Page 10 of Wrath of the Oracle

“You made a smart choice.” Prince Gane leaned back on his seat, the easy smile back on his face.

”The tonic will help ease the pain. Take a small amount of it after every meal.” Sholei pushed the tonic to Gane’s side.

“I will be calling upon your help once in a while. Depending on your capabilities, I shall reward you generously,” Gane went on, the hidden intent behind his words clear. Since she accepted the money, she chose to do his bidding. If all she had to do was prepare potions, then it wasn’t that bad. Sholei doubted Prince Gane would make her do questionable deeds.

Would he?Her conscience nagged her.

”My Prince, the king requests your presence in court.” A court servant appeared before the gazebo and addressed Gane. The man’s wide hat covered his head when he bowed.

“Is everyone present?” Prince Gane stood up and straightened his robes. Sholei followed suit.

“Yes.” The guard nodded.

“Tell my father I will be joining them shortly.” His voice commanded respect, and the guard left.

“Leave the tonic with my help on your way out.” Gane smiled at her, and Sholei’s doubts dispersed.

“I will be seeing you around, Sholei.” He walked out of the gazebo with a slight nod and a wink. Sholei stood transfixed until he disappeared out of sight, he left behind a fruity scent and the heavy weight of the golden pouch in the basket.

Sholei forgot to warn him about the injured Dembe soldier.

Musembi stood before the court.An attendant ushered her in and instructed her to stand behind the long line of elders. The council of elders consisted of leaders from different clans and tribes in the kingdom, and heads of different groups that stayed outside the capital in surrounding cities. They made up the king’s court. Palace servants and other courtiers blended in the background of the great hall. An old orator sat at the entrance of the court and bellowed the great achievements of the king, and sang his praises and accomplishments. He also announced those who came in.

Musembi was to keep her eyes on the floor when summoned or addressed by the king. The attendant informed her they waited upon Prince Gane before the court proceedings began.

When Gane swept inside, his long robes billowed around his feet. Musembi couldn’t help but steal a glance. Gane caught her eye, and surprise registered on the young prince’s face before he made his way to the front. Musembi knew Sholei was swayed to the youthful prince’s side. If Gane wanted a personal physician, he could get one from the collection of Imperial Physicians eager to serve him. His intentions in selecting Sholei couldn’t be noble.

Musembi knew about the vicious politics in the court, and she wanted to protect Sholei from getting involved with Gane, but the stubborn girl couldn’t think beyond the financial rewards she would receive. If Sholei thought Gane would ask her only to prepare healing tonics, she was in for a surprise. Gane had something more fatal in mind. With Sholei’s ignorance and foolhardy ways, it would be easy for the prince to cast her aside once her purpose was fulfilled. In court politics, once you served your purpose, you became a burden to be eliminated.

Like the fortifications guarding the palace, the court halls were built high and tall. The entrance was guarded with fierce sculptures of lion heads. Painted gold, they glittered in the light. The massive hall was supported by wooden relief pillars that stretched to the high ceilings. Wide, tall windows streamed in light that illuminated the inside and cast the wide room in an orange glow. Exquisite statues decorated the walls with carvings of animals and other pictures.

The statue of Keita, Lord of the Northern Skies, stood tall behind the king’s golden throne. The people of the plains worshiped the sky gods but preferred the great eagle, whose long, powerful wings stretched upward, and golden eyes and fierce gaze struck anyone who looked at him. Long, sharp talons grabbed a sculpted tree branch. The artist who created the sculpture took almost half his lifetime to craft the statue. Musembi sneaked her gaze at the gold and swirls of black etched into the eagle. She appreciated the expensive work.

“Daughter of the Ulele clan, come forward.” The king’s voice boomed across the room at Musembi. She hadn’t realized the court was already in session. Like the elders, he was dressed for court in long, high-waisted golden silk robes and elaborate headgear. King Gusiwaju was a tall man with an enormous appetite for food, resulting in a big belly that vibrated with every word he spoke.

The room was tense, and people whispered in low tones as they cast glances in her direction. King Gusiwaju sat high above them on his grand throne carved out of gold.

“I asked you here to get your opinion about this impending war. Your skills are highly praised in the capital. How about you join the army and help during the battle?” The room went pin-drop silent.

“I will lay down my life for this kingdom if called upon,” Musembi said and bowed her head lower. The impending war must be serious if the court sought help from the unregistered physician in the capital, or if the king was after something else. Musembi hoped her fears were unfounded.

“The Dembe Kingdom is waging war and expanding its territory southward. Many kingdoms in the north have fallen, including Timaka. Soon, they will gain momentum toward us. My scouts tell me they plan to attack the Keseve Market soon. In the coming days, we’ll have emissaries from neighboring kingdoms to plan a way forward before the Dembe reach us. Gane, am I correct?” King Gusiwaju turned to his son.

“My King, war is upon us. I suggest we unite with our neighboring cities and defend the Keseve Market. If it’s captured, we’ll grow vulnerable to the Dembe attack. For that reason, I invited envoys from the Etago, Iranda, and Suneka cities to come and put our heads together and find a solution.”

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement, impressed by Prince Gane’s eloquence.

The head of the Kurui clan, the largest in the Mukuru capital, asked Gane, “Do you have a suggestion on how we can stop this war?”

“My elders, once an arrow has left the bow, it can never return. With a trail of blood and devastation, the Dembe soldiers are on a path of destruction. We can only stand our ground and fight,” Prince Gane answered.

“War is expensive. Is there any way we could avoid it? Our people have enjoyed peace for a long time, and I don’t think we can bear the cost,” the head of the Chamber of Commerce asked. If war were to break out, the Kingdom’s extensive businesses would be hit hard.

“For that reason, we will join with our neighbors. We can’t wait until the Dembe march to our borders. We willhead north and confront them. As for the cost, everyone can contribute and share the burden,” Gane explained.

“Now, daughter of Ulele, if everything goes as planned, we will need some experienced physicians to accompany the war band to the battlefield. What do you have to say about this?” The king turned his attention toward Musembi.

“Apart from you, I heard of your apprentice’s prowess in medicine. Queen Kajala mentioned her skills more than once. Her expertise will be highly appreciated.” Musembi raised her eyes to the King before she lowered them again. “Of course, you will both receive decent pay for your efforts.”

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