Shortly after the spell was cast, Alessia was alerted to the presence of another by the sound of approaching armoured footsteps. Her bodyguard immediately leapt up to defend her, but stood down upon recognising the rugged, handsome features of Lord Dorian Sorus-Vecusa. He stood a respectable distance away from the cross-legged Alessia, and addressed her simply by stating her name - just her first name, without any titles or embellishments, as was his right as a fellow noble. She waited a moment, a hint of a smile forming on her soft features before she opened her eyes. Dorian was a tall man, not bulky but not lanky either, and carried himself with the dignity of a born and bred noble, even on the battlefield. At this moment he was accoutred in some of the best armour the Empire could provide, the bronzed, gold edged steel plates lending him an imposing, regal air. She stood and quickly crossed the distance between them, lightly embracing his steel encased form and rising onto the tips of her toes to kiss each handsome cheek once. “How goes the battle?” Not her usual greeting, but then this was not the place for an overabundance of idle banter.

Before becoming an Evoker, Alessia had been considering this man as a potential father for the next in the Rezalla line. not necessarily because she felt strongly for him, though there may have been a certain element of that, but more because he was also from a respected line and had proven himself very much worthy of his position in the Empire. Nobles scions of lengthy lines of nobility were often encouraged to seek out similar peers for the continuation of their lines, in part to ensure a child would be fulfilling the purpose regardless of gender, and in part because of a belief (still not conclusively proven) that such pairings created children more suitable to the life of a noble than others. There were of course rules against lines becoming too intermingled, the results of such a thing were most certainly proven and no noble line wished to see their family tree lack in branches so much that their children became deformed.

Regardless, all plans of pairings or children were set aside when she became an evoker, and it was not worth spending thought on now. They both knew were the other stood.

Alessia could hear a distinct edge of strain in his voice when he answered, no doubt as he resisted the unpleasant effects of her spell. Unfortunately she was unable to spare him from the harshness of it, even if he was strong willed enough to set it aside. “Well enough.” He said. “We have secured the entirety of the outer city, though some stragglers escaped on boats before the docks could be locked down. Some of them were apparently Evokers. Needless to say, I have dispatched my outrider cavalry around the edge of the lake to try and catch up to them, and several men have also pursued them in what boats we could spare from our foes docks.” Alessia nodded at the report. There wasn’t really much she could say on the matter, Dorian not only outranking her but being a superior military tactician as well. “I am sorry you came when the Dread Omen was active… I would’ve understood if you’d stayed with the troops in the outer city, beyond its influence.” She said, genuinely remorseful at subjecting a friend to her powers.

Dorian brushed the comment off and replied with his usual dry wit. “Its more pleasant than Valerians ceaseless complaining about how long, tedious and dark the journey through the tunnel was. Remind me again why he’s a noble?” A hint of a smile curled the edges of Alessia’s mouth as she responded, taking on a mock chiding tone contrasting Dorians sarcasm. “Because he single handedly rejuvenated the economy of three separate ports near the dynasty border in the space of only a few years?” Dorian would not relent though, part of why Alessia was so fond of him. He knew when to do away with the overly nice manners too many nobles used at all times. “How could I forget? He only reminds me of it every few hours.” Alessia’s smile became far more visible as she responded. She could sympathise with the sentiment, but that was no reason to stop needling the poor man. “As I recall you voted for him to be accepted into our ranks.” Dorian put on a regretful smile for just a moment at that remark. “Clearly I was not myself on that day.” Alessia replied with a twinkle in her eye, she had missed their conversations. “Clearly. Why did you come out here anyway? Cant’ve been just for me.”

“This is your first time in battle, and I wanted to check on you.” He said, care evident in his tone. “I appreciate the thought.” Alessia said genuinely. “I would like to say I am fine, but even though I enjoy serving the Empress, may she live forever, I fear I am not cut out for the front lines. I intend to take a position in the governance of our new city, even though it means braving the attentions of our dear Lord Valerian.” She shuddered at the thought, he had been accruing something of a reputation as a less than subtle man with a desire to start a ‘long and glorious noble line’ and unless he suddenly decided to take interest in the natives, she represented one of the only eligible Kalesian noblewomen this side of the mountains.

“The battle should not persist long.” He said by way of reassurance. She could tell from the look he gave that there was more he wanted to say, but now was certainly not the time. Before he could speak again she cut in with a regretful but final tone. “I have kept you from your duties enough already good sir. It is time for you to command your troops once more, and take this city for the Empress, may she live forever.” She turned away with that, making it clear that he shouldn’t tarry any longer. “Of course.” Was his reply, waiting only a moment before turning and leaving himself.