<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">His immediate reaction was an internal protest that he was no longer alone -- he was at her side once more.  Good sense prevented him from saying that aloud.  Instead, Cam offered her a small, almost pained smile.  "The Oath of Fealty might well come with one of abstinence -- there are few Knights serving in positions of authority that manage to maintain any sort of relationship.  It is challenging to balance the needs of the Crown with that of a spouse or lover -- not with any sort of fairness."<br/>
<br/>
Those who managed it... well, most had the kind of marriages Cameron did not want.  A wife who was visited a few times a year, to ensure the propagation of children.  Sometimes a favored squire who would never be Knighted, but whom would trail obediently behind a Knight for the rest of their days.  No -- that was not at all what Cam sought.  Perhaps it was foolish of him, but he had always envisioned the kind of relationship that Gwen's parents had had -- a partnership.  He sighed.  That was so far out of his reach that it might as well be fairytale.</span></span>