The Tiger and The Bird

Chapter 8

The sound of children's laughter rang through the chilly Northern air. The children were running around the village spreading the news of the Lotus Prince's return. The townsfolk began to gather around outside the inn where they would be staying.

Nong stretched as much as she could manage quickly before hunching back into her thick cloak. The North was indeed cold. But she found that she loved the crisp air here. Her hair no longer stuck to her neck as it did back in the Lotus Kingdom. She gazed at the wide open sky, the tall pine trees, and felt for a brief second she might spread her arms and fly. This was, after all, her motherland.

"Welcome back, your highness. We are delighted to have you return so quickly," The village leader greeted them.

Ru Feng greeted him in return and began to round up the soldiers pointing to where they needed to be. Nong left him to his role and took the time to look around. No one paid any attention to her – a mere servant. The townsfolk were dressed in mostly thick, black clothing. Bringing out their silver jewelry even more. Both the men and women wore it. Chunky necklaces around their necks. Earrings shaped like snails and bangles that clinked delicately.

Beyond the inn there were stalls with people selling a variety of roots and vegetables. Vendors were also selling things to eat. Nong could see the warm smoke from the meats drifting into the sky. There was a noodle soup with a herbaceous smell that made Nong's stomach rumble. A chicken ran across her path and she bumped into her governess.

"Remember, we need to be discreet. Your identity must remain a secret. This town may be under the Lotus banner now...but it wasn't only a short time ago,"

Nong nodded. "How far are the ruins from here?"

Governess Gao pointed toward a cluster of mountains. "Just beyond those trees, right before the mountains," She breathed into her hands. "I forget how cold it is up here,"

Nong wondered if her governess was from the North like her mother. Before she could ask, Ru Feng approached them.

"The townsfolk have prepared a small party for us tonight," He told them quietly. "We shall head to the ruins early tomorrow morning while everyone is still sleeping,"

"Your highness," Governess Gao slipped her hand into Nong's. "I'll have the maids settle at the inn until then,"

They left Ru Feng and hustled into the toasty building. Nong debated on whether or not she should tell governess Gao the truth. But she still needed to confirm Ru Feng's story. She decided that she would tell her after she saw Prince Edan.

She hoped she would.

---

Despite the cold temperature, the welcome party was held outdoors. A huge bonfire was lit right in the center of town somehow emitting enough warmth for everyone. Perhaps it was the merriment. The townsfolk seemed to be a close family. Everyone including the elderly and children were happily chatting away, sharing their meals, singing, dancing, and playing an assortment of games.

Ru Feng was seated at a table beside the fire conversing with some of the men. He refused their drinks but otherwise seemed to enjoy himself. Nong watched him through the fire from the other side and found herself thinking how unfair the world sometimes was. She was devasted when her parents were ripped away from her. But here was Ru Feng with nothing of his own. Not even a memory.

She shook her head and sighed. She shouldn't trust him yet. She turned her attention to the three women with her. Two of them were folding eggrolls.

"Your eggroll folding skill determines how good of a daughter in law you'll be," One teased.

"The way yours is coming apart means you won't be a good one then!" Cackled the other.

Nong smiled along.

"It's a good thing you arrived today. It will rain tomorrow," The oldest of the trio turned from a pot of bubbling oil. She handed Nong a plate of crispy eggrolls. They smelled delicious.

"Is it true the Prince is here to find a gift for his betrothed?" The two eggroll folders asked her with wide eyes.

Nong nodded, "Yes it is,"

"Ah – how romantic! What a lucky lady! The prince is so handsome!"

"I love his crystal blue eyes!"

"His hair is like the warm sun!"

They both squealed as the eldest rolled her eyes. Nong focused on cooling her eggroll to avoid further conversation.

Yes – real Prince Edan was handsome. But more than that, he was kind. He never treated her like a tool. In fact, he never asked her for anything. Instead - offered his comforting presence which Nong found herself longing for.

Nong smiled to herself remembering the day she had tripped and fell in to a bush of prickly flowers. The spikey bulbs stuck to her dress and her curly hair. She cried as she tried to tug them out. Her fingers cut and stinging.

Prince Edan had been wandering by and found her in such a state. He smiled warmly and carried her all the way to her koi pond where they sat and he patiently combed each bulb out. Afterwards, he'd appear as out of thin air and they'd spend the afternoon just lazing around by the pond or underneath the peach tree with nothing to do. No kingdom to worry about.

She wondered what he would think if he knew they were now engaged.

She chomped on her eggroll. The savory flavors surprised her mouth. It was nothing like the spicy foods she'd have back in Lotus. The taste was warm and comforting. Something she suddenly thought Ru Feng who hated the cold would enjoy.