Tehr listened intently until Rosalyn said her bit about the elven man who had a 'run in' with a bodice dagger.  Then letting Rosalyn finish her thought, he had to interject,<strong> "Far be it from me to find any enjoyment at the wounding of an elven nobleman.  But my dear lady d'Caleor, I have to say something here,"</strong>He paused for a moment and sipped his tea as he collected his thoughts.<strong>"It seems to me that you yourself have often been on the receiving end of several unwanted attentions since coming to Londinium.  I must admit that shamefully, I would not have been upset to see one or two of those gentlemen accidentally slip and fall onto something sharp and pointed for the boorish way that they have treated you."</strong>He smiled at her, and her own smile made something inside of him ache and again he wanted to take her into his arms.  But instead he simply returned her gaze with his own affection and said,<strong> "I suppose it is their good fortune and good health that you do not subscribe to the same theory of personal self defense as the Saari woman.  For your father the duke has told me that you can defend yourself if required and in my experiences, many nobles, especially young noblemen have questionable combat skills at best."</strong>He chuckled and gestured to himself in a self deprecating manner,<strong>"Myself included.  I carry a staff where I go most places as a defensive weapon if needed, but in truth were it not for my magic, I do not doubt that a more skilled opponent, would find it's way past my defenses every time."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr went quiet as the trio absorbed that thought, and then listened as Alex changed the subject to talk about the Forgefist family.  Yet he did think about what he had just said.  In truth his magical skills had gotten better, vastly so, compared to when he'd left his training at the hands of his uncle Lan in Oxford.  But his combat skills had barely budged, and his offensive and defensive spellwork had likewise barely grown at all.  He could summon in more powerful creatures, and his knowledge of the primal let him unleash blasts of that sexual energy.  But a skilled mercenary or assassin, especially if they took him by surprise, would find him an easy opponent in a physical combat.  He wondered about Tera's return to Hewthorne hall then, she seemed satisfied working with his guards, but was there something else there?  Did she miss being a part of the house?  Had her wanderlust been satiated in the few months that she'd been gone?  Or was it more, was it that she wished to stay and protect house Wynt?  He could not believe it to be sinister motives, not from Tera, who had almost died to protect him and his house.  He would have to speak with her in the near future.  Maybe she did desire to stay, to settle down here at Hewthorne Hall.  If so, he would not mind a personal bodyguard as beautiful as the elven mercenary.<br/><br/>Tehr found Alex's mention of the younger generation of house Forgefist interesting, and had in fact seen it in action himself at the White room.  Maybe sending the younger dwarves on trips across the ocean would be good for both the younger and older generation?  A possible selling point when he talked to the dwarves?  He was glad that both Alex and Rosalyn spoke well of the dwarves and thought if he could sway the dwarven house into the trading group he was creating, they would be a good fit.  The legend of the broken crown was interesting, and he thought it might bear some small bit of research, though in truth he didn't know if there was much he could do about that.  Maybe some time in the royal library might offer a clue?  It was some small matter he could consider, but ultimately not anything that would be foremost in his mind.  Still it would be a plump carrot to hold out for the dwarven house if he could find even a hint of a rumor to give them.<br/><br/><strong>"Indeed, and respectful of the old ways is exactly what I appreciate the most,"</strong>Tehr said agreeing with his changeling apprentice.<strong>"Stout and loyal allies such as house Hesfal and Caleor are worth more than all the gold in the royal treasury, and I hope the both of you know how much I value the both of you.  As allies to the house as well as more personally as friends and... well... I'm sure you both know how much I care for you both."</strong><br/><br/>He took another sip of his tea, draining the last of it from his cup.  Then setting it down he looked at Alex,<strong> "My friend, I suspect that your sister might be done or close to done with her bath.  I hope you don't mind but I need to talk to the lady Rosalyn in private.  Maybe you should go see if your sister is almost ready for that tour, and I can speak to the beautiful elven woman alone for a bit?"</strong><br/><br/>Alex's wry grin said that he suspected that more than talking might occur, but the changeling finished his tea and said his good day's to both Tehr and Rosalyn before leaving the living room, closing the door behind him.  Tehr sighed at Rosalyn and said,<strong>"Allow me to say first my love that I must admit that I can not get you out of my head.  Every smile, every glance in my direction, every time I look at you I feel weak.  I respect your need for professionallism around others but I must admit my desire to hold you every time I see you.  I hope that admission does not find itself unwanted in your delicate ears."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr shook his head,<strong> "But more than that I wish to discuss the matter of the elven visitor that has seemed to upset you so much of late.  I would ease your burden if I could.  I do not like seeing you beset by unpleasantness and would know if there is anything I can do to help you with the sly tongued elven woman."</strong>