Part of Ona worried it may be forces out searching for her, unaware of her current safe location. But a larger part couldn't help indulging in the hope of a joyful reunion with familiar faces.
Forcing her wandering mind back to the present, Ona tried to focus on Titi's enthusiastic storytelling. Yet she couldn't completely shake the thoughts of her betrothed. This quaint village's hospitality had been a blessing after her harrowing ordeal, but her heart longed to run to her new home - to Didé's familiar abode.
As kind as Titi and the villagers had been, providing shelter and care, Ona knew she couldn't linger here indefinitely. She had to find a way to get word to Didé about her whereabouts, so he could send a proper escort to guide her safely back to his kingdom.
Her concern wasn't for her own safety, but rather disturbing this peaceful town. If it was indeed an Idollo force scouring the mountains, she had to depart before their arrival, lest the village be unintentionally disrupted. These wonderful people had already given her so much.
For now though, Ona plastered a smile on her face as Titi's infectious laughter rang out again. She would savor this respite while it lasted.
The piercing blare of the gate horns suddenly shattered the tranquil mountain air, announcing the return of the men from their guard duty. Ona's head whipped around at the sound, her heart rate quickening.
Through the main village entrance, a small Pride of Panthers trotted in formation, their riders looking worn but alert from their watchful sojourn. At the head of the column, sitting tall and proud in his saddle, was the unmistakable figure of Tij.
Ona felt her breath hitch in her throat as her eyes locked onto him. His chiseled features were set in a look of stern resolve, oblivious to her presence in that moment. Though she knew she should feel relieved at the apparent lack of any conflict, a very different emotion roiled in the pit of her
stomach.
Hatred. Pure, unbridled hatred for the man who had so violently upended her life and separated her from everything she held dear. Whose wicked machinations had put her through unimaginable torment and fear.
Try as she might to turn away, Ona found herself inexplicably frozen, her gaze boring straight through Tij's imposing form. As if she could bore holes through him with the intensity of her loathing alone. This was the craven villain who had orchestrated her kidnapping, her every waking nightmare given human form.
The knot of revulsion in her gut tightened as flashes of memory assailed her - the coarse ropes digging into her wrists, the unkempt forest brutes, the bandits, her handmaiden and captain dead. All because of him and his vile agenda.
So transfixed was Ona in her vortex of hatred that she barely registered Titi still chattering away beside her, oblivious to the wellspring of turmoil unfolding within the princess. Ona's nails dug crescents into her palms as Tij's towering figure finally passed from view.
She knew in that moment, more certainly than anything before - whatever respite this village had granted, it could not last. Not with that loathsome man lurking about. Sooner rather than later, Ona resolved, she would need to settle matters with Tij once and for all.
No more running, no more fear. Only the conviction to the face of the man who had caused her so much pain...and make him pay dearly for it.
As the mounted troop disappeared from view, Titi's laughter abruptly pulled Ona from her vortex of hatred.
"By the gods, princess!" Titi unintentionally snorted "If looks could impale, poor Tij would've been a pincushion from that scorching glare of yours!"
Heat flooded Ona's dark cheeks as she realized Titi had witnessed her seething contempt for the returning warrior. She opened her mouth to respond, but the older woman spoke first. "Don't fret, don't fret," Titi chuckled, waving a calloused hand. "I've seen that scowl vilified before. Can't say I blame you - Tij does have a knack for rubbing folks the wrong way sometimes."
Before Ona could muster a reply, a young boy came dashing up the path toward them. "Cha Titi! Cha Titi!" he called breathlessly. "The village elder has summoned you straightaway! Important matters to discuss."
Titi rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Well, what are his old bones fussing about this time? Very well, very well - a cha's work is never done, I suppose."
She turned her twinkling gaze back to Ona. "I don't mind leaving you in young Ika's capable hands for a spell, princess. He can continue showing you around our humble abode until I'm free again."
The pint-sized boy puffed out his chest with pride at being entrusted with such an honored guest. Titi gave Ona's shoulder a companionable squeeze. "Try not to set anything ablaze with that fiery glare while I'm gone!" With a raucous gale of laughter, she strode off toward the village center.
Ika, eyes wide with youthful enthusiasm, immediately took Ona by the hand and began leading her along the meandering dirt paths.
"Just you wait, princess!" he chirped excitedly. "I'm going to show you all the bestest spots in our village!"
Despite herself, Ona couldn't help but smile a bit at the boy's infectious energy and innocent charm. Perhaps a short reprieve from her inner turmoil was just what she needed.
As they wandered further into the rustic heart of the village, Ika energetically pointing out every building and landmark, Ona's ears picked up on peals of childish laughter echoing from a nearby grove.
Following the merry sound, they came upon a merry band of youngsters gathered beneath the boughs of an ancient oak tree, taking turns spinning fanciful tales of heroic adventures as the others looked on in rapt delight.
Warmth bloomed in Ona's chest at the wholesome scene. How long had it been since she experienced such innocent whimsy and delight, unburdened by the harsh realities of the world? Ika looked up at her with an unspoken question in his eyes.
Squelching her doubts, Ona gave him an indulgent smile and nod. With a delighted whoop, the young boy scampered off to join his friends in their imaginary revels beneath the sprawling oak.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Ona followed - and allowed herself to become immersed in their lighthearted fantasies, if only for a fleeting moment.
The children sat cross-legged in a rapt semi-circle around Ona, their eyes wide with wonder as she began to weave her tale.
"Long ago, when darkness threatened to consume the lands of Out-earth, a divine light shone through the gloom," Ona said, pitching her voice low and mysterious. "From the heavens themselves descended a crimson leopard, fierce and powerful, yet brimming with a sacred energy."
Several of the younger children gasped in delight as Ona pantomimed the great cat materializing amidst swirling celestial mists. She continued, "As the foul demon-god Nsu tried to strangle Out-earth in his vile grasp, the leopard revealed it could transform into a mighty warrior to lead the people."
Leaping to her feet, Ona began pacing before the children with grandiose gestures. "And so the red leopard-warrior rallied the armies of Out-earth in an epic battle against Nsu's unholy legion of monsters! The clashing of swords and roars of combat shook the very foundations of the earth..."
The children were utterly enthralled, hanging on Ona's every overly dramatic word and movement as the tale reached its climax. Finally, she dropped back into a kneeling stance with a serene smile. "When the rivers ran black with the blood of the vanquished demons, the red leopard-warrior gave a great roar that parted the clouds themselves. And just like that..." Ona clapped her hands together with a booming sound, making the kids flinch. "...he vanished back into the heavenly realm from whence he came. Out-earth was saved."
A smattering of delighted applause and cheers erupted from Ona's spellbound audience.
Ona's whimsical storytelling reverie was abruptly shattered by the sound of slow, mocking applause. She and the children spun around to see Tij standing at the edge of their little grove, a smug smirk plastered across his chiseled features.
"Well, well...seems the princess has quite the flair for the dramatic," he drawled, his voice dripping with condescension as he continued clapping. "That was certainly an...imaginative tale you just spun."
The children immediately scrambled to their feet, giving the imposing warrior respectful nods and mumbled greetings of "Master Tij." One by one, they scurried away, leaving Ona alone to face the man who had so violently disrupted her life. She shot him her most piercing, hateful glare, willing the fiery loathing burning in her chest to bore holes straight through his arrogant facade. But Tij seemed utterly unaffected, letting out a derisive chuckle.
"What's this? The delicate flower wants to strike fear into my heart with that icy stare?" He took a few swaggering steps closer, looming over her. "You'll have to try harder than that, I'm afraid."
Ona remained rigidly rooted to the spot, refusing to be cowed or back down an inch. "Do not mistake my silence for meekness, sir," she spat through gritted teeth. "I simply have no patience to trade barbs with deceitful, villainous snakes."
Tij threw back his head with a deep guffaw. "Deceitful? Villainous? Such harsh words from a pampered princess playing make-believe with the village brats."
He fixed her with a challenging look, stroking his scruffy jaw. "Tell me, does spouting those fanciful tales of heroic warriors help you imagine a dashing prince will somehow come and whisk you away from this humble existence you've found yourself in?"
Fighting the urge to slap that arrogant smirk from his face, Ona lifted her chin defiantly. "I require no imaginary heroes or princes, Tij. I need only myself to transcend whatever indignities are thrown my way."
The words had barely left her lips when Tij suddenly closed the gap between them in two long strides. Ona stiffened as he loomed over her, his hulking frame all but blotting out the sun. She could feel the blistering heat of his stare searing into her.
"Is that so?" he practically purred, lips curling into a sinister grin. "We shall see about that...princess."
With that cryptic murmur, Tij abruptly spun on his heel and began stalking back toward the village center, leaving a rattled Ona rooted to the spot. She watched him go, chills of unease prickling up and down her spine.
Whatever game he thought they were playing, she silently vowed, he would soon realize he was horribly outmatched. The hatred burning in her chest would keep her more than warm enough for whatever harmattan he tried to bring her way.