Kirian smiles, amused with Rynlan. He was certain he had said much the same to someone, somewhere, and he was hardly a stranger from the casual flirtations of Sin'dorei. He nods, just once, and take a drink of his own tea.

"If only we had more that agree with you. Defensive magic isn't always the most impressive- it's hardly a show of fire that many Magisters prefer. They'd rather have their phoenixes...I'd rather not have a spellblade in my belly."

And he can remember just that, how easily his blade cut through Lightflare's robes, his eyes glowing as the magic reversed itself on him. He burned from the inside, Kirian knew.

He had no regrets for it. Lightflare was the type of man they could use less of.

"I can think of other things I'd much rather have." And he smiled to himself, not meeting Rynlan's eyes as he took a drink. It was only fair.