Charlotte's Law

"You own everything."

"You?" Landyn took the paper from Camden gently, looking it over. "'I, Rodney Kenneth Grimwey, do hereby leave all of my possessions, my money, my school, and my research to Camden Elliot Saunders. That is my only will. He may do as he chooses with his new belongings, though I do have one final wish. I want him to keep the school open. That's all.'"

"I can't believe this," Rome said, her eyes wide in shock. "You're only fourteen. You can't possibly run a school by yourself."

Landyn scoffed. "Cam can do whatever he wants. He learned to read in three weeks. He's been through time, for God's sake. Stop acting like he doesn't know what he's doing."

"I- I didn't-" Rome stuttered, aghast.

"It's fine, Rome," Camden interjected. "It's not a big deal."

"May I see the document?" Jarvis asked. Landyn shrugged and started to hand it over, but Camden took the will from him and shook his head.

"Me dad says legal documents should never leave the 'ands o' the owner," Camden stated. "I think I'll 'old on to this."

Rome smiled and nodded, but Jarvis muttered angrily.

"You common girl!" he exclaimed, furious. "Hand over the document now! This school is mine! Everything here is mine! These rings are mine!"

He knelt down and grabbed one of the rings, slipping it onto his finger. Camden stood up, tucking the will into his pocket.

"Jarvis, stop!" he commanded. "Those're dang'rous! You 'ave to obey Charlotte's Law! Anythin' you change in th' past affects th' future. You 'ave no idea what power you 'old right there."

"I know exactly what power I hold here," Jarvis spat. "I hold the power to cease your existence. I should have killed Kenn long ago, before you came along to ruin everything."

"Jarvis, what happened to you?" Landyn asked.

"Shut up, woman!" Jarvis spat, grabbing the ring. Camden took two steps forward and spat on Jarvis's shoes, the way only a commoner could.

"Landyn is a man," Camden stated venomously. "You can call me a girl and try to take what rightfully belongs to me, but don't you dare talk down to Landyn. You're a butler. You're 'ardly any better than I am. You 'ave no right to talk to Landyn like that."

"Cam?" Landyn interrupted. "You own a successful school. You have more money now than my family has ever had. You're not a commoner."

"You're wrong, Landyn," Camden replied calmly. "I'll always be a commoner. It's the way I was raised. 'owever, I know me place. Apparently, 'e doesn't."

"I don't have time for the social hierarchy of Britain," Jarvis rolled his eyes and touched his ring. "1776."

Camden cursed as Jarvis disappeared from sight. He leaned down and grabbed another ring, slipping it silently onto his finger.

"1776!"

~~**~~

Camden launched himself at Jarvis as soon as he opened his eyes in 1776. Kenn stood at the window, staring longingly down at the tall oak tree by the forest. He turned at the sound of Jarvis' strangled gasp as Camden tackled him to the floor.

"Jarvis?" Kenn asked, confused.

"Kenn, get away!" Camden yelled, struggling to keep the much taller man on the ground. It took a commoner's strength to accomplish the difficult feat.

"Get off me, you brat!" Jarvis yelled.

"You there!" Kenn pointed at Camden, his voice shaking. "Get off of my friend."