“And I respect your father’s work very much,” Cyril said. “Which goes to show… if he couldn’t find it, then it doesn’t exist. Now let’s get back to real study.”

But Barclay knew what he’d seen. The trench had been so deep within the Sea, so dark and terrifying. For someone to go through all the effort to carve the symbol in the rock… it must’ve been for an important reason.

He and Tadg shared a suspicious look. Just because no one knew where the Isle of Roane was didn’t mean that it didn’t exist.

The next day was Runa’s lesson. The seven apprentices and their Beasts staggered out of the water onto the sand. Cecily gave a low moan and lay down while Oudie pecked at her like a vulture. Viola was so exhausted, she didn’t even scold Mitzi for nibbling her ears. Motya miserably shook the water from her fur, then her entire body erupted into flames. After they burned out, she was perfectly dry. Yasha stared at her enviously.

Barclay, however, hadn’t minded the strenuous lesson. Because it hadn’t relied on Lore, he’d had no chance to mess it up.

Panting heavily, Barclay wrung out his hair. He turned to Root and burst out laughing. “You look ridiculous.”

Root huffed. His drenched fur hung down like a mop.

“Refreshing, wasn’t it?” Runa asked, striding briskly ahead of them. Goath slithered behind her, water leaking through his bones.

“I could nap for a thousand years,” Hasu complained. Exhausted, Bitti was already napping on Hasu’s nose.

“I could nap for a million,” Shazi echoed. Beside her, her scorpion Beast Saif must’ve disagreed. He stretched out his pointy metal tail, as though ready for a Dooling match.

“My back hurts,” Tadg grumbled. “I’m too old for obstacle courses.”

Runa smirked. “Clearly the weeks out on the road have made you all soft. I didn’t have any trouble completing the obstacle course with you. Now buck up. We do it again in ten minutes!”

While the others rested, Tadg glanced at Barclay and jerked his head toward Runa. Barclay ushered Root off to play with Oudie and Mitzi while he and Tadg left to speak to their teacher.

“We were wondering if we could ask you something,” Barclay started.

“Ask away,” Runa said.

“Why aren’t the Guardians looking for the Isle of Roane?” Tadg asked.

Runa blinked. “The Isle of Roane? You sound like your father.”

Tadg crossed his arms. “Yeah, well, it could be important, couldn’t it? If we find the island, then we’ll find Lochmordra. And then we could stop all these attacks.”