“Because you have perspective that most of us don’t, myself included. There is a lot of misunderstanding between the Elsewheres and the Wilderlands. But because of where you come from, you’re able to see both sides. That might mean you have more to learn about the ways of Lore Keepers than those of us who grew up with Beasts, but you already have knowledge that the other apprentices will probably never have. And that is a great strength.”

Runa placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

“I know that your home treated you unfairly—and Knunx wasn’t much better. But I think it’s important you keep in mind that not all the Elsewheres are the same, just like not all the Wilderlands are the same. The world isn’t only split into one thing or the other. And you don’t need to be either.”

Barclay had never considered that being an Elsie would make him a stronger Lore Keeper, or that there was anything about the world that he could possibly know better than his friends or Runa.

“Maybe…,” Barclay said, still unsure. “But that doesn’t explain why I can’t control my Lore.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Runa agreed. “But if it helps, one of the most powerful Lore Keepers I ever met was an Elsie.”

“Really?” Barclay asked eagerly. “Who?”

“Oh, it was a long time ago.” Runa scooped a shell off the sand and stood up. “Here. Let me see you try your assignment again.”

Barclay broke out in a cold sweat as she dropped the shell into his palm. He stole a glance at the others sparring down the beach. Viola and Cecily looked equally matched, each girl’s light or shadow devouring the other’s. Yasha seemed nervous to aim any fire Lore at Hasu, even if she kept popping in and out of portals.

The only thing that made Barclay smile was spotting Tadg on the ground, the tip of Shazi’s training sword pointed at his chest.

The world isn’t only split into one thing or the other, Barclay repeated Runa’s words to himself. And you don’t need to be either.

Despite every kind thing Runa had told him, it still made him nervous to have her watching. He didn’t want to let her down.

So he tried every trick he could think of. He took a deep breath. He focused. And, like Yasha had suggested, Barclay thought of something that would calm his nerves. But this time, instead of straining to remember the history from his textbook, he reached for something else.

Button, he thought. Mourningtide Morel. Chaga. Bella.