When I came to the Sea, the land of storm,

I found a letter, and the message warned

That my bones would sleep in the ocean’s bed

Unless I turned back to the old life I’d led.

But when I came to the Sea, the land of storm,

I left behind where I was born,

So I kissed the earth one final time.

Then I sailed in search of that grave of mine.

The only cheerful person in the hall was Cecily. She brandished a handful of champion cards with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. “You strike a hard bargain. I respect that. But how about this? I’ll trade you my Aoife Kearney for your Wei Meng.”

“Not a chance,” said Shazi. “My Meng card is special edition. See? Look at the stamp—”

“Can you two do that somewhere else?” Tadg snapped. The other five apprentices sat clustered together at the opposite end of the table, where Viola had spread out her notebook and sketches. “Now,” Tadg said, turning back to Viola, “what were you saying?”

Viola cleared her throat. “We read every book we could find about Lochmordra in the library. Whatever items you need to make his snare, they’re a mystery.”

“Except the Polypop bells and Fire Coral,” Tadg reminded her. “Dad was sure about those.”

“Right, but even so, it’s impossible to bond with Lochmordra without all six.”

At that moment, Toadles leapt from the table onto Tadg’s shoulder, his sticky, webby feet slapping down with a wet splat. But Tadg was so lost in thought he didn’t seem to notice.

“What’s wrong?” Hasu asked him. “This is good, isn’t it? This means that whatever is causing the weeping tide to bloom more often, it’s not a Lore Keeper behind it.”

“We can’t know that for sure,” Tadg said.

Viola gathered up all of her papers, sighing. “I know it would be easier to blame all this on someone, but I don’t think there is someone this time. In the Woods, Soren—”

Tadg stood up with a jolt, making all the plates and glasses on the breakfast table rattle. “I don’t want to talk about him,” he grunted.

Then he stormed off.

Viola was probably right, but for once, Barclay agreed with Tadg. Ever since he and Root had spotted that monstrous Beast outside of Munsey, he’d had a dreadful feeling that he couldn’t shake. But because of Orla’s decree, Barclay hadn’t gone running with Root in a long time. Maybe he was just anxious without his favorite way to clear his head.

“Good riddance,” Viola muttered. “Why does Tadg have to be so grumpy all the time?”

“Because he’s a bully,” said Barclay.

“Maybe he misses Mar-Mar,” Hasu said. “He can’t exactly summon Mar-Mar inside, can he? I already miss Bitti….” She sniffled and scratched the tip of her nose, where Bitti usually napped.