IDWTBTHQ Chapter 74 - A Study in Feeling Blue

The marquis’s library was located in a small and cramped room with only one window, a small table at the center and the walls covered in bookshelves filled with hundreds of books. There were only a couple of chairs which at the moment were occupied by Marcus and Klara, and an oil lamp was on the table, though for now the light of the day was more than enough.

Marcus was sitting in front of the table, intent on staring at the pages of a book that Klara had selected for him. According to the girl, that book had a simple grammar that was very easy to understand, but for some reason it was still difficult for the Vex Queen despite his recent improvements with the local language —though maybe that was because he was helped by his telepathic powers when speaking directly to someone, and that didn’t work with a book.  Luckily, the local alphabet was pretty similar to his native one, down the letters themselves, something which helped him greatly.

“At the... d-down of the third day?” He recited, stuttering a bit.

“No, not down. Dawn.” Klara corrected him.

“Thanks. At the dawn of the third day, the Zaru... mountain? No, that can't be right...”

“It's mounted. Not mountain.”

“Oh, ok. At the dawn of the third day, the Zaru mounted an all-out... offensive?” he paused, looking at the girl for confirmation. Since she nodded, he continued. “The soldiers were prepared though, and met their... charge? Yeah, they met their charge with b... bareless? Bindless? No, wait, boundless! The soldiers met their charge with boundless courage, repelling the first assault with few... casualties and drowning... no, driving the vile Zaru away from the walls, se... securing the first victory of the day.”

He frowned a bit. The book he was reading, the Chronicles of the Zaru Wars, was classified as a history book but it was filled with too much painfully obvious propaganda to feel really reliable. Still, even if he had to take what was written with a pinch of salt, it was a nice source of information about the history of this world.

And what a history it was! Compared to it, his old world’s history was as boring as an accounting meeting!

According to the book, five hundred years prior the Empire had been invaded by the Zaru, a race of sadomasochistic squid-people that summoned tentacle monsters in battle. Marcus would have found that tale quite hard to believe, but Klara had confirmed it and besides he had witnessed so many crazy things in this world that he really couldn't dismiss anything, no matter how improbable it seemed.

Anyway, one day an huge army of Zaru, a species which had never been seen in the world before, had emerged from the Dark Heart and without any warning and without any reason or attempt at parlay they had started methodically laying waste to everything they found on their way. The kingdoms of Medelan and Boruvala had been almost completely destroyed, their population either slaughtered, forced to flee or captured and sacrificed to the Zaru’s dark gods, and the invaders had gained so much momentum that it seemed as if the Empire as a whole was in danger. However, the advance of the squidmen was halted at the city of Corania, and the passage Marcus was now reading actually detailed the events of the siege.

He was about to resume reading when he was interrupted by someone knocking at the door, and after a moment a maid entered the room.

“Sorry to bother you.” She said, “But the marquis has asked for lady Marcus's presence in his study.”

The Vex Queen frowned for a moment after hearing this, but then he just sighed with resignation. He had carefully avoided Eisen for almost a week by now, due to the embarrassment from their previous meeting, but it seemed like it was finally time to face him once again. At least he knew that if the nobleman had summoned him like this he almost certainly had something important to say, so hopefully he wouldn't bring up what had happened in the tea room and make things intolerably awkward.

“I'll go right away.” Marcus finally said to the maid, before turning to Klara. “I hope that you do not mind if we interrupt our lesson here.”

“Don't worry.” the girl reassured him, “We can resume later if you want, or even tomorrow. I've got nothing else to do right now, so I think I'll just stay here and read some books.”

“Suit yourself.” the Vex Queen nodded, “I'll see you later then.”

“Later, Marcus.”

A few minutes later, Marcus arrived in front of the marquis's door, but he didn't enter right away. Instead he took a deep breath, mentally preparing before facing the nobleman.

“C'mon Marcus! You can do it!” he said to himself. “It's not the first time you get wasted and end up doing embarrassing things! Get over it already! The marquis is literally a gentleman, he won't bring that up... or at least I hope so.”

After gathering up his resolution, he finally raised his fist and knocked at the door.

“Do come in.” Eisen's voice replied from the inside.

The Vex Queen entered the room, and he immediately noticed just how chaotic it was compared to the previous times he had seen it. There were piles of papers everywhere, some even scattered on the floor, and the desk was covered by documents, huge leather-cased ledgers and even a couple of abacuses. Eisen's head was barely visible behind all that, his usual well groomed hair now messy and untidy, and his face pale with huge bags under his eyes.

Another person was also sitting right besides the marquis. It was a tall, blonde man which managed to seem imposing despite looking quite pale and tired himself. Also, for some reason, he also reminded the Vex Queen of the marquis.

“Good day, marquis.” Marcus said, entering the room.

“Good day, lady Marcus!” the nobleman replied with a tired voice, “Thank you for coming!”

“It is not a problem.” the Vex Queen shrugged, before giving a look at the other person, “Ehm... I do not think we know each other, do we?”

“Oh, where are my manners! I forgot to introduce you to each other!” Eisen said, “Sorry about that. I'm quite tired right now... anyway, this is Dagobert Brett, my chief officer. He was taken prisoner by the goblins and has been released only recently. Dagobert, this is Lady Marcus. I have already told you about her.”

“You did.” Dagobert confirmed, getting out of his chair and bowing towards Marcus, “It is an honor to meet you, my lady.”

“Well, the pleasure is all mine.” the Vex Queen replied, returning the bow, “But please, do not call me lady. Just Marcus will do.”

The man nodded, and Marcus looked at him more carefully, suddenly realizing something as he did.

“Ehm, correct me if I'm wrong...” he asked, “ But are you related to the marquis, by any chance? You look kinda similar, and you have the same last name...”

“Indeed.” Dagobert nodded, “I'm Eisen's second cousin.”

“It's quite common for the younger sons of aristocrats to become soldiers in service of their relatives.” the marquis chimed in absent-mindedly. “And it's even more common for their sons to inherit the job. And to be honest I couldn't have wished for a better man for that position! Dagobert here is not only one of the best Aura Masters in the kingdom, but also one of the best officers!”

“You flatter me, Eisen.” Dagobert replied with a sad smile, “I don't deserve such praises. Especially after I got captured by goblins and spent months as their prisoner.”

“It's not your fault, stop bashing yourself for it!” Eisen barked, “The goblins this time were better organized and more numerous than we could have ever imagined! They even threatened Brettholz itself! I doubt even Yasen would have done better than you, in the same circumstances!”

“Fine, my lord.” the officer replied, but it was clear that he didn't agree.

“Uhm...” Marcus muttered, feeling rather awkward, “Can I ask why did you call me here, marquis?”

“Oh, sure!” Eisen said, “Sorry, I tend to ramble when I'm tired... and the Lord knows if I feel tired right now!” he paused for a moment, and gave Marcus an exhausted look, “Do you mind if I go straight to the point? I'm afraid I don't have the energy for diplomatic babble.”

“Of course I don't mind.” the Vex Queen replied, “Actually, I would appreciate it.”

“Very well. Then let's cut to the chase.'' The nobleman stared at Marcus straight in the eyes, “I need you and your minions to move to your lands as soon as possible. If I handle the preparations, could you depart from Brettholz in a day or two?”

Marcus thought about it for a second, and then nodded.

“Well... I think I can do that.” he confirmed, “Can I ask why you want me to leave?”

“It's not really that I want you to leave.” the marquis said, “You are a welcome guest here and it pains me to send you away. It's just that I need your drones to guard the borders with the goblins, and from what you said to me last time we talked...” he paused and looked away for a moment with an embarrassed expression on his face, “Well, you said that you need to be within a dozen kilometers or so from the drones to control them properly. Is that right?”

“Yes. Yes it is.” Marcus replied quickly, feeling rather awkward since Eisen had just brought up their previous meeting.

“Then if your minions are going to guard those territories, you have to go with them.” the nobleman continued, apparently not intending to discuss more about what had happened in the tea room. “This is the reason I need you to go. Sorry if it's too sudden, but I’m kind in a corner here.”

“Do not worry.” the Vex Queen reassured him, “I already knew I had to go to my lands sooner or later, so it's no problem for me to go now. But can I ask why are you in such a hurry? I thought I could stay here for the winter.”

“Well... long story short, it's because those damned pencil pushers in Rennhafen are a bunch of useless morons!” Eisen said with a bitter voice, “Yasen and his knights were supposed to stay here and guard the goblins for the winter, but some genius decided to recall them in the capital, since apparently the emergency is over in the province of Brettholz!” the nobleman's face turned red with rage. “Apparently for those fools in the capitals the goblins suddenly became completely trustworthy, from a legal point of view, the very moment I declared them a client race! So, without any official threat, there is no reason to keep the Royal Knights stationed here! Nevermind that I am stuck with tens of thousands of goblins camped in a corner of my territory, ready to swarm over my lands once again!”

The nobleman was so furious that he clenched his fists, breaking the pen he was holding. Marcus didn't know how to reply to that, as he had never seen Eisen get so emotional before, but Dagobert approached his cousin and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Calm down, Eisen.” He said, in a polite but firm voice. “Losing your temper won't help anyone.”

“Yeah, sorry.” the marquis replied, relaxing a bit. “I beg for your pardon, lady Marcus. That was unbecoming of me.”

“Just call me Marcus.” the Vex Queen corrected him automatically, “And also, do not worry. I take no offense.” he made a small pause and then added: “You should get some rest, though. You look like you are about to fall apart.”

Eisen smirked at that suggestion, but Dagobert shot the nobleman a cold glance.

“That's what I've told him ever since I've arrived.” the captain grumbled. “He should take better care of himself.”

“Don't worry about me, I'll just take a nap later.” the nobleman said in a bemused voice, “It's just that there are a lot of documents that require my signature, and I want to process them as soon as possible.” His face turned grim once again. “I've got to prepare a suitable shelter for the winter for those who inhabited the lands I've given to the goblins. Their new villages are not gonna be ready before the first snow, and after that the construction works will come to a halt. I'll have to buy a lot of tents to accommodate them all. And to make it all worse, since they can't harvest the fields in their home, since they now belong to the goblins, I'll also have to pay for their food! This little post-war here is eating through my savings like a devilrat! I'm gonna be surprised if I'll have any penny left in spring!”

Marcus nodded, feeling a sudden sympathy for the nobleman’s plights. He too had suffered from financial problems in his old world, what with paying for his student loans and his living expenses, and he remembered very well how powerless and angry he felt back then.

“Is there any way I can help?” he offered, “I mean, maybe with my drones' help we could manage to build those villages in time, or something.”

“I'm thankful for the offer, but I'm afraid that even with your help, we wouldn't make it in time.” The marquis shook his head, but he did sound somewhat cheered up. “And besides, if you and your minions keep watch over the goblins, that would be more than enough help. And to be honest, not having to feed your minions would be a great financial relief in itself. No offense, but you Vex sure eat a lot!”

“None taken.” the Hive Queen shrugged, “It is true, after all.”

“And about that... are you sure that your minions have enough food to survive in your new lands?” the nobleman asked, “I mean, there are a few unharvested cultivations there, but they won't be enough to last all winter with your numbers.”

“Do not worry.” Marcus reassured him, “We Vex can eat almost everything. Probably even grass or wood, if there is nothing better. And besides, I will start growing mold-wax as soon as I arrive there. Mold-wax grows very fast and is very nutritious, so I'll be able to feed my minions once I have a big enough patch of it.”

“Very well.” the marquis nodded, “Then I guess it's in everyone's best interest that you depart as soon as you can. How long would you take to get ready?”

“As I said, not long.” the Vex Queen replied, “I do not own many things, after all. I would only need some food to feed my minions on the way there, but apart from that I can leave anytime.”

“That, I can provide.” Eisen said, “Along with a few other things to make you comfortable. Would it be ok for you to depart in a day or two?”

“Yes.”

“Very well then.” the nobleman nodded, “I'll send word to arrange the necessary things for your trip. Oh, and I also need to tell Hoggs. He'll need some time to prepare as well.”

“Hoggs is coming with me then?” Marcus asked.

“Yes, of course.” Eisen replied, “After all, he still has to give you those lessons in aura control he promised and I need to have a telemancer stationed with you, so he's the logical choice.”

“Good.” The Vex Queen said with satisfaction. “Is there anything else?”

“No, at least not for now. If anything else turns up, I'll send word to you, but I really hope there won't be any more surprises for now. Lately, there have been only bad ones.”

“Very well.” Marcus said, “Then I think I will go prepare. I've got a few things to do before I depart.”

“Good.” the marquis nodded, “Then I'll leave you to it. Good day, Marcus.”

“Good day marquis.” the Vex Queen replied, “And good day to you too, Dagobert.”

“Good day.” the officer replied with a smirk.

Marcus then walked to the door to be on his way, but at the last moment he turned towards the marquis.

“Oh, and marquis... really, take some rest.” He said. “You look more dead than alive.”

“I will, Marcus, don’t worry.” the man said with a sad smirk, “Thank you for the suggestion.”

And with these parting words the Vex Queen left the room to arrange things for his departure.