The Drowned Gods, #1
Curious Tides
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 42: Baz
Overview
Baz fuses his time magic with Dovermere’s, restoring the cracked Hourglass and reversing the tide to free everyone. The group returns to shore with Keiran and Lizaveta’s bodies. Accepting the role of keeper, Baz resolves to guard the door for Emory’s return and leads the survivors back to Aldryn.
Summary
Baz, exhausted and reeling after Keiran’s fall, grabs a strange compass from Keiran’s hand and confronts the Hourglass, whose crack nullifies its magic and seals the door. Feeling Dovermere’s sentient pull, Baz embraces the resonance between his timebending and the place’s power.
He merges with Dovermere’s magic, rewinding events so the Hourglass was never damaged. The cave restores itself, and Baz reverses the tide to low, reopening the path out. Sated, Dovermere seems to thank him as he releases the magic.
The survivors wash ashore, spent but alive. Virgil Dade stands vigil over Keiran and Lizaveta’s bodies while Kai helps Baz to his feet. Under a partial eclipse, Baz steadies himself and takes in what they’ve endured.
Accepting that Emory has gone where he cannot follow, Baz chooses a role he can fulfill: keeper of Dovermere’s door, ensuring a safe return if Emory and Romie come back. He looks toward Aldryn and the Eclipse commons, sharing a quiet resolve with Kai.
Baz declares it is time to go home. Committed to protecting the school and revealing the truth, he embraces his widened horizon—no longer afraid to reach for the stars or to stand guard at the shore that meets Emory’s sea.
Who Appears
- Baz (Brysden)Timebender who unites with Dovermere’s magic to repair the Hourglass, reverse the tide, and vow to guard the door.
- KaiStands by Baz, helps him ashore, and shares the resolve to return to Aldryn.
- Virgil DadeKeeps watch over Keiran and Lizaveta’s bodies after the group returns to shore.
- Keiran ValltDead antagonist whose body is recovered; his compass is taken by Baz.
- LizavetaDead, stabbed earlier by Keiran; her body is brought back by the group.
- DovermereSentient sea-cave power that harmonizes with Baz’s time magic to restore the Hourglass.