Clerical duties (David)

[David B.]

"No, I'm from your past."

He sighed. How does someone explain this? Leaning forward, he clasped his hands.

"So....before going back in time, I was three years younger than you are now. That begs the question- why did what happened to me not happen to you?." He cocked a brow. "Because of me. You see....when I was a little younger than you, the chancellor at the time ordered free magical iterations. All access to all texts for all our people. It was a foolish move, and led to our destruction. Because I had that access, I was able to throw myself back to the past as Ayatlan was destroyed."

He leaned back.

"Because I now existed on this same timeline, with my foreknowledge, I was able to change what was necessary to make the future positive. So the timeline split, yes, but the reality is the same. It's why we both can exist on the same plane at the same time." He waved it off. "When you get the power to open those texts, you'll understand."

[Preston Salabim]

"And when will that be?"

[David B.]

"Your power is more developed than mine ever has been." He smiled softly. "You see, having access to all that power too young stunts the abilities. You must grow slowly, carefully, and let that power grow from a seed. My abilities, while great, are stunted because of it."

He cleared his throat.

"Yours will not be."

[Preston Salabim]

He'd adjust his glasses, thinking over his potential. It was... interesting. But he still had a job to do.

"My plan can still work. Your Death may be coming, but it does not have to be this death."

[David B.]

"Oh, my death will be much sooner than the battle. Tomorrow, at one forty four in the afternoon, I will die. That will be a few hours before the festival and likely the attacks."

[Preston Salabim]

"Then there will be a new chancellor that will be targeted."

[David B.]

He shook his head.

"No new chancellor. You are next in line for that title....but perhaps a council of rulers, who can govern until you are ready."

[Preston Salabim]

"I'm next in line? Why?"

He wanted to rule yes, but in like twenty years when he was experienced and ready.

[David B.]

He sighed.

"Because....As I said, I have seen the things we keep from others. I have seen the future. If Ayatlan does not see another Preston on the throne, there will be no Ayatlan to rule."

[Preston Salabim]

"And the stone that keeps our Island aloft. I saw the Island fall. Would that not mean I perish in the battle?"

If he was to have the stone.

[David B.]

He shook his head.

"What you saw in that staff is not linear. Not all pieces of those images will come to pass, but are merely portents of what could come, should things happen in certain ways. But nothing that shows is certain....you must take care with things you see in time, for they can change and shift with the one thing Time cannot predict."

He looked into the flames of his fireplace.

"Choice."

[Preston Salabim]

"Then in this case. Should that attack happen, it would be best if I portaled to safety and sat the battle out. Rather than risk myself, and everyone on the island."

[David B.]

He smiled.

"Or Ayatlan could fall without you here. Perhaps the vision was as you saw it- through your eyes, from your portal of safety." He shook his head. "Do what you think is right, Preston. Do what you feel you must- but never, ever, look to the flashes of time to solve everything. Don't believe for a second that Time magic will aid you always- otherwise, you'll do nothing else but pour your energy in and through it, and forget the world around you for fear of the world that may come."

He had to learn that the hard way.

[Preston Salabim]

He frowned thoughtfully at it. It was something to consider.

"Did you meet with Roz in your time?"

He was curious.

[David B.]

His brow furrowed.

"No...who is she?"