Cord'sApprentice

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, p2 v0 M/ J! b4 [- \! _! S  hstreet, drink, Inn, off. lit, a streets, quiet. Jail, a piss. way, a leak. relief, trousers, a attention. low, jail, a crying, a small, bars. quietly, cheeks. *Stupid, stupid, stupid!* herself, a a member. shifted, (and failed) attempt. narrowing, paused. way, stop. him, a fifteen. a window, whispered. "Those lass, *under* jail?" voice, back, a *thunk*. hand, outside. " didn't anything!" urgently, hesitated, slumping. "Well, I *did* a lock, practice! 'A daily' " cell.

Cord's surprise, pouch, a lightstone. stone, warm, a cell. glow, a a , tears. places, elbows. floor, a she'd a city, guardsmen. A floor, a attached, a neck.
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& b& |; O4 o" T0 a, }1 ]1 j# ~"You a lock?" quietly, light. "Tell you've made." again, a grin. "Oh, that? Just... ahead. 'Know them,' I " loudly, , flushed, a it. "Uh, anyway... I I hideout. I didn't *know* hideout! a door!"
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5 D$ Z7 ~% @8 X: t. z  _% s9 B; g$ n"That I heard." said, chin. "Despite myself, I interested. I Adventuring?"
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Andra's a lantern. "You *know* Guide?" excitedly, bars. "I 43rd , *had*, 'A rogue's opportunity,' I door!" animatedly, guardsmen. couldn't himself... entertaining. "Would a lady?"

4 y& C& N$ J. v  p; b5 PAndra's throat, loose. *Is a trick?* wondered, excitement. "'d me? Wait!" possessions, process. "I references! Well, *references* exactly, "

( y5 z" W# h- j0 h) X"Calm yourself," quietly, pouch. a cloak, a fine, alleyway. window, asked, "If I bars, window?" rapidly, " *think* so?" stammered, gap. "Unless they've breakfast! weren't *my* back!" waited. hands, bars. it. "Hold doesn't fall," whispered, well. too, clumsiness, them. large, Andra. "Let's go."

2 @3 G- x# p8 }Andra's Cord's hand, palm. window, mom*of would* squeak. a Cord's feet, up, motions. "That amazing!" whispered, Cord's face. "How , *quiet*, right!" a
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"Correct, quiet," Cord, pocket. that, a take. "My Cord," quietly, elbow. Cord's alleyway, shadow. "'m Andra," stammered, Cord's "! 'A rogue's '" again, time, moonlight.
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"Shhhh, enough," said. a jail, alarm. Cord's cobblestones, rapidly. Finally, Inn, city. hesitation. dandy, clothes, a figure. in, a pair. bar, a glasses, a it. a hall, a end.
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Andra's inn's fireplace, Cord's sleeve. *This I've in!* stairs, carpeting, shirt. coin, a flip'd casually. " that?" shut, sound.

"It doesn't matter," a shrug, girl. "Some a rooms... wouldn't care." wide, a a a fireplace. paused, enter. a bravado. "Pfft, think!" declared, threshold, bedpost. "? unbothered!" shirt, hair. them, chairs, a table. belt, bed, a other. "I a cell. it?"

Andra's hung, string. "Oh! 'Looking Party', *did*," admitted, a bird. added, "I've a one... um..." palms, *disbanded circumstances* them.
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1 E6 U; r: l7 `+ ?"A dangerous," quietly, closely. "Do it?" violently, skirt. " yet," stammered, a smile. "But I'm I look! 'A grace' I'm part." word. smile, wine, a liquid. Andra, a glass. "I apprentice," mused, fire, "Someone sword, dagger, stealth, traps, thing. position?"
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, P: w% i! H9 u, o: z2 ^  k  OAndra's lips, rim. *Did , couldn't * words. " someone," managed, white. "But they're... a disaster. Like, 'acci' disaster." A a wine, it.
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) t1 Z; L# R6 k% N9 p0 z  eI person?" asked, Andra. "Specifically, you."

9 i( z. L1 D1 W) u3 l) U2 G! JAndra's Cord's shattered. "?" squeaked, air. "But 'm " wide, longing.
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"You me," quietly, Andra's face. "When I a boy, I myself. with... capabilities. you, I apprentice."
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/ x! ]" p1 s, s: B! [% O( bAndra's Cord, chair. *This can't daydreams!* sharply, wasn't asleep. "'d me?" whispered, cracking. "Even after... everything?" catastrophe.

"If a profession, world," drily. "But eager. I a obedient, back. a decision?"
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Andra's Cord's words. "?" squeaked, a tone. "I ! Questions!" concentration. "Um... a a apprentice? do? " again, time, crimson.

0 ]( Y7 |% z# d; C  W; E"First, I wouldn't I famous... I Companions... adventurers, excitement, loot, blood. I them. I don't funds, I sword, traps." again. "As a clumsy. a graceful. between. I that."
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- ~# O9 L2 s' L7 B: {Andra's Cord, it. *This happening.* hard, a he'd offered: "Would... everything? sword, trick?" hope, unconsciously bars.

8 Z9 Y8 R. \+ B# ]6 A' f" g"I would," simply, "If I apprentice. I you?" a eyes. "Yes! Absolutely! I " herself, excitement. "I'd terms, Cord."
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"When I Master, I fifteen, a hands," replied, off, Andra's well. "I horse, armor, sword, water, latrines, tent." again. "With master, different, a things. a a back... valued. pillow, ways."
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Andra's Cord's words, crack. "! I didn't " stammered, lap. "The *does* 'alternative apprenticeship agreements' twelve, I about, uh, techniques!" a Cord's face, intrigued. her. "Every it. Strength, cleverness, beauty, dexterity, empathy, a speech, currencies. have, well, before. So, I value? I you, you, *teach* you?"

! J( ]. @  V+ G! @- ^5 @Andra's Cord's question, racing. "'m " started, a head. "But I don't up! I'm I a confiscated." spoke, pink. "And I'll anyone! yet?" a squeak. consideringly. still, a whisper. "You qualities, a correct, time. I though." a wine, continued, quiet. "You attractive, a figure, youth... a exuberance, innocence. course, tiresome. yes, I a resourcefulness, trained, useful." fire, "I offer. not."
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* E' p) r* f5 {8 t7 R' gAndra's shirt, it. *He I'm attractive?* stomach. " learn," a pause, a whisper. "Everything. it's hard." determination Cord's gaze. "But... I up? I mean, *when* I up?"

6 U& f9 Y# F; w3 y8 G1 R"That's learn," answered. "You yet, you. I a two, a you, me. I suitable, are, I apprentice. sound?"

. ?4 Z0 x( L$ Y) g* XAndra's a chance! "Yes! I " straightened, excitement. "That reasonable, Cord. I won't down!" lap, again, moment.

"Good," said, chair. door, a it. distance, a ringing.
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  v+ {8 h& P' ?0 w8 {A later, a door, it, a young, hall. girls' Cord's shoulder, Cord's chambers. quietly, things. Andra, again. bottle.
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Andra's glass, stood. *What order?* a sip, ever. "," mumbled, it. "I a meal. three." she'd a away.

$ J% I0 K% v. cA again, it, a cart. platters, a water. A , it. Pausing, approval, nod.
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"Come, let's dine," Cord, platters, cheeses, vegetables. a it.
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) s8 o% I: K0 U% V9 `' A5 f* I& vAndra's food, she'd weeks! a meat, hesitated. " me?" whispered, cracking. nodded, in, haste. A a mouthful. "S'good!" food, a squirrel's.
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"Fill a plate," chuckled, "and a me." Smiling, wine, glasses. down, fingers. "," mumbled, platter. properly, impatiently. "It's just... I've food." word.
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"I've before, there's apologize." chair. "Be a Brie, it's tomato." plate, tongue, freshness. "It's amazing," whispered, tears. a couldn't name. Andra's satisfaction, hunger, unfamiliarity gently. a hardships. slightly, kettle.

- J7 E+ d/ L5 _"There's after. And..." shelf. "Something tonight." sated, door, chair. room, a basin, a washcloth, a large, cart. kettle, chair, cart. "Are obedience, learning?"

3 a7 r8 j. k- s* Y( a2 `" A+ i: nAndra's Cord's expression. test. hard, legs, shirt. ", Cord," whispered.
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' F$ ]0 q% T; U- m; V  d! b3 I% G"Good, instructions," said, steadily. "This purposes. First, a demonstration obedience, uncomfortable. Second, I physically, body, imperfections form. Thirdly, grace." understand?" nod, finished. "Your disrobe, I watch. slow, movements. I difficult, I I continue, focus, you. Remember... *grace*. Begin."
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" x5 P9 z( ?& y! w/ Y9 X7 I2 \/ qAndra's shirt, Cord's in. *He wash?* ears, a situations. hands, shirt, feet. ties, buckle.

"That's good, slow, deep, *calm*" said. unkind, predatory... appraising.

: @* f" S% Q1 `5 C8 c! cAndra's skirt, misadventure. fire's fabric, instinctively Cord's gaze.

"? Graceful," hoarsely, a washbasin.

"Continue," quietly. "Pour basin... hot. hand. apart, lifted, balance, breathing. Yes, I here. matter. *be*."

' E/ f% s, J% M8 E- E$ y$ D4 lAndra's kettle, palms. *Grace. Grace.* a mantra, a thigh. lip, continue, chest.
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; P# E- O  f6 U2 D: zAndra's washcloth, fabric. cell. A she'd escape, skin. care, Cord's lifted, throat. Andra's w small, breath. embarrassment, a misadventures. instinctively a down, Cord's gaze.

Andra's thighs, mound. instinctively a firelight, composure. A navel, legs.

8 D. j, X& r# X* D5 _3 EAndra's slightly, yielding, a skin. cheeks, tensed, nervous. A escape, skin. Andra's lip, collarbones. air, misadventures. Cord's gaze, determination willpower. Andra's washed, features. attractive, youthful, a heart. mishaps, body. helped, composure.

"You yourself," quietly, calmly.

* K1 ^# F; g% t+ CAndra's towel, a herself. hesitated, Cord's appraisal.

4 z0 y# z3 T' D, Q+ c- G$ n) l3 c" I... pass?" whispered, couldn't name.

( ?, U+ y1 u/ k# s: _"You well," simply. "You calm, slowly, grace. a stumble, yourself. yes, a woman. food, care, a offer." cart. there, white, shift, a , a negligee, covered.
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"Now dress, I a judgment, people. a garment, *I* wear."

$ p2 G( M$ m) ]# T2 |) V8 kAndra's garments, scandalous. *What want?* Cord's fabrics, earlier. a breath, modesty, generosity. on, hips. " acceptable?"
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6 C. V/ x/ k0 K8 N9 B"You correctly," warmly. Andra's curves, f beneath. , modesty. now, hem.
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: {) I- u/ }! I, g  k: e& _6 G9 p" you," murmured, Cord's gaze.

: E- s7 ]" W9 H. E, l0 Q"You're welcome, yours, not. Now, let's bed." that, chair, shirt, chest, scars. washcloth, basin, arms, present. trousers, heavy, manhood, hair. legs, again, balls.

Andra's confidence, warrior's a hear. manhood, dry. away, nightshirt, couldn't unselfconscious display. towel, cart, door, away. bedside, nude, Andra.

% R& x" f) J, L  N! v+ V) K"Hop in," lightly, bed, him.

Andra's happening. in, skin. back, chin, side. a fire, bedside. ceremony, waist, sheet. pillow, closed, contentedly. sheet, something... fear? closed, said, "I tonight. rest, a men. It's everything, later."

Andra's Cord's sheet. a warmth. " haven't many," softly, edge. "Just home." firelight. "One but... I me." A lip, sounded. a story. "Ah youth," a chuckle. "Did pleasure? pleasure, too?" sheets, her. Cord's back. " really," a voice. "The quickly." hard, nightshirt. "I've... I've actually..."
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) V- p2 {% k* |0 m+ b  k: UCord's Andra's a little, her, bottom. "Are a virgin?"
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3 `* X& t: I, AAndra's Cord's warm, form. silk, race. "," whispered, whitened. "I mean, nothing... complete." connected.

( ~1 H2 {' a, A1 B$ O"Do you... to?" asked, sleepy. throat, Cord's waist. " *basics*," stammered, shallow. "The illustrations... a pages." Cord's nape.

  s1 s- e. R# a& H* X"What you, warm, moist, tight." said, Andra's ear.

, S# L  X  \9 p"It a body, good. a powerful. alone." spoke, hot, thigh. swelled, thighs, accelerate.

$ x) b& d4 y5 ?& q5 Q# w"If apprentice, I things," sleepily, nestled, down, Andra's leg.

' d+ G, M* b  e: |Andra's Cord's awareness.
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" apprenticeships stealth," hoarsely, embarrassment. skin, inexperience.
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"An master," mumbled, "But apprentices' service..." off. Cord's warmth, waist. spinning. firelight, nape, sleep.

8 w8 j! C5 ~, f/ ~1 \later, awake, small, chest. Cord's waist, asleep, soft, snores. a room, snug, warm. , sleep, again. light, Andra's thighs. place. understanding apprentice. conversation, a vulnerable, a a skin. Still, wouldn't proper. a whimper, Cord's wakefulness. instinctively a Cord's them. nerves, froze, position. a sigh, Andra's thighs, bed, chamberpot. dim, fire, member, a piss. Relieved, it, a on.
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Andra's shifted, f warrior's himself. a her, sleep, backside. bedside, Cord's a brightness, awakened. bed, face, whispered. "Do too?"
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Andra's lip, voiced. imperceptibly, sheet, a squirm. up, lid. a Andra. "Squat here're sleepy, balance. shame."

: ]" z$ t/ Q9 d2 d! ?8 i- [Andra's edge, h reflexively. Cord's a lifeline, pot, embarrassment urgency.

3 Z( o# b1 a  x0 d"Remember, grace," quietly. her, lewdly, intent, calm, assessing. "Balance. breaths. trust, years."
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! F  j/ h( S" W/ @# o4 ?Andra's pot, Cord's skin. shut, bladder.

" can't," hoarsely, firelight.

& U" B& s3 [0 ~- G+ aCord's hair. "We me, you," softly.
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( f' ?3 [) m  p"Your fear, apprentice, that. moment, a thing, a death, poverty, betrayal. It's a journey." mounted, pot. a breath, go, a Cord's her.

8 |5 [4 |2 p' `# W2 w  X" s, S"Oh gods," gasped, room.
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. Z; q1 E9 c6 Q. S* s9 l4 c+ o"Good," Cord, Andra's pot. "I a moment. fear, a roof, ground, night, a a Baron's keep." paused, Andra's a trickle. "Breath deep, I slowly, glass, stand, bed, sheets. Begin."

* m- D- p8 Q! ?0 _" ~5 z6 t0 r9 F/ uAndra's fell, t humiliation. slowness, Cord's straightened, gathered. skin, u care, pillow, Cord's nightshirt. movement, full, Andra's a misadventures fabric's edge. motions, sweat. skin. Andra, brushed, side, her. "Come," quietly, invitation, chest.

"You've fears, awkwardness. Rest, a rises." a Cord's back, warmth. ribs, a hear. him, instinctively legs, musky, scent. woke, a door. Andra's chest, door, nudity.
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A girl, a brunette, a room, a pitcher, platters, plates. flushed, Cord's body, bed, a pillow. embarrassed, room. quickly, arriving. , Cord's platters.

" didn't realize..." stammered, loudly, deepen. shyness. a woman, chair, shut.
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"Let's fast." that, platters, a bread, honey. eggs, ham, cheese. pitcher, a a plate. Andra's bed, floor. a plate, Cord's movements. motion, sleep. plate, Andra. "I'm master, anyway, aren't guest. Please, a plate." fire, Andra's chair, eat.
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4 |7 ?; u1 D0 c/ {- _. {Andra's plate, aromas. Cord, a honey's unconsciously pleasure. a cheese, bread, a low, too. Andra, smiled. "Sometimes *very* good, a that. a granted. That's apprentice." plate, a a bite. Cord's words, lips. chair.

" being... grounding," softly, eggs. vulnerability, somewhat. "Most happen."
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"Well, isn't boring," mused. "So it. A exciting, even... that's a advantage, a schooling." blinked, a Cord's words. slightly, thought. "You mean... explosions, shouldn't?" slowly, analogy.

+ t! [3 w7 v3 p9 _$ |"Something that," replied, smiling. "Although chaos, I *explosion*" a milk, continued.

) d  D- x$ |- e"After breakfast, a mine, clothes. a away, better. a gnome?" measurements, strangers. uncomfortably chair.

9 ]  n" }. |. x6 X1 C2 l; r" don't I just... sizes?" hopefully, gnome's questions.
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* @2 U$ w: I7 e% P8 O5 W"Not a realms," seriously, humor. "Her Greeth, leatherworker Azerkash. doesn't anybody... me. *If* apprentice, clothes. today, I you, I master."
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+ v  s1 i& J. [2 f3 iAndra's nightshirt, Greeth. " *everywhere*?" whispered, unconsciously chair.

"I won't modesty..." mused. "But businesslike, shouldn't uncomfortable. cart, bed. a there, a lock. Cord's deftly, sight, a 'click'. chest, a clothes, bags, visible. a shirt, a cuffs, chest. trick. shirt, state. chair, floorboards. "That's... that's I've owned," quietly, existence.

"So what? I didn't I either, Andra. Yes, a bedraggled, doesn't *less*. a anyway, used, ignored, either." hard, shirt. fabric, repairs.

  V. b5 }" g- L7 p7 _" you're right," murmured, "but saddlebags..."
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! ^" e: q  ~. ~/ ?; x& J% T2 s"Like I said... out," said, chair. shoulder. "Dignity a it, it, earned. a noble, don't things, things. I you."

" G! r8 J$ R/ S9 e# u- vAndra's Cord's silk. fabric, hear.
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"Potential a... word," murmured, nightshirt's hem. up, mockery.

0 C, K. ]! c2 |( Z3 Q+ F4 W6 e"Whether apprentice, I Realms, girl," said, eyes.

"You I that, I someday, a me, right? it's road, curious... I road, courage."
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Andra's Cord's wide, eyes. bob, whispered, "You that? me... night?" throat, breath. confused. "Last night? , afraid. a adventurer, a rogue."
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Andra's fabric, 's stones. down, skin.

# q; [. m- E! r( j; H# d- z4 I4 X" you'd I was... embarrassing," a rush, a pot.

3 w  k8 U5 C9 z$ h2 c8 [/ r"Not all," dismissively. "Now dress, I things, situation." that, wall, Andra.
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# S! @' Y; C' t  z" m  S6 ["Remember, grace. Don't like... instead, I *me*, me. a disguise, a sun. slowly. Begin."

Andra's nightshirt's head, inch. care, heart. blouse, h Cord's motion, exhilarating. watched, appraising, tone. "You stillness, good. move, body, others, men. lean, sway. turn, narrower, rounded."

. X7 B9 g' z0 q+ c- o9 R+ _1 zAndra's Cord's observation. nipples, body.
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" how... could..." off, experimentally Cord's response.
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"If apprentice, awareness, others. body, understanding movement, *YOU* others. awareness, fighting, , resolve... more." wall, boots. "Are go?"
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Andra's Cord's unconsciously. nodded, Cord's a nervousness.
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" so," murmured, skirt."
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"Good," Cord, a smile. belt, shoulders, hall, stairs. room, a didn't about. bar, a brief, smiling. instinctively room. air, travelers. Cord's back, sunlight.

  |  F& x/ h( U5 Y- T1 \"Greeth's street, docks," said, off. a hair, up. "So a party?" Cord's sidelong. "Almost months," admitted, skirt's hem.
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"Since... Flame." hard, stones. "No a can't trap."
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7 K& N, O3 t. _1 w3 f1 I6 i"That a bunch," said, curiously. "Who fanatics? encounter?"
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Andra's screams. " just... a amulet," stammered, Cord's away. "I didn't wards, decoration." cobblestones, edge.

"Runes advanced," observed. "They sometimes, traps. a those. experienced?"

Andra's surfaced. " were," admitted, slightly. "The armor, she'd book." smoke. "But exploded... panicked. ambush." bright, eyes. a while, prying. intersection, a pass, a Andra's back, blades.
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# k* n* k# Y/ G! K"Things sometimes, a doesn't late. experience, it." a warming, circle, fall. Cord's lashes. " ran," whispered, skirt. "The name, I just... didn't back." mouth, flames.
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"You shouldn't situation, weren't it. suicide, abandonment. companions?"

Andra's Cord's tear. " armor," out, answers. "The cleric... tunnels."
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+ y. c5 z3 U0 I% ]. t' h* \A cart's a puddle, whispered, "I demon."
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"It companions," said. "But strength, resolve, on. trying. high." curb, docks.
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& g4 N  a" l' p& X) \9 bAndra's followed, grief. bob, memory. Greeth's a narrow, docks. A glass, a inside. door, in, followed, them. sound. she'd imagined, disdain. instinctively shoulders, clothes. a eyebrow, store. forward, woman. "Please here."
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; P! `8 S/ R+ _; Z3 z$ ^Nodding, shop, stairs. A later, a loud, stairs"Cord, boy!"
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Grinning, stairs, follow. Cord's clerk's stare. bare, feet. a breath, didn't belong. a windows, surface. A a a thing. entrance, leaves. Greeth's her. gnome's hoop, Andra's ankles. downstairs, Cord's exposing.
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"Madam Greeth, you," Cord, a gnome. Andra, side.

"This Andra, I a rogue. proceed, meantime, I wing. I outfits, adventuring, underclothes. clothes, I potential."

Andra's Greeth's gnome's a prey. a Andra's blouse, slightly.
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"Well, you're bedraggled," sniffed, "but don't 'll yet." Andra's burn. gnome's p Andra's waist, hesitation. a folio, Andra's posture.
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Greeth's a Andra's a Cord. "Oh dear," purred, theatrics, "these *so much* you're apprentices." gnome's Andra's collarbones.

) d9 m2 S2 W5 i) x- e"Don't worry, 'll your... deniability." couldn't laugh, Greeth. "Blunt Madame, disappoint. a today? I said, things. I a apprentice."

Andra's instinctively Greeth's a gnome. ", I don''s " stammered, bob. a breath. Andra, volumes, a word. "Grace."
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Andra's Cord's her. oil, embarrassment nose. incrementally, Greeth's gnome's remained.
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"Perhaps smallclothes, a trousers...." mused, Greeth. "Something in, pockets, a sort." Andra's belt. "Fetch rack," commanded, "and shoulders." away. "We'll a yet, mentor's run... unconventional." clothes, a table. a Andra's hips, a snugly.

9 ?! n/ [# b" ?) w"Strip," Andra, hand. "Then on, first."
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Andra's Cord's gaze. fabric, gnome's scrutiny. water, skin.

"Now skirt," impatiently, "I your... hips." a grin.

Andra's a skin. curves, a Greeth's hipbone. assessment.
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"That *very* suitable." quietly, thick. "Turn better, please."
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Andra's hills. hips, exposure, prominence. Cord's gaze. turned. fabric, a hadn't held. Greeth's more, Cord's form.
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"Let's a success, don't Cord?" seamstress. out. them, linen, soft, legs, horseback. Andra's a *very* manner.

  V  H- R7 f7 a4 s7 }% Q"Try dear," Greeth. "They won't *snugly* I you, now."
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2 ?" P4 B5 U% y9 J: C- iAndra's hastily. skin, hips. a skin, Cord's adjustment. on, surface, Andra's hips. anything, underthings. soft, thin, maiden's ass, detail.

"You Greeth," said, a grin. "You Andra, a gnome."
( A; l& A% O9 b: P% A, p9 f
Andra's w weight. belly, Cord's silhouette.
1 J6 j+ a0 s! t+ K
$ V# ~4 c) k9 O( U& m3 E1 i% s" ," stammered, eyes, "this isn't all!" conviction, intimately.

; q! O/ w* p- z/ _"Ohh poo," lightly, clerk. "You move, girl, won't moment. a heads, used... shouldn't gift. I *my* days!" a wink, blouse, a garment, closures. a chest, herself... lack. arms. bust, beneath. throat. "It's... tight," whispered, Cord's scrutiny.

"Again, *move*. a by, child." clerk, a short, a cape. a glance, back, exposed. cloak, try.
  G$ p: Q2 U; P7 E8 l  U
Andra's cloak's back, clung. shiver, blouse. " everything!" stammered, cloak's edges.

+ `3 M( n* d8 uappraisingly, appreciatively, spoke. "This isn't a dress... best, opinion. have. this."
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Andra's Cord's scrutiny. cloak's away, wasn't occupied. low, boots, black. pairs, on. clerk's reflexively. a skin, uncertainly.
5 R' h/ t: H# ]$ C& a8 [
"They're... perfect," quietly, craftsmanship a misfit.
( y# R7 O& ^. E" e
0 e. C  n) e9 ~: b"Yes, , boots... for." aloud. "And trousers."
" G  Y# n! ?( i& `: m2 r& w1 l
Andra's approvingly. calves. blouse's intent, Cord's gaze. close, seamstress, clerk, Andra's hips, gently. whispered: "Remember, clothes, around. person. *you*, accoutrements." Cord's touch, pressed. herself, *potential* stitch, Cord's beneath. back, light, happy. "Madam Greeth, always, you! Andra's clothes?"
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5 H0 U' Y; y9 l+ H. A- I: J0 B"Two enough," gnome, Cord's cheek. "Will you're apprentice? cheap, know." Andra, Greeth. "That time, me. her. case, I won't fee, craftsmanship price, more." her. armor, expectations. thighs, a Cord's wasn't anymore, downstairs, Andra's crowns. comment, a ones. shop.

) Q) f. v: ]# R& W/ z- D0 o) i# C( N7 iAndra's Cord's street, Greeth's atelier. a had, step. "Sixty crowns," hoarsely, "that's I "
8 _& p+ L2 v1 O
"There repay," curtly. "So that. I I period, apprentice. Don't I wealth, I wish."

* E0 R2 F* u' Q! P! a) QAndra's Cord's pennies. chest, skin. parted, stomach. a new, years, a large, center, trees, glades, benches. hours, sky. Andra's eyes, spoke. "These clothes, shared, I gifts. Andra, a I better, apprentice. A can't a on. honest, I think, *think* master."
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8 F6 K& ]% v7 M. WAndra's unconsciously Cord's words. thighs, dressed, *seen*. slightly, clarity. "I... understand," finally, felt, "but " paused, instinctively, "*Cord* this, I'm you're for?" them, sunlight.
* K% \7 V3 |, S0 T8 b& J" t' c
"Well I for?" back, eyebrow. instinctively Cord's sleeve. hadn't *she* *him*. chest, understanding.

"I understand. good. arrangement, I other, *both* relationship. process?" park, smiling.
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6 S: u3 ?% D: P7 ?. g; N0 jAndra's slowly. Cord's leaves, a flutter. "Yes," breathed, ways. a walk, isolated, park. grass, cloak, a tree. "Come, let's a together." that, shirt, a branch, expectantly.

Andra's Cord's torso, sinew. movements, a curves. " exercise?" managed, silent, predatory.
1 N  Z8 s6 Z0 \6 _7 a8 z
"Observe," simply. sun, a lunge, a angle, knee, overhead. "This Warrior, it, I variations." hesitated, Cord's exaggerated. arms, stretch.
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: Q7 m3 [; f+ [7 ]: S9 P! [" this?" stammered, trousers. pose, hands. himself. Andra, a long, look. stretch, young, flexible. ways, raised, a waist. eye.
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) K) t  y; ~( p1 V' @2 g- h& E"Focus balance, deep. it, I here."
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; S: f2 b' c4 }" Q) NAndra's inhale. away, curves. shoulders, Cord's gaze.
* k/ j: K3 N6 m$ \% o/ J# k; D) U
" now," shakily, chest.
) a+ x0 f2 t" Y) Q4 q0 O( |
- ^9 u) M/ }, w0 C2 b"Good," Cord, a her. "Now I Warrior." a pose, right. Warrior, transitioning succession, deepened, a skin. hour, straight, trees, him. exertion, skin. canopy, chest.
0 l0 P; z7 z0 U0 F; I/ m
" didn't endurance," panted, air, exposing. her, mouth. "It's endurance, it's stronger, effortless. It's a time. I poses, a shortsword. needs."
! E: h& y0 o  v- e* y
: k: _+ ?  U9 K9 t; w  t& aAndra's Cord's silk, thighs. weren't *foundations* didn't a rogue.

" locks," breaths, comprehension.

"They well," agreed, elf, thin, silk. "I a today, a Griffon?"

" A% |* S) w$ Q0 K4 w! fAndra's unconsciously l *real* instruction. straighter, anticipation.
% }7 ^( b4 i4 ~$ z
"You''d lockwork?" whispered, couldn't luck.

"There I a day," replied. "But yes, I a fundamentally work, locks." Grinning, a up.

6 q) L* r$ p( J9 n5 N  V7 ?0 {Andra's Cord's upright, herself. curves, fabric. didn't away. "Show everything," w locks, touched. didn't hesitate, chest, waist. a her, spoke.
; u% I& w; z. a0 Y
"I won't today, I mine. I apprentice, a around. A student, a companion. better, adventures. this, I apprentice, mine, mind, soul."

( C4 h. e+ o* E8 Y( u2 I0 _2 Q"In return, I I know, needs, being. thinking, tomorrow."

: }2 Z, |0 ]2 {' Q7 ?Andra's instinctively Cord's gaze. breath, together. , protective, permanent. "" hard, skin, "I've *anyone* before."
4 H3 D! |( x! l- Q5 G! i  H
"Not a life?" asked, gaze. "I believe." hers, lips, soft, pressure. Cord's a nerves. bodies, met. intimacy, closer, claiming. back, her. "Kissing I apprentice... disappoint." serious, a smile, arms, a her. "Let's eat, I starved!"
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8 q) v. G7 l5 v2 j+ _. k: e( gAndra's blouse, modesty. buttons, overhead.
+ x7 n/ _9 Q2 F7 B* a
" wasn't instruction?" blurted, arousal.

"Appraisal... instruction... enjoyment... a I say," replied, trousers. "And *fully* include, a understanding. Don't think?"
6 T# V. e9 f/ \% z
- ]+ ^# E7 ^: |: @. f, |# qAndra's Cord's honey, intoxicating. skin, throat.

( `1 P5 c3 r9 i( ]" mean..." hard, anticipation, "...there's *more* involved?"

"Mind, soul." simply, shoulders. "Surely me, like? master's way, apprentice's for."
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* v$ Y, Z/ P, v9 sAndra's Cord's skin. gaze, nipples.

6 G4 Y$ n, T2 o7 g  m% I: Z"You wasn't just... arrangements?" whispered, darkness.
) G" U$ ?5 C7 U& `# x+ T
"It that... it." paused, take. "And another, communicate. I master. apprenticeship. you?" h Cord's sleeve, hand. exertion, side.

" so," murmured, a whisper, "but if... I'm at... *all* it?" ahead, gaze. path, Inn. "I a teacher, me, I could. apprenticeship. I you." consideringly, words.

Andra's Cord's said. boots, thighs. " you'd... *that* too?" whispered, crimson.
4 m' _+ o" U$ {! e' S* R) d
4 \' Z! A) m, p1 E! \"Of course." replied, elbow. "That responsibility master. I didn't attractive, I didn't a student, I I a apprentice. , years."

Andra's Cord's street, side. "?" whispered, word.

"I blade, stealth, secrets, locks, traps... a adventurer. a task, I to, apprentice."

; q' Z# R4 U+ ^( G3 `Andra's t instinctively "Looking Party" Cord's a she'd imagine. marketplace, body.
0 [. T6 v1 U+ c! L9 z+ b" i" U. l
" *want* everything," softly, disbelief.
( k2 o0 N! i% ?% r
"You're yourself, don't you, Andra," said. arm, sidewalk, people, awning.

( H/ c, p7 S0 g' P"We a world. want. I you, I a adventurer, a rogue. a I compelling, years, fully. apprentice, I time, I told."

8 |2 I4 }& C' `, ]. [Andra's instinctively Cord's armor. wrist. " you," whispered, hope, "but I you?" forearm.
/ l! A5 @% U4 K& O4 J9 e/ {
  E$ k* H9 E3 H, @% X8 C+ Q"Apprentices time, learn." said, softening.

"A apprentice, masters' instructions, learn... won't long. a mistakes, them, master, lessons... work. me, I fifteen, I blade. I twenty, I stealth, pillow."
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  j; z- j1 h" oAndra's Cord's him, skin. sudden, yearning. " I yes..." whispered, trembling, "Would again? wanted?"
3 @* S2 ?! a5 Q* d$ ~
- b! H' ^7 _/ I& N9 j! p: G"Yes, day, night, you."

8 i7 F1 h7 G& u- }0 m% ?Andra's Cord's undershirt. jaw, were.
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" X% Q8 L5 z& D( J* x" don't much," whispered, him. inside, him. raw, hungry, now. arms, fiercely. Griffon, sweet, willing, body. a breath, knuckle. "That's know, more. come, let's food, a while."
9 j" d- ]' s2 Z, S6 u1 W+ c
Andra's Cord's streets. her, apprentice, imaginable. step, wasn't understand. Griffon, stairs. food, up, room. cloak, Andra's well. hearth. skin. Cord's hearth's flames, boots.

"Cord," whispered, cracking, "before locks? promised?" distraction.

4 _% ~( e9 o3 f* X' @7 x! K"A a minutes, I here." answered, Andra.

( k: ?+ K2 ^# `' G, X2 `"But I locks. I lunch?" them, Andra's hip. palm, fingers, softly.
2 E% {9 a% ^6 t& S. A# P
( I: e1 x/ |+ EAndra's instinctively Cord's trousers. blouse, fabric.

" don't know," whispered, Cord's chest, "but I this." a ears.
6 ]9 J9 @8 C. u8 J/ h
Cord's firmly, chest. face, hers. chaste, Andra's tongue, explore. his, ass. Cord's a weaken. rear, body. shirt, a didn't own. hers, a breath. "If apprentice, a *lot* that. scared, excited?"

* S. C! G0 R# g: w* {' O3 `0 `Andra's Cord's wide, eyes. hers, blouse. "," whispered, desire, "but mostly... excited." she'd him.
4 n1 m) z0 a1 T* V7 I4 Y) i
8 L- `# P' ]$ X( B& ^"Good," replied, her. again, hard. face, kiss, bottom, waist, them. Andra's body, breast. up, it, undershirt. Cord's fabric. touch, friction. "," lips, completely. a door. back, Andra, a away, sparkling. "That time." door, breakfast. them, Andra's neck, clothes, grinning, trousers. furiously, chairs, a room.
+ C6 E+ \9 x6 o5 W# ]
Andra's door. room, Cord's noticed.
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, o% \0 K& }+ X/ `- @5 G" know?" whispered, mortification.
& |; f" \2 l3 F5 A
/ S+ u1 g& Y" t2 ["Know what?" Cord, vegetables. "Know I attractive, quarters? *think* doing?" chicken, Andra, her, again. "Are together, I body, skin... you? think? a *mystery* them."
% f2 {( N. i$ |4 Q% f; E+ h8 t) m
"'ve a before," whispered, wonder. "Just... trouble." kiss, touch.

, Q2 J' G) R+ m"You you, Andra. not." gently, again. "Come, let's eat, locks." meal. growl, couldn't Cord's certainty.
, T' Y8 Y- S( Z0 M3 P
" masters?" softly, lesson.
, R5 ^% @  D: B; ?
& U* |; T) l+ `5 E& I; n( F"If apprentice, this, that's I trained." answered, a chicken, bread. chair, water, juice, a glass. Cord's flip. a arm.
7 O9 P; M0 k7 B4 O+ q$ C
! a, B* f% Y* X+ f& N" trained," softly, bread. "It feel... possible."
4 v: I! [/ b( a7 \7 c( O
"Many I me," said, a water. "Other I pain, instructors." Andra, twinkling. "You I believe, a lessons."
4 v/ t  K. I" d5 y! \- ?/ b* M; S
Andra's Cord's spine. collar.

" teachers," softly, a a trap, "just I wasn't enough." water, swirl.
: J: g( ]! m$ q. _) _8 j7 G' x
"Oh, I you've had. needs, a rogue?"
& v1 `5 V' v5 }6 R9 w
" b/ @( l4 }8 E- b6 j3 L1 g/ NAndra's skin. "," whispered, Cord's sudden, hunger. " I others. guidebook." a lockpick, taught, touched, claimed.

: K! @3 D6 B( s) B8 b2 H9 ~"You hunger," said, a moment. plate, a potato. steadily, said, "I I tomorrow, I that. questions, far... us? apprentice?"

. x( `3 l- P+ T$ h( w( G3 fAndra's Cord's them. a spoke. " feel," whispered, cracking, "to I'd yes. I eyes." she'd light, skin.
" j' v9 H. n* `/ r- l: C8 H% M7 s
Cord's answer. a skin. "I'm means," said, plate. "It *positive*, I I morning. I'm apprentice, years, teaching, turn.... another?"
7 q- u* H/ W4 Q" [, E9 L( A7 X
' }  s4 m- L: r$ {0 |4 yAndra's Cord's gaze. her. " don't yet," whispered, cracking, "but I me. I don't away. I *want* you." she'd revealed, glass. hand, tight. "Okay, you. don't now." paused, face, hand. Finally, hers. "Are locks?" Cord's hands. "Yes," whispered, downstairs, " me?"

"It a ," said, woman. "If later, I'm I though?" eyebrow, Andra's cheeks.

! J. m2 L: i1 }  W2 P* z$ YAndra's Cord' wrist. " learn," whispered, longing, "but maybe... me?" a collarbones. Andra's hand, lap. waist, hip, thighs. nostrils, level, breath. a moment, a pocket, a palm. lap. hitch, hip.

! F' f- I' A+ N( u. E) b' O"," whispered, chest, " I " her, invitation. a lap. him, woke, warmth. hip, fingers. underfed, eye. forward.

3 R+ [8 K, d% i5 X( |7 ^: bCord's ears, member. Shuddering, again, fully, short, strokes. ebbed, a Andra, steady, cock. Andra's body, uterus. Finally, her, bed, heaving. Cord's his. intrusion.

"," quietly, Cord, pleasure. Cord's chest. skin, pleasure. " didn't that," breathed. Andra's they'd her.
( R" }% x5 }! a! ^0 X* Q6 w
+ I2 q& I& N) q0 E"Welcome service, apprentice," Andra's hair, smiling.

+ R( D% O, v% z; o) c9 k0 L6 M5 V# G***