Chapter 35: The Prattling of an Old Man
The next afternoon, Bandit caught sight of a minotaur running around the plains on the border north of Zaranar. It was a bizarre sight; minotaurs didn’t usually just run around randomly on the plains.
Just in case, Bandit decided to send her succubus forward before revealing herself to the minotaur. If it was Lupy’s minotaur, it wouldn’t be a problem, but on the off chance that this was a wild minotaur, Bandit didn’t want to have to engage it by herself, especially considering how exhausted she was after her long night.
The succubus frolicked through the grass, approaching the rampaging minotaur. The intimidating monster noticed the approaching demoness and turned to face her. It lowered its ax and hurried its pace. As they neared, it raised its axe and cleaved the succubus in two.
Bandit’s jaw dropped at the unexpected brutality. There was no way an ally would do something like that.
“Wait!” A wolf-eared girl came sprinting from the other end of the plains, beckoning the minotaur.
Well, perhaps there was an ally who would do something like that. The girl arrived at the minotaur’s location and started lecturing it. The minotaur averted its gaze, understanding the intent of Lupy’s words if not the literal meaning.
It would probably be hours before Bandit could summon her succubus again, which was annoying, but at least she didn’t expect to need it any time soon. Shaking her head in exasperation, she stepped out into the plains herself and approached Lupy. At the other end she could see the rest of the party approaching as well.
As they neared, Kat called out to Bandit. “How did it go?”
“Fine,” Bandit answered modestly.
“How did you do it?” asked Vulp.
“While I had mana, I turned part of the rudder to stone. At the end I was damaging the sails instead.”
“Did you get them all?” Vulp followed up.
“No but I got most of them. DM said that should be okay.”
“You smell,” said Shiba, pinching her nose.
“Thanks. I can always count on you.” Bandit turned to Kat. “What did you do?”
“We figured out where the two armies were and told the Guild. They should be starting to mess with them by now.”
“So what do we do now?”
“Hm.” Kat paused to think.
“Can’t we get Bandit a bath?” asked Lupy. “Can’t we use one of those spots we passed this morning?”
“I agree!” Shiba quickly concurred.
“Wow, Lupy, that’s a great idea,” said Kat. “It’s on the way. We can help the Guild mess with the armies until DM says we don’t need to do it anymore.”
Bandit had no complaints.
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The majority of Vosk’s force marched as one along the Empire’s main roads, no longer hiding their intent. As they traveled, they were joined by several other divisions organized by allied lords. DM and his battalion of monsters were kept near the center of the formation, shielding them from observation as much as possible. For the latter part of the journey, the army zigzagged to avoid Kinzirgundi, Unzar, and Nargunar. The only city they actually approached was Kharb, the final opportunity to resupply before the farmlands leading up to the capital.
Kharb was undefended. Vosk’s scouts walked right in, and shortly thereafter, Vosk himself led a cavalry into the city, escorted by most of his top allies while the majority of the forces camped nearby. DM was able to observe through Jonathan’s eyes.
Most of the city’s tradesmen and merchants remained in the city, declaring themselves neutral, whereas the guardsman and majority of the common townfolk had fled north. The soldiers escorting Vosk were ordered not to harass any of the local residents if they weren’t belligerent.
“We’re probably wasting our time, but let’s see if the Lord is in.” Vosk gestured, dispatching a group to investigate the large building at the center of the tiny trade city. The way he accentuated the word Lord stood out to DM.
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While Vosk discussed the city’s provisions with a cooperative clerk, two men returned, slowing from a jog to report their findings. “Sir, the Lord was present. Shall we bring him out?”
“He was? I can hardly understand why he didn’t flee with his defenders, but I’ll hear him out. Ask him to join us over here. Be polite. He’s getting on in years.”
“Yes, Sir.” The men jogged away again.
Vosk continued his conversation with the clerk and quickly came to terms. All of the city’s provisions would become the property of Vosk’s liberation force, reducing burden on their supply lines. In exchange, Vosk would remember the exemplary performance of the clerk.
“Andrei, now try doing that again without an enormous army behind you,” Chuck Burger joked.
“Oh, I’m sure I’d manage somehow.”
“Sir, here he is!”
The same messengers from before escorted the elderly gentleman, who approached while hunched over and supporting himself with a surprisingly mundane wooden cane.
“Lord Vagoso, it’s been a while.”
“Well, well, Little Andrei, is it? How’s your grandfather doing?”
“M–My grandfather?” Andrei was taken aback. “You must know he died over twenty years ago.”
“Huh?” Lord Vagoso’s drawn-out upward inflection implied utter confusion. “Not that grandfather. Your other one. Keep up, young man.”
“M–My maternal grandfather? I think he died around when I was born…?”
“Pity. I always was fond of him. Lots of fun to go hunting with. His daughter was such a cutie, too.”
Andrei cleared his throat. “Anyway, as you can see we’ve—“
“Her taste in men,” Lord Vagoso interrupted, “was a bit questionable. Oh she worried me so.”
“W–We’ll have plenty of time to reminisce in the coming weeks—“
“So how are your parents?”
“Lord Vagoso!” Andrei was clearly exasperated. “You must know my parents passed away. Please let us get to the matter at hand. We must discuss the passage of my army—“
“Oh goodness me, senility must be setting in. It’s hard for me to remember recent events, these days. Has your wife handled the transition to power better than you have?”
Andrei tried to reply, but the words caught in his mouth, releasing only a garbled utterance. He was practically turning red, and everybody could see it. He shook his head twice and tried again. “Lord Vagoso, right now, the focus is not on me, but the Emperor. Noah, specifically.” Andrei was glad he managed to finish his statement uninterrupted, but he was immediately caught off guard when Lord Vagoso didn’t bother to respond at all. He cleared his throat and continued, feeling awkward as ever. “You do know that a new Emperor took the throne, right? I know you said you’re having some difficulty keeping up with recent events and all.”
“Eh?” was all Lord Vagoso said, sounding like a confused and disoriented old man.
“Lord Vagoso!”
“Andrei, calm down!” Chuck shouted to his friend. “Don’t let him drag you into his pace. Don’t forget why we’re here.”
“You’re right, Chuck. I—“
“Ah, Noah!” Lord Vagoso interrupted again.
“Dammit, why do you only interrupt—“ Andrea’s question remained incomplete.
“That kid practically fell into the throne! What a shock that was on my old heart. Leo was like a godson to me. Imagine this old man’s surprise when he died unexpectedly.”
“Exactly!” Andrei replied. “And that’s why—“
“Hm?” Lord Vagoso pondered. “Actually, he was my godson! And his son died so soon after. What a tragedy, that was. I still feel sadness to this day.”
“That is why I looked into the matter. Wasn’t it odd—“
“I cared for Leo like one of my own children. His father and I were close, after all. Leo’s death easily took years off my life. His son’s death took even more. It’s a miracle I’m still standing here.”
“As I’m trying to say—“
“Of course, if anyone was responsible for their deaths… If there were some sinister plot afoot, I’d very much want to know about it.”
Andrei clearly wanted to jump back in to the conversation, but he hesitated, not wanting to get interrupted again. The old man paid him no mind and continued.
“And so I looked. Hard. Oh so very hard. These old eyes can’t see much, you see. I deigned to learn if someone willed Leo’s death or that of his son. In my search, I learned you were doing exactly the same thing, young man. I was overjoyed. The warmth I felt in my chest threatened to burn these old bones. I wasn’t alone in seeking the truth. In seeking justice. In righting the world’s greatest wrongs.”
“Uh,” Once again, Andrei wasn’t sure how to proceed.
“And now that events have brought us together,” Lord Vagoso continued, “let us share what we both learned, shall we not? We can combine the results of our respective investigations and lay everything bare for the people of the Empire. What say you?”
Andrei swallowed once.
“Young man, before you decide, I have a confession. Despite my tireless efforts to unearth the secret cause of dear Leo’s death, I was unable to find anything. By all accounts, his death was simply fate catching up with him. Although it brings tears to my eyes, the situation is no less dire for my investigation into his only son’s death. It seems both of them died due to inaction, rather than action. Victims of circumstance rather than malice.
“Oh dear, I seem to have revealed my hand, so to speak. Now there’s hardly anything for you to gain by sharing what you learned with me. Still, it’s possible you learned something from way down south that I was unable to discern despite my unparalleled access, unique qualifications, and extreme motivation. Would you be willing to share? Perhaps your invasion is justified after all.”
“We’re already way past the point of debating this,” was Andrei’s only response.
“Hm, I see. How suspicious.” The old man turned to Chuck. “Lord Burger, how is your wife?”
“Uh, fine, thank you.”
“I see your children are all grown up. Perhaps they can see through your friend’s hogwash.” He turned around and took two steps away before stopping, once again resting his weight on his cane. “Gentlemen, once you’ve finished tearing the food out of my children’s mouths, please proceed to your next destination. My instincts are telling me you’re all in for one hell of rude awakening, but take that as the mere prattling of an old man.” He hobbled away while everyone listened, speechless, to the rhythmic clank of his wooden cane contacting the cobblestone.