Once the formalities where out of the way, the halfling woman named Xivira who had intercepted Marcus’ and Mrazivý’s telepathic communication began asking them questions about the incident.
“From what we were told and gathered on our own, you were sent to the northern reaches of the kingdom’s territory that is called the Great Gome Woods to investigate an outbreak of monsters and beasts that had traveled further south without warning, correct?”
Nodding his head Marcus confirmed that he had received those orders from the kingdom.
“Hm, but why would they send an honorary prince like you? That seems above someone of your station.” Xivira said with a raised eyebrow.
“I am sure you know that Borealia and the kingdom to the south have entered into a new agreement recently when a new power took over Tralenstein. Currently a number of our strongest mages and knights were down assisting in protecting our neighbor. Thus, I was sent for my ability to fly and withstand the cold with ease, as well as my high level.” Marcus said with a completely neutral expression that betrayed nothing.
This was one of the questions that he and Mrazivý had rehearsed answering and would fit with the story that anyone else would tell..
However, their next question caught both Marcus and Mrazivý off guard as they had not been expecting it.
“Now I understand that you were sent there, but what about a baronetess Irene Geist? From our investigation of the people and soldiers that had been in the farthest north settlements they all said that she had been sent with the same job. But she was not mentioned in any of our reports from the kingdom.” Xivira said with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
Doing his best to retain his poker face Marcus thought of what to say to get around this.
“As far as Lady Geist is concerned, I have never met her personally, but I do know of her from mutual acquaintances. I was informed that she had been sent as well, but as far as I know she spent the majority of her time dealing with the monster and beast outbreak while my task was more emphasized to investigate the source of the problem.”
“I see, but I find it hard to believe that you have not met Irene Geist seeing as how your fiancée is such good friends with her?” Xivira said as she suddenly jerked her head towards Mrazivý.
It was at this point both of them realized that this inquiry had taken a turn away from what they were expecting and that they were searching for something else.
Luckily for Marcus who was starting to internally panic, Mrazivý just put on her best business smile, and said, “I am sorry, it seems that we have come to the wrong meeting. I was told this was to be about the recent incident with the Doomsday Worm, not about our personal relationships. I am afraid we are done here then.”
Mrazivý then moved to stand up, but Valerius raised his hand, and a sudden pressure was felt by everyone in the room. This caused Mrazivý to be unable to move, and a cold sweat began falling down her forehead.
“I apologize for my subordinate’s line of questioning. We will make an inquiry with Irene Gest later, so let us return to the matter at hand.”
With that the meeting continued. Though this time Xivira did not asking anymore probing questions about Marcus’ other identity.
“Now you were the first one to discover the monster, and one of only two to see it before it went on its rampage. Would you mind telling us what state it was in when you first found it?”
Going into detail Marcus told them everything he could remember about his first time seeing the Doomsday Worm and the absolute feeling of dread that he experienced.
“Seeing that the cause of the outbreak was something far greater than I could deal with, I skipped contacting the deputy king and went straight to the kingdom’s protector.”
Marcus began detailing how he got Gwyneira to join him and how they began rounding up fighters that were high enough level to be of use.
“So that is when you came into play Princess Mrazivý. You are the disciple of this man called the Sword Savant, correct?” Xivira said towards Mrazivý.
“Yes, I am. My master happily agreed to join the battle in order to test his skills and help protect my home. While I was ordered to head to the capital and request assistance form the guild as I am sure that you know.”
Nodding her head Xivira was well aware of what Mrazivý did in relation with the guild. Having acted as a liaison for the kingdom.
Though after the Sword Savant was brought up, the old man named Petrus who was sitting at one end of the table spoke up for the first time.
“Asher is here and still alive is he. Mrazivý why do you not tell me where your master is.” Petrus said with an underlying fury in his tone.
It was enough to startle both Marcus and Mrazivý who felt a wave of malice coming from Petrus who abruptly stood up and looked at Mrazivý with a glare.
“That is enough Stone. You can deal with your squabbling from the past at a later time. And can you not see that you are unsettling them.” Valerius said as he gave Petrus a cold look.
Relenting the man sat back down with an angry grunt and retracted the intimidation he was sending Mrazivý’s way.
“Now that we have resolved that, let us get back to the matter at hand.” Xivira said getting back to questioning Marcus and Mrazivý.
Soon, Marcus and Mrazivý had pretty much retold everything that they knew about the incident from their own point of view and answered every question that the adventurers guild had asked them with regards to the inquiry about the Dread Burrowers and the havoc it had caused.