To Redeem His People

Reader discretion is adviced, this story contain graphic content depicting violence and rape which may not be suitable to all readers. This is a fictional story and do not portray real events or real persons.

Rite of Divination

Brynnan recovered his health after his fiery confrontation with the Watchers. But he was still stitched to the Shadow Realm of Annwn after being fucked by his Father, King Arawn, who had performed this action to heal his son.

Walking the tower's battlements at night, he perceived the shades of dead soldiers, who were still on guard. Two he escorted to the Otherworld and freed their souls, but other shades were rooted to their duty—in death, as in life.

He had long conversations with the Prince, Jehanadir, concerning the upcoming Rite of Divination, which would last nine nights. Jehanadir requested the Bard’s close presence during the event.

“I would have you lie beside me on the mountain, Brynnan,” he said. “We have been connected to the Underworld. When my mind encompasses the land and the deep roots of things, you need to show me the shadow boundaries. Can you drink the Water of Life with me? It is poisonous to any who do not have my inheritance.”

Brynnan said, “My own inheritance from my Father, King Arawn, will allow me to drink it. I may allow the mind-enhancing effects, but not the poisonous ones.” He did not mention having Nijal’s blood in him.

*    *    *

In the meantime, Geraint kept himself busy with Bertholf, the Rune-Master. They had come together again after that first time and had found it to their liking. On the second occasion, they met again in Bertholf’s room. Geraint shut the door and grinned at the Rune-Master.

“I am already hard for you. Just the thought of what swordplay our two cocks can do makes me hard.’

Bertholf laughed as he stripped. His hard body was leaner than the old Warrior’s but just as muscled. There were only slight wrinkles in the skin below his belly, which nevertheless showed defined abdominal muscles.

Geraint put his hand on Bertholf’s jaw, guiding their mouths together, and they kissed. Bertholf had his beard in a single braid, which exposed his nipples to Geraint’s sucking. The Rune-Master pushed Geraint onto the bed where they lay side by side, and they ran their hands over each other’s bodies. Geraint licked his partner’s armpits, then they kissed again, groaning with rising lust. Bertholf rolled Geraint onto his back, straddling a leg. He took the lube which Geraint had brought and poured it liberally on the old Warrior’s ass; then, he lubricated both their proud-standing cocks. Geraint’s thick, heavy cock filled Bertholf’s large hand, and precum already started to gather on its tip. With a low snarling sound, he stroked the cock then placed his own alongside it. He needed his other hand to bring both large cocks together, rubbing one on the other. To Geraint, the sensation felt intensely erotic.

“Yes, Bright Wolf, fuck me in the ass. I can’t wait any longer.”

The Wolf obliged. He wasn’t tender in introducing his cock, and Geraint didn’t expect him to be. With a deep grunt, he accepted the stiff rod that penetrated him all the way in. Bertholf started to pump his cock in the ass. He bent over and hungrily kissed the old Warrior again while his long, loose white hair tickled Geraint’s furry chest.

Bertholf thrust until he was at the point of ejaculation. Pulling his prick out, he stroked it furiously over Geraint’s own cock. With a groan, he ejaculated, cumming all over the old Warrior’s penis and stomach.

But, with hardly a pause, Geraint arose and pushed Bertholf onto all fours to penetrate his ass dog-style. He took longer to fuck his partner, edging himself repeatedly, but finally, he shot his load with a roar.

After that second session, they would explore each other’s bodies and fucked frequently. They took turn-and-turn about in their sexual adventures. Their bodies would tumble over one another, sucking, kissing, licking, and fucking as they uttered their growls and snarls like the Bear and the Wolf, whose spirits inspired them.

They frequently rode out to the Garrison, where the leader, Arne, and the Men of the Boar were quartered, practicing bouts of swordsmanship with both Arne’s men and Jehanadir’s soldiers. They also played dice.

Arne was very pleased when Bertholf brought their ransom for Dronnadh, whom they had enslaved and sold to the Prince. They had secured twice the amount they had asked for in gold, gems and trade rings. Thus, their dice games became infamous. Geraint acquired a goodly part of the wagers, enough to keep playing without betting anything of his own and to purchase new supplies for himself and Brynnan and Nijal. He did, however, lose his black mantle in a bet, for which he had few regrets. Bertholf accompanied Geraint to the marketplace, and he bought a new cloak—dark brown wool trimmed with bear fur on the shoulders. He and Bertholf became quite the pair, with the Rune-Master wearing his wolf-skin and Geraint with the bear-furred cloak.

*    *    *

After Brynnan had recovered, Geraint, Nijal, Shahin and Jehanadir, accompanied by a small coterie of his personal guard and a chosen priest, rode with the Bard to seek the Source; the well they had discovered on Brynnan and Jehanadir’s spirit journey. The dog, Ghost, now returned to his mundane aspect, led the way, running gleefully ahead of the horses. Jehanadir appointed the priest to keep the grove and guard the well when they found it. They brought back several amphorae filled with the Water for the coming Rite.

*    *    *

A warm wind swept in from the south, melting the remaining snow. A few early flowers bloomed in the growing grass of the meadows and in the woodland. Jehanadir, with the aid of his nine Diviners, including Dronnadh, declared it was time for the Rite of Divination.

The first quarter of the moon was chosen as the starting night. The Rite would be repeated nightly for nine nights up to the end of the full moon when the tidal energies would enhance the Rite. Jehanadir and Brynnan fasted and prepared themselves. They did not engage in sex during this period, although Jehanadir’s boy, Shahin, stayed as close to the Prince as he was allowed. The boy seemed to be totally free from the influence of the Watchers.

Brynnan remarked to Jehanadir, “I shudder to think of the Watchers learning about the Rite. We must make sure of the minds of all those present in a position of influence.”

“Dronnadh can oversee the Diviner’s minds and tell us of any disturbance in the Pattern. I am coming to rely on his skills. I hope to convince him to stay here, but he is also free to make his own choices,” replied the Prince.

A large procession of Diviners, nobles, priests and commoners set off up the trail leading to the top of Mount Narib. Tents and pavilions had already been set, awaiting the travellers’ arrival. A large open space provided the arena for the Rite. Sky-birds soared aloft, with constant warbling song, as they ascended in vertical hovering flight, and Dronnadh observed them carefully.

In the centre of the open area, a patch of soft green grass grew up from last year's dried thatch. Jehanadir and Brynnan knelt there while three priests sang an invocation.

Then a priest handed Jehanadir the Water of Life in a silver bowl. Inside the bowl, crystals of purple amethyst, green tourmaline and white quartz lay, sparkling through the liquid in the light of the late sun. The drink consisted of Water from the newly-discovered Spring, silver salts and various secret herbs prepared on the last new moon. Jehanadir looked into the bowl, focusing on the purple, white and green stones, and drank deep. He passed it to Brynnan, who drank the remainder of the liquid.

“When the Water takes effect, chain your spirit to mine, and I will lead you,” Jehanadir told him. “Now, we must give our seed to the land.”

Jehanadir and Brynnan were naked and would be exposed to wind and weather in the coming nights. But now, they leaned in and kissed each other deeply while stroking their cocks. As the Water’s power engulfed them, so, too, did a strong wave of erotic feeling.

Now, both men masturbated in matching rhythm, watched by the priests and the nine Diviners sitting nearby under the shelter of an open pavilion. Sensing each other’s rising lust, they cried out and came together. Their cum was copious and shot from their bodies upon the earth. The Diviners stared intently. Then both men prostrated their naked bodies upon the grass, seeking communion with Jehanadir's domain. The priests brought a large silk sheet, patterned with the colours of the earth, and draped it over their still forms.

As the sun lowered behind the hills, the encroaching twilight bathed the wild countryside, bringing the day to rest. But in Brynnan’s mind, his spirit form was active. He followed Jehanadir’s consciousness.

Their awareness streaked down through the mountain and across the land of Narib in all directions. Passing through layers of rock, the hidden chambers of the Redoubt embedded within it, following rock seams and underground crystal structures, then onwards to meadow and woodlands and the roots of trees, other plants, and the fungal network. Then the two men’s conscious minds poured up the tree trunks, flowing with the rising sap to end at the leaf buds.

They perceived all animals and creatures, aware of everything from the night-doings of foxes to the scurrying of ants. They noted all water sources. Then they found the Spring that provided the Water. Here Brynnan took the lead and showed the Prince how the Spring connected to Annwn, but they did not enter that realm.

Across the land, there were hidden shadow places and gateways that posed dangers to the uninitiated. These were marked. Eventually, their minds rested in a state of still awareness through the remainder of the night. A wind sprang up, and the moon gleamed in the sky at its first quarter. And then it was dawn.

*    *    *

They rested in their tent in the daytime and talked with the Diviners and priests who recorded Jehanadir’s observations. But they had no contact with others. For nine nights, they lay stretched out on the land, and Brynnan came to appreciate both the effectiveness of Rite and the toll it inevitably took on Jehanadir.

“And you did this for three years while you were blind. I can’t imagine . . .” Brynnan remarked.

“If it were not for Shahin, I would have become insane, I think. Perhaps that is what my uncle, Demir, intended.” The Prince paused and looked down, seeing into his past. “I will tell you how things changed for the worst when Demir took my golden boy against his will.”

“He was alone, or so he thought, in the terrace garden near my rooms. Shahin was bathing there when my uncle came upon him. I was on the mountain top during the Rite, isolated from others, but my uncle would come down to the Citadel every day. Of course, Shahin was forbidden to see me during that period.

“Anyway, I believe my uncle deliberately sought him out. He at first tried enticing words, but when that did not work, he used force. He raped my sweet boy, fucking him violently in the ass. But it did not stop there. Demir used threats to coerce Shahin to perform sexual acts with him every day I was away. My uncle coveted my boy and wanted him for his own. How long their relationship would have lasted, I don’t know, but when the Rite was over, and I returned, I immediately noticed Shahin’s hesitancy in coupling with me. My uncle was stupid and short-sighted.” An expression of disgust crossed Jehanadir’s features, and Brynnan lay a comforting hand on the Prince’s arm.

Jehanadir continued, “Demir did not fully appreciate the heightened sensitivity that was in me from performing the Rite. I knew something sexual had occurred between my uncle and my boy, and at first, I was angry with Shahin. But the lad showed courage and confessed to me without me having to accuse him. He wept when he told how Demir’s actions had forced a response in his own body, of pleasure mingled with abhorrence. Being blind, I could not directly confront Demir, but my hatred was intense, and I planned to destroy him.

“I proposed a tryst, and we three fucked. My uncle was glad to take my body, as well as Shahin’s. I believe he felt it consolidated his power over me. That first time was a success in his mind, so I proposed a second tryst in the woodlands. The hardest part was pretending I enjoyed what Demir was doing to me. Also, I had to listen to Shahin’s cries as he was being fucked. Jealously nearly overwhelmed me, as I knew Shahin’s body was responding as he begged for it, and indeed I helped him cum, stroking his cock as my uncle penetrated his ass. I contemplated killing them both and then myself, but something ultimately prevented me—I think it was love for my land.” He fell silent.

“So you killed your uncle . . .” prompted Brynnan, feeling the Prince’s deep pain.

“Yes. Your father, King Arawn, was right, Brynnan. Jealousy could destroy me. But in the wood, we fucked, and when Demir rested after his ecstasy, I lay on his breast. Then I took a needle hidden in my hair and plunged it into his heart. And I did not regret the deed at that time. Even Shahin did not see what I did and thought Demir died from a natural heart malfunction. I eventually told him the truth, and he wept and said he was glad. My uncle has justly met his fate as the prey of the Dread Lord’s hounds. He has scarred both of us, myself doubly so. I was in despair for some time, and then Nijal Silver-Hand arrived and cured my sight, allowing me to rule over my people and my land once more. I was afraid this deed would stop me from experiencing my connection to the land in this Rite we perform, but it is not so. Perhaps again, your father has the truth of it, and that love and giving with an open hand is the key.”

Brynnan looked closely at the Prince. “When this Rite of Divination is completed, would you consider a Healing with the both of you and myself?”

“You mean—“

“Yes, it would involve sexual healing. And I would take the passive part so it would not be like the rape you endured. It would be just me and my harp, Mavrenn.”

“Mavrenn . . .” sighed the Prince. “My Seneschal and my counsellors bid me take a wife soon to ensure my abilities are passed on. I have desired no woman, but then I met Mavrenn in the Shadow Realm of Annwn and developed a foolish hope.”

“You know it can never come to pass. Even if you were to meet and tryst in the Underworld, there could be no issue of a child.”

Jehanadir heaved a deep sigh. “Yes, I am aware of this. But I will consider your offer of healing. Let us speak more of this when we have finished this binding of the land.”

On the final night, they lay without a covering, allowing the bright moonlight to bathe their bodies. They received the Water of Life only when the moon was up, and its light reflected through the crystals in the silver bowl. This night, Jehanadir scanned his land, looking for threats and portents. Brynnan, chained to the Prince’s mind, felt the growth to come of crops and the potential yield of fruiting trees. He saw how the pastures would be rich in the coming months and how the animals would thrive. Then he sensed an overwhelming event: the Invaders would land a ship and set their feet upon the planet’s surface.

Brynnan’s mind ran like a herding dog after scattered sheep, seeking the place where this might occur. He determined it was out of Narib, closer to Torrent Mountain, Lord Samir’s land. He sensed it through the hollow tracks connecting the Shadow Realms’ gates. He was aware of Jehanadir’s connected mind searching with his, and when the Prince put wards at the entrances and roadways into the land, Brynnan warded the connecting Shadow realm as if slamming a bar across the access ways. He wondered vaguely how it would affect his Father’s Wild Hunt, which took place in the Material Realm and Shadow Realms.

But eventually, the sky paled in the east, and exhaustion claimed the two men after their extended vigil. They were led to their tent and bathed and fed by the priests, the only attendants allowed. For hours they slept, awaking only after the sun had passed noon.

They met with the Diviners and the Scribes to discuss the night's events. Nijal was also summoned to attend to examine the threat the Invaders would pose.

Dronnadh commented, “I have sensed their encroachment for some time. We knew that this would be inevitable.”

“Now that Brynnan has disrupted the Watchers' effectiveness, it is almost certain that they will attempt to meet us face-to-face. I think those that come will target the Redoubts. They will seek to gain access to them and corrupt their mechanisms for their own purposes. The Redoubts must remain sealed against them,” said Nijal. “Prince Jehanadir, who has access to the inner gate of the Narib Redoubt?”

“Myself, Seneschal Kambiz and my chief scribe, and our specially appointed Systems Master who tends what machines we know—the water allocation plant, and various energy distribution arrangements. There is much in the inner Redoubt we still have not regained entry into.”

Dronnadh had been quiet for some moments, now he spoke, “My Prince, you have offered me the choice of serving as one of your Diviners or leaving this land. If I stay, I can help intervene between you and any of the Invaders who come here. And I also have knowledge of the Redoubts.”

“That indeed would be acceptable to me,” replied Jehanadir simply.

Brynnan suddenly arose and walked out into the open. He looked up. “Do you hear that?” he said. “I see a flight of geese high in the heavens, passing North. My heart yearns to return to my own Lord Samir again.”

Nijal said to Jehanadir, “We told our Lord at the Torrent Mountain Redoubt that we would be returning with the spring flights of geese. I fear we have overstayed, but it was necessary.”

“Then, of course, you must go. However—I do have one more act to perform with Brynnan tomorrow.”

Nijal bowed his head in acquiescence. But Brynnan still stood outside, his hair blowing in the wind, looking up into the sky.

*    *    *