Beside them, a fisherman heaved a net of today’s catch onto the pier. A foul stench filled the air—every fish in the pile was dead. They spilled out over Barclay’s and Viola’s boots, leaving streaks of gunk across the wooden boards.

Viola yelped and jumped back. “Gross,” she groaned.

Barclay pinched his nose. However these fish had died, it must’ve happened a while ago. They’d already gone too rancid to eat.

At the mess, the fisherman mumbled something to them that Barclay didn’t understand but that he guessed meant “sorry.” Then the fisherman looked the two of them over, and his eyes widened in alarm.

“Lore Coimadaí.” This time, whatever he said, his voice was harsh. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a spiky conch shell. Then he clutched it to his chest and darted away from them.

Because Barclay spent most of his time with Runa and his fellow apprentices, he often forgot that they all heard one another in Lore-speak, which all Lore Keepers could use once they bonded with a Beast. So even though they each came from far-flung parts of the world, they could understand one another. But the fisherman was an Elsie.

“Do you know what he said?” Barclay asked. Viola had a knack for languages.

“I’ve never learned Sea-speak, but if I had to take a guess… I’d say it’s their word for ‘Lore Keeper.’ And his shell reminded me of that twiggy charm you used to carry. Remember? The one that made you smell like a skunk.”

Barclay’s cheeks grew hot. After he’d accidentally bonded with Root and been run out of Dullshire, Barclay had taken his charm with him. After all, it supposedly warded away Beasts, and Barclay had been about to venture into the vast and frightening Woods, which was crawling with Beasts. He’d later learned that the charm was useless. All it had done was make him look very, very foolish.

“Dullshire has no idea that Lore Keepers help protect them from Beasts. They just know that Beasts are dangerous,” Barclay said hotly. “I bet Knunx is the same way.”

Viola crossed her arms. “It’s not like we keep what we do a secret. Elsies are just ungrateful. You saw the way that sailor knocked into Tadg. He definitely did it on purpose.”

“Knunx knows that Lore Keepers bond with Beasts. They think we could be bringing danger.” Dullshire did far worse things to suspicious travelers, the kindest of which was sending a herd of goats chasing after them or pelting them with moldy fruit.

Viola elbowed Barclay in the side. “You just think that because you’re an Elsie.”