Once she had offered her clarification, Lieutenant Woodwick was quick to change the subject with a succinct word of sympathy. Though she wondered idly what answer he had expected to receive, the sentiment was nevertheless appreciated, and she offered him a small smile of agreement. She, too, had little desire to be exposed to such conversations. Alas… Life in the court, at least, had taught her well how to mask disdain and disgust with a pleasant smile.

As was expected, he seemed to feel more comfortable when their discussions shifted to military matters. His expression, which had changed to flustered discomfort as she enlightened him on the extent of Arynn Frey’s conversation topics, now became grim as their thoughts turned to Dresmond and the looming threat of the Eldouir. Vernon might have misconstrued Lieutenant Woodwick’s willingness to fight as warmongering, but Alinore knew better. Whether they were applied in court or across literal battlefields, the strategies for victory - for attaining power and control - were fundamentally the same, and one such tenet was to, whenever possible, set the terms of engagement. If Nevermere was to invade Dresmond, that could only happen if they made the first move. While that decision rested with neither herself nor the Lieutenant, Alinore trusted Cassian. “I am confident that His Majesty understands the importance of maintaining such an advantage.” Cassian Rainecourt, after all, was quite the formidable warrior himself, both on and off the battlefield.

As Lieutenant Woodwick expressed his perspectives on warfare and preparations for such combat, Alinore nodded and made quiet sounds of understanding when appropriate. When he spoke of horrors she would never comprehend, Alinore reached out and briefly placed a hand on his arm, feigning empathy for the many who had chosen to fight and die for their kingdom and the few who led them to their deaths. “Once again, your dedication to your soldiers and their well-being is admirable, Lieutenant Woodwick,” She said not unkindly, pulling her hand away a moment later. Admirable, if not ultimately futile. As much as he might wish that his soldiers would never have to experience such horrors for themselves, war was inevitable for them. They had all chosen their path in life, and it was the job of a soldier to protect, not be protected. War separated the strong from the weak quite effectively, and the loss of those who could not withstand the rigors of actual combat was neither preventable nor particularly lamentable.

Still, such insight into the motivations of a man was useful and something to be encouraged, not lightly dismissed. “As you said, they are young. When your training brings them home, perhaps then they will realize how lucky they were to follow a man who valued their lives over their esteem.” One would think that so many years in court would have made handling the soft hearts - for so many hearts were so much softer than hers - of others less tedious, but practice only made finding the proper words and inflections easier.

His next words came as something of a relief to her, not only because of the compliment they contained but also because she had little desire to comfort the Lieutenant while he wallowed in the harsh realities of the career he had chosen. With a small, pleased smile and a slight nod, she accepted the observations and subsequent endorsement graciously. “That’s very kind of you to say, Lieutenant Woodwick.” Of course she was perceptive. One did not make it as far as she did without learning how to read people - or how to use such abilities to her advantage. The suggestion of an alternate career path had her arching her eyebrow curiously. “Though I admit, I expect you would find whatever useful council I might offer rather limited.” Diplomacy might have been a war with words, wielded to forestall a war with swords and magic, but the details of war and the blood and brutality of the battleground were as unfamiliar to her as they were to the Lieutenant’s young soldiers. And she very much preferred keeping it that way. Politely and as an invitation to elaborate rather than a denial of his views, she offered an explanation for her own opinion. “Beyond receiving the occasional letter from my brother, I have not been involved with the military for many years.” After her training, she had left and never looked back.

No, Alinore had already placed her sights on a position of more prestige - though, naturally, if she were to consider settling for military advisor, she would become the best.