Page 23 of Wrath of the Oracle

“Mueni, are you from the Dembe capital?” Sholei pried for more information.

“My family has been serving Prince Ojore’s maternal family for generations. I was brought from his household,” she explained.

“The Queen of Dembe is the mother of Ojore?” Sholei digested the information. Tula always said thatinformation was power. If she planned to escape, she had to learn more about Ojore.

“Prince Ojore was born by a concubine, Lady Sahara. Though the king has several wives who bore him sons, Queen Nnandi only had one child: Prince Kengani, Ojore’s second brother.” Sholei found that Mueni was quite talkative when she relaxed. Ojore, the war general, was a Prince of Dembe, hence the haughtiness and arrogance around him. She scoffed.

“My Lady, you should count yourself lucky. This is the first time our prince has taken a woman…” Mueni smiled at her, trying to appease Sholei. Sholei didn’t miss the affectionate way she referred to Ojore asour prince.

“I’m not his woman,” Sholei refuted, feeling angry and embarrassed at the same time.

“I am sorry for overstepping my boundaries.” Mueni bowed, her slender shoulder shaking, and Sholei felt bad for reprimanding her. It was not the girl’s fault that she was in such a predicament.

“Get up and sit beside me.” She helped the reluctant girl to sit on the bed, biting her tongue as pain shot through her. “Why do you think I am… his woman?”

“He…” Mueni stammered, unsure of her words. “He kept vigil beside your bed for the days and nights you were unconscious. It is obvious to everyone that you are special to him. Even the soldiers in the camp can tell he treats you differently.”

“He did that?” Sholei couldn’t imagine the fearsome man taking care of her.

“He had the physician get the best medication for you,” Mueni went on. She relaxed the more she conversed with Sholei.

“I didn’t know.” Sholei was confused. Why did Ojore bother with her? Wasn’t she acaptive of war?

“You are lying on his bed,” Mueni added, confirming Sholei’s suspicions. “By now, everyone knows that Prince Ojore has taken a woman. He is yet to declare it, but it is well implied.”

“I can’t stay here any longer.” Sholei felt the space around her narrowing. What if Prince Gane heard such despicable rumors? Would he be willing to save her? She stumbled out of bed and tripped on the bedding wrapped around her feet.

“What is wrong, My Lady?” Mueni caught her before Sholei tumbled to the ground.

“Please don’t call me that,” Sholei whispered, trying to catch her breath. The sudden movement sucked the air out of her lungs.

”My Lady, please calm down.” Mueni tried to stop her from stumbling to the door, but Sholei managed to push her away. She was determined to leave the room, but her wound throbbed painfully. She could smell the scent of blood. The wound had opened. Sholei crashed in the middle of the room with Mueni right beside her. Sholei couldn’t stop tears from flowing. She hated the feeling of helplessness that engulfed her.

In the days that followed, Sholei was depressed. She didn’t see anyone besides Mueni, who kept her company and provided her with her daily needs. She stayed inside the room and didn’t venture out. Ojore didn’t appear again, but at times, his deep drawl drifted from the outer room.

He visited her late at night when he thought she was asleep. He moved around the room, his alluring scent filling the room space. At first, Sholei was scared about what he would do. But her fears were put to rest when he didn’t try anything apart from tucking her in, tracing his calloused fingers against her cheek, or just looking at her. After a while, he would leave.

“My lady, you have to take your medicine.” Her medication, like everything else, wasdelivered on time.

“Mueni, I wish to walk outside today,” Sholei said after gulping down the bitter liquid. The servant girl beamed, glad Sholei had come out of a miserable state.

“Let me get you dressed. It has been chilly in recent days.” In addition to the quality medication she received, Sholei had an endless supply of the finest clothes, thick furs for cold nights, and fitting boots.When did he take her size?Mueni assured her Ojore ordered the clothes from the Dembe capital. Sholei wasn’t comfortable in fine embroidery, but she couldn’t walk around naked.

Mueni placed a heavy white fur coat on Sholei’s slender shoulders and helped her out of her room. Sholei braced herself to face Ojore in the outer room, but he wasn’t around. Sholei didn’t know much about war, but the wide space screamed battle with its equipment. Gear of every kind lined the high, dark walls, and maps of the region lay on the table. A miniature clay structure resembling the plains’ layout was molded and mounted on the farthest end of the room; underneath it was folded bedding.

“That is where the general spends the night,” Mueni explained, following Sholei’s gaze. Sholei’s heart beat faster. She didn’t know he slept so close to her every night, separated by a thin wooden wall. Something about it caused her stomach to flip.

Sholei could tell why Dembe’s army was formidable when she stepped outside the general’s quarters. As far as her eyes reached, tents upon white tents spread in the open field. In the far distance, hills loomed, offering cover. The camp was enclosed in a valley, hiding it away from intruders.

It was early morning, and the campsite was rife with activities. Soldiers ran up and down in formations, their weapons glistening in the early rays. She thought these men must spend months away from home, unlike back in Mukuru, where the training was periodic and the camps were closer to the palace. Back in Mukuru, she had seen soldiers training, but never with such intensity. The soldiers barely looked at her and resumed business as she walked around. Remembering how Mueni told her they thought of her as the general’s woman, she wished to turn back and hide, but she pressed on. She had to learn about her surroundings if she ever wanted to run away.

Weapons of every type lined the walls against an expansive training pavilion in the middle of the camp. She didn’t see Ojore during her walk, and relief washed over her as Mueni told her that the general was attending to other duties outside the camp. Sholei couldn’t care less if she never saw him again.

“They start training early in the morning. They hardly rest,” Mueni explained.

The men wore black pants that reached their knees and loose white shirts. Steel armor finished the regalia. On their feet, they wore knee-high animal skin boots. Leather belts were strapped around their waists, and they held various weapons. Those guarding the high watch towers were also dressed in full body armor. The men were tall with impressive physiques. Sholei racked her brain for how she would escape such an environment. It didn’t help that her wound hadn’t healed yet. She wouldn’t get far with such an injury.

A distinct tangy scent wafted to her nose, originating from a tent at the far back of the camp.

---