Only Ninette and Welby were awake and they sat by the fire, chatting. Mallory smiled as she listened to all the questions Ninette asked about the places Welby had visited. She waited until he finished describing one of the towns at the northern end of Ruby Isle before she spoke. “We’re collecting herbs again.”
Ninette scrambled to her feet, returning the whetstone to Ryan. “Do you need help?”
Ryan put the whetstone away. “That’d be good.”
Mallory had a drink of health tea while Danae and Callum topped up the four lanterns, emptying one of the flasks. Callum lit one of the lanterns. “We’re going to need to buy more oil tomorrow.”
Mallory wanted to protest his comment. There always seemed to be something they needed to buy.
“Good thing we’ve got plenty of herbs to sell.” Ryan led the w
