"Well I don't think we can afford to be dragged into a war right now so soon after declaring peace with Fjellborg," he said slowly. At least, not the war I want. He thought a little greedily. "I do not think Lady Marguerite would be a good match." He pushed her parchment aside and gazed at the other three. "I do not think Lady Augusta would be a good fit either, especially if her marriage was dissolved due to impotence. While I had no issues in that realm, I think bringing her into the royal family might stir rumors we'd rather avoid."
He looked over Lady Lysa and Lady Esmerelda. Brynjar was not fond of Duke Aethwulf and securing Lord Ekbert's loyalty through a marriage would be very advantageous. It might even allow Brynjar to push Duke Aethwulf out of the courts. It was a temping thought. He also knew that securing a large dowry through Lady Esmerelda would prove fruitful but at the same time he wasn't eager with the thought of returning any sort of favors. Brynjar hated owing others anything. He knew that the Prince of Tulsa would eventually cash in on the union for his benefit.
Brynjar thought for a few minutes more. "I did have one idea," he said slowly before moving to standing over by the window. "I have invited Lady Elska to extend her stay while the rest of the Fjellborgan guests return home today. I have been impressed with her in both her temperament and spirit. She is beautiful, and I think perhaps solidifying our union with Fjellborg would be a wise move. We all know that Lelinus does not have the strength in body to last, he was born sickly and I fear his life will be claimed by his ailments one day. When that day happens there will be not much to keep Princess Ingrid here and I should think she'd prefer to return to her snowy northern home. Our ties with Fjellborg would then be thin and I fear that it would send us back into a war with them." He looked over at Julius who had been listening quietly.
"Fjellborg was a formidable foe and has already proven to be an exceptional ally. If I were to make an offer for Lady Elska she would then be bringing Fjellborg blood into the Augustus line. While she is not from the royal family, she is still a noble from the House Agir and I have strong suspicions Tyr Jorvikson would never bring any harm to her regardless of his feelings for me. Our southern neighbors are growing restless and I fear they might take advantage of our weak state now that we have ended things between Fjellborg. I want to secure them as our ally and I see the best way to do it is through another union with Lady Elska." He paused. "Of course, this is merely what's been on my mind. Perhaps a union wouldn't be necessary. I would like to get to know Lady Elska better before making an offer." Tyr will not want me to monopolize her time. Brynjar thought with a wolfish grin. Tyr was here for Ingrid, and Elska was here for Tyr.
"What do you think of such an union?" it didn't matter too much watch Julius thought as his opinion wouldn't sway Brynjar one way or the other. However, it was important to keep the Patriarch in the loop and in Brynjar's pocket. The holy man had a great deal of power and influence that Brynjar didn't.