<div class="floatleft">(https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf6.myportfolio.com/acfc487f628999a8d795fd4e0bac95b4/7144f155-86a7-460e-be3c-29249aa92920_rw_1920.jpg?h=751cf9fdab3ea959a3579c38026e854e)</div><strong> Valerian Izyumov </strong><br/><br/><hr/><br/><em>As word of the Princess’s inept rule spread beyond the borders, it seemed some of Hexville’s more belligerent neighbours have got a little cocky. Sensing weakness, a few of the more irritating ones have even gone so far as to (rather unwisely) declare war on the city-state. <br/><br/>There is, of course, little doubt that Hexville’s military will give them all a right good kicking; their armies have thrashed all comers for centuries, and the Princess’s preoccupation with donuts and bathtubs isn’t about to dull their long-held supremacy in battle. Instead, the ramifications are concentrated on select individuals as soldiers, officers, healers, caravan drivers and so forth all find themselves being recalled to the field. Valerian is no exception: regardless of any ambitions he may have harboured, he received his polite but inexorably blunt reminder that still answers to Hexville’s military command… same as any other officer. His bags are packed, plots against magic are mothballed, and his personal minions slip out of the city alongside him. For the aspirants that remain, the throne is likely one step closer…</em><br/><br/>((Valerian Izyumov has retired from the game))