Exploring New Possibilities

You were giddy as you once were as a small child as you followed your auditions in the Bard’s College. Having been accepted by the panel of three, you’d accomplished the one large goal you’d had since you escaped your home and made this city your home. As you hurried about the campus, now fully trying to familiarize yourself with the campus you would be spending great time on, and you could now saw you belong to, you made a short, sharp turn around a corner. Moving too quick and without a chance to stop, you made a full collision with another person, each of you stumbling back in a slight groan. Embarrassing and painful, once you opened your eyes to only see the situation made worse; by nature of their wear, the other person was a professor of the school.

“Oh, gods” you let out as you brought your fingers to your face in nervousness “I am so sorry!”. The professor, another human of middling age, took the event in good grace “Oh, it’s quite okay miss. Always appreciate a chance to be kept on the toes, as it were,” There was a slight flash of his eyes, followed by a large self-satisfied grin. “Wait, I know you. Hard to miss a Drow walking about on campus. You’re Chesale’s protégé and companion.”

You felt a little odd being labeled as his companion, and what that implication was. “I’m a personal student of his, yes. He’s mentored me and has taught me a great deal about music and oratory. Enough that I was able to pass an audition to become a full student here.” Your lips pressed together for a moment “As for a companion, I don’t believe that to be the case.”

“Really?” You caught him as he eyed you and down quickly “That’s very surprising, and intriguing”

“Why do you say that?” You asked

He paused and rose his hand out to the side “Care to join me for a conversation, if I’m not interrupting anything?”

“That is most kind, thank you for taking the time.”

“Of course, as a new student, it would be an honor. Congratulations, by the way, Miss..”

“Margot” You replied with a slight bow of the head as you walked together, on a diversionary path from what you had taken “Margot Mallekin”

“Charmed, Professor Tharwin, ad your humble service” He responded in turn “To your question, It’s very surprising turn events because in all of my time knowing Chesale, he has not once done for another what he’s already done for you. It would almost lead one to wonder about his motives, what may have been going on in this mentoring sessions or private lessons.”

You were surprised that the thought hadn’t crossed your mind sooner; favors of that sort were quite common, though it was never openly admitted to.

“He has been nothing but a professional, and as your people would say, a gentleman,” The concept had admittedly been a foreign word to you before your arrival. “He hadn’t even suggested any personal interest or attachment,” as you continued to speak, you could feel a rising need to defend, speaking at greater length than was asked “If anything, he’s gone out of his way and spoken to me at length about avoiding the appearances of favoritism before today’s audition”

“Very well,” He smiled “I certainly didn’t mean to cause offense, of you or him. That he hasn’t done anything of yet means that he is either playing a very long game to wear you down, or that he must just think you truly are a special and unique person that deserves the attention and tutelage. I for one, have never known him to be quite that patient.”

You blushed at his implied compliment “You’re very kind.”

“It comes with the territory and the job, my dear” Professor Tharwin replied, venturing through a quiet, wooded area of the campus “It’s been my experience that all of that harsh and fierce behavior, the yelling and the like you find in military circles or really harsh schoolmasters, it’s all for naught. Trying to teach a student from a place of fear and anxiety is akin to teaching a stone to fly.” You had a small giggle imagining such an absurd notion. “Speak truth, and speak kindly, as much as possible. Teaching is forming a relationship with the students, and it has to be treated that way,” He paused for a second, commenting on his own thought “perhaps that is why there are so many torrid stories and fantasies of private affairs between teacher and student.”

“Like the one you imagined with me.”

“A slight I’ll hope you can forgive me for, my dear Margot. I’m a mortal just like anyone else. Chesale is a man concerned with honor and greatness, which is why he and I belong to different Colleges.”

Your face scrunched in confusion “I don’t understand, you’re both professors of the Bard’s College, are you not?”

“Indeed. You mean Chesale said nothing of this in all of his time mentoring you?” you shook your head in the negative fashion “Remarkable. He must value your independent mind and to make your own decisions.”

“What kind of decisions?” You asked again, feeling greater confusion.

“We borrow greatly from the model of the Mage’s colleges of the world, what began in the grand Academy of Valle Palerma in D’arcan. Something the Wizards and like of the world will often grumble about.” There was a slight humored smile as he spoke on that and the opinions of others.

“You see Margot, like a Wizard, or a Weapons Master, or nearly any of the mundane trades, it’s impossible for us to learn and do everything. Even your cousins lack the time and lives to master everything a Bard could possibly know. So, those of us with like interests and skills have formed ourselves into small groups, to specialize and master the different aspects that make up being a Bard, which we call Colleges. Your dear mentor _____ is a leader of the College of The Sword.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that he’s of a mind that Bard’s should follow the very oldest traditions of our trade. A Bard should not only be a competent warrior, but that their job is to fight alongside other great warriors and armies, to see first hand their tales of battle, and to share their stories of heroism, glory, loss, and sacrifice. It is said at times that Swords, like Chesale, carry the weight of the souls who died in battle with them. He fought in a great war as a younger man, and I’m sure if he was asked or the need arose, he’d march to support another conflict in a heartbeat.”

“Wow” You remarked, being quite surprised by the description. There had not been a major conflict of your people since the Triumverate War, and with a stunning defeat of the grand plan of global destabilization, there were no songs of its heroes and battles. Such a thing would require survivors, and Drow were expected to fight to the death. “He hardly seems like the violent or the aggressive type.”

“I don’t know that aggression has anything to do with it.” Tharwin countered “At least not with Chesale . For him, it’s a matter of duty; so much is relied upon the soldiers and defenders of nations, and the heroic warriors who go on adventures to fight the great monsters, that their story must be shared so that the populace may understand what, hopefully, they will never see.”

“I think I understand” Chesale’s behavior, his seriousness and discipline did make more sense now, though he was hardly as harsh or grizzly as the Sergeant’s or Officers you’ve seen or heard leading armies before. “How many other colleges are there?”

“Oh, probably more than I know of. The smaller ones are mostly informal, like fellows working together to mutual benefit and so on. There’s four or five major ones. You have the College of the Scrolls. They are similar to the Sword, but without the strict martial focus.”

“How so?” You asked

“Bards of the Scroll are interested in all manner of legends and tales, not just of the battlefields. They love searching for, memorizing, and sharing the great stories of the past. Often times, the more obscure the better. They tend to think that all stories matter, that even legends of the mundane souls can hold great worth and great emotional impact.”

“Useful people to have.” You commented “those who can keep local stories and traditions alive”

“Right you are, young lady” Tharwin added “and why Scrolls will sometimes claim that while the Swords were the first to call themselves Bards, that their traditions and purpose of the Scrolls predate them.”

“Sounds like some bitter rivalries.” You opined openly “I wouldn’t have thought such a thing were the case in a band of musicians and orators.”

“Oh, the high emotions and opinions here breed them, if anything. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll never see a group break off and disown the name Bard to form their own identity. We work together towards a common purpose and we know that our interests often have similarities, but there can be judgements on you for what College you belong to. The College of the Spell for instance, can sometimes be remarked on for those simply trying to become wizards by alternative means.”

“I think I can understand that, based on the name” you nodded along.

“It’s not entirely unfounded either,” He added “Though they’re not the first Bards, they were the first to call themselves a College. As we understand it, there was a subset of Bard’s in the D’arcan Academy in its earliest days. Our ability to cast spells evaded their classification, and a way that could not be replicated outside of song and performance. Being removed from the Academy, those Bard’s continued to study the art of spellcasting as we understand it, and like the D’arcani, try to push the boundaries of what is possible.”

“I see the usefulness of it, but you have to admit that it seems pretty far removed from the rest, or what most people think of when they imagine who or what a Bard is, a traveling singer and performer, a master of instrumentation and so on.”

“Well, if that’s what you’re aiming for, and seems that may be what Chesale was training you for, than the College of the Song would be your bet. They’re interested in music and performance simply for it’s own sake. To be the best they can be at their chosen skills of performance. Few can contest their abilities and their dedication to their skill, but you can often find the Swords and Scrolls looking down at them for favoring a piece that shows off their personal abilities, rather than a work of more pedestrian skill that provides a more meaningful and useful message to the audience.”

“I hadn’t thought about it like that,” You remarked, considering that for the first time. He was partially right, your interest thus far had been simply on becoming the best singer or harpist you could become: that had seemed the natural goal of being a Bard and joining the College. What you would learn and why you would learn it would speak a lot about you. Having been on the Surface world for barely a year at this point, you felt that you had a disadvantage towards being accepted as a Scroll, and your aversion to conflict that caused you to run away would keep you away from Swords, but you couldn’t deny that they had merit. “There’s clearly a lot to consider, and I appreciate your time in explaining it all. If I may inquire into a personal question Professor, which of the Colleges do you belong to?”

He chuckled slightly “I thought you might ask that, and I’m sure in doing so, some things may come to greater light. Please, come this way” He lead you along a new path, heading towards the periphery of the campus.

“I’m of a group that many Bards would rather now be associated with. They think we cloud the societies perception of us and give the Bard a bad name.”

“That’s strange, I’ve never heard anything but good things about them. What College could you belong to that would be so dismissed.”

“I’m a member of, and in fact the Dean if you will, the College of the Soul. We try our best not to understand or remember legends or songs, though those certainly help. We find that our purpose, our drive, is to understand what it means to be alive, to share in the experience of the mortal condition, in it’s glories and it’s struggles, and through them to form intimate connections with others.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad. In fact, it sounds lovely.” You felt yourself pulling in his direction, that performing to understand others and communicate the ironic beauty and harshness of life, it was something you could speak to personally, given your own experiences.

“It’s that last part that gets us in trouble, I’ll admit. Please, a visual lesson will explain this better than words.” He motioned down towards a small valley that had been made into an area of quiet reflection. The quiet and contemplative nature of the place was being soiled, as it were, by a rather auspicious sight involving two students.

“Bard’s often have a reputation of being like spring rabbits. It has been joked by some that a Bard will try to talk a bride out of her wedding dress. Among the College of the Soul, some of us have tried and even succeeded.”

You were amazed at what you saw. Two unfamiliar young women, one human and one orc, were sharing the space together, their clothes removed and on the ground. The orc was on her hands and knees, while the human had used her bardic magic to form some form of impressive magical phallic device, where one would have been had she been born a male, fucking her in a steady, romantic fashion and pace, as if neither were the least concerned of being found or caught.

“Shouldn’t you…do something?” You asked in disbelief, your face flush in disbelief and arousal. Though whispering, there was a force behind that it implied you’d almost be yelling.

“No. They know what they’re doing. This is probably one of the most important things any adult mortal could do, is communicate their love and desires for another person, and do so in a way that both agree to and enjoy. That so much shame and disgrace is placed around this act is contrary to life itself.”

“So, you…TEACH this to students?” You asked, astounded by his indifference.

“Among other things. It’s far more about connection and courtship. Being able to form relations with each other, empathizing, perspective taking. But yes, they learn about manners of seduction, and manners of being an effective and loving partner.” He took a slow step towards you, speaking quiet “I think you’re carrying a lot of judgement with you. If you were to relax and let yourself enjoy it, I’m sure you would come around to see the beauty of it, and that you’d be an ideal member of the College of Souls.”

“Professor Tharwin, I don’t know what to say.” You began, seeing how close he was to you, understanding exactly what his intentions and desires were “Being open like this is hardly normal among my people. I don’t think I can do this”

“You left for a reason,” He said, calmly “You knew you didn’t fit that way of life for some valid reasons. It felt right, didn’t it? Well, be honest, let go of what you learned from fear and shame, doesn’t this feel right as well?”

You nodded slightly, still feeling embarrassed to admit that you want it “but, what if someone sees?”

“In this place? Hardly anyone would notice. If anything, you might make a new friend or two.” He leaned in, clearly signaling he was approaching for a kiss, showing great patience and calm “we can go at whatever your pace is Margot, and if you’re sure this isn’t the right moment, I completely understand.”

At first, you moved tepidly towards the professor, still unwilling to completely let go of your social anxieties and norms. Your lips gently pressed against his, the loving tenderness drawing you in closer. You were by no means a virgin or new to sex, but this was altogether different. There was a stronger passion and attention, rather than the purely transactional deeds to sake lust you’d been accustomed to.

“I, I’d like to do that again” You said slowly, looking into his eyes,

“Of course, my dear. Whatever you want” The professor was doteful and skilled, providing just what you wanted, giving the tinge of desire for more. A second kiss quickly progressed into a third, and a fourth, before you were both making out, hands moving about each other’s body. A fire rose up inside you as if tinder lit by a match.

“Tharwin,” you gently moaned out as the kiss finally broke “Would you,” You paused, the last moment of fear leaving your body “Would you make love to me?”

“I’ll do you one better” Tharwin smirked as he started moving his hands to remove your clothes “I’ll make love with you”

Appreciate the distinction, you gave him a slight peck on the lips in thanks as you took over, quickly taking your clothes off. He moved with purpose as well, a speed and care stopping short of wild and frantic. His manhood was sizable, slightly larger than most of your kins, but not so large that you felt the risk of it breaking you or hurting.

“Now than, Margot, let’s have you just relax and enjoy yourself” Holding you by the arms, he gently guided you down onto the ground, laying flat. You could feel your body tense up, which the elder gentleman was quick to notice

“Trust me Margot, you’re perfectly safe. Nothing is going to happen, even if anyone notices, which they won’t. Now, please, relax”

You felt a wave over that final word, as if under some spell or incantation, though didn’t see him cast such a thing. Gently holding your legs, he parted them for a moment as his head descended between them. With both his tongue and the slight delicate touch of his fingers, he pleased the folds of your pussy, giving extra attention to your clitoris. You moaned loudly as that was touched, both in the joy and the shock. No man, of any race, had yet touched that spot for you before, let alone do so with such a practiced and doteful method.

“Oh Gods!” You moaned out loud, finally uncaring of any spectators or eavesdroppers.

“There we are” Tharwin humored, as he kept pleasing you with his fingers “I take it we’re good, relaxed, and warmed up now?”

“Fuck yes” You felt your breath short, despite having only been touched “I’m burning inside Tharwin”

“Don’t you worry, I’ll help you out” The area wet and primed, the Professor took your legs again, holding them up in the air, ankles close together, he gently pushed your legs back by the knees, giving him the room he needs. Pressing his own body forward, his cock moved freely into your wet and eager pussy. Your legs together, it felt even bigger than it looked. Your lover was in no rush as he sawed his cock in and out of you.

“Yes, that feels amazing” You moaned. With your head lifted and the position, you could actually watch his meat slide in you, which was quickly intoxicating.

“Faster, Tharwin, please”

Your human mate couldn’t help but laugh a little as he complied with your request “Not so worried about those inhibitions now, are we?”

“It feels too good.” You agreed “It’s never felt like this before”

“It can feel like this all the time, if you want.” He goaded. The offer was immediately understood and insatiably tempting. If you learned under him, worked with him, all the sex you had could be this good, and could have it as much as you want.

All the years of repressing your desires, along with trying to survive in that environment. You could finally be yourself, including being like this, naked on the ground with your legs in the air as a strange man gives you his cock, and soon, his seed.

“I want it Tharwin” You moaned and pleaded, your expanded thought a slight change “I want all of your cock. I want you to fill me up.”

“I’ll be happy to oblige miss Margot, but on principle, I have to insist, you first.” Drawing out the length of his stroke in and out of you, you felt even greater sensation as his cock moved in and out of the folds of your pussy, shortly by greater speeds.

“Yes!” You yelled out, feeling your body tighten “make me cum!” You couldn’t remember the last time it had actually happened, but the feeling in your body was unmistakable. You bit your lip in anticipation as your breathing grew shorter, your voice higher pitched. Unable to hold it in any longer, you practically sang out in orgasm as your whole body shuddered. As the waves of pleasure washed over you as your body convulsed, you felt his hot seed gush into you.

There was a sudden silence, as you basked in the joy of what you felt. Tharwin quickly rose to his feet and assembled his attire as best he could, seemingly in more of a hurry now than he had been before.

“I’m sorry for doubting Tharwin” You smiled as you finally broke the silence

“It’s quite okay Margot” He replied kindly as he helped to your feet “It happens more often than you might think. I meant what I said earlier though. Sex or not, I think you’d be a welcome member of our College. Sleep on it, give the others a look and consideration, so you know you make the right call. If you do, come find me.”