Ona woke with a start, sunlight pouring through the small window. She stretched her arms and winced at the dull ache in her wrists, remnants of the tight ropes that had bound her just days ago. Looking down, she saw the angry red marks were fading thanks to the soothing ointment the other girls had applied.
It was strange though - normally their cheerful voices and laughter would fill the room by now. But an unsettling silence hung in the air. Ona had only been in Kebo for five days, yet it already felt odd waking up alone after constantly being surrounded by her new companions.
Growing up as an only child, she had treasured her solitude back at the palace. But this nonstop company, as disorienting as it was, had started to grow on her. A pang of unease hit as she wondered where the others were.
Pushing aside her worries for now, Ona splashed some cool water on her face, trying to rinse away the grogginess. She emerged from the humble hut, squinting against the bright morning light, and took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air.
Her gaze swept over the modest town, children laughing as they raced down the paths, old women waving friendly greetings as they worked on handicrafts. Such peaceful tranquility, a stark contrast
to the chaos she had just endured. Scanning the area, she felt relieved not to see Tij, the villain whose smug sneer was seared into her mind.
Though nestled high in murky mountains, Kebo had a vibrant warmth and sense of ancient belonging to the land.
Ona started down the well-trodden dirt lane, admiring the tightly clustered rondavels and mud-brick dwellings with conical thatched roofs. Tendrils of woodsmoke from the courtyard fire pits intermingled with the ever-present Highland aromas of wild grasses, olive trees, and the acacia wood used to construct the homes. Colorful weavings and raw hides decorated the exteriors in traditional styles.
As Ona wandered further, the residential compounds gave way to the village's bustling heart. The dirt path opened up to a central common area encircled by open-air market stalls. Lively bartering and raucous laughter filled the air as vendors and townsfolk haggled over fresh produce, bundles of aromatic herbs and spices, and handcrafted pottery, baskets, and beadwork.
On the outskirts of the market, artisans practiced their ancient trades. The rhythmic clanging of a blacksmith's hammer rang out as he forged a new spearhead in his clay oven forge. Nearby, a leatherworker meticulously stitched intricate patterns into a supple nguni hide warrior shield. The mingling scents of freshly-baked injera bread and smoldering mugwort incense wafted by as Ona passed a group of elders playing a game of dugsa outside a small communal tavern.
Leaving the common grounds, narrower winding trails bordered by squat mud huts led Ona to quieter residential areas. Outside one dwelling, a lively group of musicians playing rancorous lutes and beating intricate djembe rhythms beckoned neighbors to join the revelry inside. Down another path, the mouth-watering aromas of roasting meat and pungent spices emanated from a ramshackle smokehouse, its roughly-plastered exterior adorned with vibrant tribal masks and totems.
As she circled back towards Kebo's outskirts, the village's rustic energy mellowed to an even more tranquil setting. An ancient stone compound surrounded by terraced croplands gave home to the local spiritual leaders. A wizened sangoma draped in beaded necklaces and tattered robes tended the grounds, giving a sage nod of welcome as Ona wandered past.
Soon, the dwellings blended seamlessly into rural farmsteads and grazing veldts where woolly-fleeced goats and cattle roamed amongst scattered acacia trees. A farming family could be seen tending crops in one of the communal gardens, a giggling child chasing a kaleidoscope of fluttering butterflies.
By the time the majestic, looming presence of the murky mountains dominated the horizon, Ona felt utterly renewed by the timeless, pastoral aura of this ancient mountain village. Though modest in material resources, Kebo was abundantly rich in heritage and spiritual connection to the boundless, nurturing lands sheltered by those mighty, towering slopes.
As Ona wandered the winding paths, back to the hut she had been sleeping in, taking in the sights and sounds, a voice suddenly called out her name, shattering the peaceful morning stillness.
"Princess Ona!"
She turned, startled, to see a tall, muscular woman striding towards her, exuding an air of confidence and authority. The woman's toned arms were bared, and she moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior.
"You must be the visitor everyone's been talking about," the woman said as she approached, giving Ona a slight bow of her head. "I'm Titi, chief guard of this village."
Regaining her composure, Ona nodded in
greeting. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Titi. Though I must admit, I wasn't expecting to encounter the chief guard on a morning stroll."
Titi threw back her head with a hearty laugh that seemed to make the nearby trees shake. "Oh princess, in a town this size, I guard the goats as much as the people! Wouldn't do to have any of them wandering off, now would it?"
Despite herself, Ona chuckled at the woman's vibrant spirit and easy humor. "I can see that order and protection are of utmost importance here."
"Among other things," Titi said with a wink, resting her hands on her belt. "Speaking of, how're you finding our little slice of heaven so far? Not too rustic for a royal lady, I trust?"
Ona's smile faltered momentarily as she recalled her harrowing kidnapping, but Titi's roguish grin encouraged her to lighten the mood. "Well, I could do with a little more luxury, but I suppose you can't have everything."
Laughing again, Titi gave Ona's shoulder an amiable shove that nearly knocked the slender princess off balance. "That's the spirit! Why, you'll be craving simple mountain living before you know it. Speaking of, how'd you like the grand tour from yours truly?"
As Titi launched into an energetic retelling of the village's histories and quirks, Ona couldn't help but get swept up in the woman's infectious zeal and warmth. For just this moment, she was just another enthralled visitor, not a kidnapped royal - and it was utterly delightful.
"Titi, I don't mean to interrupt your entertaining stories," Ona said as she glanced around the quiet village paths. "But where are all the young people? I haven't seen any of the other girls I've been staying with."
Titi's expression turned more serious for a moment. "Ah, well you'll have to forgive their absence this morning, princess. The men have taken up a watchful guard midway up the mountain."
Ona felt her breath catch slightly. "A guard? Has there been some kind of threat?"
"Nothing to worry that pretty head over," Titi reassured her. "Just a few unwanted intruders that were spotted lurking about. The men went to dispel them and make sure there are no reinforcements trying to cause trouble."
Exhaling slowly, Ona nodded. "I see. And the other girls I've been staying with?"
A sly grin played across Titi's weathered features. "Why, they've embarked on a hunting expedition deep into the mountain valleys. Stocking up on fresh game and supplies."
Ona couldn't help but smile a bit at that. "I suppose having an entire village of seemingly capable women shouldn't surprise me anymore."
Titi threw her head back with another of her signature loud laughs. "You're learning quickly, princess! We may dwell in a humble mountain town, but we know how to fend for ourselves."
She gave Ona's arm a reassuring pat. "So you can rest easy knowing everyone has matters well in hand. For now, why don't you let me properly show you around our little slice of paradise?"
Nodding gratefully, Ona fell into step beside the chief guard, feeling reassured by Titi's calm, confidant presence. For all the lingering turmoil, she could bask in this temporary haven's simple delights.
As Titi cheerfully continued recounting tales of the village's history and traditions, Ona couldn't help but wonder about the intruders she had mentioned near the mountain.
The thought of them potentially being from Idollo made her feel a pang of anxiousness. Could it be scouts or an envoy from her beloved Didé?