Publisher's Synopsis
In the seaside town of Blackpool, sixteen-year-old Dylan Bennett prefers order, mathematics, and predictable routines. His life takes an extraordinary turn when his loyal Rottweiler, Bruno, digs up what appears to be an ordinary piece of driftwood on the beach. This seemingly insignificant object is actually a magical wand that opens a portal to Dravengate, a mysterious realm that exists between worlds.
Dylan discovers he's been chosen as the new Keeper of Time, tasked with restoring the damaged "crossing" - a complex network of connections between different realities. Centuries ago, during an event known as the Cataclysm, these connections were severely damaged when a rogue Keeper tried to seize control of the crossing's power. Now, only a few pathways remain intact, including the one to Dylan's world.
In Dravengate, Dylan meets a cast of mentors: the wise Elara, the scholarly Thorne, and the direct, brilliant young Archivist apprentice Rowan, with whom Dylan forms a special connection. Most surprisingly, Bruno reveals himself as Dylan's Guardian - a magical protector who undergoes a magnificent transformation in Dravengate, growing larger and radiating golden light.
As Dylan begins his training to understand and manipulate temporal energies, he learns he must restore six ancient sigils, with the Time sigil being the first and most crucial. His mathematical mind proves perfectly suited to comprehending the complex patterns that govern time and space between worlds.
However, Dylan soon faces dangerous opposition from shadow entities led by Corvus, a former apprentice who merged with void forces during the Cataclysm. These entities thrive on the crossing's damaged state and actively work to prevent its restoration. During a confrontation, Corvus delivers a troubling warning: the damaged crossing actually serves as a barrier against even more dangerous beings called "Deep Void Entities" or "Axiom Entities," and restoring it might inadvertently release them.
As the boundaries between worlds begin to deteriorate, causing reality to "bleed through" between Dravengate and Blackpool, Dylan must balance his ordinary life with his extraordinary responsibilities. He struggles to keep his new role secret from his mother and perceptive stepfather, Mally, while implementing increasingly complex magical solutions to stabilize the weakening boundaries.
Working closely with Rowan, Dylan discovers the original Architects' designs included sophisticated boundary systems - not walls that completely separate worlds, but selectively permeable filters that allow beneficial connection while blocking dangerous incursions. By implementing these designs, Dylan finds a way to continue the restoration work without risking the release of deeper threats.
Throughout his journey, Dylan's bond with Bruno deepens into a profound magical connection. The Rottweiler's Guardian nature grows more powerful, manifesting as a magnificent protector during crucial battles with shadow entities.
As the story progresses, Dylan embraces both aspects of his identity: the ordinary teenager who loves mathematics and routine, and the extraordinary Keeper of Time who maintains the delicate balance between worlds. Under his careful stewardship, the first proper crossing point in centuries is reestablished, allowing controlled connection while maintaining necessary protective boundaries.
"The Keepers of Dravengate" is a tale of mathematical magic, parallel worlds, and finding one's place between the ordinary and extraordinary. As Dylan masters his new abilities, he discovers that his mind's unique way of seeing patterns-once considered a limitation-may be exactly what the multiverse needs to heal.
