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Today’s story is the second of two parts of “Glory of the Gods” by NightEyes DaySpring, a known troublemaker who is rumored to have a penchant for coffee and an interest in dead, ancient civilizations. NightEye’s work has appeared in Heat, Fang and other anthologies. He can be found on Twitter at @wolfwithcoffee and information about his writing can be found on his website nighteyes-dayspring.com.

Last time, our protagonist Askan found out his friend Sanis had previously agreed to perform a fatal sacred rite to Bacchus, the god of wine. With time running out before the ritual, the jackal will need to risk the wrath of the gods themselves in order to finally find his purpose in life and save Sanis.

Read for you by Khaki, your faithful fireside companion.

This week's two-parter is an adult story for mature listeners.

If that's not your cup of tea,

or there are youngsters listening,

you can skip these and there'll be new stories for you next week.

week.You’re listening to The Voice of Dog. I’m Khaki, your faithful fireside companion,

and Today’s story is the second of two parts of

“Glory of the Gods”

by NightEyes DaySpring,

a known troublemaker who is rumored to have a penchant for coffee

and an interest in dead, ancient civilizations.

NightEye’s work has appeared in Heat,

Fang and other anthologies.

He can be found on Twitter

at @wolfwithcoffee

and information about his writing can be found on his website

nighteyes-dayspring.com.

Last time, our protagonist Askan

found out his friend Sanis had previously agreed to perform a fatal sacred rite to Bacchus, the god of wine.

With time running out before the ritual,

the jackal will need to risk the wrath of the gods themselves

in order to finally find his purpose in life

and save Sanis. Please enjoy:

“Glory of the Gods”

by NightEyes DaySpring,

Part 2 of 2 The library is quiet;

most of the brothers having retired for the night.

Merist is still up reading through some travel accounts.

I need to learn everything I can about the Rite, and since Sanis won’t talk to me,

I have turned to what I know best.

I have a scroll describing the ritual in front of me.

I trace my paw over the page.

The rite is performed by an experienced initiate of Bacchus

and a virgin initiate.

They will share a chalice of wine at the beginning of the ritual

and then proceed with the dance,

resulting in a coupling between the pair.

The sex of the dancers does not matter, and there are detailed instructions for both men and women

about what is expected.

After the dance and the coupling,

the pair will be offered at the altar.

If Bacchus is judged to have been pleased,

the initiates will be sacrificed together

so as to join him in the next life.

The ritual is performed once a year during the first full moon of summer,

and in the records the brothers have,

it appears over two-thirds of those who have performed the ritual are sent on their way.

Usually both dancers are chosen,

but sometimes just one is.

Sanis will not do this alone, then.

“Merist, do you know who is to perform the ritual with Sanis?”

I call to him. It is late, so I don’t need to keep my voice down.

He looks up from his reading. “Villia. She is caracal from the south.”

I scratch my chin.

“He won’t be as enthusiastic with a female partner.”

The fox shrugs. “He has been preparing himself.

He’ll know how to work with her.”

I sigh. “Why must they sacrifice people for this?”

“The chance is given for initiates to willingly opt

to serve Bacchus directly in the next life.

Is it really all that different from the Brotherhood asking you to give up your own life,

albeit metaphorically, in the pursuit of knowledge?

You too made the same choice Sanis has made.”

I put my head in my hands

and groan. How stupid have I been?

It wasn’t that I didn’t know he cared for me, I just

had assumed our sexual encounters were a part of his faith,

his commitment to Bacchus.

He stuck by me even as I was voluntarily spurning his love.

The signs were there,

if I had only been able to see them.

If only I had been willing

to let wisdom guide me.

I roll up the scroll

and slip it back into its case.

The goddess had known I was not ready to serve her when she’d rejected me.

I had been blinded to wisdom for the sake of knowledge.

I put the scroll away and walk over to Merist.

“You have been a good friend to me, Merist”

I say to the old red fox.

“You have helped me see beyond these scrolls to what really matters.

I am going to try to stop the Rite.”

The fox shakes his head.

“You can’t stop it from happening,

but maybe you can affect the outcome.

What do you have in mind?”

“I don’t know… I’d take Villia’s place myself if that would keep the gods from taking Sanis.”

He considers for a moment.

“That could be arranged.

As a virgin, I can suggest you to the high priest of Bacchus as a better alternative,

given your… history together.”

I fidget a bit. “I’m not a-“ He holds up a hand. “Shh! They don’t know that!

But, keep in mind that you risk angering ALL the gods by breaking Bacchus’s ritual.

Also, he might take you out of spite and leave Sanis here.”

This is heresy, but I can’t let Sanis go through with the Rite alone.

He never would have volunteered if I hadn’t been so stupid.

“It’s a risk I am willing to take.”

“Very well. Let me speak to the high priest of Bacchus tonight.

Tomorrow, you should approach him.” #

I stand panting, naked.

My head is spinning from the effects of the

alcohol and exertion,

but I have put everything I have into the dance.

The high priest,

a wolf, sits on one side of the temple.

He wears a loose robe, hanging open.

I glance at him

and smile coyly,

letting my eyes drift over him before I focus back on the statue of Bacchus.

Bacchus, in his goat form, stands proudly in stone holding grapes.

The priest gets up and walks over to me. “Why would you wish this?” he asks.

“Why do you so wish to perform the Rite?”

“To serve.” He shakes his head.

“Not to serve Bacchus.

I think it is to serve your own needs.”

My ears fall. He walks around,

appraising me. “You have the stamina required,

and you certainly have the body;

but is your spirit really with Bacchus?”

“It is.” “When Merist told me you wished to offer your virginity to the god,

I had to wonder if it was appropriate for me to let you perform the Rite.

One so recently of interest to the goddess…

But, I understand that you were rejected for the Brotherhood of the Scroll, yes?”

I bob my head in acknowledgement.

“A good initiate of Bacchus

has to give themselves up.

You must let yourself go to the feast,

the wine, and whatever comes of that.”

He walks over to where he was sitting

and picks up a small bowl.

“You pine for Sanis, I understand.”

“Yes,” is all I can say.

He comes back over to me carrying the bowl.

“Then you were never going to belong to the Brotherhood.

It is fitting that you offer yourself to Bacchus.

He will be pleased that you have turned toward him.

Kneel, Askan.” I get down on my knees, still breathing hard,

and look up at him.

He dips a finger into the jar

and comes away with a light sheen.

My nose tells me the bowl is filled with olive oil.

He reaches down to trace the fur along the ridges of my eyes.

“I shall let you perform the rite in place of the previously selected virgin initiate.

If Bacchus approves of your dance with Sanis,

you will both be sent on to serve him in your next life.

Do you accept this boon?”

I swallow. “Yes,” I whisper.

My path is set now.

He dips his finger in more olive oil

and anoints the fur under my eyes.

“Then an initiate of Bacchus you will be.” #

I am standing on the edge of the outdoor sanctuary

used by the cult.

I have on heavy robes

and a hood that covers my head.

It is dark, and a storm is brewing.

Across the valley, on the other side of the mountains,

there are flashes of lightning in the distance.

The open air temple is built into the side of the mountain.

It is a large flat open area with a stone altar on one side.

Above the altar, a dais has been cut into the rocks of the mountain.

All of the priests and initiates of Bacchus are in attendance,

standing around the sides of the temple.

Sanis stands across the sanctuary from me,

a heavy hood like mine over his head.

We have both ritualistically bathed,

so our scents are subdued.

He hasn’t caught my scent yet.

It has been three days since my initiation,

but I have not told Sanis. He has

spent most of his time by the spring,

deep in thought.

I left him alone

and instead practiced my dancing in accordance with the Rite.

Today, before he had set out to visit the springs one final time,

he had stopped to tell me he would miss me.

I had nearly choked up then,

but I had to be strong.

Now watching his hooded form,

I know he will soon understand my commitment to him.

I can only hope that my intervention changes our fate.

The drums beat the air signaling the start of the ritual,

the wind whipping across the mountainside.

I steady myself. It is time.

The high priest walks up to the head of the dais.

A hush falls, and everyone waits for him to speak.

“Initiates! Together you shall perform one of the most ancient Rites of our order.

If chosen by Bacchus,

you will both join him

to serve him and the other gods at Mt. Olympus.

Already, the signs that the gods are watching lay before us,

so dance well, and may he accept you into his service.”

We bow silently. A priest emerges from the side

carrying a large chalice.

He walks to the altar and places it down.

As I approach the altar,

I can see more flashes of lightning in the distance. Will Bacchus have Jupiter strike me down for my insolence before I can even begin?

I push that thought from my mind.

I can only hope this works.

Sanis steps up first

and takes the chalice

and drinks from it,

and then hands me the goblet.

I swallow a large mouthful of the wine.

When I finish drinking, Sanis flips his hood back, his face finally visible.

I realize he is so focused on the ritual, he hasn’t realized who I am yet.

I reach up and flip my hood back.

“Askan!” Sanis says looking at me,

eyes big. “Why?” he hisses low to keep his voice down.

Two attendants come up and begin to remove our robes,

beginning by removing our belts.

“Because, if I couldn’t stop you,

I needed to join you,

to let you know you I realize my mistakes now,”

I whisper back. The fennec looks

at me shocked. “You can’t be here. This can’t be happening.

How?” I hold up my arms and the attendants remove the robe,

stepping back from me.

Sanis does the same

and we are now naked before each other.

“Because I asked. I took the oath to Bacchus.”

“You don’t know the dance.

You don’t know the ritual.

You are not ready to do this!”

he growls at me agitated,

trying to keep his voice down.

I smile at him “I have studied.

I will do my best for you.”

“Askan, you will die here.”

I look into his eyes. They are as big as saucers

and he looks shocked.

The priest is waiting on the dais.

“You were ready do to this with a woman you barely know.

Are you not ready to do this with me,

someone you know much better?”

He breathes in deep

and turns to the priest and kneels.

I do the same. “Are you ready my children?”

The priest asks. He smiles a little,

and I know he could hear our conversation.

Sanis glances towards me

and bows low so that his muzzle touches the ground.

“I am ready.” I repeat the motion myself.

“I am ready as well.”

The high priest of Bacchus lifts up his hands and shouts.

“Oh wine god, we offer you tonight a feast for the eyes and senses.

If you find these two worthy,

they will willingly go and serve you in the afterlife.”

We both get up from our prone positions as the drums begin to sound.

Sanis looks at me

and then begins to sweep around me in a wide circle,

stepping quickly,

looping his body through a series of well-practiced moves.

He has the role of the dominant partner,

and I am the submissive in this dance.

I follow along to his moves,

meeting him when he approaches me

and backing off. We repeat these moves

as he tightens his circle around me,

and he catches me on the wrist.

He then shifts his weight

and pulls me along.

I follow his lead

and we cavort across the stone.

He then releases me.

I circle back to him

and he meets me and backs away,

shifting his hips

and body and we then repeat the circular motion we just did,

this time with me in the dominant position.

The drums beat faster as I catch Sanis,

as we spin back and forth.

I let him go, and he spins off, stepping fast away from me.

This time the fennec comes behind me, so he can hold me.

He is barely tall enough,

but he lays his muzzle on my shoulder for a moment, before we again separate.

As our bodies touch again,

he says to me, “I’m going to put you on all fours.”

I shrink, back, trying to keep rhythm to the music.

“Now?” “I must,” he says sweeping in closer to me.

I nod. Everyone’s eyes are upon us.

I need to fully become a part of the Cult.

I need to give myself to Bacchus.

When we next approach each other,

he sweeps me back and I tumble.

The fennec is quick with his motions,

and he catches me to make sure I land softly.

I roll away and he’s upon me then, pinning me down.

I struggle, just for show,

and when I stop he lets go of my arms and seconds later

his muzzle is down in my groin.

The drumming becomes a rhythm

and he proceeds to lick me erotically before he rolls off, pulling me along.

Next thing I know I

am on top of him,

and he is suckling at my cock.

I shiver. I find his touch sensual, but I’m not fully hard.

This is too weird, too sudden.

The wine was strong, possibly laced with intoxicating herbs,

but I still feel how awkward this is.

People are watching us,

staring, He slips backwards from between my legs.

I realize he doesn’t have any olive oil

and will have to take me raw.

Of course, Sanis is one step of ahead of me, because I feel him lift my tail and his hot breath underneath it.

I feel my whole body lock up for a moment as he starts to rim me with soft

gentle licks of his tongue.

The action is so intimate

it pulls me out of what we’re doing.

For a moment, I can believe we are back in our little hovel,

me a recently arrived pilgrim from the south to the valley.

The moment fades as I feel him press his tongue into me,

trying to loosen me up.

I suck in my breath and try and relax.

If I don’t relax, this will hurt.

My eyes sweep the crowd of the priests.

I can see they look upon us with hunger and delight.

The drums echo around the mountain side.

The fennec pulls away from me.

I can hear him moistening his paw and stroking himself before he roughly grips me by the scruff of my neck,

as he positions himself up against me.

He presses gently against me.

“Are you ready?” he whispers.

I close my eyes.

This is for him. “Yes.”

He presses himself in slowly.

In the past, I was usually on top, but not this time.

The wind blows around us,

ruffling our fur.

The storm is starting to approach,

I can smell the scent of rain on the air.

Sanis is gentle with me at first,

but it still hurts.

Once my body stops tensing and I get used to the feeling,

he picks up on the pace of the drums.

It’s rough; I can feel him pressing himself into me harder,

caught up in the beat.

He grips me hard

and I stroke myself,

trying to time it with his thrust.

I growl under him,

warning him he’s pushing me too hard, and he slows down.

“Sorry,” he whispers softly as he resumes a slower pace.

His knot is also a problem since once it starts to swell,

it is tight against me.

He works his hips around in a circle while he thrusts so I can loosen up.

After a minute, he’s got me loose enough to slip the knot in.

His thrusts lose some of their potency then,

as he’s locked deep inside of me.

The feeling of him,

combined with my own stroking,

takes me over the edge and I climax, spilling my seed onto the stone.

The quaking of my body lets him know I’ve climaxed and with a slow determination,

he works to pull himself back out.

It takes a bit of effort,

and I growl and yip

while he works on separating us.

At some point, this pushes him over the edge;

I feel his breath catch

and the tension go out of his body.

He sags back against me, still inside.

The high priest steps back to the dais,

looking down upon us.

“Bacchus is pleased,”

he says. The wind is picking up.

Dry leaves blow across the temple.

He motions to others near the dais.

“Bring them to the altar.”

My ears lay back.

Masked initiates approach us and forcefully separate us.

With a flash of pain and a pop, Sanis comes loose,

trailing seed through my fur.

It is time for us to meet the gods.

I am carried over to the stone altar in front of the dais.

They lay me out on the stone, with Sanis laid next to me.

One initiate holds me down while

another produces a dagger.

I reach out with my right hand and I feel Sanis’ paw.

I grasp it. “You have pleased our god tonight,

and he wishes for you to serve him at Olympus,” says the high priest.

I close my eyes to avoid looking at him,

and squeeze Sanis’ paw.

“Are you ready?” he asks us.

I can hear my heart pounding in my ears.

I try to steady my reeling mind;

this is for Sanis.

“I am not a virgin,”

I say. There is a whisper among the priests.

Finally I open my eyes

and look up at the high priest.

The wolf looks amused.

“Is that why you volunteered?”

the wolf leers at me.

“I wondered if you really were, but it doesn’t matter.

The breaking of your vow of chastity

is virgin enough to satisfy the ritual.

Bacchus will be pleased you have chosen to serve him over Diana.”

I’m frozen in shock.

I want to say something

but there is nothing I can say.

“Are you ready, Sanis?” he asks.

I close my eyes.

At least we’re together now,

and if we are to serve the gods in the next life,

we will do so together.

“No...” says Sanis. “I will serve Bacchus no more.”

My breath catches in my throat.

I open my eyes.

The priest stands above us, glaring down.

“You have danced in the name of the god,

and even copulated in the name of the god.”

Sanis squeezes my paw tightly.

“The Rite is only performed by those who willingly pledge themselves wholly to Bacchus.

When I volunteered, that was true.

But now my heart belongs to Askan.

It is no longer mine to give.”

“You would incur the wrath of the gods for this jackal?”

growls the high priest.

“I still devote my life to the service of Bacchus

and look forward to the day when I can continue to serve him in my next life.

But I am no longer willing to permit the sacrifice

and ask that my god release me from the Rite.”

The wind blows strong

and the peel of lightning echoes around us.

The signs the gods are watching are all present.

The robes of the high priest

flap in the breeze.

He is a powerful man,

and he has our lives in his hands.

“Kill them,” he says to the initiates, turning his back on us.

Everyone murmurs.

“Only the willing may go to the gods!” shouts a voice I recognize.

Merist steps forward from the crowd.

“The outcast of Diana speaks!”

shouts the high priest of Bacchus, with a sneer in his voice.

“You have no say here.”

Lightning flashes around us.

“Indeed I do not, but Diana will be upset if you claim those under her protection,”

he says. The priest looks at us,

then looks up. He stares up for a minute and scowls at the sky.

Finally, he waves his hand in dismissal and walks off

without another word.

I feel the weight above me lifted

as the initiates step away

and allow us to rise.

“I don’t understand,”

I say to Sanis looking around as I get up from the prone position I have been in.

“The goddess wishes for us to live,”

he says pointing up.

The wind is blowing

and leaves are flying through the air, but above us,

even as lightning flashes in the sky,

the moon shines through a break in the dark clouds.

A single ray of moonlight falls upon the altar

where we are while the rest of the temple has been plunged into darkness.

“She, she…” I don’t know what I can say.

Even if the other gods are mad at us,

Diana still stands with us.

The sign from the heavens is clear.

The fennec grabs me.

“We can live, Askan!

We can live together.”

“We already live...” he kisses me and I can’t complete that sentence.

“Shut up,” he says when he breaks off.

The moon dips back behind the clouds,

but the lightning and thunder has abated.

It seems that even Bacchus has accepted the decision,

if grudgingly. It begins to rain heavily

and the rest of the priests

run for shelter. Merist remains behind for a moment,

his head turned up towards the heavens in silent prayer,

before smiling and waving at us.

Then he heads back towards the library.

I take Sanis’ paw,

and we walk slowly through the rain back to our home.

I know in my heart now

that being with him is part of my destiny,

and the gods have given us a boon

we should not waste.

This was the the second

and final part of

“Glory of the Gods”

by NightEyes DaySpring,

read for you by Khaki,

your faithful fireside companion.

As always, you can find more stories on the web at thevoice.dog,

or find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for listening

to The Voice of Dog.