The letter was a revelation for Marcus. He Understood now, Why his father was denied many of his achievements. The baron was a poor soul. He had potential, he had the zeal, but his fate was decided long before his birth.
After Marcus finished reading the letter Marcus continued with his story.
"After the war was over I had contemplated betraying the kingdom many times. But betraying the kingdom is equal to betraying my family, domain and the people I had helped, and the people who are my responsibility. If I were indeed had to betray the kingdom."
his voice turned solemn after that.
"the consequences that I would bring would be too dire to imagine."
then his gaze shifted to the boy from the vast fields "when I was in my internal turmoil. A pimp contacted me and said that my gem of a brother had left his seed inside a whore in the duration of the war. And he placed this boy in my hands. I took him and returned to the domain. I retired from the military and I have been here ever since."
" When I returned to the domain I found out my father was killed in a confrontation with the forest folk. After my retirement. I met your mother Carla at a ball conducted by the viscount although she was a commoner her father was an accomplished merchant. Her relationship with me helped me to conduct business with her father. All the magical beast materials. That we find here were sold to him at a cheaper rate. And the money I got was all used in the management of the domain. I love your mother deeply Marcus I did not want her to misunderstand the presence of my brother's son. Even my closest of friends thought that he was my son. So I sent him to a commoner's family to be adopted and raised as a commoner."
Marcus was trying his best to digest all the information given by
"Another year passed, you were born. You were a gift to your mom. But when you were born the healers told me that your mom can not go through another labour. if she does, there is a high chance she would die. Given the curse of our family. I thought this boy could be held as a back up for any sort of worst-case scenario. So I sent our butler to find him and teach him the etiquette and prerequisite knowledge to nobles. But he brought me the news that his foster father, who was my loyal soldier has recently passed and his foster mother died of childbirth. So, I had him moved to the corinth's orphanage along with his sister. And secretly let the butler teach him the basics. But it is indeed surprising that no one bothered to give him a god damn name all these years ".
The whole while Marcus was observing the ripples in the emotions of the Baron. But never once has he sensed any sort of indication lying. This means what he said till now is true word to word.
But the baron was not going to stop his long boring monologue any time soon. (intended to audience)
" Boy, I am sorry for what I have done to you. I just did what I did to you for sake of my wife and to avoid any complications in future. No proof could tie you up with my brother. So, I was always a bit cynical towards you. Just don't hurt my children in future. You are free to live your life in our orphanage but if you are interested I can recruit you into the beast guard. That is the best shot you have for a brighter future. But, don't expect me to grant you the name of a war grave. If you want to join the family. I can give you the bastard family name of the War grave family. 'Inthigo' "
after giving a pause and said "you can stand over there boy." he pointed at a parked wagon across the road. The boy left without saying a word. Marcus was able to sense confusion and chaos in the boy's soul.
at the end of his monologue, Arlo decided to drop a bomb in a soft voice "Marcus There are two reasons for me to tell all this history to you. One You are going to get a sibling. I found a medicine in the desolate forest that can help your mother with another delivery safely"
when Marcus heard that news, the Wargrave in him rejoiced. And the Wayne in him was trying to guess what was the 2nd reason.
"as for the second reason. I am feeling it, my son. My imminent death, I don't know when it will come. Either tonight or maybe at the end of my life. But I can sense it. It was trying to communicate with me. Maybe to make me not struggle too much when the time comes. I want you to become a man Marcus as soon as possible. Protect your mom and sibling if something happens to me. If I die too early and the situation is unsalvagable.
Arlo took an emblem from his pocket the emblem was in the shape of a shield with an insignia on the phoenix on it.
" This is a transmitter, at the other end of this, my best and most trusted friend Romulus Nord Ash receives your distress call. Break it when you sense danger. Not when you are in danger. You can even speak up for few seconds with this thing. He will hear them."
Marcus was dazed by the continuous surprises he had this day. From the curse, and his family being completely exterminated due to some strange witch controlling the king. And later his some great.... grandfather who was seven generations before he acted on an impulse and the need to surprise the enemy to be caught off guard. Blinded him from the dangers of potential extermination of family and damnation of his soul for god knows how long.
And at last, his father was saying he will probably be a ticking bomb. For which the bomber has forgotten what time it was designed to be blasted. Amid the thoughts, he heard his father saying
"I don't know what is the problem between you two. But, talk it out your self I don't have the mood to mediate between kids. Do it with either words or fists I don't care."
He left the fields and went back to the training grounds.
A few moments passed neither of the boys were willing to talk first. unable to bear the eerie silence
Marcus turned towards the boy and broke the ice
" First of all things, we must find you a name. A good one at that."