<em>“...A man who is willing to work besides the queen, not trying to rule her but stand with her…” </em>Jesanie said, and Tehr smiled and interrupted long enough to correct her.<br/><br/><strong>“Stand behind her, for she is the Queen and I support her fully, I have no desire nor potential to ever approach being her equal.”</strong><br/><br/>Jesaine nodded conceding the point and continued,<em>“A man willing to work with the women, though chasing his delights but not bragging…” </em>Her face was serious as she continued, but the chuckle from Marie drew his attention to the more bawdily dressed of the pair.  For some reason Tehr had a strange feeling dawning over him, as if something big were coming, but he knew not what as the pretty blonde spoke.<br/><br/><em>“... but I admit I am not sure if you would consider the request, especially as you'd be asked to help in such a way yet to relinquish claims to the child in…”  </em>Tehr reeled backwards slightly in his chair.  Glad that he still clutched his staff in his hands as his knuckles tightened on the familiar cool wood and his head swam.  He still heard the words that were being spoken to him, but there was another noise as well, as if a tiny insect buzzing in his ear.  Had he just heard this correctly?  They wanted him to sire a child?  He hadn’t seen this coming at all.  Marie was finishing her thought as he tried to refocus on what she was saying.<br/><br/><em>“I would hold interest... but also worry a touch if it would be too much to ask."</em>she finished just as Tehr looked back up at her eyes, nodded, then proceeded to take a long deep breath, managing to try to find his center again, relaxing, and trying to recover from the sudden shock.  It wasn’t that what they were suggesting was so crazy, but he was so used to people dancing around their desires and cloaking their wants in secrecy and innuendo.  To have it thrust out there plain and open, it was… startling.<br/><br/>At the time, Jesanie drew a long breath shaking her head.<em> "I apologise yet again, my sister is rushing….”</em>Tehr nodded his head, and it was true.  He needed a moment to think about it, so he focused on the cooler headed of the two.  But suddenly his only thoughts were of the shape of her face, the line of her neck, the swell of her covered bosom, and even then he couldn’t help but think about what it might be like to plant his seed inside of her.<br/><br/>Marie finished the conversation and Tehr leaned his staff against the table and held out both hands as a silent plea for a moment to think.  There was much to consider here.  First off logistically they wanted a child that had no ties to house Wynt.  None, as a father his role was expected to be completely removed.  One part of him considered that excellent, he wasn’t ready to be a father anyways.  But if he had to be truthful with himself, he had to admit he didn’t know how he would feel, knowing that a child of his was out there and he could have no contact with it at all.  Men and women raised children by themselves all the time.  Between wars, sickness, and the violence of the world, sometimes children simply had to be raised by one parent, or even by none, being taken in as orphans or living with relatives.  So the idea that these two noblewomen couldn’t raise a child never entered his mind.<br/><br/><strong>“I…” </strong>his voice cracked and he swallowed, starting again,<strong> “I’ll admit, it’s not often that I’m taken so by surprise.  I think that what you suggest is not something I am opposed too, but I feel that there would be a great need to go over many of the details first.  Do… do you have a cup of tea or water?” </strong>This last part he croaked out again around a throat that had gone very dry.<br/><strong><br/>“Thank you,” </strong>he said when he was given refreshment,<strong>“I understand that you’d be asking me to cede all rights as a father.  But understand as well that there are quite simple magical spells that can determine ancestry.  So if a soul wanted they would know the child’s father with but a touch and a magical word.  I know you say that you would likewise not want there to be any attempts against house Wynt through the child, but quite obviously, such a thing could never be guaranteed.  Especially since my relationship with the queen puts a potentially tempting target on my house in the future.  I worry not so much for my house of course, but for the potential danger it could present to yours, or to the child.”</strong><br/><br/>He mused for a moment and then added,<strong>“Although I suppose that is always a risk among any noble children isn’t it?  Look at how elder ir’Dale was brought low by the actions of his two children.  With no firm proof that the elder of the clan was directly involved.”</strong><br/><br/>Tehr nodded,<strong> “I need to know a few things and I think this is an appropriate place to discuss them, casually, and informally, before any formal offers are made.  So let me get a few things out on the table right now and out in the open.”</strong>He paused and collected his thoughts and gave them a chance to respond before he continued.<br/><br/><strong>“I am open to the possibility of this, despite it being a rather unusual request.  Now, forgive me for being less than humble, but I think that you’re making a wise choice.  My family line is ancient, older than even the kingdom itself.  In the past, my house has fielded some of the countries notable heroes like the great knight Edron ir’Wynt, who could have been king, and the sorceress Yeranna d’Wynt, the half nord.” </strong>He paused to see if the two women knew of the two legendary figures in his house’s lineage before continuing.<strong> “Furthermore my line has often branched out and taken the wise, the strong, the cunning from other houses not just in our own kingdom but from the world outside.  My own mother is noble blood from Itallia.  While we suffered greatly under the reign of bloody Mary, and our house grew weak and insular, the blood is strong.  As well, the gift of magic flows through my veins as you know, and it is one that often carries true, if it is a gift that is nurtured.” </strong><br/><br/>He paused again and thought for a moment about his brother James.  A natural with the bow and sword, but also had a natural innate gift with animals.  Tehr often suspected that James’s gift was more than just ‘understanding’ animals but perhaps a touch of the fey blood in their veins.  He shook it off and continued,<strong>“But more to the point, my house means respect and honor.  If I do enter into such an agreement, and you ask that I lay no claims or responsibilities on the child, or children,” </strong>He paused and let that word hang for a moment, thinking of the possibility of twins like his father had been.  His father, whose twin brother had died during childhood was a twin, and he also knew that his great grandfather had been a twin as well.  But also, Jesaine and Marie hadn’t said which of them desired a child, and in fact had suggested that both might be interested.  Hence he left the word ‘children hang for a moment.<br/><br/>“<strong>No claim in any regard, and it would be something you know that I would honor.  But I must ask you this question, and pardon me for being indelicate about it.  What is in it for me?  Surely you know I have no lack of bedmates.  I take steps to assure that I remain ‘clean’ and free of any diseases, but also that I do not plant my flag in any soil.  As enjoyable as the act might be of making a child with either, or both, of you, I’m sure that there is some sort of recompense you’d be offering me for such an act.”</strong><br/><br/>He knew that prize horses were often put out to stud, sometimes for thousands of gold coins for a successful breeding.  But he didn’t know how that would translate to this situation.<strong>“Obviously the most important thing would be some sort of strengthening of our houses alliance.  Knowing I have a steadfast ally would be more valuable than all the gold you likely have in your house’s vault.  But I do not want to put words in your mouth.”<br/><br/>“Also, I’m curious as to how you’d foresee proceeding with this endeavour?  Would we be as secretive as possible about it?  Or would it be an open arrangement where everyone knew the father?  I ask because that might present an uncomfortable situation with the queen if it were widely known, and I will do nothing to hurt her if I can help it.”</strong><br/><br/>He smiled again, finally feeling like he was on his own feet again as he said,<strong>“Finally, you know that while I have magic that blocks my seed from finding fertile ground, I have nothing that ensures a successful spring planting.  It may take time, and a lot of practice.  So what you’d be suggesting might take several attempts, we’d have to become… very close.”<br/></strong>