Chapter 13: Ishalom
Collin and Mariah's proclamation at breakfast did not surprise Anthony and Lenore. They too had felt the power of meeting your mate and quickly fell in love. Lenore was happy for her friend and thankful she had someone to completely confide in.
Collin rode to Balkmora and asked for Mariah's hand in marriage. Her father was a good man and wanted security for his daughter. Collin had brought many gifts for her family and Mariah's father knew he was close to the king. He approved of the union and gave his consent for them to marry. Collin stayed with her family that evening and planned to depart the next day to return to the palace.
That night, Collin invaded her dreams and fulfilled her sexual fantasies. When she was satisfied, he held her in his arms and whispered his love to her. Collin couldn't remember being happier and he fell asleep with her as she dreamed.
The ride back to the palace was exhilarating. Anthony's trials were still three weeks away and he was making great progress. Collin was surprised how well he could navigate his elven abilities and how quickly he learned to fight with various weaponry. The trials were designed for elves to prove worthy of an immortal existence. Throughout the years Collin had known many elves that did not survive, but as their training continued, Collin felt more assured that Anthony would prove worthy and be victorious in Ishalom.
When he arrived at the palace stables, he found Anthony there with Xanthos. Collin greeted Anthony and updated him on his journey.
"What are you doing in the stables, cousin?" Collin asked.
"Well I was going to ride Xanthos and practice using a sword and bow on horseback," he replied.
"I will join you," Collin said. They road in the stable arena as they trained for combat. Collin gave Anthony multiple scenarios and told him the weaknesses of his possible adversary. "If the high elves choose a rock monster, you will need to avoid close contact. Rock monsters also struggle to look up so it is best to sneak up on them from a higher vantage point. They also cannot be injured by fire or water. You will need to use your abilities to create an earthquake or an ice storm to weaken them in battle."
They continued to train throughout the day and into the night. Collin told Anthony he needed to strengthen his ability to invade minds and dreams. He needed to learn to do this while he was fighting if he were going to completely eradicate his enemy. Collin also said he'd need to discipline himself so that he wasn't controlled by his desires even at his weakest moment.
"The Elven people are known for being disciplined fighters that are always in complete control of their emotions. I'm not sure how they will test you, but when they do you will know it because the temptation to give in will be so intense it will almost drive you to madness," Collin said.
"Great," Anthony replied. "One more thing to look forward to in Ishalom. When do we leave for the trials?"
"Two weeks from now we shall leave with a trusted band of soldiers. It seems you trust Rameal and your company," Collin said.
"Yes, I do," Anthony replied. "They have seen my supernatural abilities in battle. They know something is different about me but they are still loyal and willing to protect my kingdom at all costs."
"Good. Then we will bring them with us so you have a trusted company in Ishalom. You shouldn't need to fight your way out, but no one shows up alone."
They rode back to the palace that evening exhausted by the long day of preparations. Training to the point of exhaustion became the routine over the next couple weeks. Anthony and Collin would work throughout the day training and strategizing for his trials, then at night they would eat dinner with the ladies before turning in for a passionate night of love making with their mates.
When the day arrived for them to depart, Lenore was saddened she could not go and didn't want Anthony to leave. He comforted her and after a passionate kiss, held her in his arms.
"Remember what I told you last time I was away. Take care of my most treasured possession. Eat and stay well. When I am away, I want to invade your dreams and when I return I will invade your body so I don't want to find you in such a wretched state this time," he told her. She nodded and promised to take care of herself as tears fell down her cheeks.
Mariah was also downcast but found great purpose in taking care of her friend. She promised Collin and the king she would look after Lenore and keep her safe. Anthony, Collin, and their company left on horseback for Ishalom. They loaded their horses and provisions on a boat and sailed to the island. It was a journey like the company had never experienced as they sailed south towards the great sea. Spirits were high and senses heightened as they approached the island of Ishalom.
The boat docked and the company unloaded their horses and supplies. Ishalom was a beautiful island teaming with life and vitality. The weather was warm and the air crisp due to the ocean breeze. Sounds of wildlife and rustling palm trees filled the air as the waves gently crashed on the edge of the shore. Anthony felt an eternal peace in this place and knew that the island was special because of its many mythical enchantments.
Beautiful golden flags lined the street to the warriors' encampment as the company rode towards their temporary dwelling. There were many encampments of different companies who arrived at the island to prove themselves worthy. Elves gathered in tents with their company displaying banners of their family crests. Anthony and his company rode proudly to their encampment which was towards the edge of an open field. When they arrived at their tents, they displayed their kingdom emblems and hung their flag outside the tent of meeting for all to see.
No other men but Anthony's company were found on the island of Ishalom but this did not intimidate the warriors. They guarded their encampment proudly and stood with valor as elves from other lands passed by to see the outsiders. After the soldiers had tended their horses and unpacked their belongings, they gathered together in the tent of meeting.
"Brave warriors," Collin said. "King Anthony will face three trials and he will be tested in extreme ways. If he is victorious, he will prove worthy of his elven mortality and be blessed with riches beyond what we can imagine. If he is not, he will die and our fate rests in his ability to prove worthy. I am confident he will be victorious and we will partake in his glory as well!"
Cheers erupted within the tent as the company celebrated their king.
"There is nothing we can do during King Anthony's trials to assist him but we can ensure his safety in our encampment and tend to him when he is here. His highness will face his first trial in the morning. Let us eat, rest, and be vigilant for we are in a foreign land and it is our responsibility to protect our king," Collin said to the company as he grabbed Anthony's hand and held it high. "Long live King Anthony!"
"Long live the king!" The soldiers shouted and saluted their king.
The company ate, rested, and watched with vigilance as Collin suggested. There was no drinking or merriment. This was the time to protect the king and help him prepare for the most dangerous battle he had faced yet. If Anthony was successful, he would gain the rights of his elven bloodline and if he was not the company would die. They felt the gravity of their situation but their hearts were filled with hope. Anthony had always come through before and he would come through again. If anyone could conquer and prove worthy, it was Anthony so the soldiers did what they could to help him be victorious on Ishalom.
Tomorrow the first trial will begin. Anthony had prepared well, but the trials were meant to test you in the most brutal ways. Nothing was a sure bet in Ishalom. The only thing that was for certain was Anthony had to do whatever it took to come out victorious to protect his men, his kingdom, and get home safely to his beautiful Lenore.