Annoyed, Barclay sifted through his missing belongings. He’d been looking for that sock. “You’ve been stealing from us for weeks?”

She smiled mischieviously. “I like the practice, though you’re all easy marks.”

“Do you think we’ll see each other again?” Hasu asked.

“I’m sure we will at the licensing exam,” Shazi said glumly. That reunion would be years and years away. Then she grinned. “But you three better be ready, because I won’t be staying an apprentice any longer than I have to.”

“We’ll be ready even sooner than you,” Tadg said, which Barclay thought might’ve been wishful thinking. Other than Cecily, Cyril’s apprentices all had been training a year longer than they had.

But for weeks, Barclay had been convinced that he would never catch up to his friends who’d grown up in the Lore Keeper world. Yet he’d saved Lochmordra. He’d faced Gravaldor. No matter what exams or adventures awaited him in his future, he needed to start believing in himself. He would be ready.

Viola returned in time to give Cyril’s apprentices a last goodbye. She wore a colorful seaweed garland around her neck, which Barclay saw was one of many being handed out by a happy Lore Keeper across the hall. Even Murph was wearing one, and his mustache had been dyed a cheery pink.

“It was good to see one another again,” Viola told the other girls. “And I wish you didn’t have to go.”

“Me too,” Hasu said. “But I’m glad you’re happier now. And Runa makes a really great teacher for you.”

“She does,” Shazi agreed. “So you better train really hard, because I won’t take it easy on you, either.”

Reluctantly they gathered the rest of their belongings and trudged to the door.

Cyril shook Orla’s hand. “Leopold sends his regards. According to the letter I received via dragon post this morning, he’s very pleased that the situation was resolved.”

“I bet he is,” Orla said dryly. “So he wouldn’t have to pay for any of it. But safe travels. Don’t let the girls bully you too much.”

He smirked. “Oh, there’s no way around that.” Then he asked Runa, “This entire time with Edwyn… did you ever suspect who he was?”

“Maybe once—I considered the resemblance, but I thought Audrian was gone,” Runa answered. “Did you?”

“No, I didn’t,” Cyril said softly. Then without an apology, a handshake, or even a smile, he added, “Leopold will soon be in touch.”

“I’m sure he will,” Runa said flatly.

Barclay leaned over and whispered in Viola’s ear. “If Runa never killed Keyes, shouldn’t they be able to forgive each other? What they’re fighting about never happened!”

“I don’t think it’ll be that simple,” she said.