198 The Man From the Future

"Did you just travel back in time?!" Raiya asked. She may have tried to sound reproachful, but her tone came out more excited than worried.

"I didn't do it on purpose," I said. "One moment I was there, the next… I was sitting beside you."

"What were we doing back then?" she asked.

"Don't you mean what will we be doing?" I retorted.

"Zedd," Raiya said, frowning. "As much as it baffles and amazes me that you've gone and traveled back in time, we have serious problems to deal with here. If you've learned anything from the future, now's the time to share."

Raiya had pulled me away from the heated argument between Hilda and Elsa. We were standing in the garden outside while the ladies argued at the top of their voices. Things were looking grim for all of us.

"I may have learned something," I said. "But I'd like you to do one thing for me first."

Raiya crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows. "I'm listening."

"Show me Stalwart," I said.