“So… to whom do I have the pleasure of introducing myself?” I bowed deeply and laid it on thick, making sure that “Uncle” Conrad felt like he was elevated way above my own position of power.

The massive man gave me a smirk and put Bella back on the ground. He stuck out his hand in front of my lowered face and kept it there, waiting for me to take it. “The name’s Conrad Morrow. I used to be Jane’s boss once upon a time. Currently I lead the Kingdom’s military and serve as the King’s personal advisor. It’s a pleasure to meet you…”

It took me a moment before I realized he was waiting for me to introduce myself, so I cleared my throat and took his offered hand. “Leon Ashwood. I’m… a guest you could say. Jane and Bella have both done a lot for me, so I’m just doing my best to repay the favor.”

He stepped back to get a good look at me and smiled kindly. “So I’ve been told. At least you don't lack the decorum that a vagabond such as yourself usually possesses. Come now, why don't you tell me about yourself over a nice pint of ale?”

He motioned to leave the entryway and out the door but Bella grabbed his hand. “Come on Uncle Conrad. It’s too early in the morning to drink. Why don’t I make you some tea instead?” Conrad sighed and consented to the young woman before him.

I followed him and Bella until we entered the dining room, where Jane was sitting at the table and reading a book bound in a scale-like material. She looked up from her read long enough to see Bella dart into the kitchen, leaving Conrad and I standing in the entryway.

“Come now you two, take a seat.” She pointed to the chairs across from her and put down her book. “Also Conrad, it’s been two weeks. Last time I heard from you, you told me you’d visit three days from then. What happened?”

Conrad sighed and took the seat directly across from Jane, leaving me to sit to his right or Jane’s left. While neither option made me happy, I decided to sit next to Jane since she was my benefactor. She smiled when I made my choice while Conrad just sighed.

“I don't know why you still like to play these games. Can you imagine the Azure king’s ire when he found out that I didn’t recover the boy? Oh, he almost had my job!” Conrad laughed at the absurdity of it all while I just stared him down.

A sinking feeling formed in my gut as he turned to me and his smile faded. “Oh, you didn’t know? I figured Jane would tell you about what society sees your role in this world.”

I just looked at him, stunned. My role in this world? How did he know that I wasn’t from here originally? I looked him up and down but he showed no sign of speaking further. Instead, he turned to Jane and gave her a very serious look.

She turned away sheepishly and started to read her book once more. “Look… I… I was going to speak with him eventually.” Clearing her throat, she forced herself to close her book and shifted in her chair.

“Now Leon,” she spoke, not meeting my eyes and instead focusing her gaze on the table below, “you have to understand that talking about this is complicated for me as well, and puts us in a weird spot as far as our current relationship is concerned.”

I just bore a hole in her with my stare. Conrad said nothing and just watched as Jane struggled to find the correct words. “Typically, we get people that come from different eras and different worlds every century or so. Some believe it has to do with irregular shifts in the stream of time and space. And although we are a good five years ahead of schedule, we believe that you are that person. In most cases, they end up becoming tools of war as their strength far outclasses those of normal soldiers.”

I cocked my head and just stared at her. “So what? The Azure King wanted to rescue me as a preface for making me his subordinate?” Jane nodded her head and turned to me.

“Yes, and while it may seem strange to you, that has been the formula for success for generations of kings. It has been a proven approach in which monarchs can re-establish and strengthen their rule. And Conrad over there,” she pointed to the smiling man directly across from her, “was to be the intermediary between you and the king. He was also at the lake the day that we found you.”

“So Jane, what do you want to use me for?” She flinched at my question and turned her eyes away once again.

“Well… that’s the thing. I wanted to use your power to help our faction overthrow the current Azure King.”

So even if it was another world I was destined to be used as a tool, huh? So be it. Maybe if I acted the way I had in the previous world, I would finally remember that last piece: who, or what I was even fighting for.

“Hey now, don’t look at her like that.” I softened my gaze that I had unconsciously hardened, and turned to Conrad, who had just spoken.

“So Conrad. If I had refused to cooperate, what would have been your plan?” Conrad’s smile faded and he took on a serious atmosphere.

“I would have subdued you, of course. It’s not like you could have done anything about it. In fact, I still worry about how you’d be able to protect Bella should any real danger ever befall the two of you.” My eyebrow twitched in annoyance and I smirked at him. “Ha! Would you like to test that theory?”

The grin returned to his face and he nodded. “Of course. From the start I doubted how someone could be stronger than any member of the Coat of Arms, so I’ll relish the opportunity to see a fighting style from another world. Come with me to the back.”

I followed Conrad out the back door and into the yard. I heard Jane call after us: “Don’t you dare destroy my garden!”