Orla nodded. “All of the Beasts have become more aggressive, and we don’t know why. Lochmordra never used to rise except for Midsummer and Midwinter, but even then, I’ve never known him to attack an island.”

“I’m sorry we didn’t stay,” Edwyn said somberly. “If we’d known that Kelligree would also be hit, we never would’ve left.”

“It’s hardly your fault,” Orla assured him. “And I’ve been trying to summon as many Guardians as I can. Karina Severnaya arrived a few days ago. There’s Crumpe, of course. He never leaves. And—”

“What has the Grand Keeper done?” Runa asked.

“Oh, you know Dumont. He promised me kritters that still haven’t arrived. But even with all the money in the Argentisaurus Bank, we can’t start rebuilding until we understand why Lochmordra and these Beasts are attacking in the first place.”

“And there’s been nothing strange or unusual leading up to this?”

“I’m afraid not. Or, if so, not that we noticed.”

If they don’t know why this is happening, Barclay thought, that means that we’re not safe here. No one is. After the dangers of simply reaching the Sea, Barclay had little desire to throw himself back into harm’s way.

But this was the job of a Guardian Keeper, to protect people even when it meant risking yourself.

In Dullshire, Barclay had tried so hard to follow their rules. He’d had to beg for his apprenticeship. And he’d worked day and night just to prove that he belonged.

But they’d banished him anyway.

Barclay refused to fail this time. He didn’t care if he had to study and train twice as hard as Viola and Tadg to catch up. He didn’t care if it meant facing ten more Silberwals to protect the Sea. He had to prove himself as a Guardian Keeper, no matter what.

“If all the inns are full, where will we be staying?” asked Runa.

“Most of the other Guardians are staying here in the Guild House, and there’s still one room left for you,” Orla answered. “As for the apprentices, the boys can share the loft over Ansley MacGannon’s shop. Viola, you can stay with my friend Lifen Hao. She has a guest cottage.”

“And Edwyn, you can stay with me,” Ulick told him cheerily. “I’ve got a shack on the beach where I keep some supplies. And you’ll have it to yourself most of the time—I come and go. Normally I sleep on my boat.”

If Edwyn was less than thrilled to be staying in a shack, he didn’t show it. And even if Barclay didn’t know Yasha well, he was happy to have someone else to distract him from Tadg’s sour moods.