“They’ve sounded the alarm,” Viola said. “There’s nothing a bunch of apprentices can do that will help now. But we can still save Tadg.”

“But how does he know where to find Lochmordra?” asked Shazi.

“Because we did find the Isle of Roane,” Barclay said fiercely. “And even if the underwater river that we took there is gone, there’s still another way to get there.”

“No, no way,” Shazi said. “If we sail through Shipwreck Stretch, we’ll all drown! Or be eaten by Hooksharks!”

But Barclay had made up his mind. “Fine. Evacuate with the rest of Munsey if you want. But I’m going after Tadg.”

“Me too,” Viola said.

“You’ll need me,” Cecily said. “I can help steal a ship!”

“I’d like to help, if I can,” Hasu said.

That left Shazi, who scowled. “All right. I’m coming too.”

“Then let’s go,” Barclay said.

They bolted down the streets, where passersby jostled one another in their panicked race to the harbor. Barclay only made it two steps out the Guild House’s door before someone collided hard with his shoulder.

“How are we going to steal a ship if they’re all taken?” Viola asked. “The people need them to escape Munsey.”

She was right. They needed to find another way to reach the Isle of Roane. But sailing was their only option, and all the ships were docked at the harbor…

All the ships except one.

“Ulick! I bet he’ll take us,” Barclay said. “But what if he’s already left?”

“You run ahead first,” Viola said. “Make sure he’s still there. We’ll be right behind you.”

Barclay nodded—then he summoned Root. Having Beasts out of their Marks was still against the rules, but certainly Orla would count this as an exception.

Root crouched in a defensive stance, wary from all the chaos around them.

Barclay pressed his forehead against Root’s. “It’s all right, boy. But we need to run.”

Root bent lower so Barclay could swing his leg over Root’s back. He grabbed fistfuls of Root’s shaggy black fur and squeezed tight.

A moment later they took off.

They wove through the buildings, dodging the pedestrians who barreled past. As soon as they reached the edge of town, Root broke out into a sprint. The cattle that roamed the field blurred as they rushed past. The blades of grass whistled. The air around them went so still that all Barclay could feel was the pounding of his heart. Even if slaying Lochmordra would put a stop to the attacks, Barclay knew the real reason Tadg wanted to kill the Legendary Beast: to avenge his father.

Thankfully, when Barclay reached Ulick’s shack on the Isle of Munsey’s northern shore, he spotted Ulick hauling supplies onto the Bewlah.

“Ulick!” Barclay called, and Ulick nearly dropped the crate he was holding.