“Orla has summoned some of the best Guardians in the world here—more arrive every day. And we’ve decided to team up to investigate real questions, like the Muirmarú pod attacking any ship that goes near the Isle of Orn. Or the different sites where Lochmordra has been rising. Now what brought all these questions on?”

“I found a swirl carved onto the ocean floor beside the trench,” Barclay said. “That’s the Isle of Roane’s symbol, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Runa agreed.

“Well, why would anyone take the time to carve it all the way down there if it wasn’t important?”

Runa sighed. “I don’t know, and I think it’s great that you’re all trying to help. But I’m afraid this leads to a dead end.”

“Then let us really help,” Tadg growled. “We could be working with the other Guardians! We’ll learn more from them than obstacle courses.”

“I’ll tell you what—if either of you can beat me in the next obstacle course, I’ll consider letting you come with us.”

Tadg’s eyes lit up. “Fine. I was taking it easy on everyone last time, anyway.”

Except it wasn’t Tadg who’d been taking it easy—it was Runa. During the second obstacle course, she froze the waves below her feet and skated across them in a frosty blur. She made it back to the beach before the apprentices even passed the first ice buoy in the water.

“I thought we weren’t supposed to use Lore,” Tadg said afterward.

Runa smirked. “You thought you’d beat me without it?”

And even though Barclay told Tadg that he’d never beat Runa, with or without his powers, Tadg grouched about the race for the rest of the afternoon.

By the third day, Barclay had nearly given up hope of learning more about the Isle of Roane. The same couldn’t be said for Tadg. Luckily, Edwyn didn’t seem to mind someone interrupting his lesson.

“Now, there are a few items I think all Lore Keepers should carry on them,” Edwyn said, spilling the contents of his backpack over their table in the Guild House. Jars, vials, and bottles rolled across the surface. “A good Mendijuice is a must. Even better, Gunkwort, if you can get your hands on it. Maybe not so much for me as I’ve got Lira here.”

Edwyn looked up the spiral staircase, where his Caladrius perched atop the railing. The white dovelike Beast was far more timid than her Keeper, preferring to keep her distance.

“But for anyone without healing Lore,” Edwyn continued, “Gunkwort is a good idea—”

“Excuse me,” Tadg said so politely that Barclay could hardly believe he’d heard him right. “I was wondering if we could ask you a question.”