Cord'sApprentice

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street, 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.

5 [; t" g$ I7 S2 K0 B7 ?% {- A, V2 uCord'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.

"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!"

  `/ g. ~8 [! t4 }) k6 B: T" c"That I heard." said, chin. "Despite myself, I interested. I Adventuring?"
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; C4 @+ x/ h, C: \0 [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?"
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) [4 {# l' ]* uAndra's throat, loose. *Is a trick?* wondered, excitement. "'d me? Wait!" possessions, process. "I references! Well, *references* exactly, "

* i, w3 C/ P/ m2 N7 O"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."

8 C. N9 }/ C. O( f% pAndra'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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6 j# k1 A, b7 S( d  y0 m9 c"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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- r& g7 J9 `$ K( e"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.

5 _' M" |) t& b& YAndra'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?"

+ ], \; |& i' rAndra's hung, string. "Oh! 'Looking Party', *did*," admitted, a bird. added, "I've a one... um..." palms, *disbanded circumstances* them.

4 j% o  N  \: K9 `0 z$ B4 k"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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6 X7 Q6 e% _/ D! I7 ?Andra's lips, rim. *Did , couldn't * words. " someone," managed, white. "But they're... a disaster. Like, 'acci' disaster." A a wine, it.

3 o$ o0 J/ j0 U* V; q1 t& TI person?" asked, Andra. "Specifically, you."

Andra's Cord's shattered. "?" squeaked, air. "But 'm " wide, longing.
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" L& Y7 @7 O  s& u; Z6 D"You me," quietly, Andra's face. "When I a boy, I myself. with... capabilities. you, I apprentice."

Andra's Cord, chair. *This can't daydreams!* sharply, wasn't asleep. "'d me?" whispered, cracking. "Even after... everything?" catastrophe.

; |6 n6 i8 v% A3 o. _"If a profession, world," drily. "But eager. I a obedient, back. a decision?"

( H' f) }, `# rAndra's Cord's words. "?" squeaked, a tone. "I ! Questions!" concentration. "Um... a a apprentice? do? " again, time, crimson.

/ d3 A2 S* t, j( S"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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Andra's Cord, it. *This happening.* hard, a he'd offered: "Would... everything? sword, trick?" hope, unconsciously bars.
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  M) \! s# F+ J/ a) c6 _"I would," simply, "If I apprentice. I you?" a eyes. "Yes! Absolutely! I " herself, excitement. "I'd terms, Cord."
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9 C8 _0 ?8 `$ @4 g$ l"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."

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?"

. ?: E& j. y9 q% _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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/ Y/ e6 e" P) S# J7 n5 e4 e5 ]) `Andra'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?"
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9 P6 B: _  \# ]/ v/ ?"That's learn," answered. "You yet, you. I a two, a you, me. I suitable, are, I apprentice. sound?"
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4 ^6 i/ V4 T) i7 P! b) }' OAndra's a chance! "Yes! I " straightened, excitement. "That reasonable, Cord. I won't down!" lap, again, moment.

$ U& A  c' x$ w7 Z0 _1 b* w2 {( ^"Good," said, chair. door, a it. distance, a ringing.
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A later, a door, it, a young, hall. girls' Cord's shoulder, Cord's chambers. quietly, things. Andra, again. bottle.

Andra's glass, stood. *What order?* a sip, ever. "," mumbled, it. "I a meal. three." she'd a away.
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A again, it, a cart. platters, a water. A , it. Pausing, approval, nod.
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' k  M+ h; z8 t- A) _. m' X"Come, let's dine," Cord, platters, cheeses, vegetables. a it.

Andra'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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4 V3 X0 E2 N7 U3 M; ~0 i"Fill a plate," chuckled, "and a me." Smiling, wine, glasses. down, fingers. "," mumbled, platter. properly, impatiently. "It's just... I've food." word.

"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.
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"There's after. And..." shelf. "Something tonight." sated, door, chair. room, a basin, a washcloth, a large, cart. kettle, chair, cart. "Are obedience, learning?"

Andra's Cord's expression. test. hard, legs, shirt. ", Cord," whispered.
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4 M; H3 P7 e  A3 v- K; A) U"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."

; L4 R4 Z/ Y1 P; o$ \! V# RAndra's shirt, Cord's in. *He wash?* ears, a situations. hands, shirt, feet. ties, buckle.

) C  X' N; m/ Y) S- w"That's good, slow, deep, *calm*" said. unkind, predatory... appraising.
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$ F( G9 L4 U1 U2 OAndra'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*."
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6 L, G2 P% r3 I0 \; vAndra's kettle, palms. *Grace. Grace.* a mantra, a thigh. lip, continue, chest.
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: D4 ?% [) S* p5 p9 _Andra'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.

Andra'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.
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Andra's towel, a herself. hesitated, Cord's appraisal.
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" I... pass?" whispered, couldn't name.

9 B7 W" f- s( M"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.

"Now dress, I a judgment, people. a garment, *I* wear."

Andra's garments, scandalous. *What want?* Cord's fabrics, earlier. a breath, modesty, generosity. on, hips. " acceptable?"

/ k, k- }9 ]- I6 W"You correctly," warmly. Andra's curves, f beneath. , modesty. now, hem.

" you," murmured, Cord's gaze.

1 v, v2 z3 e8 c+ K' ["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.
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7 L- ?6 s4 ^3 s4 k"Hop in," lightly, bed, him.

; I0 B' P; _1 ?( F: mAndra'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."
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7 K  n4 K! l; GAndra'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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Cord's Andra's a little, her, bottom. "Are a virgin?"
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# k( O, s3 k  a" E& l- yAndra's Cord's warm, form. silk, race. "," whispered, whitened. "I mean, nothing... complete." connected.

( {: h3 ^! C3 ~+ P* ~9 B"Do you... to?" asked, sleepy. throat, Cord's waist. " *basics*," stammered, shallow. "The illustrations... a pages." Cord's nape.
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"What you, warm, moist, tight." said, Andra's ear.

" n# \; v  U) U8 e"It a body, good. a powerful. alone." spoke, hot, thigh. swelled, thighs, accelerate.
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"If apprentice, I things," sleepily, nestled, down, Andra's leg.
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Andra's Cord's awareness.
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, R2 J) H0 V2 k/ z: `$ j" 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.
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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.

Andra's shifted, f warrior's himself. a her, sleep, backside. bedside, Cord's a brightness, awakened. bed, face, whispered. "Do too?"

Andra's lip, voiced. imperceptibly, sheet, a squirm. up, lid. a Andra. "Squat here're sleepy, balance. shame."

Andra's edge, h reflexively. Cord's a lifeline, pot, embarrassment urgency.
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5 ], L6 ?: S  {4 N"Remember, grace," quietly. her, lewdly, intent, calm, assessing. "Balance. breaths. trust, years."

Andra's pot, Cord's skin. shut, bladder.

$ Y! j2 t$ y2 D; [% g% `" can't," hoarsely, firelight.
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Cord's hair. "We me, you," softly.

& s8 w5 A# F7 k# d, c! A/ I( M"Your fear, apprentice, that. moment, a thing, a death, poverty, betrayal. It's a journey." mounted, pot. a breath, go, a Cord's her.

"Oh gods," gasped, room.

"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."
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Andra'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.

( U- a) A5 y/ u% {"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.

; o7 e1 d. @5 T( H! n, Y/ u"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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: L9 u! u  E; @3 _; M) bAndra'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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) m/ f+ n. m0 L, q; P6 j"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.
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"Something that," replied, smiling. "Although chaos, I *explosion*" a milk, continued.
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9 m- y* ?3 t, ]$ C/ S"After breakfast, a mine, clothes. a away, better. a gnome?" measurements, strangers. uncomfortably chair.
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: ~9 k& [! e' s3 k, |" don't I just... sizes?" hopefully, gnome's questions.
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; T% R6 }" C- P9 J! L. s; i"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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Andra's nightshirt, Greeth. " *everywhere*?" whispered, unconsciously chair.

3 K$ ]& E2 h4 W"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.
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# ~* E* p; v5 f9 ]) `"So what? I didn't I either, Andra. Yes, a bedraggled, doesn't *less*. a anyway, used, ignored, either." hard, shirt. fabric, repairs.
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" you're right," murmured, "but saddlebags..."
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, A$ \. @7 n6 q# N' s7 g( z/ x3 O"Like I said... out," said, chair. shoulder. "Dignity a it, it, earned. a noble, don't things, things. I you."

Andra's Cord's silk. fabric, hear.
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, [/ v1 V" [4 M8 f3 Y: K8 w' C( K"Potential a... word," murmured, nightshirt's hem. up, mockery.

"Whether apprentice, I Realms, girl," said, eyes.
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& K( h% x4 Z- k; x; ?( ?"You I that, I someday, a me, right? it's road, curious... I road, courage."

Andra's Cord's wide, eyes. bob, whispered, "You that? me... night?" throat, breath. confused. "Last night? , afraid. a adventurer, a rogue."

0 E: S4 R6 M% h) [3 u! c# p" |. iAndra's fabric, 's stones. down, skin.
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" you'd I was... embarrassing," a rush, a pot.

"Not all," dismissively. "Now dress, I things, situation." that, wall, Andra.

"Remember, grace. Don't like... instead, I *me*, me. a disguise, a sun. slowly. Begin."
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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."

+ g0 _  c  M+ ^& @3 t1 QAndra's Cord's observation. nipples, body.
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+ d5 e; w  Z; u+ Q5 `" 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?"

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.
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"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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0 b, p+ }4 z* [6 ?: }; Q% ^"Since... Flame." hard, stones. "No a can't trap."

"That a bunch," said, curiously. "Who fanatics? encounter?"
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. L, q( o" n4 o. SAndra's screams. " just... a amulet," stammered, Cord's away. "I didn't wards, decoration." cobblestones, edge.

, S) Q5 G6 W4 {( ^4 {0 [1 J4 _; e0 K"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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"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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- J4 a4 c! J2 F- I' [$ s"You shouldn't situation, weren't it. suicide, abandonment. companions?"

/ V( G( L4 P) n, r# HAndra's Cord's tear. " armor," out, answers. "The cleric... tunnels."

A cart's a puddle, whispered, "I demon."
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) Q" W; U' f$ L! h2 O"It companions," said. "But strength, resolve, on. trying. high." curb, docks.
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Andra'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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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.

"Madam Greeth, you," Cord, a gnome. Andra, side.
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"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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+ j+ L& @2 W4 ["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.

Greeth's a Andra's a Cord. "Oh dear," purred, theatrics, "these *so much* you're apprentices." gnome's Andra's collarbones.
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"Don't worry, 'll your... deniability." couldn't laugh, Greeth. "Blunt Madame, disappoint. a today? I said, things. I a apprentice."

# @! o+ F5 Z6 ~2 {Andra's instinctively Greeth's a gnome. ", I don''s " stammered, bob. a breath. Andra, volumes, a word. "Grace."

Andra's Cord's her. oil, embarrassment nose. incrementally, Greeth's gnome's remained.

"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.

8 J% D; r/ m8 `0 a. G1 E3 z; S"Strip," Andra, hand. "Then on, first."

Andra's Cord's gaze. fabric, gnome's scrutiny. water, skin.

! v; M4 D* B, Y"Now skirt," impatiently, "I your... hips." a grin.
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Andra's a skin. curves, a Greeth's hipbone. assessment.

"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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; J& k& p' |6 U- N"Let's a success, don't Cord?" seamstress. out. them, linen, soft, legs, horseback. Andra's a *very* manner.
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/ s1 Q6 p. k0 z8 c6 r7 u"Try dear," Greeth. "They won't *snugly* I you, now."

; y- {* e- k/ W- JAndra's hastily. skin, hips. a skin, Cord's adjustment. on, surface, Andra's hips. anything, underthings. soft, thin, maiden's ass, detail.
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"You Greeth," said, a grin. "You Andra, a gnome."
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Andra's w weight. belly, Cord's silhouette.

" ," stammered, eyes, "this isn't all!" conviction, intimately.

"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.

9 y2 ^& T. J# `1 J5 s; s: f. s"Again, *move*. a by, child." clerk, a short, a cape. a glance, back, exposed. cloak, try.
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Andra's cloak's back, clung. shiver, blouse. " everything!" stammered, cloak's edges.

appraisingly, 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.

"They're... perfect," quietly, craftsmanship a misfit.

"Yes, , boots... for." aloud. "And trousers."
$ ?, M% m& r' c) |
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?"

"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.
7 v7 t; S0 w) U& I% Q3 t6 g% `
Andra's Cord's street, Greeth's atelier. a had, step. "Sixty crowns," hoarsely, "that's I "
8 G. w' L, k0 E! O4 X
2 _0 O3 {( \# P! D- |( k"There repay," curtly. "So that. I I period, apprentice. Don't I wealth, I wish."

Andra'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."

Andra'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.
3 N1 ^% A- r" p3 s$ Z  H
"Well I for?" back, eyebrow. instinctively Cord's sleeve. hadn't *she* *him*. chest, understanding.
& q9 ~$ Y9 U. l# t/ i+ Y
* e0 F5 W! _' r) h"I understand. good. arrangement, I other, *both* relationship. process?" park, smiling.

Andra'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.
& ^( v& t. U) _
7 R: r0 ^1 e/ \Andra's Cord's torso, sinew. movements, a curves. " exercise?" managed, silent, predatory.

8 ?5 a' S1 k( M/ q/ ^"Observe," simply. sun, a lunge, a angle, knee, overhead. "This Warrior, it, I variations." hesitated, Cord's exaggerated. arms, stretch.
4 a$ C- x% F2 A& k5 S
" this?" stammered, trousers. pose, hands. himself. Andra, a long, look. stretch, young, flexible. ways, raised, a waist. eye.

% G2 L+ x' z+ w1 `" \"Focus balance, deep. it, I here."
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* D# i, ^+ P: z8 m& Q4 u; g+ r+ `Andra's inhale. away, curves. shoulders, Cord's gaze.
4 P) _/ P1 A! b" i* ?
' T. ?4 `/ ?/ J; Y" now," shakily, chest.

% \9 |8 w' g9 ~; I3 d& G: k"Good," Cord, a her. "Now I Warrior." a pose, right. Warrior, transitioning succession, deepened, a skin. hour, straight, trees, him. exertion, skin. canopy, chest.

" didn't endurance," panted, air, exposing. her, mouth. "It's endurance, it's stronger, effortless. It's a time. I poses, a shortsword. needs."
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Andra's Cord's silk, thighs. weren't *foundations* didn't a rogue.

/ b9 d  g  G( r/ ~  X& _) e# }  {" locks," breaths, comprehension.

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

Andra's unconsciously l *real* instruction. straighter, anticipation.
3 |8 K) S) V" P% F
"You''d lockwork?" whispered, couldn't luck.
+ @  m' ]$ t# z8 U/ ^
6 |- K( ]- h- K1 q2 O"There I a day," replied. "But yes, I a fundamentally work, locks." Grinning, a up.
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9 [4 ~& M0 X) z+ q( nAndra's Cord's upright, herself. curves, fabric. didn't away. "Show everything," w locks, touched. didn't hesitate, chest, waist. a her, spoke.

; a: g, E5 ^% h# l+ H$ l% z"I won't today, I mine. I apprentice, a around. A student, a companion. better, adventures. this, I apprentice, mine, mind, soul."

6 \* W! F% [( V) D  o6 m  T( I"In return, I I know, needs, being. thinking, tomorrow."

Andra's instinctively Cord's gaze. breath, together. , protective, permanent. "" hard, skin, "I've *anyone* before."
0 J8 x7 R3 _! [
5 G5 n; ~; n+ M* e"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!"

Andra's blouse, modesty. buttons, overhead.

& N) f0 q, u. U: F0 B. \" wasn't instruction?" blurted, arousal.

"Appraisal... instruction... enjoyment... a I say," replied, trousers. "And *fully* include, a understanding. Don't think?"

Andra's Cord's honey, intoxicating. skin, throat.
5 R( O( ?6 f" l0 q3 \% w, ^& K& c
" mean..." hard, anticipation, "...there's *more* involved?"

"Mind, soul." simply, shoulders. "Surely me, like? master's way, apprentice's for."
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1 e# e( L' j# P9 W- t9 dAndra's Cord's skin. gaze, nipples.
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"You wasn't just... arrangements?" whispered, darkness.

% f. K5 k, ]# I, b5 f"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.

% A7 r$ [% b+ K& x* P& vAndra's Cord's said. boots, thighs. " you'd... *that* too?" whispered, crimson.

"Of course." replied, elbow. "That responsibility master. I didn't attractive, I didn't a student, I I a apprentice. , years."
' \9 u, h) z" s3 ~" r% z. h
$ w1 Z0 Y% `5 T( V/ X( z5 gAndra's Cord's street, side. "?" whispered, word.

" f2 f6 ]. A3 W* B" t* h. F( e"I blade, stealth, secrets, locks, traps... a adventurer. a task, I to, apprentice."

Andra's t instinctively "Looking Party" Cord's a she'd imagine. marketplace, body.
) L4 E4 l8 R& ]& x5 U0 D( s
+ }( c0 E; n$ n1 V) t- ?* {7 w" *want* everything," softly, disbelief.
6 |& v1 X1 y2 a! n3 Z
8 `" _1 u* T/ ?- E"You're yourself, don't you, Andra," said. arm, sidewalk, people, awning.

"We a world. want. I you, I a adventurer, a rogue. a I compelling, years, fully. apprentice, I time, I told."
% Y, G5 @! m. [
Andra's instinctively Cord's armor. wrist. " you," whispered, hope, "but I you?" forearm.
& J6 }8 ^- ?4 V4 f; |" O
"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."
# ?$ w, ]3 C; e9 y
5 d6 o/ D4 G' GAndra's Cord's him, skin. sudden, yearning. " I yes..." whispered, trembling, "Would again? wanted?"
: y, D6 p- m+ V  p
"Yes, day, night, you."

Andra's Cord's undershirt. jaw, were.

" 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."
* [8 [2 C; o0 ~: Y; D7 S) g$ z
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.

% W: M  G( F5 r4 W$ P& X7 v" n, t"A a minutes, I here." answered, Andra.
# J( m2 `- U$ w% c
* j4 ]6 O5 q& ^"But I locks. I lunch?" them, Andra's hip. palm, fingers, softly.

9 Y6 S; E6 }% _Andra's instinctively Cord's trousers. blouse, fabric.

0 f5 {5 y+ ~/ O# P. |; I" don't know," whispered, Cord's chest, "but I this." a ears.
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3 _1 h; _: I  G9 C! mCord'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?"

Andra's Cord's wide, eyes. hers, blouse. "," whispered, desire, "but mostly... excited." she'd him.

4 a8 v0 D3 ]% l3 p5 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.
: d) H3 r. a' i, u( M
Andra's door. room, Cord's noticed.

4 R! `7 ~: D) O9 W! L0 K$ B! d, ?# @" know?" whispered, mortification.
6 k2 R# L, o& n5 Q! D
"Know what?" Cord, vegetables. "Know I attractive, quarters? *think* doing?" chicken, Andra, her, again. "Are together, I body, skin... you? think? a *mystery* them."
8 Y9 ?) l6 x, ?, N1 c
- ~3 \7 x, q+ R5 ["'ve a before," whispered, wonder. "Just... trouble." kiss, touch.

"You you, Andra. not." gently, again. "Come, let's eat, locks." meal. growl, couldn't Cord's certainty.

9 D$ P/ e+ t6 a+ K" masters?" softly, lesson.

"If apprentice, this, that's I trained." answered, a chicken, bread. chair, water, juice, a glass. Cord's flip. a arm.
0 }9 A) \! Q3 l- z1 i2 @
" trained," softly, bread. "It feel... possible."

"Many I me," said, a water. "Other I pain, instructors." Andra, twinkling. "You I believe, a lessons."

. ?: _5 t7 T3 d3 R5 s% E; p1 f/ IAndra's Cord's spine. collar.

9 M& ^  }. @' `* q4 Z" teachers," softly, a a trap, "just I wasn't enough." water, swirl.

, U5 p, Y0 X' |' P"Oh, I you've had. needs, a rogue?"

) K) x& t; O5 ]) K) a) cAndra's skin. "," whispered, Cord's sudden, hunger. " I others. guidebook." a lockpick, taught, touched, claimed.
! h, o/ O7 k% H
' @) s. U! S5 Z9 d/ Y; C"You hunger," said, a moment. plate, a potato. steadily, said, "I I tomorrow, I that. questions, far... us? apprentice?"

Andra's Cord's them. a spoke. " feel," whispered, cracking, "to I'd yes. I eyes." she'd light, skin.

Cord's answer. a skin. "I'm means," said, plate. "It *positive*, I I morning. I'm apprentice, years, teaching, turn.... another?"

% c0 e( Q( ]! u) F% T9 G- fAndra'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.

' _/ ^0 j; Y1 l5 CAndra'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.

"," whispered, chest, " I " her, invitation. a lap. him, woke, warmth. hip, fingers. underfed, eye. forward.

Cord'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.
3 f" a5 `3 C$ C5 Y! M4 _; L
"," quietly, Cord, pleasure. Cord's chest. skin, pleasure. " didn't that," breathed. Andra's they'd her.

2 Z' M7 _/ C, ^4 ~: h; w* j"Welcome service, apprentice," Andra's hair, smiling.

***
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