<div class="floatleft">(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7946/marcusdupont.jpg)</div><strong>Marcus Dupont</strong>, Outside the Carriages [Marcus Dupont, Richard Dupont, William Bond, Louis Blanc (dead), Sebastian Archambault, Viktor Martin, Frederick Martin, Imogene Campbell, Ivy Montague]<br/><br/>Marcus nodded as he listened to Viktor speak, taking each word with a heavy heart. The Martins were from a good family; known for many generations to be incurable womanizers, they were nevertheless brave and good men, down to the last of them. He had no doubt that Viktor spoke the truth. "The women were lucky that you were wise enough to stay behind, Viktor. I fear if you hadn't stayed to watch over them...well, they might all be slaves, stolen away as we speak to those barbaric lands to the east." He squeezed Viktor's good arm and nodded. "You're a good man, Viktor. Thank you."<br/><br/>Nearby, the unnatural fog had almost entirely dissipated. Marcus spent only a handful of moments investigating Louis Blanc's body, before he found undeniable proof that the young man had indeed been guilty of consorting with their enemies. Under his vest, between arm and body, was a book of demonic Falkovnian spells and rituals. Marcus could make nothing of the scribbles; magic--even when used for the stage or entertainment--revolted him. Nevertheless, he picked up the leather-bound volume.<br/><br/>He peeked into Viktor's carriage, and waved at the ladies and young men present within. "Yes, we have dealt with those interlopers, my Ladies." His smile was warm and reassuring. "But even though we fought valiantly, it is really Viktor that you owe your gratitude to. If it were not for him, I'm afraid you might have all been stolen from us. No doubt, these mists were meant to carry you off into Falkovnian lands." Marcus laughed here, gazing fondly at Viktor, a tear almost coming to his eye. "You're a good man, Viktor. You all owe this man your continued purity and your lives as free women of Dementlieu." He nodded once more, and headed off, murmuring, "A true hero, that one is..."