Chapters 10 through 12 Summary

In Chapter 9, the knocking was due to the sea captain, who had returned for his spell shortly after Michael and Sophie left. He is angry with Michael for making him wait, and threatens to take it up with Howl if he misses the tide. After giving the captain his spell, Michael sets to work on a spell of his own. It is an advanced spell, and Michael is having trouble with it. After trying several things, Michael's spell finally blows up in his face. He goes to Sophie for help, and the two of them spend all day going over the spell, trying to riddle it out. Sophie suggests that the steps in the spell might actually be literal, and they have to start by catching a falling star. Michael and Sophie set out with the seven league boots to find...