Chapter three - Back on Track
#3 of Tales of a Shaman
"So where exactly are we right now?" Daichi asked.
Zach yawned. "I dunno. I told you that we're not going north. So we're probably completely off track by now."
Daichi rubbed his eyes. "No, we're going north now. I bet a town is just over those mountains." He pointed northward at the mountains that lie in front of the traveling pair. The wolf just grimaced.
"We gotta get over THOSE? I am not gonna climb up all that.." Daichi just sighed.
"No, no, no. We go around them. They aren't that wide." He returned, but Zach insisted that it was a bad idea.
"What if they are a long range of mountains, and we can't get around?" The wolf gulped deeply. "We could be walking for hours! Every step brings us closer to an unknown path, and in the wrong direction. We only have two days of food left with the way you eat. Or maybe we'll hit ocean? We'd be doomed then. How would we get back to a town? We'd be so lost we would starve to death. Or die of thirst. Or be beaten down by bandits or ferals in our weak, starved state. There's no way...."
Daich interrupted him. "Holy shit! Do you see that Zach!" The dragon yelled, pointing ahead of them.
The wolf looked, wondering what the dragon was yelling about. "What are you talking about now?" He sighed, then gasped. He held his paw to his muzzle. "Oh...oh Raijin...what the..." He was speechless. In front of them, upon the ground, was the body of a wolf. It was clawed and ripped in many places. Entrails hanging from a ripped asunder stomach. Flies flew across the corpse, and a vulture was feeding on what it could. The wolf ran up to the corpse, shooing away the birds and what he could of the flies. He knelt, in front of the body, a tear at his eye. He uttered a prayer, drawing on himself the symbol of his god, Raijin. He waved over the dragon, who was utterly put off and on the verge of gagging. He walked to Zach and knelt. He placed a paw to the ground, it opened, swallowing the body and burying it. Zach let out a long, shaky sigh. "So many horrible things in this world..." He murmured out.
Daichi just nodded. "Yea..well...let's get going then?" He asked.
Zach whispered another prayer. He then just nodded also. "Y..yea...let's go and get around that mountain." The two took off from their. They didn't talk. It was a disturbing silence. Zach didn't care about what direction they were going, They crossed aside the mountain. It was quiet in the air. Almost as if the entire world was stopped. Not even the birds chirped. They finally made it around the giant pillar of rock and earth after hours of walking. It was dark out now, making it even more silent and awkward. As they rounded it, and crossed over the plain after it. Something appeared on the horizon. The dragon gasped.
"ZACH! LOOK!" He shook with excitement. The wolf sighed and looked again.
"What n...n...no...fucking...way..." He stuttered, and grimaced just a little. The dragon grinned and brimmed with pride.
"I TOLD you it was a good idea to go around the mountain! It's a town! An Enki damned town!" He jumped and bounded in circles, yelling at his triumph. Zach just stared. Then a laugh, and another. Until he began laughing as hysterically as the other male was. He caught up to him and cheered with him.
"YEA! It's a town! We can sleep on beds tonight! We can eat cooked food and restock our supplies! We made it! We can get directions and find out where the temple is!" The two started, in tandem, running for the town ahead. They were racing, though neither cared who got there first, they just wanted to be there. Both wanted the promises the city would give.
The two males stopped at the city gates. Zach was fine, but Daichi was out of breath. He panted loudly. "Damn it Zach, how do you run for so long? And in that robe?" The wolf laughed.
"Stamina! I don't like being completely dependent on magic, so while I'm not as strong as you, I am more vigorous than you'll ever be!"
Daichi swiped at the wolf, but he dodged out of the way. "You could start by not eating twice your weight each meal, and for a dragon, that's a lot."
Daichi growled. "Hey...I like eating, ok?" He snarled and flapped his wings. "But we're at a town! This is time for celebration!" Zach nodded and they rushed through the gate's opening, into the unknown town.
The pair continued their way through the pressing crowds. People were so densely packed in the narrow market corners. Females caring baskets and various crafts. Males with vegetables and fruit, fish and meats. A stall with a sign reading 'Fresh meats' caught Daichi attention. The hungry dragon sniffed the air greedily. He almost walked over, but Zach tugged him to continue looking for a tavern. Another stand labeled 'Enchanted Crafts' was full of various glowing gems and idols. A wolf was at the stand, bartering with a rodent vendor. At another stand, a crow was raising a fuss about something. The voices in the crowd were too loud to hear, but by the look on the lion running the stand's face, he was just being difficult. Many males were gathered around one stand, going through various finely crafted weaponry. A dragon was tending the store, content on how easily his wares were selling. A mass of tables under a covered by a wooden roof was many, eating and conversing. The smells made Daichi shake, and again Zach had to tug him. "We can eat when we fine a tavern." The hungry reptile reluctantly agreed. They persisted in their search for a tavern. The town was still packed with busy people, no matter how long they searched the area.
"This town is pretty busy. Must be a big one." Daichi commented.
Zach nodded. "Yea, must be a port town or something. Seems a lot of..." The wolf was bumped into. "Ow, people here. I wonder where we can get directions, I don't see any taverns."
Daichi looked around, his large height aided in scanning the area, as he rose above most. "It seems to just be a ton of stores..." He sighed, then gasped. "Oh wait! There's a tavern!" Daichi grabbed onto the wolf's wrist and tugged him hurriedly. The both stopping at the door.
Zach eyed the sign hung above the tavern. "Hrmmm....the Musky Lover..."
Daichi laughed. "That's a good name for a place, but it's the only place we can find at the moment. So might as well give it a shot." He pushed open the door, tugging the wolf inside as he walked. Zach just grunted at being tugged around like a doll. The both scanned the bar as they entered. Many males were seated at the various tables, some even not wearing clothes. Even more with thick erections. A husky in the corner had one foot paw up on the table and was pawing off slowly. A lapine was sitting on a horse's lap, rear pressed up against the length of his cock. The horse was whispering in his ear and licking at his neck, and various giggles emitted from the rabbit. One dragon at a table was obviously completely drunk, his tail was sluggishly flapping around, but he seemed plenty content. Three tigers in the corner then caught attention. One was large, probably seven or eight feet, and two small, submissive looking ones were flirting with the large male. His loincloth was already tented over, and the two smaller felines we licking at, kissing, and groping his body. All to much delight of the large tiger. A lizard was sitting across the table from a burly wolf, the two chatting and also flirting with each other. Attention finally was drawn over to a pair at the counter. A white dragon, and a very scruffy and raunchy looking wolf. Daichi one more tugged on Zach, making him come along. They sat at the bar, Daichi with the white dragon to his left, and white wolf to his right. He smiled. "Hello Sir, can you help us? We're kinda lost."
The wolf smiled a large, warm smile. "Sure, of course I'd like to help." He offered a paw. "Name's Brute, this dragon here's Sobek. What's brought y'all around here? We got drinks if ya are thirsty."
Daichi took his paw and shook it firmly. "Nice to meet ya Brute, Sobek. I'm Daichi, but people usually call me Dach, and this is Zach. I'd like a mead, strong in honey."
Zach piped up. "I'd like a mug of milk."
The wolf would duck under the counter, quickly picking up two bottles and a mug. One was a brown bottle full of strong mead. The other, a clear bottle filled with milk. He opened the milk and poured it into the mug. Then handed both to both. "There you go, three gold please." The wolf smiled. Daichi's nose twitched a bit. The other smelled really strong.
"Thanks.." Daichi said, taking a deep drink from the mug. "Zach is on his pilgrimage. We're looking for the temple of Raijin."
Brute smiled. "Really? Well you're almost done. It's just north of this city, only about a few miles. Go first thing in the morning and you'll probably be back by this time tonight."
Sobek interrupted. "You're on a pilgrimage? That sounds exciting. Can I come? I have always wanted to go visit a temple."
Daichi shrugged. "Zach? You ok with that?" The wolf simply shrugged. "I don't see any problem. More the merrier I suppose. More body guards never hurt anyone either."
Sobek cheered and jumped across the other dragon's lap, hugging the wolf around the neck. Zach jumped with a start, and Daichi leaned back as Sobek was across his lap. Brute just laughed. "That dragon, he's much to excitable for his own good." He said. The dragon got off Zack and sat in his chair, smiling. "You know what! This calls for a celebration! You've been out traveling, take a night to relax, have some fun, and sleep in a comfy bed!"
Daichi nodded and grinned. "Yes! I told you Zach, we need to live tonight and get some good rest, and food in our bellies!" He sat up and cheered with the other dragon.
Brute nodded. "Yea! Everyone needs to let a load off once in awhile, and this is the best place to do it!"
Zach laughed gently, nodding. "You guys are right, we need to blow off some steam, relax and live the good life before we leave again!" He laughed.
Brute retrieved another glass of milk and mug, pouring it for the white dragon and handing it to him, getting a strange, red bottle of drink for himself. The four put their glasses together, cheering. They took deep drinks. Hours passed. During this time, Zach fell off his stool, twice. Not because he was drunk, but Sobek is pouncy when excitedly, and kept being assaulted. Daichi had jumped up on the counter once or twice, to declare various things. Brute went through at least twenty of his bottles.
"Heheheh. This was such a good idea!" Zach yelled. Somewhere in the fun, he had removed his robes and the wrappings around his paws and foot paws, now only wearing a loincloth. As were all the males.
Sobek nodded, his face held a slight blush. Probably just a bit too buzzed. "Yea, this is a ton of fun. You think...." He burped. "You think it'll take very long to get to the temple?" He said, leaning on the wolf's side, paw brushing at his chest.
Zach took a deep drink, he had been drinking only milk, but was really loose from the fun they were having. "Mmm...I don't think so...we move pretty fast. The actually ritual itself doesn't take very long once we get there." He wrapped and arm around the dragon, murring contently. Daichi was suddenly up behind him, giving him a firm hug around the waist and giving his neck a long lick. He nibbled gently. This made Zach moan. Daichi was obviously horny now. But really, in that environment it was hard not to be. Zach panted gently, getting a slowly growing tent in his loincloth. He leaned his head to the side, exposing more of his neck to the gnawing dragon. Sobek suddenly groped the wolf's furry balls, making him shiver. Brute smiled.
"Looks like you three want a room?" Zach nodded weakly. But Sobek whined playfully.
"Aww...Brute...why don't you come with us?..." He pleaded, tugging on Zach arm a bit and pouting.
Daichi gave Zach's neck a long, wet lick. To which he shuddered. "Mmm...yea...come play with us Brute....you seem fun..."
Brute stood up with a long stretch. Lifting his arms made his musky scent much more potent and noticeable. "I guess I could give you guys some fun." The erupted his muzzle in a wide grin. Daichi lashed his tail and got Zach to his legs, nibbling on his neck as they walked along. Zach had his eyes closed and muzzle agape. Sobek followed behind, tugging on Brute's arm excitedly. The quartet would head up the stairs slowly. Daichi kicked open the door. He walked inside, the other dragon and wolf would head inside soon after. Daichi set Zach down on his back, on the bed. He kissed and nibbled up and down his back. Zach moaned and wrapped his arms around his mate. Sobek jumped right in. He dropped his loincloth, and ran up to Daichi, taking off his cloth for him. Sobek dropped to his knees, rubbing Daichi's legs, licking at his hips. Brute removed his own cloth. He got up on the bed. Daichi pushed Zach completely onto his back. He took of the wolf's loincloth. All the males now nude. He ran his paws up and down his legs, starting to lick at his furry sac. Brute sat on Zach's chest. His musky balls and sheath were pressed up against the wolf's face. A thick, pink cock poking out. This forced the wolf to take breath after breath of his musky scent. All four males were really hard now. Sobek grabbed Daichi's tail, lifting it and licking at his tail hole.
"Oooo...rawrr...that's nice Sobek..." Daichi said, his paw wrapped around Zach's throbbing cock and began pawing him off. He licked more as his balls, getting them plenty wet with saliva. Brute moved himself, grabbing his cock and pushing it into the wolf's lips. Zach's muzzle parted and he began to lap at Brute's meat, before taking it inside his muzzle, sucking on the raunchy dick. Zach's tongue slid across it slowly. Brute groaned and bent his back slowly. Daichi lifted Zach legs and re-positioned himself. He pressed his hot dragonhood to Zach's tight tail hole. Zach moaned around Brute's cock. His paw grasped the male's shaft. He began to pump away as he kept sucking and licking at the hard length's tip. Brute panted and placed his left paw behind his head. His right arm wrapped around behind his neck. Sobek noticed this and wanted in. He gave Daichi's ass one more long lick. Making shivers go down the male's spine. He got up behind Brute and hugged him around his chest. He licked his neck slowly, and then stuck his nose into Brute's exposed armpit. He shuddered all over, rubbing his cock into the wolf's back, precum wetting the fur. Brute murred, feeling Sobek rub his cock into his back. He bucked his hips, thrusting his cock into Zach's muzzle. Zach could feel the wolf's knot on his lips. He grabbed it in his paw and kneaded it firmly.
"Ngh...Zach...that feels nice..." Brute mumbled. Zach started bobbing his head up and down, but gasped. Daichi had been pawing off to the males. But now he pushed his cock hard against the wolf's tail hole. Zach gave a loud groan around Brute's cock as a pulsing, hot erection slowly was sunk deeper and deeper inside his ass. Each thrust from the horny dragon made the wolf grunt loudly. His body shook. Sobek was getting equally as hot. He thrust around with his cock, until he found Brute's tail hole, thrusting so his slick, hot cock started sliding inside the male's ass. Brute roared and leaned back his head. He groaned, panting heavily. Sobek buried his nostrils in Brute's armpit, smelling his raunchy scent, thrusting into him. He crammed his throbbing meat inside Brute over and over, impaling his tail hole with his his hot cock. Brute moaned out as Sobek fucked him. His hips quivered. Zach noticed this and breathed fast through his nostrils, knowing soon he'd have a muzzle full of hearty seed. This sensation of suspense, along with Daichi's heavy pounding, Zach let out a loud groan.
"Auugghhh! Oh Gods above! Daichi! Don't hold back on me!" Daichi murred at Zach's pleading. He started to pound his mate hard. Each thrust forced several heavy inches of throbbing meat inside the begging wolf. Over and over again Daichi thrust into his needy lover. Brute yelled and panted. Zach was licking and sucking him off and it was driving him wild when paired with Sobek's fucking. Sobek was heavily turned on by the heavy musk in his nostrils. He thrust faster, harder. Sobek's paws were rubbing Brute's chest and abs, caressing him. Brute howled as he lost it. He started cumming hard into Zach's muzzle. Zach's cheeks flushed red as he tasted the heavy seed. His body quivered. The anal contractions of Brute made Sobek thrust him all the harder, making his body rock a little harder. This surprised Zach, as more raunchy cock was shoved down his muzzle. He groaned, and Daichi wrapped a paw around Zach's cock, pumping him off aggressively to make feel the orgasm all the other male's were gonna get. Sobek took Brute off Zach and threw him over on all fours on the other side of the bed. He started pounding him hard, on all fours. Brute howled, again and again, taking the pulsing meat into him over and over. Likewise, Zach's paws were gripping the sheets of the bed. A heavy swallow took the steamy cum down his muzzle. Some streamed down the side. It was a heavy load. Daichi was fucking his mate hard, thrusting him over and over, backing Zach raise slightly and then fall back down, again and again. Sobek was pounding Brute hard, each thrust downwards made the bed bounce.
"Ungh...yea....oh yes Zach..." Daichi pawed Zach faster, harder. The wolf's back bent and he pulled hard on the sheets. The wolf began to orgasm, streams of hot, steamy cum splattering all over his chest. The wolf orgasming, Daichi let himself go to, as he began to orgasm violently up inside his spending mate. The two lovers losing it together, before the dragon collapsed over the wolf, sliding his cock out slowly. He panted, turning Zach around and wrapping his arms around him, groin still against his rear. A stiff, wet cock's shaft against his tail hole.
Meanwhile, Brute and Sobek were still at it, and hard. The dragon thrust harder, faster, slamming Brute into the bed again and again. His aggressive thrusting drove Brute wild. He howled once more, loving the cock in his ass. Sobek's groin slapped hard into his ass again and again. Brute closed his eyes. "Ungh! C..come on Sobek! Let it go in me!" Brute cried out, pushing back into him hard as he could. Sobek threw back his head, crying out as he orgasmed. Brute howled again, louder than all the rest of them, feeling Sobek lose himself inside his ass. He shuddering, loving the swelling of his bowels. Sobek's orgasm slowly stopped, and the dragon pulled out, lieing over the wolf, kissing and nipping his neck, lieing on top of him now. The two soon passed out just like the other two.
The sun rose. The glint of sunlight woke up Sobek. He nudged Brute. "Hey Brute. It's morning. I'm gonna be going soon. Wake up..." Brute groaned, getting up after Sobek moved off him. He sat at the end of the bed, stretching. He walked over to his loincloth, tying it on.
"Yea...you are leaving, huh? Guess that means it's about that time..I can't stay here forever." Sobek nodded and dressed himself in his loincloth as well. He smacked Daichi on the ass.
"Wake up sleepy dragon, we have a temple to get to." Daichi groaned also, getting up slowly. His waking up woke up Zach, he sat at the end of the bed, rubbing his eyes. Daichi slipped on his loincloth. And grabbed his bags.
"We should eat before we go, or Daichi will probably eat one of us."
Daichi growled. "Hey Zach, no smart comments this early in the morning." Zach laughed and got up. Also dressing. The four went downstairs once more. The bar was empty, besides the oddly green squirrel cleaning glasses from the night before. Daichi started to cook a few eggs, and a steak for himself.
Brute took the squirrel to the side of the bar. "Hey...Sank, I know we've been together, business partners, in this bar for years now. But, I need to do what I've felt in my heart. I'm going to journey to the temple of Nayoko, and become a monk. I might come back one day, but I need to do this. I have this yearning inside me to go. Sobek is leaving too. This is your bar now. We've worked together, and you're like a brother to me. I'll miss you, and I wish you the best of luck. That trainee we hired shows promise, and he knows sign language so you'll get all the help you need from him." The squirrel was mute. "You'll do fine. I really need to do this. It eats at me every day. I need to fulfill my attachment to my god." Sank nodded a nod of understanding, and patted the wolf on the shoulder. The wolf then hugged the squirrel, an embrace of deep seeded respect. They embraced for a few minutes.
They ate quickly. They had a long travel ahead of them. Brute and Sobek waved as they left the tavern. You could have said Brute was crying, but he'd deny it. As they passed the town gate, the group stood, huddled. The two dragon's and Zach facing Brute. Sobek sighed. "Well, seems we're both parting ways now. That temple is on the other side of the world y'know. It'll take forever to get there. Think you packed enough?..."
Brute laughed. The raunchy wolf holding a very large bag. He was much stronger than he seemed. "I think I have enough. I'm a tough wolf, and Nayoko will protect me. I'll make it there just fine." Sobek nodded. Brute gave him a gentle kiss on the top of the muzzle. He turned and began to walk off. As he went he yelled, "We'll see each other again one day. Just you see Sobek. I have a feeling about it!"
Sobek waved at the wolf leaving in the distance. "I'll see you that day then, you crazy wolf! Goodbye!" Sobek sighed loudly, rubbing the side of his arm. Zach nudged Sobek.
"Come on Sobek, we need to get going. I would like to reach the temple by sunset. It might be impossible once it goes down..."
Sobek nodded. "Yea. We need to get going. I'm just gonna miss him..." Zach patted him on the shoulder. They turned around and walked off, towards the temple of Raijin.
They walked for hours. The temple was soon on the horizon. The entire walk was completely uninteresting. They talked a bit, but mostly silent treading. The three males were soon standing at the steps of a immense temple. Zach gulped and sighed. "Well, we're finally here. After all that. Finally, I'll receive my blessings and be infused with the will of Rajin. I'll be able to use the lightning his lordship commands. Wow...I'm nervous..." The dragon gulped and walked up the steps.
"I wonder what it's like being a shaman who receives his gift." Sobek pondered.
"I bet the god appears before you, and says a great personal realization to you. Then you feel their presence inside you." Daichi returned.
Sobek blinked. "What makes you say that?"
Daichi yawned. "That's what it's like when you're born when you're an elemental."
Sobek jumped. "You're and elemental? Wow, I wonder what that would be like too..."
"Well what are you?"
"I'm just a dragon. A dragon devoted to Akatosh and Pyrrhus. Pyrrhus has gifted me with his flames, and Akatosh..well...heheh.." He nudged the other dragon. Daichi rolled his eyes and laughed. They reached the top of the long stairs. The alter was empty. The monks were probably out in the fields praying. Odd timing they had. The three walked into the main alter room. Both dragons stood at the entrance. The wolf approached the alter. Slowly. He gulped. Zach felt his heart beat going wild. The entire place was flat slate. With a giant idol of Raijin filling the room, up to the high ceiling. It must have been fifty feet tall at least. Zach dropped to his knees. "Dearest Raijin. My lord and guiding spirit. I pledge my allegiance to you. You are my lord. I wish to be your servant. I am a shaman, and wish to be given your gift of control of lightning. Please, my lord. Allow me to borrow your strength!"
As Zach finished his sentence, the room became entirely encased in a purple aura. Zach seemed to be in an alternate reality now. He looked around. He saw both Daichi and Sobek behind him. He stood. "Why are you guys here?" His voice echoed as he spoke.
Sobek shrugged. "I don't know. Are we supposed to be here?" He asked. Both dragon walking to the wolf. The looked forwards. The statue was still there. Zach gasped as lighting stuck the statue. In a flash it had flesh, skin, everything. The immense tiger stood. He looked down upon the three. And spoke.
"Something has gone wrong. You three must journey, to the other eleven alters. Pray there. You will be told what to do next as you arrive. For now. You must travel to the closest alter. Travel west. To the temple of Shun. Until you reach that temple, you will be on your own. I will gift you with my presence, wolf." He raised a giant paw, lighting struck the wolf, and his body tingled as he was suddenly alive with electricity. Zach could feel every electric pulse in his body. He could feel the electricity in his friends. He could feel the overwhelming presence of it in the god before them. It was amazing. Lighting crackled around his body, especially on his paws. He was speechless. The god once more began to speak. "Now I shall gift you all once more. This, is the blessings of the gods. Take what you are given and cherish it. Not every mortal is given such a gift." He rose up a paw again. The three were overcome by the presence. Zach stumbled. He coughed and grunted. The wolf fell down, onto the ground, like it was floor even though there was none. He fought to stay conscious, but it was futile. His eyes closed. Warm, welcoming sleep came to him.