“I insist,” Runa said, making Barclay’s ears redden. Being an orphan, money had always been hard for Barclay to come by. Even if that wasn’t true for Runa, he hated to make Runa pay for his clumsiness. “Besides, I already have a running tab. Orla is making Cyril and me pay her for a few… repairs.”

Barclay frowned, wondering exactly what state the Guild House was in now.

“You don’t have to…” Barclay swallowed. He didn’t have many kritters to his name. “I mean, I could try to—”

“Don’t fuss over it,” Runa told him. “You and Tadg should rest tonight. We have another day of work tomorrow. All of us! For who knows how long!” And with that, she threw up her hands and left, while the white of the weeping tide continued to seep across the floor.

EIGHT

UNDER TEMPORARY RECONSTRUCTION

Reconstruction’? ” Yasha read. The next morning, the seven apprentices gathered outside the Guild House, where a wooden sign hung on the door. The writing on it was etched in scratchy Lore script. “What are they building?”

“They’re not building,” Tadg told him, “they’re fixing. Runa and Cyril probably tore the place to shreds.”

Shazi crossed her arms. “That isn’t a surprise, given the rumors about Runa’s temper.”

“Oh, just admit it!” Viola snapped. “You’re jealous of Runa because you’ve always wanted to be a Dooling champion.”

“And you’re jealous because you know that Cyril is a better teacher.”

While the two of them bickered, Hasu yawned and cast the others a weary look. “They’ve been at this all night. Cecily and I barely got any sleep!” Even her Beast was exhausted. The bumblebee slumbered on the tip of Hasu’s nose.

“You’re all staying together?” Barclay asked.

“Yeah. One of the inns gave Cyril a special room because he’s the assistant to the Grand Keeper. But the three of us and Viola are stuck at Lifen’s guest cottage.”

“I like it there,” Cecily said cheerily.

“It smells like manure.”

“That’s why I like it!”

Barclay almost felt bad for Viola being crammed up with her ex-friends. But after Tadg had made fun of him all night for nearly destroying the Planty Shanty, Barclay felt worse for himself.

The door to the Guild House swung open, whacking Viola in the back. She whipped around, but her grimace dropped when she saw Runa standing at the threshold. Runa had borrowed Ansley’s apron, which looked almost as ridiculous on her as an apron on a Styerwurm.

Runa frowned deeply. “As Cyril and I are busy, you all have the day off to do whatever you like.”

“Nice apron,” Tadg joked. “I like the polka dots.”

Runa moved to slam the door, but before she could, Tadg wedged his elbow in front of it.

“Wait—wait! I need to show you something. It’s important.”