Tehr nodded his head,<strong>“I think your words have steered me in the right course then.  They echo the worries I had anyways.  I doubt that even the elders of the house would have a problem with my polite refusal of the request, especially if I again mention my role as consort.  It could be considered,”</strong>he coughed lightly and rolled his eyes at what he was about to say,<strong>“un-political, to father a child with a woman before I did so for the queen herself.”</strong><br/><br/>He smiled and sipped his wine, then added,<strong> “Not that I’m suggesting we should do so of course.  Just that it does give me a convinenent excuse.”</strong><br/><br/>He bobbled his head and felt heat rising under his collar, aware that the more he spoke the more foolish he risked sounding, but had to add,<strong> “Of course whenever my queen desires, if she ever desires such a thing… I um….”</strong><br/><br/>He finished his glass of wine quickly,<strong>“As I said, I live to serve you, your majesty, you know that I mean this as a man and a friend to you, not just the crown on your head.”</strong><br/><br/>He reached for the bottle of wine, pouring himself a second glass nervously and hastily switching the topic.<strong> “As to the school, it is no great burden on my house’s coffers as of right now.  But were the scope of it to expand, doubtlessly we’d need to find other investors.  I find it interesting that you mention the merchants.  It speaks well that those who concern themselves with profit see the advantage before the noble houses do, who would use it as an opportunity to better their names.  It also shows the potential problem however.  Your sister would raise a tax on things that she wished to see happen, not for the good of the queendom, but for her own desires and for the betterment of the church.  You’ve managed to avoid having a similar mantle cast about your shoulders, but you should be wary of such a black cloud.  If merchants or other houses wish to get involved, then good, but I think it should be something you allow me to continue to manage for now.  If the crown gets involved, some people might whisper that it is nothing more than a new tax in a way.  Voluntary yes, but what merchant wouldn’t rather see the favor of the crown in support of a pet project?  The merchants would line up to throw money at the project, feeling they had too or they’d be left behind.”</strong><br/><br/>Tehr shook his head,<strong> “For now, let us keep it in the purview of those who wish to do it simply for the betterment of the city, glory being it’s own reward.  But I admit, I’ve had no one come and ask to share in such an honor, I would be more than willing to share it if they did.”</strong><br/><br/>He sipped his second glass of wine and considered the matter of the spaniards as well as what was going on with the arch mage, but decided to try to relax the queen a bit.  He wouldn’t be staying at the palace again for a few days unless she asked.  But he did genuinely love her company.  She was a lovely woman after all, and the captain Lilian was also a glad addition.<strong>“Tell me my Queen, have you any thoughts on inviting more foreign dignitaries?  It seems since the decline in the church, Londinium has seen a dearth of allies from abroad.  As you know I play host to the lady d’Caeledor of the Welsh Elves.  It might not be bad to extend an invitation to others, maybe from up north?”<br/></strong>