“Munsey is so big,” Barclay said.

“That’s because the Sea has over twenty times as many people as the Woods,” Viola told him.

Barclay’s eyes widened. He’d known that the Woods was small—after all, Sycomore was its only settlement, and the Sea had nine islands. But twenty times seemed impossibly large. “Is it the biggest of all the Wilderlands?”

Viola laughed. “No. Well, the Sea is the biggest in size, but in people, the Mountains is the biggest. The capital city, Halois, has over three hundred thousand people. That’s where I grew up.”

Soon Barclay had dozens of questions for Viola. Which Wilderland was the smallest in size? (The Tundra.) How many Wilderlands had she been to? (Five—the Mountains, the Desert, the Woods, the Jungle, and now the Sea). Which Wilderland was the closest to here? (The Woods, which shocked Barclay, since it had taken them thirteen weeks to travel here).

Barclay pestered Viola with so many questions that he still had her talking by the time they set sail on the Bewlah.

Now that the storm had cleared, the Sea looked far less threatening than the night before. Its waters were a sapphire blue instead of inky black, and when Barclay peered over the ship’s side, he spotted colorful fish flitting about beneath the surface. The wind blew fiercely, but he didn’t mind. It reminded him of running, even though he was standing still.

Mitzi squawked behind him and flew up the mast, where she got into a squabble with Bewlah for the prize of the tip-top perch. Goath, who’d taken a liking to Tadg, slithered after him wherever he walked. Root ran in excited circles around the deck. Then he noticed Motya prowling near the ship’s stern, and he padded closer and sniffed the Beast’s butt. Motya huffed and scampered away.

“Sorry,” Barclay told Yasha, who sat clutching another bucket—and did not look happy about it. “Root is just being friendly.”

“Nothing is friendlier than a good butt sniff!” Ulick declared from the helm.

Yasha pet his Beast behind her pointed ears. “Motya is just shy, but most Smynxes are.”

“Aren’t Smynxes Mythic class Beasts?” Viola asked.

“They are. Motya is very powerful. But she can be a bit self-important.”

Motya lifted her chin high, like a queen. Yasha obediently scratched her neck.

Viola frowned, then quicky dug into her satchel and pulled out a notebook. When Barclay opened his mouth to ask if something was bothering her, she cut him off.

“I know you have a lot to learn about the Wilderlands, Barclay. But I have work too. And I can’t afford to fall behind.” Then she buried her face in her notes.