It is said her ghost roams the castle as she looks for her murderer and tries to kill the man.”