Tehr definitely had the women on the hook, they'd taken the bait.  But what he was going to offer them, he truly believed wasn't a fisherman's basket, but something that might benefit their house and all of the queendom greatly.  Keeping his face neutral he explained,<strong>"For years prior, the Spanish armada has ruled the seas.  It is what has let them begin to mine untold riches from the new world.  But that influx of wealth created the problems they are seeing now, and their country is in the midst of a brutal civil war.  Their vast armadas now lie in great number at the bottom of the ocean, sunk by ships which were once allied under the same flag.  I know of other houses who have been contracted to build ships for both sides, and I'm sure that your own fortunes as traders have improved because of the greatly dimished Spanish presence on the seas."</strong>He waited for their affirmation before adding,<strong>"as well as my own involvement in securing your house the exclusive rights to use the ports in Londinium."</strong>It didn't hurt to mention that their recent good fortune had been due largely to his social ploys.  While the main thrust of which had been to keep the ports away from House Dale at the time, it would obviously have helped them, and there was none in this room that could deny that it was almost entirely his interactions that had allowed them to take control of those valuable ports.<br/><br/>He let that point sit again for a moment before continuing, after all he had never asked a favor for the service he had provided, and such a debt likely hung in the back of their minds.<strong>"But to rebuild the Spanish ships for them, whichever side that might be, would be to pass up a grand opportunity.  It is time for Britannia to take rule of the seas.  It is time for us to send ships, men and women, settlers and treasure hunters, to send our flag to the new world to the west.  Reports of the lands north of the spanish lands call the land colder and more brutal, but they offer two immediate advantages.  The first being a new land for our people to grow and spread our influence, opening up new trade routes and new ports to further explore the new world.  Also the second being the reports of unbroken, trackless, almost primal forests.  Forests that stretch unbroken for as long as a ship can sail north or south along the coast for a week or more.  How many more ships could be built with such raw lumber?"</strong><br/><br/>Again he paused before coming to the point,<strong>"I am forming a trading company under the auspices of house Wynt, with the backing and blessings of the Queen herself, to sail forth in her name, and make Britannia's mark upon the seas, the new world, and where ever else trade and profit might be found.  I want House Saari to come in under me in this trading company, with your skilled windfinders and already sizeable fleet, you would earn a considerable share of any profits that were to be made."</strong><br/><br/>There it was said now, but time to add just one more dolop of honey to the offer,<strong>"More so, while the wise and benevolent Queen Elizabeth currently sits on the throne, we are here planning for the future are we not?  What if she has a son that inherits the crown?  Your house would again feel the rule of a man lording over them.  If he is kind and wise as Queen Elizabeth is, then good.  But if he is misogynistic and looks down upon a house led by women as the Queen's father did, how would house Saari fare in a generation or two?  But if your fortune was tied to an independent trading company and not the whims and wills of the sovereign of the land, operating from Britannia, with the crown's blessing, then you would have an independence from the crown that would exist for future generations,"</strong>He smiled at the two sisters,<strong> "Possibly even your own sons or daughters."</strong><br/><br/>He remained silent for a bit, until it was Daria who spoke,<em>"Ah but then we'd be under the sway of your house, and what point trading a crown for a noble house that is run by a man?  Might not your own progeny be as misogynistic as any potential future ruler?"</em><br/><strong><br/>Tehr shook his head no, "No, for house Wynt would not be the 'rulers' of the trading company, more the administrators.  We would work in partnership with our fellow noble houses, listening to them, and dividing the shares and the spoils, as well as the leadership, among those who bought into the trading company at the start.  The value of their effort would determine their stake in the company, and thus the voice that they have in saying what and how things are done."</strong>He smiled knowing that House Saari could command a massive percentage if they were to buy into this idea whole hog, re-aligning all their ships, crews, and windfinders to the new venture.  However, while he had little income, and not overly much land that he was willing to log, he had something that no one else could bring to the table.  Not just the idea for the company, but the queen's blessing to create it.  Any other house who tried to do the same could be brought up on charges of treason, stopping such a venture before it started.  That alone guaranteed him a large stake in the company, no matter what other houses came on board.  He didn't mention this for now however, as this wasn't the time or place to talk specifics.  He did finish by saying,<strong>"I think that this is the best option for the future of all Britannia, our people, and our houses.  There is much potential for gain, with some iniatial risk.  Already houses Ravos, Hesfal, and the elven house Caleor have shown great interest.  But I felt out of respect that your house, the mighty Saari, should be the first that receives a formal offer."<br/></strong><br/>He leaned forwards and stabbed one finger down into the palm of his hand and said,<strong>"This, your involvement, which might secure your future for generations to come and make you very wealthy, is my stipulation.  Your involvement in this project is what I would require to continue forwards with plans for me to see to fathering children with the beautiful daughters Saari."</strong><br/><br/>He leaned back and smiled, spreading his hands in way of apology,<strong>"Of course, such a thing must be discussed, and I'll understand that you'll need time to discuss it.  I'd be glad to return to your wonderful ball, and await your decision, be it tonight or in a few days henceforth.  But tarry not too long for now that the cat is out of the bag, I will be approaching other houses with my offer."</strong>