CHAPTER 56: THE INTERROGATION

While Marcus and Tom were trying to figure out what Lord Varek might want from them, two guards and the mouse-like prison manager entered their section.

"Yeah, take them all to other holdings," the manager squeaked. "Clear this side. I don't want these rats shoutin' unwanted things to my precious guests."

The guards started moving prisoners out of their cells one by one. Marcus watched as men were led away in chains, some protesting, others just looking resigned to whatever was happening.

While all this was going on, Marcus started thinking. And the more he thought, the worse he felt about everything.

What had he been thinking? He wasn't some hero. He wasn't Frodo with a magic ring or anything like that. There was no fellowship. What was he thinking creating fellowship with a half-dead mage? There was no magical solution to end Malachar either. He should've just kept selling his soap, maybe invented ice cream or soda or something. Lived a fat, rich life until Malachar came to Drakmoor anyway.

At least then his family would be safe. At least then Tom wouldn't be sitting in a prison cell with a busted face.

Marcus was still beating himself up when more footsteps echoed through the corridor. Lots of them this time. The sound of expensive boots on stone.

Two guards in shiny armor entered first and took positions on either side of the corridor. Then Lord Varek walked in, looking like he owned the place. Behind him came Alice.

Marcus felt his stomach drop when he saw her. She looked tired, like she hadn't slept. But she was dressed better than usual. Nicer robes, her hair done up properly.

Varek waved at the guards by the entrance. "You all wait here. This won't take long."

"Come, my child," Varek said to Alice. "Let's solve this mess."

Tom, who hadn't been paying attention to the fancy entrance, suddenly noticed Alice. "Alice, run! I heard he's the bad guy!"

Marcus shot his cousin a look that said 'shut up and sit down' without using any words. Tom got the message and plopped back down, but he was still watching Alice with concern.

"Don't worry about me, honey," Alice said to Tom, though her voice sounded weird. Too cheerful.

Marcus and Alice locked eyes through the bars. "Marcus," she said.

"Alice," Marcus replied. His voice came out flat and cold.

Lord Varek stepped closer to Marcus's cell. "Marcus of Millhaven. What do you say about creating a conspiracy with that old silver fox to take me down?"

"Is this the court? Am I being tried right now?" Marcus asked.

"No, no, my son. That will come later." Varek's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I was just curious. After I put that old fox in his place and made sure he won't get in my way again, I wondered what you did to push him into taking action against me."

"I didn't do nothing," Marcus said.

"Well, you basically pushed Master Thymon to find evidence and take action," Alice said.

Marcus looked at her angrily. "I'm just a refugee kid trying to make a quick buck. In fact, Alice brought me to the Academy."

"Is this true, Alice?" Varek asked.

"Sir, his innovations with ink and paper..." Alice started, but Varek cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"Enough. I'll be brief." Varek's voice became businesslike. "I'm here because I want you to testify against Master Thymon and Commander Cain. They tried a coup with the help of Lord Hammond. You're just a kid, and you have this giant family." He pointed at Tom. "Literally."

"You don't want anything happening to them," Varek continued. "Master Thymon and Commander Cain will die regardless. But I want Lord Hammond and his province. So if you say what I want you to say, you and your family live."

His voice got firm on that last part, and Marcus felt a chill run down his spine.

Varek turned and walked out, leaving Alice alone with them.

"Okay," Alice said, pulling out a paper. "Here are the things you need to say in front of the royal court."

"I'll say whatever you want me to say," Marcus said. "But just tell me this. Why did you do it? What did they offer you? Head Scribe position?"

"Shut up," Alice said quickly.

"But you wouldn't sell your sister for Head Scribe," Marcus continued. "So maybe Head of the Academy? But no one would respect a 20-year-old scribe suddenly becoming their boss."

"Shut up," Alice said again, louder this time.

"Maybe a job at the palace? Head mistress to the sweet Lord Varek?"

"I SAID SHUT UP!" Alice screamed, her face going red.

"No one, no one..." Alice was breathing heavy now. "No one offered me anything, and I didn't sell my sister. I saved her."

Marcus stared at her. "Saved her?"

"You amateurs were gonna get caught anyway. I made sure Lord Varek spared her." Alice's voice was shaking. "Lord Varek is the only one doing anything to save this city."

"Yeah, by making sure citizens starve and caravans disappear," Marcus shot back.

"He brokered a deal with Malachar!" Alice interrupted. "Sending useless metals and rocks to preserve peace. Why do you think the attacks stopped at the border towns?"

"Naive. How naive can you be?" Marcus said. "If you believed one word Lord Varek said, you're just a child. He's making sure a million slaves work for his precious metals and magnets while people die in those mines and families starve."

"Then why did Malachar stop advancing into Valdris when he conquered half the known world?" Alice demanded.

"Because Lord Varek is in his pocket and the King is Varek's puppet! They're stalling to get the minerals, and then poof. Everyone's a slave to Malachar. Or worse..."

"Zombies," Tom added helpfully.

"Dark Lords can't be trusted," Marcus continued. "And people like Lord Varek never keep their word."

"And you met lots of Dark Lords and high officials in Millhaven?" Alice asked sarcastically.

"No, he didn't," Tom said. "No one comes to our village 'cept traders once or twice a year."

Marcus sighed. "I have nothing else to say to you. Give me the script. I'll tell them whatever you want me to say."

Alice handed him a paper through the bars. Marcus noticed it was written using his paper designs. Somehow that made the betrayal hurt even worse.

"This is for the good of the city," Alice said. "You'll understand once you see Lord Varek bring permanent peace with Malachar."

After she left, Tom and Marcus argued about whether Marcus should testify like Varek wanted. Tom thought they should fight it somehow. Marcus pointed out that fighting would just get their family killed.

"It's late," Marcus said finally. "I need to sleep. I've got another interrogation waiting for me."

Tom looked confused by that last part, but Marcus didn't explain. How could he tell his cousin that in another world, police had arrested him for researching bomb-making? That both his lives were falling apart at the same time?

As Marcus lay down on the moldy straw, he thought about Alice's face when she'd screamed at him. She believed she was doing the right thing. She thought Lord Varek was going to save everyone.

That somehow made everything worse.