A crash thundered from within the Guild House, followed by shouts and muffled grunts. “Klava! My shoes are not food! Give them—uff— Those are genuine leather— Runa!”

Runa smiled at Tadg. “On second thought, why rush things? What is this important thing you need to show me?”

“Croak!”

As if on cue, the toad Beast appeared atop Tadg’s head, nestled in his hair. It slapped its sticky fingers on Tadg’s ears.

“You bonded with another Beast?” Runa asked. “You should’ve told me before—”

“It was an accident,” Tadg fumed. “I want to get rid of it.”

Curiously, Runa poked the stone at the center of the toad’s forehead. The toad gave a loud, defiant croak.

“Hm, I have no idea what sort of Beast it is,” Runa murmured. “It must be powerful if it forged the bond with you itself.”

“Powerful?” Tadg echoed. “Does it look powerful to you?”

“You shouldn’t judge a Beast by its appearance. Take Goath, for instance. He’s unnerving to look at, but he’s one of the sweetest, most charming Beasts I’ve ever met.”

Goath, who slithered around Runa’s boots, was staring at the toad Beast like he was contemplating eating it.

“Well, I don’t care how powerful it is,” Tadg said. “I want you to remove the Mark.”

Runa shrugged and gave Barclay a sly smile. It wasn’t that long ago that Barclay had asked her to get rid of his Mark.

Inside the Guild House, Cyril’s shouts grew louder and more frantic. “Klava! No—I command you to— That was personally given to me by High Keeper Mayani!”

“As you can see,” Runa told Tadg, “I’m afraid I’m very busy today saving the esteemed Horn of Dawn from becoming Klava’s chew toy. I can’t possibly—”

“Wait! No! Don’t—”

Runa slammed the door shut, leaving the seven apprentices on the street.

“I thought she’d throw you from the lighthouse tower when you joked about her apron!” Hasu told Tadg, sounding impressed.

“That would’ve been neat,” Cecily agreed.

“Well, if we have the day to ourselves,” Viola said, “then I want to run errands. It’s been ages since I’ve been to a proper Lore city.” She pulled a bulging leather pouch from her pocket, and it jangled when she shook it.

Hasu brightened and clapped her hands. “Yes! Let’s all go shopping!”

Shazi scoffed. “We’re not going shopping with them! We’re going separately.” She hooked her arms around Hasu and Cecily on either side and, ignoring their protests, hauled them off down the street.

“I don’t think I meant to choose sides,” Yasha said. “But I guess I’m on yours.”

“Don’t you think all the fighting is getting out of hand?” Barclay asked Viola.

“Do you think Runa deserves being called a sneak?” Violet demanded. “Or a liar? Or some kind of… of… scoundrel?”