“We were separated near the Isle of Veir. With the weeping tide blooming, we found ourselves in the face of six angry Silberwals. Lucky for Yasha and me that we had this ship tucked away for safekeeping.”

“Safekeeping?” Barclay said.

“For this moment, of course. I have to hand it to you, Barclay. The conch shell’s clue was brilliant. I doubt any Lore Keeper other than an Elsie would’ve paid it any mind.”

Barclay should’ve felt a flutter of pride in his chest, but instead, he felt uneasy. Edwyn’s voice had a sharp edge that he didn’t recognize.

Edwyn returned to the wheel. “We should be ready. Lochmordra will rise any moment now. Yasha, lower the anchor.”

“Lower the anchor?” Barclay repeated, aghast. “But we need to get Viola and run! If Lochmordra attacks us, we’ll be done for!” Barclay and Tadg were in no state to protect themselves, and though Yasha’s fire Lore was powerful, Edwyn’s healing Lore was useless in battle.

“Oh, I hardly think we’re in that much danger,” said Edwyn calmly. “I have everything we need. And after we’re finished, Lochmordra won’t be terrorizing the Sea anymore.”

For a delirious moment, Barclay thought that Edwyn, too, meant to slay the Legendary Beast. But then Edwyn grabbed one of his many leather knapsacks and tossed it over his shoulder. Two jars inside it spilled out and rolled across the deck. Inside one was a knob of Fire Coral. And in the other, a rare Oystix pearl.

“You don’t want to stop Lochmordra,” Tadg choked out, pushing himself to a sitting position. “You want to bond with him. That’s what your lessons have really been about all this time—you’ve been looking for the items for his snare.”

“Are you truly surprised?” Edwyn asked. “Great Lore Keepers have been bonding with the Legendary Beasts for thousands of years.”

“It was you? You’re the one trying to bond with Lochmordra?” Barclay asked, stunned. “But you were gone! You weren’t here when Lochmordra attacked Kelligree.”

“I only left to throw Orla off my trail. And it’s convenient that the effects of my stone Lore last for some time. I knew it would take weeks for the vents to return to normal.”

“Th-the earthquakes,” Barclay stammered. “That was you?”

“Yes. Lira is hardly my only Beast, but I’ve had to keep my Tarmacedon secret. It stirs up too many old memories. This entire mission has already threatened to expose me at every turn. I couldn’t run the risk of anyone seeing my Tarmacedon and remembering who I am.”

Barclay had no idea what he meant. He was still grappling to understand how everyone’s favorite teacher had been behind all of this from the start.

Another growl erupted from the Sea.

EEEEEEEIIIIIIKKKKKK!

The water trembled, making the ship sway back and forth.