"You'd be surprised," Hracin chuckled, "I've had several male apprentices seeking to escape arranged marriages to wealthy or higher class wives, usually a decade or more their senior."  Male heirs were equally exploited in such societies, from what he'd heard and seen via his students.  It was a street that travelled both north and south, so far as he could see.  Often times, the potential husbands were no more interested in the match than the possible bride.<br/><br/>The Dwarf floated a few items over toward the stairs.  "Shall we descend and dry out a bit?"