Freilden merely laughed at his friends stress.<strong> "Worry not my friend.  I have bartered tougher deals than this.  Remember that shiek in Serkland?'  </strong>he laughed, his blond hair and beard shaking as he did.<strong>"She's certainly headstrong.  A good quality in a wife, but she needs to learn when to be headstrong and when to just submit."</strong><strong>"I want her,  I really do.  I want to help you too.  But you can't be serious that I never leave here.  I have holdings in other lands as well and I would want my wife with me on my voyages." </strong>He thought long and hard.  He remembered his adventures in the far east and some training he picked up while there.  He had it the perfect plan.<strong>"If I can secure this marriage and leave some slaves to tend my land here, will you allow me to take her with me on my journeys?"  </strong>Bjorn scratched his head and mulled over it before finally nodding his agreement.<strong>"Excellent.  When she returns I shall spring my plan."</strong><br/><br/>Once Eilidh returned he met her at the door.<strong>"Lady Eilidh if you will follow me outside for a moment."</strong>he said as he took her hand and guided her to her makeshift training arena.<strong>"You fancy yourself a fierce shield maiden.  I like that.  I want you to be my shield maiden.  But it looks like the only thing that catches your eye is strength."</strong>he said as he tossed her a sword and an ax.<strong>"I will show you to not judge your opponent by looks alone.  Should you best me in this combat, all my holdings in all my lands will be passed to you.  But should I best you, you will marry me and accompany me on my travels as I finish up some business I have in my other holdings."</strong>He finished as he took up a strange stance to her.  His left hand closed like a knife and raised towards her with his right hand in the small of his back.  He was dressed in a mere tunic he tied off so as it wasn't so loose and his pants and shoes.  He held no weapon and his little declaration had started to attract an audience.