Full name: Marcus Schwartz, later and current Marcus Zaunkoenig
Age: 19
Country of Origin: The Western Sky Kingdom, and Berlin, Germany.

Marcus grew up in Germany in the aftermath of the first World War. His family couldn't afford another mouth to feed, so they originally attempted to sell him, but when that effort failed they abandoned him on the streets.
Marcus grew up seeing money burned for warmth, and food spoil because no one could afford to eat it, and seeing a country that was once great reduced to nothing but children digging and fighting over scraps.
When the dynamic started to change, and older children started to hurt the younger or even kill them to preserve their chances at getting food handouts, Marcus knew he was in trouble. He was already small, and would not be able to protect other children, let alone himself.
So he plotted instead. One 'accident' later, and the smaller children could eat again. The accidents continued until his reputation spread, and finally he was old enough that he enlisted in the military.
Marcus taught himself to read and write in German, and over the next years in English, Dutch, Russian and Italian. He studied anything he could get his hands on, and values knowledge as the most effective means to gaining power and status.

He ignored the actions of his country over the next few years, promising himself that the darker parts were slander, and the good parts were truth.
When he realized what the leaders of his country were doing, not only to their own people, but to the rest of the world, he could no longer abide it and attempted to defect.
Marcus fully expected to face a firing squad, or worse, a traitor's death, when Stefan came to him and offered an alternative.

Marcus told him he was absolutely off his rocker if he expected him to believe that the man had a fairytale castle, was King of it, and lived in a land with giant birds, dragons and magic.
But that didn't mean he said no.

Now, Marcus is studying to be a war wizard, wanting to protect his new home and King. That he happens to rule by said King's side is just gravy.

Marcus is still a little immature at times, though he tries to be adult about things constantly. If his past is brought up, he will be quickly roused to anger, as he hides it fiercely.