Research continued. The team pushed forward on their new topic—Talking Herbs—and racked up 12 research points in total: 4 from an illuminating (if confusing) conversation with Blithe Thimblethorn, 1 from a cantankerous bush, and 7 from the ethically thorny tome Crying Roots: Ethical Alchemy. Their project was coming together, even if their sources had a tendency to rant.
Around school, posters began appearing for an upcoming event: The Deepwater Convergence.
But before plunging into the school-sponsored aquatic challenge, the party decided to do a little unsanctioned diving—into the potions cabinet. Over the break, they snuck in and stole Gillyweed. Then they aimed higher. Or lower, technically: the Restricted Section again.
This time, they made it even deeper. They slipped past the guard on the top floor, snuck by Agatha on the second, and discovered a whole new basement level they’d never seen before. Past a slumbering guard puppy (adorable), they entered an empty bedroom with a candle that appeared to be magically recording everything in the room.
Finlay opened another door—and found Professor Blithe Thimblethorn asleep inside!
As Blithe stirred and groggily called out, Finlay tried to cast Infirma Cerebra. It fizzled. He fled before Blithe could put on his glasses. The group ducked into the room with the candle… and discovered it was none other than Wizzlethorpe’s. Blithe called out again—this time thinking he was speaking to Wizzlethorpe: “Bixby, is that you? Back from your trip?”
Caoimhe, with a flawless impression and perfect timing, mimicked the Wizzlethorpe’s voice and Professor Thimblethorn went back to sleep.
They exited quickly, never opening the final locked door at the end of the hall.
Later, the team officially entered the Deepwater Convergence. As first-years, they were put in the opening slot—probably for the crowd’s amusement. (First-years never win.)
They dove into the underwater dungeon, guarded by skeptical merfolk. Inside, they fought and defeated a water weird and several water elemental spirits. They encountered a mysterious sealed door, which they bypassed for the time being. In another chamber, the merfolk presented them with a riddle that Finlay, remembering a symbol from the earlier door, solved in no time. The answer opened the path to a secret chamber containing the event’s prize.
When they emerged, they came face to face with their competitors: Declan, Elias, and Callum. Elias, ever the hothead, tried to strike—but Declan stopped him.
The prize? A magical ring called Lyra’s Wake. While worn, it allows the user to cast Water Walk and Water Breathing on themselves.
A good haul. A growing list of secrets. And still no idea what lies behind that final door in the basement of the Restricted Section.