Tehr allowed her to guide him, seeing no need to suggest anything different. It was after all her family estate, she should know better than anyone what would be a pleasant place to stand, sit, or walk.  He would wait until they were well out of earshot of any one that he could see.  He of course knew that magical scrying could be used, but his news was not so vital.  If someone was magically spying on him or Karin, well, there was nothing he could do about it at this point.  He offered his arm so that they may walk together, but would take it back if she did not seem interested in taking it.  Either way he would walk close to her, and sit close to her if she led him to the bench.<br/><br/>"I've come from the palace," he said starting the conversation simply.  "I don't know how well aware you are of my actions in securing House Saari's contract for the cities ports.  But I will say that I was an integral piece to those negotiations.  I don't say this to try to gain any favor with you or your house, because having you in control of them is better for me than house Dale.  Even were our houses not linked in a loose alliance, I would still rather see your captains controlling those harbors.  However there has been a rumor, only just started this very day, that Dale intends to make that victory hollow."<br/><br/>He sighed and took a moment to look around the garden, then back at Karin d'Saari.  "The house of Dale has had control of the ports for several years now, and because of that they have contract with many of the warehouses and work crews on the docks.  Of course those contract become null once the control of the port passed to a new house, but there's nothing saying they can't negotiate a new contract.  If they keep goods in those warehouses and refuse to move them, they may take massive losses on their goods, and likewise they will have to pay a high fee on a rental contract.  But those warehouses will be full, meaning not empty for your ships.  Now, most warehouse owners would rather see a business coming and going through their doors.  They are in the business of moving product and employing a crew.  To let their warehouses sit idle for a year or more would mean that they would not be able to pay their employees.  But if house Dale offers them enough, the greedy owners might be willing to do that exact thing."<br/><br/>"That means if house Saari has no contracts with the warehouse, then you'll have very little room to operate, and the control of the docks might be to very little advantage.  The last thing I want is for Dale to gain more power in this town, let me tell you."   Tehr grimaced and looked at Karin to see if she'd followed or had any thoughts on the matter.