Bronze Elegance is an autumn plant with three-fingered leaves. It can stand salty
air but needs shelter from the sun. Frosted Elegance, however, is an early spring
plant which... which... Miriam racked her brains. What was so special about
Frosted Elegance? Could stand in shallow ground? Did its leaves changed color
overnight? With one eye she glanced at the page. Its leaves could not be dried,
but when still fresh, they could be boiled to make herbal tea. She clenched her
hands into fists, trying to not give into the temptation to throw the expensive
libram across the room. This was the third afternoon in a row that she was
grappling with Herbal Lore. And of her treatise "On the Treatment of Poisonous
Injuries" only the title was written down. The joys of being 1st grade
apprentice! The door at the opposite of the room opened and Sanna, her roommate,
came in. Miriam looked up and asked eagerly: "Did you get it?" "I can't believe
this, Miriam! You're studying on our day off!" Sanna groaned.  "It's Apprentices'
Night! Close that book!" Miriam's eyes lit up when Sanna produced a brown parcel
from underneath her cloak and gave it to her. Miriam grinned and started
unwrapping the parcel. She unfolded the dark blue dress and held it to her chest.
"Trust me, you'll look great in it," Sanna assured her. "What'll you be wearing?"
Miriam asked. Her friend smiled mischievously.  "Something which I can jump out
of in a hurry." Miriam rolled her eyes.  "San, you have a one-tracked mind."
"Well, isn't that what Apprentices' Night is for?" Sanna asked and spread her
arms imploringly.  "The Temple knows it and even condones it! Why else would we
all have gotten the day off? 'To contemplate your new vows and your new
responsibilities.' Right. It's our last night as free women, Miriam! They keep
you on a tight leash once you're an Acolyte." She patted the bed she was sitting
on and added: "I'm not sleeping in this bed tonight, that's for sure." Miriam
managed to suppress a wince at Sanna's words. She was getting used to her
roommate's boldness. Or perhaps some of Sanna's attitude was finally rubbing off
on her. "So, are you ready?" Sanna pressed on. "I don't know what you think I'll
be doing tonight," Miriam replied absent-mindedly. She started clearing out her
cupboard. In a couple of days they would be moving across the hall. "I'll have a
few dances, drink some wine and have a good time." "Listen to yourself! You sound
like you'll be back before midnight," her friend complained. Miriam sighed:
"Sanna, you know me. The best I can hope for is that a nice guy asks me to dance.
It'll take me a full week before I dare tell him I like him!" Sanna squatted next
to her and told her: "That innocence of yours is a very potent weapon. If you
only could forget your nerves for one evening." Miriam glanced at her. Sanna
smiled.  "Not that you need it. With a face like yours you'll have guys turning
heads left and right. Every guy will ask you to dance." "But you always know what
to say to them. They like listening to you," Miriam said softly.  "Why couldn't I
have your strength, San?" Sanna smiled at her.  "Shilohin gave me this plain face
and my confidence to make up for it."  She took Miriam's hand, put a small vial
in it and closed it. "What's that?" Miriam asked suspiciously. "Something I
bought for you. It will help." "Help me how? With what?"  She got up on her feet.
 "What's in this?!" she challenged her roommate. Sanna stood up. "Keep your voice
down, Miriam! I don't know, alright? All I know is that when you drink it, you
will become stronger," Sanna said. She looked at her nails and added casually:
"And uhh... more... passionate." Miriam paled and her pulse quickened. A drug!
She threw the vial across the room.  "I-I-I don't n-n-need anything to be
p-p-passionate!" she stuttered.  "Do you think I'm a c-cold fish or something?"
"Calm down, Miriam, please," Sanna said. She grabbed her friend's shoulders and
gently pushed her back on the chair.  "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
You're not a cold fish, far from it."  She sat down on the bed next to her
friend. "You're like the girl who wants to go the playground and have fun, only
there's a wall between her house and the playground. And the wall is too high to
climb." She reached down in the space between the desk and the bed and recovered
the vial.  "This will help lower that wall." Miriam nervously tugged her tresses.
Trust a friend like Sanna to come up with this kind of help! She already got a
queasy feeling in her stomach when she thought of Sanna's idea of 'playground'
and 'fun'. "You've had your head in the books too long. You deserve a night of
pleasure with a great guy and this will make sure you will leave your worries at
the door of the dance hall." Miriam took the vial with two fingers and looked at
it as if it was a dead mouse. "But... what happens if... it works too well?
Suppose it will tear down the wall completely?"  She blushed at her own words.
Sanna gasped in mock-alarm.  "Gods... you would become exactly like me!" Miriam
smiled despite herself. "Honestly! If that could happen, don't you think I would
have a second vial for myself?"  Sanna laughed. "You would!" Miriam shot back.
Sanna nodded.  "Yes, I would. But I tried it already. It doesn't work for me. I
guess I have everything I need."  She smiled whistfully and brought her hand to
Miriam's cheek. "Except for a pretty face like yours."



In the City of Korinth dances and parties of this kind were held in the Hall of
Festivities. Built by the Merchant's Guild near the market square, it was a short
walk from either the Temple of Eesyan, the Warrior Academy or the School of
Mages. Standing in an alcove in a corner of the entrance hall, Miriam looked at
the vial. Sounds from the main room told her the dance had just begun. She broke
the seal and swallowed its contents in two mouthfulls. It was sour and burned as
it went down to her stomach. Her heart beat in excitement as she thought: Gods, I
did it. Slowly she walked towards the double doors of the dance hall, checking
herself. Was she blushing? How long would it take before the potion started
taking effect? She forced a smile on her face as she entered the dance hall. Four
huge chandeliers shone down at the chequered tiles of the dance floor. Around
this space was a carpeted section with tables laden with food and drinks. The
orchestra consisted of a group of gnomes. At this moment they were tuning their
instruments. Throughout the hall, various groups of apprentices, magic users and
warrior trainees stood talking and laughing. As Miriam was scanning the room for
Sanna, her friend appeared from the right. Sanna whispered in her ear: "Well?"
Miriam whispered back: "It tasted sour! How do I look?" "Like a thousand
sovereigns! If I was a guy, I'd know what I would do with you," Sanna whispered
and grinned wickedly. Miriam grinned back. They were still giggling as the music
started and two young men approached them and asked them for the first dance.
Sweeping across the room in a slow waltz, Miriam thought: it /is/ easy. I have
nothing to worry about. I don't even need that potion - I'm already having fun!
She nearly laughed out loud as she realized the fallacy of that thought. She
found herself trying out her new limits. Staring at some of the guys; smiling
when they looked back instead of looking away. Joining small groups of people she
didn't know. Several dances later she was talking to a handsome warrior trainee
named Alan. "I've seen you a few times in my writing class," she told him.  "We
don't get many trainees who take up writing." "Well, it's not one of my favorite
subjects," Alan admitted.  "I skip it as much as I can. Don't let my father hear
it, though. He'd disown me!" He smiled at her.  "What about you? I've never seen
you in our training halls." "I've trained with a quarterstaff. And you don't
strike me as the type for a quarterstaff," she said. He shook his head. "I passed
my third fencing exam today. I'm a first grade fencer, longsword specialist."
"Congratulations! So you really have something to celebrate!" Miriam said
enthusiastically. Just then the orchestra switched to a slow tempo. "Do you want
to dance?" she asked simply. "Wasn't I supposed to ask that?" Alan smiled
bemusedly as she took his hand and lead him onto the dance floor. He didn't turn
out to be the best of dancers, but knew his limits and took his mistakes in
stride. Miriam enjoyed the closeness and the feel of his hands. They moved closer
and she rested her head on his shoulder. The world narrowed around them. The feel
of his body against her and his musky scent caused her heart to speed up in
excitement. She looked in his eyes and realized she wanted to kiss him. The
thought changed to 'I'm going to kiss him' and was blotted out when their lips
fused together. Alan was pleasantly surprised by the kiss and gave it all his
attention. Her lips, sweet and soft, were like a delicious fruit he couldn't get
enough of. Gently he opened her mouth with his tongue, to be welcomed by a slow
caress of hers. Her hand came up and stroked his neck softly as they were
kissing. He inhaled her breath, hot and sweet, with a vague taste of fruit juice.
He had to remind himself that young woman pressed against him from head to knee
was an apprentice of Eesyan, not some girl of pleasure. Yet she gave him little
doubt about her intentions for the rest of the evening. Miriam revelled in the
sensations of their kiss. Her heart, like a blacksmith's hammer on the anvil, had
settled in a slow and heavy rhythm. Her nipples, hardened with desire, rubbed
against her chemise on each intake of breath. She was certain he could feel them
through the layers of clothing as she could feel him through his breeches. Taste,
touch and smell, she was overwhelmed with longing, which poured into her with
each heartbeat. She was aware of the awesome feelings between her thighs, where
her flower was awakening, opening. In a far corner of her mind, a shy apprentice
told her: I guess that potion is working... She swiftly crushed that thought
along with any insecurities or fears of rejection. She no longer cared. Thoughts
of vows and treatises, even of the Father of Reason, were forgotten. Shilohin had
taken over and the Lady of Love was making up for lost time. Eventually their
lips parted and they caught their breaths. Alan looked at her in admiration.
Around them, couples applauded for the orchestra. The music stopped and they
listened to their ragged breathing. Miriam broke out in a weak smile and
whispered: "I don't know how else to say this. I desire you. Can we please go
somewhere private." Alan, not trusting his voice at this point, swallowed and
nodded. He took her hand and lead her towards the side exit. Miriam walked on
clouds. She had never more felt so alive. A few yards away, near a huge potted
Greenspire, Sanna stood in an intimate embrace with a tall, curly fellow, who was
kissing her neck. Her friend's face registered surprise, then admiration. She
winked, lifted her hand and signalled in caster's cant: good one! Then she closed
her eyes and started kissing her partner. Miriam smiled gratefully. Shilohin was
smiling on both of them.



They ran through the dark streets of Korinth to Durgan's Rest. Instead of using
the front door Alan led Miriam around the back of the inn, produced a key from
one of his pockets and opened a small door between the main building and the
stables. A high and narrow corridor ended in a flight of stairs. Two glow-baskets
provided light. "You rented a room here?" she asked. "Permanent residence," Alan
said. "My father didn't want me in the barracks of the Academy. I just rented the
key for the back entrance." Clever, Miriam thought as she took the stairs two at
a time. When they were two floors up, in a well-lit corridor with only two doors,
Alan took the door to the right. Light from the twin orbs, the Eyes of Koriel,
fell through the open windows and bathed the room in a pearly glow. Miriam looked
at the lavishly furnished room. A double-sized bed near the window and... a tall
standing mirror! She stepped in front of it and looked at her reflection. Behind
her Alan cleared his throat.  "Are you... having second thoughts?" he asked.
Miriam gathered her thoughts before answering. Did she really want to go through
with this? She felt the smoldering cinders inside her light up again. Of course
she was going through with it. She wanted to see how this fencing master handled
his other sword. Her lips curled up in a smile. First she would... From deep down
a shy apprentice asked: what if he isn't ready? You sure are: that potion's got
you so steamy you're ready to do the wild thing with an orc! For a while the
voices tried to gain the upper hand. Eventually her reason won. Sighing inwardly
she put her desire on hold. "I don't want you to get the wrong idea about this,
Alan," she said softly.  "I think you're gorgeous and I want to do everything my
mother warned me about, but at sunrise we part our ways again. Tomorrow I'm
taking my vows as an Acolyte - I'm sure you know what that means." She turned
around looked at him. She squinted in the semi-darkness to see the expression on
his face. He smiled. "Good," he said. "Then you won't bring in the Temple guards
and claim I forced myself onto you?" Miriam stifled a laugh. If only he knew. She
ran a finger lightly down his shoulder and right arm.  "Well..." she cooed. "I
might claim I didn't have a good time..." Alan laughed at her veiled insult. 
"You are quite outspoken for an apprentice, aren't you?" he said. He kissed the
side of her neck and started to unfasten her dress. "You haven't met my roommate
Sanna yet," she giggled. Alan stopped and looked at her. Miriam stared back,
non-plussed. "I have a sister named Sanna," he said slowly.  "She's an
Apprentice." Miriam opened her mouth in surprise.  "You're... you're Sanna's
brother?" "Apparently," he said.  "I hadn't seen her in a while and was going to
meet her tonight at the dance. But then you came along..." Miriam didn't know
whether to laugh or to feel embarrassed. She was about to share sheets with her
best friend's brother! What would she think? The image of Sanna's face flashed
through her mind. She reconsidered the signal and the smile Sanna had given her.
Obviously she had seen Alan at her side. She had been surprised but not alarmed.
She was happy for me, Miriam concluded. If the situation would've been reversed
she would've trusted her friend with her brother, she conceded. If she had had
one. Alan suddenly groaned in frustration.  "I just realized I really have to
perform now, don't I? I know you girls tell each other everything! Sanna will
skin me alive if I didn't meet your expectations!" She burst out in laughter. The
thought of Sanna kicking her brother in the shins and yelling at him for being
such a lousy lover for her roommate was incredibly funny. She raised her arms
around him. "Let's see how well you perform under pressure," she said. They
closed the distance and kissed again, softly. Without haste they explored each
other's lips, tongue and the ridges of teeth. Their hands worked lower,
frantically untying straps and laces. Miriam had unfastened his buckle and threw
it aside. His tunic fell to the floor in a rustle. She kicked off a mocassin
which flew through the room and knocked over a candelier. Alan turned her around
and pushed the dress off her shoulders and down her arms. He gently bit her
shoulder and scraped his teeth over her skin, causing shivers run down her spine.
Impatiently she pulled the chemise over her head in a swift, practiced move,
baring her upper body. Ignoring the jittery feelings in her stomach she turned
round and faced him, her chest heaving. A light breeze from outside caressed her
breasts. Alan stared at her pearly breasts, the nipples casting small conical
shadows. Her drawers, starting just below her flat stomach, accentuated the
smooth curve of her hips and thighs. "Shilohin was in a generous mood when she
shaped you," he whispered. He reached towards her but checked himself and took
off his shirt. His muscles were developed, but not overly so. His light, athletic
build combined agility with strength. Miriam looked at his slender hips and the
bulge in his breeches and felt her pulse quicken. The shy apprentice inside her
fell silent. They just stood there for a while, savoring the moment. Then Miriam
sat on the bed and crooked her finger at him. They kissed and fell over. For a
while they rolled over the bed, kissing, hands exploring everywhere. Somehow they
managed to shed the last clothes and then there was only hot skin sliding against
slightly hotter skin. His teeth raked over a rigid nipple, causing a
long-drawn-out moan from her. He drew a shiny trail across her ribcage and
stomach with kisses and short licks. His hands slowly slid upwards from the
insides of her knees, softly pushing her legs open. The core of her glistened
with anticipation and excitement. Alan drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly
over the matted wet hair around her sex. Miriam gasped and tried to pull him
towards her. She hunched up her hips to close the distance but he backed away,
teasing. When she finally gave up and fell back to the bed she felt his tongue on
her private parts, eliciting another moan. With each lick she gasped until she
was panting as if she were running for her life. Lightning bolts shot from her
flower to her nipples and back. Never before had her heart beat so fast. She
dimly recalled stories of people whose hearts had given away with extreme
exertion, but she only wanted the sweet agony to go on and that wonderful tongue
to continue. Alan lightly wriggled his tongue over her hardened pebble and sensed
that she was almost gone. He firmly pushed her hips down to the bed and withdrew
his mouth. "What... are you... doing?" she said in between breaths. She felt
herself come down to earth again. He just looked at her, a faint smile on his
face. "Come on, Alan! Continue, please!" she begged. "I was almost gone! Don't
tease me like this! Please!" Alan continued where he left off and she sighed in
relief when the lightning bolts grew in strength again. She tried to relax and
let the feelings overtake her but he gave her no respite. Her hands tried to tear
holes in the sheets, the muscles of her arms stretched stretched and trembling
with the effort. Her stomach and hips were taut, straining to follow his tongue.
And of course, high up along the insides of her thighs, powerful muscles clenched
and relaxed in a maddening rhythm. Soon she found herself soaring like the eagle,
higher and higher, until he slowed his ministrations and stopped again. Miriam
trembled all over. A drop of sweat rolled down her forehead. Her ragged breathing
slowed again. "You... you bastard!" she whispered. "Finish me!" Alan chuckled. He
started to lick again with long, slow strokes. Determined to leave this time she
began to twist and pull her nipples, adding fuel to the fire. Soon she reached
that plateau where pleasure can be prolonged almost indefinitely. For a while he
let her stay there, but suddenly she felt one of his digits enter her warm and
wet flower. His tongue movements quickened and then she was away, crying
incoherently, clawing her hands through his hair. His finger moved in and out and
she tried to clamp down on it on the outgoing movements. When she came down from
her high she relaxed her grip on his head. She smiled lazily and sighed. It had
been way too long since the last time. Already she felt the craving for more.
Alan slid up next to her and asked: "Can I join with you, Miriam?" Miriam
blinked. What was she going to say... no? "Of course, silly," she smiled. Now she
was going to take him to the stars. Her hand snaked down his engorged member and
gave it a few playful strokes. Alan grunted appreciatively. He settled between
her legs and rubbed his head up and down her flower. Miriam stifled a moan. Yes,
it was his turn... but perhaps they could reach the stars together. Usually, her
partner's orgasm would trigger hers, so technically it still would be his turn
for pleasure. She sucked in her breath through her teeth when he leaned forward
and slowly, too slowly, started to enter her. It felt so good she decided one
orgasm on her part wouldn't really matter. After that she'd take care of him. His
considerable length smoothly became part of her. "Mmmm," he said. "That's
nice..."  He withdrew and started a slow rhythm. Miriam moaned again. She was
dizzy with the continuous stimulation and well on her way to her next peak. She
tried to move with him but noticed it didn't add a whole lot. Finally she dropped
all pretense of trying to pleasure him. Her hands pulled at his buttocks and
tried to speed up his rhythm. "How's this for you?" he said breathlessly. He bent
over her, leaning on his arms and licked the bridge over her nose. "What do you
think?" she laughed in response.  "You're so fine, Alan... yess!!"  She arched
her back as waves of pleasure kept washing over her. Eventually Alan couldn't
hold off any longer and orgasmed inside of her, setting her off again as well.
For a while they lay next to each other. "I almost am sorry to be taking my vows
tomorrow," Miriam told him. "I could get used to this."  Once or twice a week, to
be sure, she didn't add. Alan smiled and said: "So could I."  He tenderly
caressed her face. "Is it really true that you're not allowed to have any sex as
an Acolyte or a Priest?" "Well," Miriam said thoughtfully,  "Casual sexual
relationships are prohibited. It is unheard of, at any rate. Once you enter a
romantic relationship you are expected to marry and resign as a priest." Alan
traced her eyes and nose. She playfully bit his finger when he touched her lips. 
"Remember when Kieran Batey became Mayor? He had his share of affairs, eventually
married but is still Mayor." Miriam turned and looked at him. She had heard that
the High Priest had tried to make Kieran Batey to resign from office. Since that
hadn't happened, the rumour had to be untrue or Kieran's popularity had deterred
the intervention. "And what about Morat Van Gulick, the Grand Magus?" "Those are
individual cases," she said defensively. "I just mean... Well, I think you should
be able to be a priest and a human being at the same time." "Oh, so that you
would be able to take care of my 'earthly needs'?" she teased. Alan chuckled. 
"Well, I'd like to," he said. "But I asked because I wondered about San. Whether
she'll be happy as an Acolyte." "Knowing her, she'll try to bend the rules as far
as they'll go. She likes men too much," Miriam said thoughtfully. Alan started
kissing her breast.  "And women," he added. Miriam was surprised, then shocked at
being merely surprised. She covered her astonishment by pushing her chest up
against his mouth. Her desire rose again. It was time for round two, she decided.
"Roll over," she said. Straddling him she took his penis and let her warm, wet
flower engulf him. She sighed as she impaled herself. Pulling away almost
completely, she straightened her back and slid down that delicious flagpole
again. Her eyes fell on her reflection in the tall mirror, showing the perfect
rhythm for her to follow. Never before had she so consciously judged her naked
body. I do have a nice body, she thought. She gasped in surprise when he pressed
the first knuckle of his thumb into her butt. Her thoughts drifted back to her
friend. So San likes women, she thought. Why didn't she tell me? It was uncommon,
but nothing to be ashamed of. Love between women was most common among the Elves
and in most cases referred to as 'elven love'. She thought: what if she didn't
want me to know? What if... Her mirror image flushed at the unspoken suggestion
and picked up the rhythm. She discovered his other hand rubbing her nipples.
Shilohin, this was so easy! She hardly had to do anything before she would leave
again! She closed her eyes and imagined that Sanna looked at her, smiling and
whispering: "Go, little sister!" Pumping fast and furious, she left hard. She
lost count of the various styles they tried out. First hard and fast they moved,
like animals in heat, then slowly and tenderly they continued their lovemaking
until the early morning.



It was just after sunrise when Miriam walked back to the Temple. She felt sore in
a few places, an apropriate reminder of the night before. She had woken up in his
arms only half an hour earlier. Miriam missed him already, had almost become
infatuated with him. He was nice to be with, considerate, witty... They really
had hit it off; in more ways than one. A slight gnawing feeling entered her gut
when she passed the white pillars at the Temple entrance. Alan belonged to that
other world. She belonged to the Temple. The Temple guards were, as usual,
silent, their faces inscrutable. Five paces later Miriam realized she had
forgotten to show them her holy symbol, which also functioned as her admission
pass. The guards probably knew her face. She was grateful that they had let her
pass; Koriel knew she hardly looked like an Apprentice. Her mood lightened when
she entered her room and saw Sanna lying on her bed, arms folded behind her head
and looking at the ceiling. Her friend still wore the skimpy dress of the night
before and looked dishevelled. Sanna smiled that slow grin she usually did when
she had gotten lucky. "Well?" she said. Miriam took off her robe.  "It was
alright," she said. "Alright? Alright!?"  Sanna jumped off the bed.  "Did my
brother..." "Aha," Miriam interrupted her. "So he really was your big brother."
"Well, actually he's younger than..."  Sanna's voice trailed as she caught the
double meaning. She stared in disbelief. Miriam giggled: "You're blushing, Sanna
Penhale!" "I can't believe you just said that!" Sanna laughed, then frowned and
added: "I can't believe I blushed!" Miriam shrugged. She felt a lot more at ease
discussing sexual matters than the previous afternoon. "So you didn't know you
singled out my little brother, huh?" Sanna continued. Miriam shook her head. 
"When it came up he was scared that if he couldn't satisfy me, you would skin him
alive," she laughed. "And rightly so," her friend said coyly.  "I would've felt
bad if you hadn't enjoyed yourself." "I had a good time, San. No, I had a /great/
time. At the dance as well - I felt I could do anything! I wasn't nervous or
anything." On an impulse she embraced her friend. "I owe you, San," she whispered
in Sanna' ear. Sanna cleared her throat and said: "Miriam, I gave you a fake
potion." Miriam felt as if someone had upended a bucket of cold water over her.
She stepped back and said: "Wha... what do you mean?" Sanna looked down and
repeated softly: "The potion was a fake. It was water, sugar and lemon juice.
Made it myself." "But it... it..."  It had worked! Hadn't it? Miriam felt
lightheaded. "I wouldn't dare giving you anything that makes you do things you
normally wouldn't do. But I did want to help you - and then I thought of a fake
potion." "So all this time... it was just me?" Miriam whispered. "I did all those
things?"  She sagged down on her bed. She still remembered the exhileration when
she had told Alan that she wanted him, the look in his eyes when they had left
the Hall of Festivities. They were all wonderful memories. Would she now try to
forget them and bury them under a load of guilt? "Don't be angry with yourself,
be angry with me." Sanna started plucking pieces off lint off her dress. Miriam
calmed down. She wouldn't let guilt rule her life. Last night was now a part of
her. Besides, it was unwise to denounce the blessings of the Lady of Love. "What
I said yesterday," she said softly.  "You knew that I didn't need anything to be
passionate, didn't you?" Sanna nodded. Miriam searched herself for anymore
questions that needed to be answered. There were none. She had danced with,
seduced and slept with Alan. She had enjoyed doing all of those things and would
remember them fondly. She smiled, welcoming her newfound confidence. "I really
owe you, San," she said again. "I lied to you. Will you forgive me?" Miriam
nodded and smiled. It felt good to forgive. "Let's go for a steambath. I smell
like a pack of swamp trolls."