<em>"She loves you so she teases you." The duke spoke in a casual manner, heading towards the entrance with a smile crossing his lips. "Still, if I didn't know her to be your sister I would say she was daring you to join along."</em><br/><br/>Tehr made an annoyed noise by blowing air through his nose, "You're not far off.  She's the youngest of the three children my parents had, and the only girl raised in a heavily wooded estate.  My older brother was always athletic and hearty young man.  He was brought up to take over our house, before he died, and was quite a strong and respectable man both in body and moral character.  I on the other hand was brought up as a scholar.  The magical arts and books, using my mind was always more important for me.  I was never as healthy or strong as my brother, but I didn't mind.  I found that I was drawn to my field of magic, and bore no ill will towards my brother who would tease me for spending days in the library and not the woods with bow and arrow.  He was,"  Tehr rolled his eyes, "A typical older brother I suppose.  Not overly cruel or anything, but he enjoyed boyish pranks."<br/><br/>Tehr adjusted his clothing slightly and re-gripped his walking staff, uncomfortable about speaking ill of his brother.  "But Christina was always a special child.  She was the third, the youngest, and of course the only girl.  While my father favored my brother, and my mother favored me, both of them doted over Christina.  But in our kingdom at least, a noble woman really has not much to look forwards too other than a good marriage.  Her whole life was one of some comfort and training to be both a perfect wife, and to help her future husband navigate the difficulties of court life.  As a young girl and young woman though, she saw the freedom her two older brothers had, and always rebelled against the idea that she was nothing more than a marriage jewel in house Wynt's crown.  She was constantly chasing my brother out into the woods, sneaking away from sewing lessons, or hiding in the library to spy on me as my uncle started my training.  But the one soft spot she found that always hit it's mark was taunting and teasing me."<br/><br/>Tehr sighed and shrugged, "I love my sister, and I have trouble saying no to her.  My mother sent her to Londinium so that I could begin to find her a husband.  Though she wishes to enjoy a bit of freedom first, and I find it impossible to deny her that.  So she takes my acquiescence of her desires as an opportunity to tease me further.  In the end, it's all harmless enough I suppose, and if it makes her happy, then so be it."<br/><br/>They walked, and Tehr let the duke talk for a bit.<em>"...Tell me if I have missed something of importance?"</em><br/><br/>Tehr shook his head, "You seem to have a good grip on much of the situation and in fact may know more than I do.  I have had more time in Londinium, but not the monetary reserves that you've been able to spend.  I will admit that I've gained some notarity in court, and my choice to take Emily d'Ravos to the queen's ball has had lasting effects.  In fact, it was because of that act  that I ended up spending the week in house Ravos lands.  I feel secure that House Ravos is now a staunch and solid ally of my house, and that's a good thing.  As for house Saari, house Wynt has allied with them, though to be perfectly frank, I would rather keep them at arms length.  They are much more heavily entrenched against house Dale then I am, and the political machinations they have in play are much greater than I understand or am privy too."<br/><br/>"I will say that I do not trust house Dale or their allies.  They are too ensconced with the church, and I was always raised with the old ways.  I do not hold with the church's sway of male dominated society, lowering women and non-humans to subservient status.  I mean no disrespect to their god, but to have a savior who was a human man does not mean that only human men can be in charge or good.  Further, house Dale has proven itself to me, by way of Johr Faudin ir'Dale and Janne Faudin d'Dale, that they are as corrupt as any other.  While the church preaches celibacy till marriage and loyalty to only your wife,"  Tehr could not help making a nasty face at those two ideas and he didn't care if the Duke knew his thoughts on being monogamous, for he would never be, "and while house Dale claims to be pious followers of the church, those two are anything but.  Johr expressed intrest in me turning my servant Angelique, who is a good and true friend, not just a servant, into nothing more than a whore for his demented ways.  Johr's sister Janne likewise proposed a marriage where she would not mind me dipping my wick in other candles, as long as house Wynt's power and money flowed into Dale coffers."<br/><br/>Tehr spat on the ground, and ungentlemanly gesture, but one that showed his extreme disgust, "So my distaste of that house is one borne of hypocrisy and revulsion.  But in addition, there have been rumors... hints of their distaste with the queen and..."<br/><br/><br/>"Hey,"  Tehr called as one of the young boys bumped into him, "Watch where you're.... Get your hand out of my pocket!"<br/><br/>The boys turned and began to run off, but Tehr spun, and with staff pointed in his left hand he flung his right hand out and gestured quickly, firing off a sleep spell at the group of boys.  Were any to remain standing after the spell he'd yell out, "Stop where you are and lay on the ground!  The only other spells I know will put you in a beggars grave and I'd rather not spill blood today over petty theft!"<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">ok, so i rolled initiative and got a 12.<br/>https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=55800<br/><br/>Then he cast sleep, which even if they made it a full round away from him should still be within his 160 foot range.  The will saving throw to resist is 16.  It affects 4 hd of creatures, and I don't know how many there are.  But if any are still standing he yells out, trying to intimidate them into stopping.  Which I also got a 12 on.<br/>https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=55801</div></div>