The cavernous palace hall was thick with the smoke of burning incense and the weight of ancient traditions. Alive with hushed whispers and furtive glances as the village elders took their seats around the long table. The village elder and chief, Zetij raised a weathered hand, instantly silencing the murmurs. Though his body had grown frail over the years, the old warrior's piercing gaze still commanded absolute respect.
"My son Tij has done well," Zetij's gravelly voice carried to every corner of the hall. "By bringing the blue-eyed witch to Kebo, he has fulfilled the first part of the prophecy as instructed by the Seer."
Tij couldn't help but puff out his chest with pride at his father's rare praise. He shot a smug look across the table to his lifelong nemesis Muchi, who was visibly seething with jealousy.
"This is madness!" Muchi burst out, unable to contain himself. "Kidnapping an innocent woman based on the ramblings of a traveling charlatan?"
Muchi cared little for Ona's plight as the kidnapped Ajarian princess. Her predicament was merely an inconvenient backdrop to his long-standing rivalry with his cousin Tij.
"Watch your tongue, boy!" one of the village elders admonished sharply. "What an elder sees sitting down, the youth cannot see standing up."
Zetij held up a hand to silence the outburst. "Enough. We have argued over the prophecy's validity for too long already. The fact is, the Seer knew details that he could not possibly know otherwise. And now with the blue-eyed witch in our custody, he will reveal the next steps to us."
"But why was I not consulted on this?" Muchi protested, rounding on Tij with undisguised contempt. "As heir to the chiefdom, I should have been--"
"You are heir to nothing," Zetij interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "My daughter Titi's offspring will assume leadership after me, not the treacherous offspring of my traitorous brother."
A deathly hush fell over the assembly at the chief's words. The centuries-long feud between Tij and Muchi was renowned, but Zetij had never been so overt in declaring his feelings on the matter. Muchi opened and closed his mouth wordlessly, for once rendered speechless.
"Tij has proven himself worthy," Zetij declared, turning to his son with unmistakable pride. "By carrying out the Seer's instructions without question. When the time comes for the next steps of the prophecy to be undertaken, he will once again be the one to lead our people."
Tij met his father's appraising gaze, determination shining in his eyes. He had spent his whole life under Muchi's shadow, constantly trying to outdo his overachieving cousin. But now, finally, he had a chance to prove himself as the true heir and successor.
The chief turned back to address the gathered elders. "For now, we must ensure the witch's safety until the Seer returns to reveal what other demands the prophecy may require of us. Though it galls me to hold an innocent captive, we have no choice if we are to defeat Gogu and reclaim our homeland."
Zetij locked eyes with Muchi, who still looked fit to explode with impotent rage. "You would be wise to embrace our destiny, boy. Else I may be forced to remove you from these proceedings entirely."
The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air. The path forward was still cloaked in uncertainty. But one thing was clear - the ancient prophecy had been set in motion, and they were all bound to see where its inscrutable winds would blow them next.
The tension was palpable as the village elders shuffled out of the great hall, leaving just Chief Zetij, his children Tij and Titi, and the seething Muchi behind.
As soon as the last elder had departed, Muchi rounded on Tij, eyes blazing with barely-contained fury. "You arrogant fool! Don't think this is over just because the old man has named you his lapdog."
Tij met his cousin's glare with an infuriating smirk. "What's the matter, Muchi? Jealous that for once I've accomplished something greater than slaying a few white lions?"
"Why you insolent--" Muchi started forward, fists clenched, but Zetij's booming voice froze him in his tracks.
"Enough of this pathetic squabbling!" The chief fixed them both with a withering look. "You bring shame upon our clan with this endless feuding."
Turning to Tij, his expression softened just a hair. "My son, you have done well to follow the Seer's instructions precisely. But we are merely at the first step of who knows how arduous a journey."
Zetij let out a weary sigh, subtly acknowledging the heavy burden of the prophecy's implications. "When the Seer returns, we must cooperate fully with any further demands he makes. No matter how...unpleasant they may be."
A flicker of trepidation crossed Tij's face at his father's ominous words. For all his bravado, he understood the grave stakes they now faced.
"What of the girl?" Titi spoke up tentatively. "She tries to hide it but I think she is afraid and does not understand why she has been taken."
Tij scoffed. "She is ...resourceful in gathering intel, to say the least."
Titi narrowed her eyes at Tij who mouthed "What?"
"We will keep her secured but unharmed," Zetij said. "Tij, you must watch over her. She's your responsibility now."
Tij protested, "I have no time to babysit."
"It is an order from your chief." Zetij said firmly. "Her...cooperation will likely be required at some point, if the prophecies are true."
An uncomfortable silence followed as each silently contemplated what that cooperation might entail. Finally, Muchi could remain quiet no longer.
"And if I refuse to play along with this ridiculous farce?" he spat out the words like a stubborn child. "You cannot simply cast me aside after all I have--"
"I can and I will!" Zetij's words cracked like a whip, causing them all to flinch. "You are welcomed to leave and fend for yourself in the wilderness, boy. But make no mistake - you are bound to this prophecy whether you wish it or not."
The chief turned his back, effectively dismissing Muchi. "Now all of you, leave me. I must meditate on the path before us."
As the three reluctantly filed out, Tij couldn't resist one last parting shot at his cousin's turned back. "Don't worry, Muchi. Maybe next time."
The only response was the sound of Muchi's frustrated growl reverberating through the corridor. The first move had been played, but they were still mere pawns in the prophecy's inscrutable game. All they could do was steel themselves for whatever came next.