“Barclay? What are ya doing here?” Ulick asked. “Haven’t ya heard the bell?”

Root skidded to a stop at the water’s edge, and Barclay slid off his back.

“We need your help,” Barclay told him. “Tadg’s gone. He left on his own to try to kill Lochmordra.”

Ulick’s jaw dropped. “Where’d the boy get an idea like that?”

“We need to go after him. He’s gone to the Isle of Roane, but I know how to get there. If we leave right away, we might be able to stop him before it’s too late.”

“You found the Isle of Roane, did you?” Ulick looked impressed.

“We did, but…” He hesitated. “It’s in the center of Shipwreck Stretch, and it’s surrounded by Hooksharks. It’ll be dangerous.”

Ulick grinned, his mother-of-pearl tooth glinting in the daylight. “It’s been mine and Bewlah’s lifelong dream to sail through there! But are we going alone?”

As though on cue, the four girls appeared at the edge of the beach, each panting.

“Well, then,” Ulick said. “Let’s weigh anchor! There’s no time to waste!”

They hurried aboard the Bewlah. Barclay and Hasu helped Ulick let down the sails while Cecily wheeled up the anchor. Salty wind tore across the open water, and Barclay realized with dread that the winds were coming from the north—exactly the direction they needed to go.

Ulick must’ve been thinking the same thing, because he shot Barclay a nervous look. “We’re gonna need all the wind ya can give, or we have a long, slow voyage ahead of us. Can ya manage it?”

Barclay nodded. He hadn’t had time to practice his power since Yasha had helped him yesterday, but he wouldn’t let his Lore be the reason they didn’t reach Tadg in time.

But if they did make it to the Isle of Roane, how would Barclay stop Tadg? Tadg had been talking about slaying Lochmordra for ages. Words might not be enough to convince him otherwise.

Barclay took a deep breath that did nothing to calm his nerves. Last night, it was Tadg who’d made fun of Barclay for being an Elsie. But it wasn’t Tadg Barclay needed to prove anything to—it was himself. And so Barclay lifted his hands to the ship’s sails, and he summoned all the wind he could muster.

They set off. After the Isle of Munsey and its surrounding ring of weeping tide vanished behind them, Ulick summoned Bewlah, so she could join them for the all-time dangerous voyage of their dreams. As soon as she appeared, she started wailing atop Ulick’s shoulder.

The monster is coming by Sea,

And what a hideous killer is he.

Us heroes sail brave

To our watery grave,

But wise men know better to flee.