Chapter 16

The towering gates groaned open ponderously, the sheer tonnage of stone doors requiring the full might of a dozen straining men to heave them apart as Tij led his men through the colossal rock faces. They passed through a tunnel of absolute darkness, the mountain's stony maw swallowing them for what felt like an eternity.

Just when it seemed the inky blackness would become utterly suffocating, a ray of golden sunlight speared through an opening ahead. The company emerged blinking into sublime radiance, greeted by a sight of such splendor that even grizzled veterans caught their breath in wonder.

Before them lay Kebo, a heavenly vale nestled deep in the mountain's sheltering embrace. Crystalline waters cascaded from snowy caps into a pair of crystal clear lakes, their shores glazed with white sands. Waterfalls and streams flowed like ribbons of liquid diamond, nurturing gardens and groves of perfectly manicured splendor. Graceful archways and terraced thatched huts hugged the lush inclines, their architecture a mix of humble beauty and exquisite craftsmanship.

Ona's eyes went wide, her mouth agape as she drank in the paradise. After the hardships and ugliness of the forest, this hidden sanctum seemed a figment of dreams - a realm crafted by the gods themselves. How could such transcendent perfection be possible in this world? She turned in a slow circle, craning her neck to take in the grandeur crowning them on every side.

Tij instinctively glanced back at her wagon and smiled inwardly at her enraptured awe, his heart swelling with profound gratification. He had fought and bled more times than he could count to protect this town and its wondrous people. His chest filled with pride as he ushered his company fully into the valley to receive Kebo's rapturous welcome embrace.

For the first time, a sliver of uncertainty crept into Ona's resolute hatred toward her supposed captors. These were not the unconscionable actions of brutal criminals, but of those being welcomed home as kin. Just who was this man she had so savagely condemned? The question plagued her as the little wagon trundled into the village square, surrounded by a sea of beaming faces.

The town housed both the young and the ancient - all with ebony skin that seemed to glow with an inner light, enhancing their natural beauty. The people dressed simply yet regally in thick wolfskins and luxurious bearskin cloaks. Squat cottages and hide-thatched huts huddled together, chimney smoke winding lazily skyward from each one. The aroma of sweet breads, roasting meats, and exotic fruits hung thick in the mountain air.

As Ona and her company entered further into the village, more residents emerged one by one. With bright smiles, they greeted the travelers by gently touching their faces and then pressing that same hand to their own chests - a warm gesture of welcome.

Ona breathed deeply the mingled scents of hearth fires, enticing cooking, and the crisp alpine breeze. She felt the tensions of the journey already beginning to unwind. These people seemed to exist in serene harmony with the natural world around them.

Ona was helped down from the wagon, her feet finding solid ground once more. She unintentionally shot a glare at Tij, who met her gaze impassively before turning his attention back to his beast.

No sooner had Ona's bonds been removed than she was swarmed by a gaggle of giggling young women, all radiant ebony beauty. They chittered and fussed over her in a melodic tongue, gently but insistently ushering Ona from the company of bandits toward a large cottage.

She had little choice but to go along, drowning in the sea of lithe female forms that surrounded her. Once inside, the women promptly began undressing and bathing Ona, catering to her every need despite her halfhearted protests.

Meanwhile, Tij was brushing down his obedient beast when a light voice called out, "Is that her then? The infamous blue-eyed witch of Ajari?"

He turned to see his elder sister Titi approaching, a playful smirk on her face. Her dreadlocks tumbled in a thick mane past her shoulders, swinging heavily as she walked.

Tij nodded once, saying no more on the matter. "I didn't expect to find you here, sister."

"And miss welcoming my little brother home?" She grabbed his arm in a practiced grip, deftly dodging his half-hearted attempt to break free. "You wound me."

Titi smirked at her younger brother, eyes dancing with mirth. "So little Tij finally returns from his grand adventures, a fearsome warrior in his own right." She poked his chest with one finger. "Though you're still scrawny as a newborn faun to me."

Tij batted her hand away with a gruff chuckle. "Ah, and there's my sweet, gentle sister - prickly as a cactus blossom as always."

"Oh?" One delicately arched brow inched upward. "And I assume all those ridiculously tall tales you regaled me with as children were merely...embellishments?" She made a show of looking him up and down appraisingly.

"Now you wound me, sister!" Tij clutched at his heart with melodramatic flair. "I'll have you know each and every exploit was uttered with absolute fidelity to—"

"To whatever version of events stroked that endlessly elastic ego of yours, no doubt," Titi snorted, shoving his shoulder to cut off the feigned offense.

The siblings continued their jovial back-and-forth needling, their voices carrying through the alpine air. Insults, boasts, and long-suffering sighs were exchanged in a familiar cadence honed by years of loving rivalry. At one point a fit of laughter overcame Titi as she struggled to keep a straight face. "D-Do you even remember that time you thought you could—"

But Tij had already clamped a hand over her mouth with a wild look. "I swore a blood oath never to speak of that again! Some things are better left unnnnntold..."

The mock threat only made Titi's eyes shine brighter with mischief. She mumbled something indistinct against his palm, ending with a defiant "Mmmbut—"

The warm sibling banter eventually tapered off, an undercurrent of seriousness creeping into Titi's expression.

"Enough japes for now, little brother," she said, resting a hand on Tij's arm. "Father returned to the village some weeks past, but..." She hesitated, plump lips pressed into a thin line.

Tij raised an inquisitive brow. "But what? Don't tell me the old lion has finally gone toothless on us."

Titi's head shook slowly. "Not toothless, no. But he does seem...diminished. As if some inner fire that long burned within him finally begins to flicker and fade."

A crease furrowed Tij's brow at this solemn pronouncement. To hear their near-mythical father described as faltering struck an unexpected pang of disquiet.

"The healers have tended to him," Titi continued. "But you know how insufferable and stubborn he can be. He refuses most of their treatments."

"So in other words, same as ever then?" Tij forced a tight smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.

Titi returned the faint grin, giving his arm a squeeze. "Go and see him, Tij. Pay your respects while you can. Who knows how much time he has left?"

With an obstinate grunt, Tij extricated himself from his sister's grip and turned towards the largest hut - the dwelling of their village's leader. His footsteps were heavy, jaw set in a tense line. But he made no further objections as he headed to face their ailing patriarch.