An introverted accountant, Clayton Troblan, encounters a stranger from another world. Introducing himself as Sary the Conveyor, the uninvited guest announces it is his task to bring Clay to Drenna, a world linked to Earth by the powers of reflection. According to the conveyor, there is a desperate need... not for a king or a hero, but for a judge.

Hoping to pacify his confused guest, Clay follows Sary and finds himself mysteriously transported to a village seemingly stuck in time. He discovers a feudal-like civilization plagued by suspicion and hostility. He is asked to settle a dispute in order to prevent a war. Hoping to avoid becoming entangled in the quarrels of others, Clay attempts to return to Earth. The passage, however, is blocked and the accountant finds himself trapped in a world of widening conflict.

Seeking a way back home, Clay embarks on a quest to understand his connection to Drenna. He admits that opening himself up to the concerns of others leaves him drained and distressed, but he cannot dismiss certain similarities between Drenna and Earth. As he continues his search, he begins to understand the true purpose of his arrival and the need to avert a cataclysmic war.