-Alexis Lycan, 18 Years Old-
Alexis lies on his bed with an arm draped over his face. He is extremely tired and worn out for just this morning, he had charged into battle to defend his lands. He is not averse to killing by any means, it just wears on the body and mind after everything is said and done. He glances to his right and sees Sabrina standing next to his bed, watching over him. He smiles to himself.
"Sabrina." Alexis says.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Come here." He says gently.
Sabrina gives a quick nod and approaches her lord. When she gets close to him, he grabs her arm and pulls her toward himself. She sits upon the bed, pulled softly. She reaches her hand out and runs her hand through his hair.
Alexis smiles outwardly and leans back even more, relaxing further.
"Stay right here, Sabrina." Alexis says after a while, enjoying her touch and presence.
Sabrina blushes and nods again. She loves spending time with, and caring for, her Lord. She has been deeply attracted to him for years now, and longs for his touch. Though, she has been pushing these feelings down for a while now.
"Yes, my Lord."
-
Alexis awakens the next morning, his dutiful maid gone. He sighs to himself as he lies there. He didn't sleep with her, though he admittedly wants to. He withheld himself and only fell asleep with her nearby. He decides to himself that he will soon though. He knows that she likes him and has known for a while.
After sleeping with Arabella to complete their contract, he has been desperately suppressing his newfound sexual appetite. But he is now approaching his limits.
Alexis rolls out of bed and shambles towards his wardrobe. About halfway there, he notices a cup of tea on the table, steam billowing from the top. He chuckles and approaches the table. Dropping into the well-worn chair he grabs the cup and takes a deep drink and appreciates the taste. Delicious. Sabrina's tea always is.
As he ponders this, the door creaks open and his maid admits herself.
"Good morning, my Lord. Pardon me." Sabrina says simply as she pulls his clothes from the wardrobe. Alexis watches her absentmindedly as he sips from the tea, trying to fully awaken.
"Morning, Sabrina." Alexis replies, standing up at her approach. He is quite used to her dressing him in the mornings. It is almost a routine at this point.
After getting dressed, Sabrina leads Alexis towards the dining room. She opens the door when they reach their destination, and he walks in.
"Ryan." He says, acknowledging the man waiting for him.
"Good morning, my Lord." Ryan says as he stands up to bow for his entering liege.
Alexis sits down into the chair that Sabrina pulled out for him. They are meeting here for an impromptu war council.
War between vassals of the Empire was a common occurrence. As long as a Lord had the proper reason, or casus belli, they could declare on any other Lord. At this point, the war declaration was sent to the Wardens of their respective regions for approval. There was the Warden of the North, South, East, and West. If the declaration was approved, the Lords could only wage battles on the lands directly owned by the Lords involved in the war. This was to minimize the amount of third-party damage as a result.
The Wardens of the North had used to be the Lycan family. But since their downfall, the Anaxia Dukedom was given the title. Alexis was now glad that he made inroads with the Dukedom, as they were the ones that had to approve his war.
Alexis looks at the prepared letters before him and nods to himself. He was happy with the contents and motions for Sabrina to take them.
He then turns to Ryan and asks a question.
"How are our soldiers fairing? Ready for the coming battles?"
Ryan leans back into his chair slightly and smiles at his Lord, clearly confident.
"They are in high spirits, my Lord. They are eager to strike back at the ones who invaded their land." Ryan answers.
Alexis smiles brightly, pleased. He was quite happy with their performance in yesterday's battle. Even though most of them were raw recruits who were brought in only a few months before, they had fought valiantly. This was obviously due to Ryan's superb training and coordination.
Alexis focuses on the map that was sprawled on the table and props his head up with his fist. He stares at the lands belonging to Baronet Anstrada. They were an insignificant speck in the vast Empire, but it would be the first expansion the Lycan Dukedom undertook in over a hundred years.
"How many soldiers can the Anstradas field?" Alexis asks, drawling.
Ryan snaps his fingers loudly, clearly signaling someone. After a second or two, the door opened, admitting a scout. Ryan nods upwards in Alexis' direction.
They scout bows and speaks in a clear and calm voice.
"My Lord, Baronet Anstrada has a force of no more than fifty ill equipped soldiers. He could supplement his forces with conscripted peasants, but for now we see no movement on that front." He says, still bowed.
Alexis sits still, staring at the map, before finally answering. "Good work. Get some rest, I may need you yet in the future."
The scout straightens up further, surprised at being praised.
"I await your word, my Lord." He says before slipping out of the room, making his way to the barracks for a quick nap.
Alexis leans back in his chair and slowly draws his blade and rests it in his lap. He examines the edges, razor sharp and unnicked despite the battle yesterday. Despite it cutting through metal, leather and bone, the blade is unmarred. The shadows he commands are powerful indeed.
He looks up at Ryan and speaks a simple command.
"Muster all our available troops on the border. I want to march as soon as the declaration is approved."