Koranth & Larik
Originally written by Tekuryuu, 3/19/05.
Please respect the author's rights and do not alter the story. You may distribute it freely.
In order to be a Priest, a candidate must complete 8 years of training, followed by a secret ritual passage. Each candidate is given the final task 1 week before they must complete it, but the secret is so well held, that no candidate knows what it is until the right time, and no Priest will ever divulge it. There are rumors around about why it is so well hidden, but I don't put much weight on any of them because I know the real reason. Every Priest in training knows the requirements, and the uncertainty of the final task, tho not many mundanes do. Heh, Mundanes... We call them that only because after having completed the Priest's journey, regular life is nothing short of just that, mundane.
I am a full Priest, one of the founding members of the Brotherhood, and a favorite instructor of many students. Tho I don't fully understand why so many of them like me, they do, and I have heard some of those rumors as well. I teach the upper level classes on Spirituality and Shamanism, and have been known to tutor the first year students if one catches my eye. My name is Shin Ichi Tekuryuu, and I am 1,077 years old. I, and two others like me, began the Brotherhood 499 years ago. The idea caught so fast that our first entrance class had 40 students. Only 10 of them finished, and 4 died in the final task. yeah, it's that hard, but it's that important. Let me tell you a little story, and perhaps you will understand.
Enter Koranth Tamarou. This is the story of his passage into priesthood.
Roughly 10 years ago, a young male wolf passed the entrance exam and began his training at the ripe young age of 11. I have been watching him very closely, as he caught my attention the moment I heard he would be coming. Ever since that point, I have refered to him as "Garyuu". My hidden dragon. In almost 500 years of teaching at the school, I have never seen a student with the drive, energy, ability, and experience he brought, especially at such a young age. The average entrant is between 13 and 15 years old, which brings their rite of passage into priesthood, and their passage into adulthood, roughly in line with each other. The oldest entrant was 16, and he was required to prove his worth because of his late entry, which he did with flying colors. But in Koranth's very first term, he brought new techniques and suggested changes to existing procedure that have been widely embraced by the entire staff, and are fully in use now. Some of the other instructors and preists have taken a keen eye to him as well, but I, as the head of the Council, have claimed him as my student, and for only the second time in 500 years, have I used my position to hold the masses at bay. They all watch him even more since my silent declaration, but I am well liked and highly respected by my peers, and so they have not tried to intrude on me. Not like I really have an active part in his day to day life, quite the opposite really, I admire my pupils when they make their own mistakes and learn from them, so my position over him is more to prevent other preists and instructors from interfering in his life.
During Koranth's first 3 years, he took on a heavy course load, and placed himself almost a full year ahead of his peers, which gave him a relaxing fourth year, during which I learned that he had taken on an intense interest and spent countless days and weekends researching dragons. Koranth had requested a single dormitory, as all students are allowed to do, and because of his excellence in school, he was given a choice of several of the most prestigious rooms, and chose one close to the library. One night in his fourth year, I stopped by his room to see if he was around, and discovered he was out. That's when I first noticed his interest in the dragons, as he had many books open on his desk and other places, and pictures and anatomical drawings on the walls, amongst other things. Even I was surprised to see some of the things he had, as I had not seen them myself prior to this.
His curiosity piqued my interest, tho it wasn't for several more months when he came to me with a particularly interesting question that I even pretended to know of his studies. His question was one that ONLY a dragon could properly answer, and even tho I played dumb and told him I'd have to ask the other instructors, I began to wonder if he knew... So I watched him even more closely.
His private studies continued on thru the next 3 years, and in the beginning of his eighth year, he became a student in my Shamanism class. As a senior student, the classes become less lecturous, and more unstructured practical application. I hold my classes in a lecture once a week, and then meet with students 2 at a time for a 3 hour session once a week. Students are allowed to pick their study partners, and Koranth had chosen another male wolf, Larik. The two of them were quite inseperable, and they even became roommates late in their 7th year. From that time, I never saw one without the other. Tho they were extremely discreet, it didn't take me long to discover the true reason for their intense friendship. My ability to see into the astral plane gave me a unique persepctive on all of the students in the school, tho I made myself the promise that I would never use my ability for personal gain. But none the less, I could see their auras, and that in addition to sharing their interests and studies, they also shared a bed.
Around about mid term I was sitting with them in my office, discussing the procedures for calming someone before beginning a journey. They were practicing on me, and I was pretending to be a reluctant first timer. They managed to get me calmed down, and I allowed them to continue into the actual journey. I had given them 2 hours, with the intent of saving the 3rd hour for discussion of what happened. Being of my experience I was able to give them canned answers to their journey questions in order to 'steer' their responses almost as if it were an exam. Actually, it was an exam, the mid-term, but I had not announced it because I believe that telling the students alters their perception and expectation, and as this skill requires extreme relaxation and clear thoughts, announcing an exam period often results in very high failure rates. Also consider that there are no 'exams' in the real world, so it's counter-productive to add that extra stress to the situation.
Koranth and Larik both equally participated in the journey, and when we were done, we discussed some of the points, they asked me to explain some of the things I'd said, and I sent them on their way to prepare their report to be turned in on the next class session. Little did I know...
As far as we know, we three founders are the only dragons who teach at the school. As dragons, we have a unique ability to see deep into the auras of anyone we meet, and can usually form an acurate picture of someone within just a few minutes of meeting them. To keep our skills honed, the three of us secretly pick random new students to examine, and then we compare our notes to see how we're doing. Sometimes one of us will come up with a particular detail that's different from the others', but for the most part, we all hit the same thoughts. All three of us attend every new initiation, for a variety of reasons, not least of which is to look for students with mal-intentions, or those we might want to keep a particular eye on. Only once have we ever found an entrant who was deceitful. Thru magick, he had morphed himself into a young black fox, the rarest of all entrants. he was quietly removed, bound, and forced to change back to his real form of Raa, an old black dragon. A repeat offender of several of our laws, we took him still bound to a remote mountain cave of a ruthless chaotic evil ancient black dragon, and left him shackled to the wall of the cave. Nobody has heard from him since, tho rumors are that the owner of that cave found our gift of a younger virile male to be quite satisfying, and an entertaining toy, before taking pleasure in castrating his unwilling victim. I wouldn't know tho... Thaniss is not a friendly creature, but we have, thru a time-honored bond, an understanding of each other, and he allows me to visit to inquire of his ancient knowledge and ocassionally to discuss the events of the world and life in general. In return, when the opportunity comes around such as Raa, who truely deserves the fate we know Thaniss will provide, I give him a new toy to enjoy. it saddens me to know that one of my kind can be so ruthless, compared to others like myself, but I am confident and satisfied in the understanding of the balance of life, that dictates that for every me, there must be him. Part of the reason Thaniss allows me to enter his cave is because he knows that I respect his age and experience, and even tho I do not particularly approve of his activities, I admire him for his achievements, and not his downfalls, and we do not discuss those differences.
On the following Monday, Larik turned in their paper, which I put on the bottom of the stack as I had planned to spend considerable time reading it. Unfortunately, an educator's schedule doesn't leave enough time to really read every single paper, but I wanted to read all of theirs. Most of the students were doing just fine, and passed with no problem. I had 2 pairs that were having some trouble, and was spending a lot of extra time with them. But Koranth and Larik were doing great by themselves.
The more I read their paper, the more interested in them I got. Koranth came to the border of blatantly knowing I am a dragon, which no student has ever been able to see, even in the most intense of 'final exam' readings. I have spent more than 500 years honing my transformation such that even my aura is hidden behind my false human form. Larik I suspected, didn't know quite as much as Koranth, tho I'm certain they had discussed it with some intensity.
The rest of the year passed by very quickly, and it came down to the time to tell each student what the secret task is that they must complete in order to be accepted into the brotherhood. Upon successful completion of the training, each candidate must be admitted by the council and the chosen spirits thru a ritual passage. If the elders and the spirits unanimously accept the candidate, they become a full Shamanic Priest, as well as pass the rite of adulthood in one of the most incredible ceremonies I've ever had the honor of participating in.
Each student must seek a dragon, and bring back two things. First, a chalice from the dragon's hoard, filled with the most powerful magickal ingredient known, the dragon's seed. Second, the candidate must be accepted by the dragon, thru whatever requirement the dragon may demand, and if they are accepted, the dragon will apply a marking of his choice to the candidate to show his recommendation. Without the sponsorship and chalice, a candidate is considered failed, and may be subject to any number of punishments, depending on the demands of the dragon they approached. I have heard of candidates being enslaved or killed in the process. As everyone knows, a dragon's cum is very powerful stuff, and it's not likely to ever be taken by force. It is of course, very valuable, and we instructors do actually monitor our students as they return to the grounds from their journeys. Although we are sworn to not interfere with their travels, we monitor only to ensure that no one steals the chalice. There have been a few attempts of course, and for the most part, the students have done a very good job maintaining their rewards, but some of us have had to step in on ocassion to deal with stronger or numerous theives. Only once has a candidate lost or spilled the chalice on the way back to the castle, and that young male was found several weeks later, in a very disconcerting manner.
And so the challenge was set to the 14 candidates.
The next day was the final meeting of my class, which we spent the entirety of discussing the challenge. Some of the students had questions about the past candidates, and some wondered what the punishment was for divulging this secret task to anyone. All I could say was that they would know, when the time was right, and that it would not be a good idea to discuss it any further. A few scoffed at this, and I wondered if they would make it. i set the schedules to meet with each team one last time during this week, and dismissed the class to head off to my office.
Not surprisingly, Koranth and Larik had requested the first available time, which we set for a half hour after class. I got to my office as quick as I could so I could set the environment as I had a very strong suspicion of their knowledge. When they arrived, I had already arranged the furniture and set a large fire in the hearth. At their knock, I invited them in, and they entered curious to the new arrangement. They sat together on the couch and I on the chair opposite. Koranth wasted no time quickly explaining their mateship, to which I just nodded and said "I know". This seemed to confirm his suspicion, and they both looked at each other briefly before he continued.
"and so professor, as we are the only ones who know, we would like to ask for your sponsorship in the challenge, as well as the honor of being joined under you, at the ceremony. We are confident and ready for your task."
This wasn't quite what I had expected! He was being very direct and straight forward. I had expected him to somehow inquire as to my true being, not to be so bold as to risk his entire career and possibly his life, in assuming that I am a dragon. i wondered with great awe at his knowledge, and I tried to look deep into both of them for some answer. To my great surprise, what I saw in his aura didn't quite answer my question, but it hinted at things I had thought I'd seen in him 8 years earlier, and it provided just enough insight to bring a sudden, yet subtle smile of realization to my face. When I looked at him again, he seemed to know what I was just looking at, and he just nodded at me ever so slightly, and suddenly it all made sense.
"Then Koranth, I task you with the greatest challenge you have faced so far, and possibly one of the greatest you will ever. You and Larik must go to the home of Thaniss. There you must earn his friendship, and his mark. If Thaniss accepts you, then I will give you that which you require from me, as well as perform the fasting of your mateship together at the ceremony."
Larik looked worried at the mention of Thaniss's name, but Koranth looked confident, much to my surprise. Before I set them off on their task, I gave them each a tiny magickal tattoo on their left shoulderblades. I knew Thaniss would look for this, tho it was small enough as to be missed under normal observation. It was one of our unspoken agreements that anyone who possessed the mark was protected by me, and tho Thaniss and I had our differences, we both know very well the other's true strength. It is not wise to challenge that respect, we both know that the delicate balance between us could become a living nightmare if either one was to become upset and start trouble.
Koranth and Larik returned 6 days later. Both of them were exhausted, tho they both had brightly glowing teal tribal marks across their right pectoral muscles. This was the outward sign of Thaniss' approval, something I have only ever seen on 6 people, myself and now these 2 included. Thaniss decided long ago that he would use this mark as his because the bright teal was the last thing anyone would ever expect to come from an ancient, very grumpy black dragon. However, the true mark I was looking for was somewhere else. Indeed if Thaniss truly approved of the young males, he would have marked them more secretly, where only the knowing would ask to see. I called them into my office, and once there, exicted by their achievement, both of them stripped in front of me, revealing the same glowing mark at the base of their sheaths. Naked, they both sat back down on the couch, and began to recount their experience, jumping over each others' words, and using wild gestures and hand motions to enhance their tale.
It seemed Thaniss took them as intruders at first, binding them in shakles, spread and unable to move against the wall. He stripped them with a razor sharp claw, but it wasn't until he was about to have his way with Larik that he noticed the mark I had given them, and upon seeing it, questioned them intensly about their presence and purpose before removing the restraints. They went on to describe the task Thaniss had given them, and his final request to enjoy the sight of them mating together, which we all knew they readily and enjoyably did.
And so, after having completed his requirements, he accepted them and applied his mark to their sheaths.
"So my students, as I have given my word, you have completed the task I set to you, and befriended one of the most difficult and most powerful dragons I know, I shall give you my mark in recommendation for your crossing." I stood up, and backed a few steps away from them, and began my transformation. Within a few seconds, I shifted to my favorite form of a morphic bronze dragon, about 7 feet tall. I look much younger than I really am in this form, and that helps to keep my identity quiet. They both looked me over with great interest. Koranth spoke first, "A Bronze! Didn't I tell you he was a Bronze, Larik?" I about fell over when he said this. I looked at Larik, and without even saying anything, Larik nodded at me in answer to Koranth's question.
"Wow Koranth, how did you know?" was all I could say. "How did you figure it out?" They both remained silent, awed by this form I took in front of them, hidden so well all these years. As far as I knew, no dragon ever shifted forms directly in front of another being, especially a student! But, I knew something about Koranth too...
I strode over to them in just a couple steps, and stood in front of them. They both were nervous, and I could smell their excitement. "My mark goes on your muzzles, young ones. It is something that you must always remember, and it will become your code. Every time you look in the mirror, you will see it. And every time someone looks at you, they will see it. These are the Three Life Truths" I reached up with both hands, three fingers extended with the claws out, and touched the three points to the back of Koranth's muzzle, just below his eyes. As I drew my hands along his muzzle, slowly toward his nose, I continued: "Truth to your self, above all else. You cannot be true to anyone else if you are not true to yourself. (I winked at him with the eye away from Larik so he couldn't see) Truth to your mate, excepting only the first law. Your mate deserves your loyalty and honesty far more than any stranger. And Truth to your brothers, excepting only the other 2. For everyone deserves your honesty, but you must never sacrifice yourself or your mate for the betterment of a stranger."
When I moved my hands away from Koranth's muzzle, three deep, black, parallel lines remained behind, permanantly etched into his flesh. "Do you agree to live by these truths, Koranth Tamarou?" I pronounced his full name formally.
"Yes, Sensei." was all he said, and looked slightly crosseyed as he tried to look at the marks. I had not heard him call me "Sensei" before.
I moved over to Larik, and touched his muzzle, applying the marks in the same fashion to him. When I was done, I asked Larik for his vow to live by these truths, and he gave it willingly. When both were done looking at each other's muzzles and hugging me and each other happily, I stepepd back a few steps and waited for them to regain their composure. When they did, I continued...
"I have watched you Koranth, from the very first day you came here. I have seen you grow and excel in so many things well beyond the duties and requirements of the Priesthood for which you are about to join. I have no doubt that you will both pass the final acceptance of the council without trouble. However, you still need one more thing from me I believe, and this you still have to earn. Tho the task is fairly easy compared to Thaniss, I'm sure. You have both received my mark of sponsorship, and vowed to live your lives by the code of truth in life." I looked at them both carefully, taking one last look into their auras to see if there was any hint that I shoudl be wary of. Seeing none, I spoke again.
"I expct that you, Larik, are a fine young man if Koranth has chosen you to be his mate. Indeed it is a great feeling to have that connection between you." (Larik looked over at Koranth a little quizzingly as I seemed to focus on Koranth more) "You will understand in a moment, my friend. But as for the requirement right now, I have one more thing for you." I waited a dramatic moment... "As you have both now seen me in my true form, I must require of you the utmost secrecy. And I am certain that you both know how much respect and honor I must feel in you both to have shown you my truth. And Koranth, it is time for you to be truthful to yourself and your mate. You are exactly what you are, and no less. Always remember that, young one, and you will never regret it."
As I said this, I looked at Koranth, and seeing his accepting reaction, I reached out with both hands, and wrapped one around each of their sheaths, gripping both firmly, with a slightly tighter constriction of the finger at the base. With a soft yip of unexpected surprise, they both started, and Larik looked quizzingly at me as I muttered a soft command under my breath. Almost instantly, Koranth started to shift, and within just a few seconds I had my hand wrapped around the cock of a young red dragon. I called him to a morphic form similar to my own, to facilitate the position I held them in. Apparently he had never taken that form before, as he seemed torn between remaining composed and wanted to examine himself. Larik hadn't noticed as he was very distracted watching his mate change, but I had slipped his sheath back to expose his flesh too. At the moment Koranths' transformation completed, I called out a soft but clear command into the air, and again startled by the unexpected sensation, they both cried out a brief but deep yelp. I held them both entranced for a moment, feeling the heat of the mark applied to their most sensitive flesh, knowing full well exactly what it feels like... until they both looked toward each other, as if to look and see what the other was doing... As the mark seared into their flesh, I felt them both gasp a short breath, and peak in my hands, spraying out the essence of their balls into my palms. Indeed the marks are that deep. I drew my hands slowly away from both of their erect but spent lengths, to reveal a deep tattoo marking encircling the base of their cocks where the tighter finger had been. My mark, sealing the bond I had promised to give them. My recommendation. And my demand for excellence in the constant reminder of their vows to me. Tho I did know that all of the priests were marked in a similar position (myself included), as far as I knew, mine was the only one applied with such depth as to cause a spontaneous orgasm. And these two young males were the first to receive it within the priesthood.
Larik looked at me, then at my hand as I pulled it away from his cock, his cum dripping from my palm onto the floor, then to Koranth, and back to me. He started to open his mouth to say something, then fell quiet as no words could adequately express his complete awe.
I smiled. "Welcome Koranth, Garyuu, my hidden dragon."
Neither one seemed to have noticed that I was also fully aroused now, the deep black length of my cock protruding from my vent, until I moved my hand do it and began to slowly masterbate, enjoying the slick sensation of a young red's cum on my length. They both figured this out soon enough tho, and I pulled them both with my free hand into a tight embrace, pumping faster on my cock until I reached my own peak. most of my spunk landed on the floor as well, but I managed to get enough into the chalice for the ceremony.
And that is how Koranth and Larik became the first 2 priests of the Brotherhood of HideCarved Dragons.