Tehr took the time to introduce his mother to the firey halfling Sarah Applemane, largely because he'd spoken of her and his mother had always taught him the importance of treating non humans the same as humans.  But then Angelique suggested that Christina give her mother a tour of the house while the staff prepared a lunch.  Buisnesslike, and with a slight flush to her face from the cold air outside Angelique went back out to see that the Lady Rosalyn's horse and carriage were being tended by the groom, and that Lady d'Wynt's carriage was ready for the next step in her journey south.<br/><br/>Christina took her mother's arm and led the matron deeper into the house while Tehr turned to Alex ir'Hesfal, in his male guise of course, and nodded at the guards unloading the bags from the carriages.  "I suppose that leaves it to me to show you your new home then Alex."<br/><br/>Alex bowed slightly at the waist and smiled, "Of course Master Tehr, what little I've already learned from you, I can tell I will enjoy living and learning here.  Though now that we've returned to Londinium, I should fetch my belongings from the room I've been renting.  I told the lady I rent from that I'd be gone till the new year, but I admit that I don't have much in this world and I've been a bit nervous that she might decide I'm not coming back early."<br/><br/>Tehr nodded but asked, "You think the woman would put out the belongings of a nobleman early?  This doesn't sound like a very trusworthy land lady."<br/><br/>Alex smiled, his eyes crinkling slightly, "Maybe not.  But she would put out the belongings of a shiftless seamstress who seems to come and go at very odd hours.  Which is all she knows me as."<br/><br/>Tehr nodded with understanding, "I seem to forget how devious you can be my apprentice, I approve."<br/><br/>Alex pat Tehr's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Maybe tonight I can show you how devious I can be when I'm fully relaxed."<br/><br/>Tehr chuckled, casting his gaze about to make sure none had been close enough to hear it, but answered, "I must attend to the queen tonight, and it is highly likely she will keep me for the night.  Settle yourself in a guest room.  Our first task will be to make a much larger workshop on the third floor, and then convert the current workshop into your permanent bedroom.  Come along I will show you the house, then we will have a meal before my mother leaves.  There will be plenty of time to go over the details."<br/><br/><br/><br/><hr/><br/><br/><br/>Tehr had felt a bit of sadness seeing his mother's carriage drive off away from Hewthorne hall.  As much as he'd not being under his mother's watchful gaze, he did love her.  He hadn't seen her but this one time since moving to Londinium, and he knew it would likely be that he wouldn't see her again for some time.  He hoped that the next time he did she'd be out of her mourning black garb.  It had been nearly a year since his father had died.  Not that Tehr didn't still feel the empty hold in his soul where his father and brother had been.  But he didn't want his mother to wallow in grief for too long either.  Alex had changed to commoner's clothing and a rather unremarkable face of a peasant woman before heading out to settle her own accounts.  Then Tehr had kissed his sister on the cheek and told her to be good while he was gone, expecting to be gone for the night.  The sun was already riding low, just beginning to dip below the roof peaks, even though it couldn't have been any later than the 4th bell after noon.  Blast these long dark winters.  But Tehr mounted a rested and dressed Blondie and rode to the palace, eager to check in with the queen.