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It was a child, Hector saw--or at least, it was someone with the appearance of one. He wasn't sure he'd ever seen such a young-looking servant, but it was obvious from that question and from the way he carried himself that this was someone of considerable experience.

Or just a lot of confidence.

Hector knew a thing or two about keeping up appearances like that.

Before Hector could respond, however, Roman stepped up first. "Is that the young Captain Erickson I spy?"

The boy looked at Roman, but there was no light of recognition in his eyes, doubtless because of the iron plate armor in the way.

Roman threw a look toward Hector, who felt a bit reluctant but still obliged the unspoken request and dematerialized it for him.

For a few beats, the kid just stood there, staring at Roman. "...Sorry, I still don't know who you are."

"Oh, come on. I was with the Queen of Atreya when you met with her. Harper Norez was there. We were asking you for assistance. Or, rather, we were asking your reaper, I suppose."

The young captain put a hand to his chin and squinted. "...Are you sure that was you?"

Roman's hands flailed a bit with exasperation. "The nerve of this kid. Yes, it was me! Your reaper's name is Kohzek, isn't it?"

That skeptical expression didn't change, but after a moment, he did say, "Alright, I guess you must be telling the truth."

Roman looked back toward Hector for support. "Even after saying that, he obviously still doesn't remember me, does he?"

Hector took the cue to step forward, too. "I mean, you do make a hobby out of being as forgettable as possible, don't you?"

"Hey, man, that's different. Whose side are you on here?"

"A prescient question," said the Vanguardian boy.

Now that Roman had identified the kid for him, Hector knew a bit about who he was dealing with here. He'd heard the tales from Roman and Lynn about their adventures in trying to secure assistance in retaking Atreya from the Abolish saboteurs.

This was Bartholomew Erickson, a regional captain of the Vanguard.

Which, given the incredible size of Intar, seemed like quite the coincidental encounter. Too coincidental, in fact, making it highly suspect that Bartholomew would truly not remember Roman. Was the kid just messing with him, Hector wondered?

"You know who I am?" asked Hector.

"The Lord Darksteel of Atreya," said Bartholomew.