Eleysan's customs are no less interesting and unique than those of the Desert Kingdom. For centuries on, each ruler had to build up his power and prove his determination to protect the borders and ensure every subject's well-being and prosperity.
Eleysan is a patriarchal society, unlike Sai's homeland. This applies to all four tribes that inhabit it. The crown always goes to the male heir. Those men are fearless, strong and agile, excellent warriors, strategists and scholars. A king must possess all the qualities ordinary people do not have, be above all others and even overcome himself if necessary. He is expected to demonstrate his abilities before being given full authority over the realm.
The most important initiation is walking the Path of Kings.
This tradition is more symbolic nowadays, a reminder of the glorious past, but no less cherished and eagerly awaited by the folk. It has become a celebration of continuity preceding every royal wedding.
The event will be even more spectacular this time as the future kings are two. Dey and Sai will have to walk a distance of about twenty kilometers, overcoming various challenges, while keeping a good pace at the same time in order to get back to the palace before sunset. The excited spectators have already crowded along the route to watch their progress and cheer them on.
It all starts at the The Lion's Trail. Legend has it that the lair of a monstrous, ferocious lion was hidden under an enormous rock close to the castle. The beast would attack any traveler, but never bothered those who had the power of a true ruler in them, even if it was a child. Many people believe that the spirit of the terrifying animal is still guarding the steep steps, leading to the plateau on the other side of the rock, which is now carved in the shape of a sleeping lion. Only the future king can reach the top.
When Dey and Sai overcome the first challenge, they will have to pass by The Sleeping God without waking him up. But God's sleep is light. Only brewing fragrant herbs and sitting in silence next to him for at least an hour would calm him. This may seem like an easy task, but not when the stones are heated by the burning midday sun and the visitors are not allowed any clothes to protect them, other than a thin shirt and leather pants. Many people would pass out under such conditions in much shorter time.
What follows is a brief relief from the summer heat, brought by the cold waters of the Falls of Truth. The powerful jets spring from beneath the rock in which the statue of the Sleeping God is cut, and fall from a height of fifty feet to form a deep natural pool, which transitions into a wild mountain river. The future kings will have to survive the jump and let the current carry them into the middle of the most dangerous forest.
If the young heroes arrive at their destination in one peace, they will find themselves surrounded by incredible beauty, but also in mortal danger as they will be at the very border of the death bats' territory. This is actually the place where the newly hatched Harda was first found by the mountaineers.
The sensible course of action is to be as quiet and invisible as possible and immediately move away from this location. However, the next task is to do the exact opposite. The future rulers must shout at the top of their lungs three times:
"I am your king. I reign over men and beasts. Yield to me, monsters, or come forward to fight."
As unreasonable and crazy as such a reckless act may sound, traditions are highly respected in Eleysan and are never broken. The young princes will have to do it, despite the vigorous protests of the queen, as well as most of the court advisers and even the Supreme Council. It is King Dorth's favorite part of the trial and no pleading can make him cancel it. Oddly enough, no bat has accepted the challenge so far. Obviously humans are not so much of a threat for them to evoke any reaction. But that should not put anyone at ease. There is always a first time.
Crossing the forest alone is an almost impossible task. Sai and Dey will be ragged and utterly exhausted when they finally emerge from the thicket and crawl out in the open, on the vast sandy beach. It is quite an achievement in itself if they manage to find their way without getting lost among the colossal trees, enwrapped by climbing vines like an impenetrable wall.
When they reach this point in their journey, there will be no time for relaxation. The sun will most probably be already setting and the only way to reach the palace in time will be to swim as fast as possible across the bay. Sai can not use his powers, so they will have to be very resourceful. Sea dragons are fast. If the boys manage to catch two of them and dive on their backs, the problem can be easily solved.
Then they will only have to walk along the winding stone bridge, connecting the harbor and the town, which leads to the central square, where the people of Eleysan will be waiting impatiently to welcome their kings.
___________________________________
A/N
Hello at the end of special chapter 6!
Thank you for reading and supporting! ❤❤❤
Which challenge do you think is harder - The Chasm of Courage or The Path of Kings?
Share your thoughts, ask questions and criticize, if you think it's necessary.
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Love: Anny
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