Page 32 of Wrath of the Oracle

She picked it up and placed it on the bed. Inside, she found several lengths of colorful cotton fabric, a set of gold jewelry, and other small ornaments inside. Mueni said Agala was from a wealthy family, and upon viewing the expensive set of gifts, Sholei agreed with her.

Underneath all the jewelry and clothing was a metallic flask filled with liquid. Sholei opened it, and the sweet scent of coconut wine hit her nostrils.

Sholei hated alcohol. Musembi threw tantrums once intoxicated, and Sholei swore never to consume liquor. But at the same time, Musembi was a heavy sleeper once drunk. Sholei thought she might have a restful sleep if she took a few sips.

She raised the flask, took a small sip, and allowed her taste buds to get used to the foreign flavor. It burned the back of her throat as she took another sip, this time a mouthful. She savored its bitterness, sweetness, and sourness as the liquid settled in her stomach. As she continued to drink, she thought of Musembi and realized she missed the grumpy older woman. If only she could see her one last time, Sholei would apologize for not listening to her.

Mueni came in at that moment to find her gulping down more of the alcohol. The flask was half empty.

“Was this part of Agala’s gift? The general prohibits alcoholic drinks in the camp.” Mueni tried to snatch the flask from her, but Sholei held firm.

“How about you join me?” With a free hand, Sholei dragged Mueni beside her. “You work very hard taking care of my needs. Relax and have a drink.”

“I don’t think that is a good idea. Let me help you prepare for bed.” Sholei pushed Mueni’s hands away when the girl tried to help her up.

“This is a gift. To show my appreciation, I must drink it, whether you join me or not.” Sholei shook the flask before Mueni’s face. Some wine spilled on her dress.

“But you can’t drink on an empty stomach. You will get sick.”

Sholei laughed and swayed. “I wish to fall asleep and dream. Maybe I will be able to go back to Mukuru and the medicine yard.” Mueni eyes misted at Sholei’s distress.

“Tell me, Mueni, did I make a wrong gamble? Haven’t I come closer to achieving my dreams to train in the Academy? Does the method I used to reach the goal matter? Should I be celebrating when my people are dying?What will happen to my Musembi? Tula? Prince Gane and the people of Mukuru?” Sholei went on, her voice tearful.

Mueni remained silent as tears dropped from her eyes. She wiped them with the back of her hand.

“Whenever I fall asleep, I end up being chased by the beast. Every time I close my eyes, it’s the same image.” Sholei cried with abandon. “Maybe I should stop running and allow it to devour me. It might stop the pain.”

“Everything will turn out well. Don’t give up.” Mueni’s words didn’t register to Sholei as Mueni wrapped her arms around Sholei’s, offering silent comfort.

Sholei was dreaming again,but this time, Ojore knelt before her on the carpeted floor. She lay on the bed, her head felt woozy, and she struggled to keep her eyes open.

“You have decided to invade my dreams too?” she asked his image, her voice groggy.

“Is that what you think of me? A beast?” Ojore palmed her cheek, and she molded into it, craving the warmth of his hand.

“Only beasts appear in my dreams,” she answered, her eyes closing as she slipped into oblivion.

Sholei woke when the sun’s rays touched her face. She raised her hands to block the upsetting light, and the sharp pain behind her eyes made her flinch. Pain exploded behind her head as she made the mistake of sitting up. The world swirled, and she collapsed back into the bed, her eyes shut tight.

She would never drink again. Why would Musembi torture herself every night?

“You are awake.” Mueni came in, her voice too loud. “I brought you some hangover soup.”

The scent hit her, and the contents of Sholei’s stomach pushed through her throat. In record time, she emptied her stomach on a patch of grassbehind her tent.

“You shouldn’t have drunk so much alcohol.” Mueni gently patted her back and offered her fresh water. Sholei took the flask and cleaned her mouth.

“You should have stopped me.” Sholei shivered as her skin prickled from the early morning chill.

“I tried, but you barely stopped. If the general didn’t appear at the right time, you might have finished the whole flask of wine.”

“Ojore is back?” Sholei rose and faced Mueni. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She tried to think about the previous night, and she remembered dreaming of Ojore appearing in her dreams. She tried to recall what she said to him but couldn’t.

“You are a very stubborn drunk.” Mueni couldn’t hide her laughter at the horror on Sholei’s face.

Sholei cringed at the thought. She couldn’t believe she had behaved like Musembi. “You fought him for the alcohol when he tried to snatch it away.”

“I fought him?” Sholei asked, her voice small. She wished she could recall all that happened, but a part of her thought it was best that she forgot.

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