lad. Gideon smiled slightly. "As it appears there is none left other than I, I am at your service Sir." Cadell caught the humor in the statement he chuckled. "So it would seem lad." The woman had remained silent through the conversation. Gideon was aware that she was focused entirely on him. He knew his measure was being taken by the silent figure. "What might be your surname?" The MacGrough asked. "I am only Gideon. I have no other name. After tomorrow I shall be Gideon MacGrough." "Aye. That will do. Have ye a mount Gideon?" It was the first time the woman had addressed him. It was softly spoken. Her voice was well modulated. He liked the sound of it." "None, my lady." "Well then, we shall supply yer need. Our lands are a wee bit ta the north. After the marrying on the morrow we shall be off. Have ye an objection to being first done and gone?" "None my lady. My share has already been set apart. We may leave as soon as necessary." The MacGrough took a rolled parchment from his belt. "Ailene, have ye the ink and quill." "Aye." The clansman led them over to the long table. "Do ye read lad?" "I do." Gideon replied. He wondered what it was the MacGrough held. "This is a marriage contract between yourself and my lass. She is not to be relegated to a slave in your marriage. She is a trained warrior. I nae want her ta be treated as anything other than a valued asset in a marriage. This document gies her the right to appeal to the king should she be thinking she is ill treated." Gideon could tell how much this meant to the MacGrough as his accent had become broader with the emotion fueling it. "I have had a taste of the slave market myself this night. I have seen slave markets. I have no wish to use anyone against their will. This devilment which has come upon the Templars has forced other circumstances upon us than I had thought to live under. Vows of chastity will no longer apply." Gideon shrugged. "On the subject of marriage, we must look to Christ. The Book says we are to love our wives as Christ loved the Church. We are to give our lives for them if need be, to honor them as we honor ourselves. To the best that I can, I will do so." MacGrough grunted. "Aye. Gie him the quill and ink Ailene. There is no better answer I could have for you." Gideon quickly scanned the contract and dipped the quill in the ink. "How do I spell 'MacGrough?" Cadell gave him the spelling as Gideon signed the document. MacGrough handed both copies to Ailene. "Take one to The Bruce's man, keep the other close Ailene." Ailene quickly turned leaving the two men alone. "Be warned lad. She is a braw woman, none better. All that she has a stubborn streak wide as the Clyde. Just treat her well an she will guard your back ta tha bitter end. Mind she is nay shrinkin violet. She is a jewel lad, aye a rough one." Gideon considered the MacGrough's words. He had never had any intention of marrying. That being the case he had no idea of what the generally excepted duties of a husband and wife might be. He had heard talk by the other knights in the order. Almost all had been married; he had paid no real attention to any of it, as it did not apply to him. All he knew were the things he had heard from the Book. As a general rule marriage had not been a great topic of the sermons in the Temple where he grew up either. Gideon shrugged. "I fear I have little or no concept of 'marriage' sir other than what I have already stated. I had not thought a marriage would ever be something I would be a part of." Cadell contemplated Gideon's words. 'Well now. It appears the lad is a blank page ready to be written on'. He thought. His lass was an honest woman with little or no wiles to ply. This would be interesting to watch. It might be highly entertaining as well. The three of them settled for the night in the chamber Ailene and Cadell had occupied the previous three days. Gideon and Cadell made up pallets on the floor before the fire. Ailene