John expected his boss to come up to him and start shouting, which would normally lead to John talking him down, but this time he didn't. He left without a word, not even looking at John. "You better show up to that meeting this afternoon."

John wanted to explain, but his boss shut his office door and John couldn't be bothered anymore. He liked his job enough, but at this point he just wanted management to finally make a decision. They could fire him and he could find a place that appreciates him more or they could finally knock some sense into his boss.

John sat at his desk and set down his notes. As he sent out the email to his team, he remembered the business card. He went outside and found Leon sitting on a bench, arms spread out along the back.

"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting, I got distracted by work." John tried to explain.

"Don't worry, I have all the time in the world." He chuckled and then looked at John more seriously. "So tell me, when were you given the position?"

John was a little confused at this, but so far with Leon that was to be expected. "I got the job about 3 years ago, I'm still pretty new."

"You got the jo-" Leon started, lost. "Oh! No, I don't mean at the firm, I mean..." He leaned in. "When were you given the name?"

John hesitated. "Uh... When I was born?"

Leon didn't look satisfied. He leaned back, his face the expression of someone who just got told that the sky was green. "Who gave you the title then?"

John didn't know what he meant by title. "My parents? You know, how people are named as a child, birth certificate, ring any bells?"

Leon studied him. Then a haunted expression of understanding flooded his face. "Shit. Do you know anything at all about the council or your name?"

John shook his head. "I just know that everyone hears something different when I say my name, even if it is just a nickname."

Leon looked around and then checked his watch. "Well so much for the pleasantries, I need you to come with me. I won't be able to explain most of what you see to you, and it probably won't be very fun, but you won't get hurt in any way and you don't have much of a choice anyway."

John was stunned. Maybe this guy was just a madman and he should go back inside. "Actually, I have a meeting. I should-" Leon grabbed him. "Get in the car please. This is in everyone's best interest."

John was too scared, but honestly also a little too curious to try and fight his way out. He got into Leon's car. It was one of those stealthy cars. They look like your normal boring sedan, but on the inside everything is luxurious. Leather and metal on every surface, hand stitched. The engine purred and John gulped as he guessed how much this car is worth.

Leon drove in mostly silence, pulling up to some military facility that John had always thought was an airport or something. He hadn't known that Leon was in the military or in any government related position. Maybe he could even pull some strings and make getting the building plans passed that much easier.

As they pulled up to the roadblock a soldier stepped out. "I'll need to see your-" Leon flashed a smile. "Sorry sir, I didn't realize you were coming for a visit, the annual meeting isn't until-" Leon nodded. "Yes I know, it's a pressing matter, please let me in." The soldier flashed a salute, seemingly out of reflex and then awkwardly brought his hand back down when Leon didn't salute back. "Of course sir, go right on in."

The gate lifted and they drove in. The section of the compound closest to the road looked like any other military base, mostly concrete and quickly built, but then at the center was a building that was very out of place. It was a large, detailed building made of what looked like marble and glass, with lots of pillars and a seemingly Greek influence. What was this building doing here, of all places?

"What is this place?" John had to ask.

Leon smiled. "Welcome to the council. It's a fun room full of misguided old fucks who don't know when to die."

John just nodded as if he understood. "It looks almost like the Capitol Building."

Leon laughed. "It would make a good metaphor I suppose, they are similar in more ways than appearance."

They entered and seemingly interrupted some kind of hearing. There was a large half circle of what must be some kind of judge, three rows of seats wide. They all glared at the two of them.

"What is the meaning of this?! Leon! What are you doing here?" One of the old judges yelled to Leon grumpily.

Leon somehow stayed calm. Before John could apologize Leon spoke up. "This one has been named. When did you name him? You all know that that would be treason without a hearing of the Eld. I will have you all removed if I find out-" The grumpy old man interrupted him. "We did no such thing. There has not been a naming for millennia, we found other ways to solve our problems. Much less dangerous ones." The old man turned his head to John. "Please, explain yourself."

John was ready now. "I'm so sorry for interrupting whatever this is, Leon here just brought me along and didn't explain. I think he might not be feeling well, I will go take him back home. If you have any damages or anything you can call my firm and ask for John."

The entire council gasped. "Impossible!" One looked at Leon. "How did you do this?!"

Leon just shook his head. "I didn't. I found him and brought him right here. At first I thought he was named properly at the meeting I missed, but he said he didn't know anything about his title. I knew that the only way he wouldn't be trained properly was if he was named in some underhanded political attempt."

They all turned their heads to John. "This is most definitely a problem. A named one, running around recklessly completely unaware of their... self." The man shook his head.

The grumpy old man at the center spoke up. Maybe he led this council or something. "This is a dangerous situation that we find ourselves in." He turned to the people involved in the hearing that Leon and John had interrupted. "As you can see we have pressing matters to attend to, your hearing will have to take place at a later date. You will be summoned when we are free." He waved them off and they left in shock. "Every teacher died with the named in the great purge. There are very few who know anything about the named. Many less who would be able to teach one. If we could find one we are still left with the fact that we will need to hold a hearing of the Eld. They need to be informed of this and then we need to decide on a step forward from here. Please, judges, consider options and present them at the hearing. Leon please look after the named one until the hearing and see to it that he stays out of trouble. I can't imagine how he managed to stay out of it so far." He shook his head. In a defeated tone he announced: "I am officially calling a hearing of the Eld tomorrow at noon. All of the Eld are now summoned."

Leon looked more concerned than ever. He swallowed and then nodded. "Okay. Come with me. I'm sorry that I am not explaining much, I am sure this is very confusing."

They walked back to the car. Leon started it up and John saw that he had only an hour left before the meeting with management. "I need to get back to the office, I have a meeting in an hour." Leon looked at him. "Are you stupid?! You need to..." He took a breath. "Sorry, I know you don't know much about your situation. I am taking you to my house, it will be safe there an I can make sure nothing happens." Concern crept onto John's face. "What do you mean? Is something bad going to happen to me?" Leon shook his head. "No, I'm not protecting you from the world, I am protecting the world from you."

John was shocked, but then he remembered his boss's fury as he left the conference room. "No, I really need to go to this meeting. My boss is pissed at me and I think he is going to fire me."

Leon shook his head. "No, of course not. If you get angry that would only increase the chances."

"I need to go. If you want to sit outside the conference room door, then so be it, but I am not budging on this." John said decidedly.

Leon sighed. "Great, a stubborn named one. What could go wrong?" He jerked the wheel and they sped off in the other direction.

They pulled into the parking lot and John grabbed his things before going into the conference room. His boss hadn't gotten there yet, but the CEO of the firm was there along with a few other people of upper management.