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by
Tao awoke with a jerk, breathing fast and heavy. Quickly, he glanced over at Dar to be sure he had not woken him up, but Dar's form still lay still, turned away from him. Why had he been so scared? He tried to remember his dreams, but the frightful images that had been so vivid before were now just vague emotions. Terror and pain seemed to be the overriding feelings. He hadn't had such nightmares since living in the Terron Camp. Why were they suddenly reoccurring now? It had been years since he had been near that place, and months since they had seen any Terrons. Dar had remarked on that the other day. It seemed as if the entire tribe had simply disappeared from the Mydlands, but Ruh would wear feathers and Sharak, fur, before the Terrons left, and they would never leave quietly. No use puzzling over it now, better try to get back to sleep. He rolled over, closed his eyes, and slipped surprisingly fast into a dreamless sleep...
Dar heard Tao's breath grow slow and even and turned his head to view the young Eiron. What had woken him so suddenly? Dar had had barely enough time to hide his face before Tao had attempted to check on Dar. That silly shaman had always been easily fooled, but Dar loved him nonetheless. Dar remembered back to the time they were helping a young woman, Miren by name, to reach a safe haven to raise her child away from the Terrons. Tao had awoken nearly every night for weeks in the same manner and Miren had somehow calmed Tao without waking him but a few times. If he only knew what she had been doing so that he could help Tao too. It pained him to see Tao in any kind of distress. Knowing he would be unable to go back to sleep, Dar got up and went to catch some fish for breakfast...
When Dar returned, Tao was still asleep. That was unusual, Tao usually was awake by sunrise, and here was midmorning, still seeing Tao lay in his sleeping furs. Dar silently slipped up beside the still body and looked over the calm face. He bent over and nudged the body lightly. "Tao, wake up. Time to eat." When he received no response, a slight from formed on the Beastmaster's face. "Tao?" He reached down to check the scholar's pulse and noticed that the skin was cool. Not cold, but lower than a normal person's. This observation was quickly overwhelmed by fear when Dar was unable to find a pulse. Dar shook Tao's body, hoping to wake him up, but still without success. "Noooooooooooo!" He yelled, voice filled with despair. This was his best friend and now he was gone.
Ruh sensed something was wrong with Dar and headed for the camp they had made the day before. When he arrived, Dar was standing over Tao, who was unresponsive. At first, Ruh thought he was dead, but then he caught Tao's scent and knew that he was alive. He tried to tell Dar this, but Dar's mind was closed.
Dar saw Ruh enter the camp but disregarded it. As soon as Ruh knew that there was not any danger, he would leave again, but the tiger did not leave. Instead, it walked over to the pair and nudged the warrior. Dar tried to push Ruh away, but ended up only being pushed over himself. Ruh stood over Tao and sniffed him closely. Finally, it occurred to Dar to ask Ruh what he was doing. Hopes soared when the majestic tiger stated that Tao was not dead. Rather than move him anymore than was necessary, Dar made a bed and laid Tao in it. Determined to stay at that campsite until Tao recovered. Days passed without any change in Tao's condition. Ruh came daily to inspect the body and confirm Dar's hope that he was still alive. More days passed and the days turned to weeks...
During the fifth week of Dar's watch, a strange man appeared in the camp. He was dressed strangely, in quiet, strong earth colors that contrasted with his yellow skin. His long black hair was pulled into a braid that stretched to the base of his spine. Dar opened his mouth to hail the stranger, but a powerful impulse to remain silent overcame him. The stranger approached Tao and stopped when he stood at his side. He began a strange chanting. Dar could feel the world around him pull toward the chanter. A faint aura appeared around the man and Dar could see a bubble shaped light around Tao. Holding out his hand, a sword appeared in the yellow man's hand. After a ritual-like dance, he thrust the sword into Tao. Dar attempted to scream in horror at the action, but he still was under a forced muteness. The light bubble that surrounded Tao was burst and Dar got a message from Ruh that Tao's vital signs were slowly returning to normal. Having thus freed Tao, the yellow stranger turned his celestial sword on himself and fell to the ground. The world returned to normal for Dar and he rushed to Tao's side, holding the scholar's still head while checking his life pulse. Tao's eyes opened weakly and he squinted against the midmorning sun. "D-Dar?"
"It's OK Tao."
"How long has it been?"
"Several weeks. I think it would have been longer, but this stranger woke you up he killed himself before I could get his name."
"His name was Dei Quong. He was a shaman, like myself...like myself. The Talinen had him set on a journey years ago to meet me here and release me from the bondage of the spirit realm. I..."
"Tao? What is the matter?"
"Dar, the past few weeks I have been learning. The Talinen have called me to be their protector again. Somehow, another force has entered their spirit realm and is attacking them, unseen but deadly. They want me to find this force and destroy it, but I can't. Some of what they taught me...I do not understand it. The things I will need to do...what if I can't? What if I fail? Then my people will be forced to give up their existence and live violent lives. Dar, I don't think we could take that. We would be destroyed. Slaves...all of us..." Dar set his fingers lightly on Tao's lips and made a gentle cooing sound.
"I will not let your people be enslaved to the Terrons." He declared in a firm tone, he looked deep into Tao's golden brown eyes. He saw fear there, but a hopeful fear. Dar assumed it was a fear of slavery, of the Terrons. Little did he know it was fear of him.
Tao tried to keep his voice from shaking as he spoke to Dar. Yes, he had been with the Talinen the past several weeks, and they had shown him many things. But not all of them were ways to combat darkness or visions of his peoples future. He had seen himself many times, himself with Dar. One day, Dar was destined to overpower Tao and Tao would be a servant. This was the worst of an Eiron's nightmares. That was why the Terron's were so feared and hated. They epitomized the loss of free will, the power not to serve...
Dar set about cleaning up the camp and erasing the traces of human presence. Packing what little food was left, he finished covering the fire ring and rolled up the furs. Having always traveled lightly, Dar had no problem carrying the things himself, leaving thoughtful Tao to his contemplation unhindered. Contrary to usual, Tao was the one to lead the way. For several days they seemed to wander about randomly. Just as Dar's patience was about to run out, Tao began jogging to the north. For an entire day he ran, and as dusk fell, he stopped.
"This is the place where the battle must happen. Prepare a fire. I will go get some herbs." Tao spoke strangely, curtly. In an unsociable manner that was very unlike his normal self. Dar, to tired from the day-long marathon to argue, puzzled over Tao's actions as he obeyed. Why was Tao now so assertive? It was as if he were angry with Dar. His actions had almost been rebellious as each night they went to sleep. Dar had even let Tao choose where they would camp. Silently, Dar watched Tao make mistake after mistake for the past few days. After each one, Tao would fling a glare in Dar's direction, as if daring him to make a comment. Dar finished the fire and sat, staring into the flames, waiting for Tao to return.
Tao swiftly strode through the woods, barely pausing when plucking the necessary leaves and plants to help him in the battle. The Talinen had given him a list of the herbs he would need, many he had not known to be of any use before. Others he knew of, but did not understand how they would help. Nevertheless, he must comply with their directions, failing to do so would mean failing the tribe, and then there would be no where for Tao to run to when Dar attempted his mastery. The plants gathered, Tao headed back to the camp.
Ruh warned Dar that Tao was coming, so Dar broke out of his reverie and surveyed the place Tao had picked for his battle. It was a natural clearing in the forest, the ground was covered in a soft, down-like grass that seemed to flow gently in the occasional breezes that swept down into the haven. Though there was still an hour before the sun went behind the mountains, it was dark. Dar was thankful for the fire and the plentiful supply of wood nearby. Tao returned and silently began preparing a tea that smelled great, but looked evil. When the moon was just pepping over the top of the trees, the concoction was ready. Using a crude, improvised ladle/cup. He offered Dar a draught of the drink. Dar said nothing, but hesitated with a surprised look on his face. From the past several days, he had expected to be left to watch, agonized, over his friend's body again.
"Drink, It is the command of the Talinen that you join me for this battle, Though I think it is a mistake, I am too weak to protect you and fight as well, but what the Talinen say must be so. It is the only way to ensure the best chances for success." Tao spoke with impatience and Dar quickly took the drink offered him. Tao took a drink him self and let the rest begin boiling away. Directing Dar to sit one side of the fire, he took a seat on the opposite side and began a deep rhythmic chanting . It began slow, but soon it sped up. Dar felt his pulse change to comply with the strong beat of the chant. Faster and faster, his heart pounding the rhythm in his ears. The fumes o the boiling liquid filled their nostrils. Tao breathed deeply and Dar followed suit. The world began to slow down around them. Things began to fade. Soon all that was left was their clear and the moon above in a black sky.
Tao knew halfway through the chant that something was wrong. This was not the journey into the spirit realm. The Talinen had said he would have to face a darkness that was plaguing the snow spirits, but confining himself and Dar to a small circle of life would not accomplish anything. Nothing, except trap them together forever. Tao panicked. Were the Spirits of the Volcano tricking him into a Living Hell? His mind raced as he tried to think of a way to reverse what was happening to them, but he came up with nothing. He had no choice but to let time carry him along and hope for the best. The separation complete, Dar and Tao were cut off from the rest of the universe. For how long was unknown, this spell was unfamiliar to Tao. Perhaps he and Dar to go through a cleansing. Suddenly, his mind was released. All the restrictions that living through life had placed on his soul were dissolved and his emotions ran rampant. He was feeling, pure feeling. Looking at Dar, he was overwhelmed by the waves of fear and intimidation. Then these emotions faded and others came to the surface.
Dar struggled as he felt his connection with Sharak, Ruh, Podo, and Kodo being lost. Then, as he felt the rule of his reason slip, he tried to cry out, to break the spell, but to no avail were his efforts. Not paying attention to his eyes, the emotions that first came to surface were familiar ones. Hate. Loneliness. The Terrons had done much to hurt him and his loved ones, Kyra was gone. Then he saw what was before him. Tao. The youthful face was awash with fear for a moment, and then shame, and finally sadness. Dar was confused at the array of feelings and wondered what could cause them. Compassion filled him as he realized that he knew too little about his friend. Much about his past, yes, and some of his abilities, but very little of the actual person. He was about to ask what was Tao afraid, but instead of words, his spirit reached out and brushed against Tao's. It was him. Tao was afraid of Dar, but why? Another brush brought the answer. Tao fear subservience at Dar's feet. It was the worst dream of every Eiron.
"But why me? I have never forced you to do anything."
"No, but I have seen it in a vision and---"
Dar attempted to wrest the rest of the sentence from Tao, but Tao retreated inward. Dar sat for a moment, undecided about what to do. He decided the best thing he could do to help Tao with the upcoming battle was to banish his fear. It would be so hard, and Tao would detest him as he does the Terrons, but it was he only way. Taking a deep breath, he exposed his soul fully to Tao. Tao was then filled with pulsating waves of love.
Tao couldn't believe it. All this time, Dar had loved him? Looking at the past through Dar's eyes, Tao realized how foolish he had been. Never once had he fooled Dar into thinking he was OK. Dar always caught the haunted look in his eyes. And yet, Dar loved him. He was weak, slow and unskilled, and Dar still loved him. A single tear streaked Tao's face as he returned Dar's favor.
Dar was in disbelief. Tao loved him? After the day had ended and the trapping were banished, Tao loved Dar. There was fear. Fear that Dar would be like the Terrons, full of pain, but still Tao loved Dar as much as Dar loved Tao.
I would never knowingly hurt you.
I know that...now.
Dar got up and walked to the other side of the fire. He crouched beside his friend and, slipping a hand behind his warm, smooth neck, turned Tao's head and looked deep into his eyes. There was a slight hesitation in the little one's eyes. Smiling gently, Dar pulled their heads together. Tao closed his eyes, abandoning himself to whatever may happen next. Ever so gently, their lips collided. At first contact, they rested for a moment before Dar lovingly probed with his tongue into Tao's mouth.
Tao passively excepted the searching muscle, at first. Then he began to realize what was actually happening. Emotions still running out of control, Tao began actively responding to the questing tongue.
Dar felt Tao come alive under him and his love grew greater. The two tongues rolled over each other, stretching as far as they could go. Dar was surprised when Tao started sucking strongly on him. He sucked playfully in retaliation. The two continued their tug-of-war of sorts for a few moments before needing some air. When they broke off the contest, Dar smiled that wonderful, disarming smile of his and Tao grinned in a sly, fox-in-the-henhouse manner. Dar pulled on Tao again. Tao readied himself for another battle of the mouths, but at the last moment, Dar quickly reached up and kissed Tao on the forehead. This was followed by a quick stream of kisses that fell down the right side of his face and continued in a full circle up the left side. Reaching the beginning point, Dar headed straight down the middle of Tao's face. Once on each eye lid, twice on the tip of the nose, a gentle pull on the upper lip and a playful nip at the lower one.
At the nip, Tao opened his eyes and glanced at Dar, who grinned mischievously back. Tao was about to say something when Dar continued his kisses. Down the neck onto the shoulder. Quickly he made his way down the arm and when he reached the hand, he sucked gently on each of the fingers. He repeated the process using the other arm, and then returned to Tao's chest. A swirling tongue led the way to circle each nipple one time and then down to Tao's navel. Dar nuzzled Tao lightly and gave a sudden shove. The headbutt landed Tao on his back and Dar crawled over him, continuing to nuzzle Tao's firm, but not chiseled stomach. Finally, Dar latched his teeth around the thong to Tao's loin cloth and tugged it down, off Tao's beautiful body. Climbing back up Tao's leg with slow, sensuous kisses, he finally reached the rough, curly hair of Tao's groin. Nuzzling Tao again, Dar discovered one of the many secrets of the Eiron. They rarely had children, but it was certainly not for lack of equipment. At the base of Tao's six and a half inch cock hung a massive set of eggs. They were huge! Dar had to lift his head for a moment to be sure he was still in the presence of his only love and best friend. Tao sensed Dar's look and opened his eyes.
"When aroused, Eiron grow." Tao answered the unasked question. "It facilitates a greater rate of fertilization." he added. Dar smiled at the pleasant surprise and kissed each testicle and the head of the penis.
Tao closed his eyes and half-smiled/half-grimaced. The reason the Eiron had so few children was that the enlargements hurt, but Tao had never felt the pain himself before now. It was a mild aching that almost made Tao sick, but it was accompanied by a pleasure beyond belief. When Dar kissed his organs, Tao let out a long, low groan. Dar took this as a message of need and raised himself to Tao's mouth to fill it once again with his tongue.
Tao had had enough. He broke the kiss and tried a move that Dar had taught him. Unprepared, Dar was lifted and thrown to the side, he was stunned and unable to recuperate before Tao was on top of him like a hungry lion. Tao devoured Dar as if he was the last thing in the universe and about to disappear. Leaving his mouth, Tao ran over Dar's body with his tongue rapidly, occasionally hesitating to complete a spiral or two. Before Dar could get used to the sensation, Tao took off the loin cloth and threw it aside and tackled Dar's manmeat, hungrily sucking and swallowing. The motion produced a marvelous sensation that had Dar rolling his head in ecstasy in moments. Just before the culmination of pleasure, Tao jerked his head back until only the head remained in his mouth. When the sweet fluid arrived, he let it fill his mouth, rolling it around to get the full flavor. He wasted no time in licking Dar clean and then waiting a moment while Dar relaxed fully. He was satiated,for now. Then he moved with a very slowly stream of caresses and kisses to Dar's chest. He brushed his cheek against the smooth, muscle masses until he felt a stiff bead. He licked the nipple a few times before raising himself on all fours and hung his head centimeters above the golden skin of the one he loved so much. He crept backward until he could lay down and rest his head against Dar's rippled abdomen. There he lay for several minutes, inhaling the smell that was so uniquely DAR.
Dar took his hands from behind his head and lay one on the nipple that was so recently tasted. The used the other hand to run his fingers through Tao's hair. Shuddered with pleasure at the sensation and smiled. It only took a few strokes before an idea entered Dar's head and he grinned. Tao felt the change in Dar milliseconds before he felt Dar's hand tightened it's grip and Tao felt his head ripped backward. He rolled over several times and it was Dar's turn to jump on his friend pin him down while hungrily licking his face. When he reached a nipple, he bit and Tao inhaled sharply in surprise. Dar bit the other nipple as he twisted Tao's arms and forced him into a sitting position. Tao lifted his hips and attempted to lunge forward. Dar did not fall back, but Tao reached his goal. He nearly fainted from the absolute pleasure of Dar's eight inches going inside him. Dar himself had to let go of Tao while trying to keep his whole body from spasming in pleasure.
Tao wrapped his legs the rest of the way around Dar and locked them in place. Dar tried to retaliate by squeezing Tao with his arms, but Tao began alternately squeezing and relaxing his legs, creating a thrusting motion that was all Dar needed go crazy. In a sudden burst of energy, Dar pushed up with his entire body. Tao fell onto his back, but just before he lost Dar he clenched his muscles as tightly as he could, trapping the head. Losing Dar was not a concern, for Dar voluntarily followed Tao. Dar was now on his knees giving Tao full length thrusts while Dar used his beautifully muscled arms to hold their upper bodies together and the two tried to exchange tongues. Dar finally climaxed and the pair toppled over, Tao on bottom. He savored the sensation of Dar's weight freely pressing down on him almost as much as he had enjoyed Dar pulling on him inexorably into Dar's own body.
After recovery from the powerful climax he had just experienced, Dar realized that Tao still had a throbbing member trapped between their sweaty stomachs. He slid down and Tao was sad to be able to breathe easily again, but that privilege was soon gone again as his breath was taken away by the sensation of Dar's mouth over his balls. Dar took one into his mouth suck slightly. He changed tactics and closed his mouth just enough to keep the precious cargo from escaping and pulled on the Eiron's sac. Tao moaned as the aching in him began anew, but he welcomed it. All it did was enhance the Nirvana into which he was being transported. Dar let Tao slowly escape through his partially opened mouth and repeated the capture-and0realease method on Tao's other half. He then licked the ball sac smooth and darted his tongue back and forth against the base of Tao's member. He made his way to the head and was rewarded with another groan when he opened the pisshole with his tongue. Dar moistened his lips and pursed them as if to whistle, but then forced Tao's penis slowly into his mouth.
When the head touched the back of his mouth, Dar wrapped the rest of Tao's shaft with his hands and proceeded to swirl his tongue around Tao while moving his head slowly back and forth. As Tao came, Dar pulled his head back and let his face be covered in the delicious cream, but Tao had lots to release and Dar's face was soon coated, so Dar leaned forward and preceded to coat the rest of his front torso all the way down to his own member which had risen again. Tao finally relaxed, Dar licked what little had fallen back on Tao and then lay beside his friend. Tao smiled at the invitation to taste Dar again and proceeded to lick Dar clean. When he finished, he was face to face with that gorgeous cock again. He kissed the head and then raised himself so that he settled down with Dar inside him again. He lay down and Dar curled around, being careful not to let his member part from between Tao's wonderful buns. The two fell into a deep sleep.
The Talinen watched in satisfaction as the darkness that had been bleeding from Tao's soul disappeared. He finally would understand that servanthood was not always forced, and that love does not lose it's free will, but gives it. The tribe of Eiron was whole and without fear once again and the Talinen could rest in peace for another two hundred years.
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