Page 12 of Wrath of the Oracle

Sholei wiped her tears with the back of her hands. She hated crying since it never solved problems, but Musembi crushed her dreams by taking her money.

“Am I to spend my whole life here like you?” Sholei regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. She shouldn’t have said that to the woman who raised her single-handedly and taught her everything she knew. What was wrong with dreaming about a better future? Sholei yearned for more than to break her back in the medicine yard.

Musembi gave her a hard stare for several agonizing moments. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped. She sighed and went back to rummage throughher bags. Sholei crouched beside the fire and placed her chin on her knees.

She never had good things in life. Musembi forbade her from doing almost anything other girls were doing. She didn’t attend moonlight dances or any sporting activities, and she didn’t dress in fashionable attire. She was forbidden to go to the capitol square unless Musembi accompanied her. She spent her days away at the medicine yard, and apart from going to the forest to forage herbs and the Keseve Market, Sholei didn’t have much social life. And now her only escape from that prison was cut off.

At times like this, Sholei wondered about her origin. Musembi raised her from an infant. Musembi reminded her she was not the same as girls from other families and should know her place.

She was not to stand out.

“Ojore,this is a risky move. We are moving to the heart of our enemy’s territory.” Akima tried to reason with his army general. It was early in the morning, twilight when they descended upon the Keseve Market. They were dressed as a trade caravan from the north and stood on a small hill that overlooked the famous market.

Keseve was an ancient market. Old orators sang its praises from all over the continent. It was one of the few places spared in the ancient war between gods, a fabled tale if anyone were to ask Ojore. It was said that in ancient times, the water god flooded the land, and the sky gods descended to stop him in a fierce battle that left halfof the population dead. The Keseve Market existed long before those times. Part of the old world.

The market had four gates, representing the four sky gods who fought the water god. Forces guarded its high walls from the Mukuru Kingdom, and it housed traders from all over the land, as far as the Ngola Kingdom in the distant continent.

In the early morning, it was as busy as ever. Trade caravans from all over the land marched in, and more guards from Mukuru had been posted since the last time he visited. Their bright-colored armor shone in the light. Before the northern gates were a cluster of old and gnarled flame trees. It was said the ancient trees were hit by lightning during the war between the sky gods and Joka, the water god. Their dried barks and twisted branches stretched to the early morning sky.

“Are you scared?” Ojore raised his eyebrow to his friend. “We have done more dangerous escapades than these and achieved our goal.”

Akima shifted on top of his horse. “The last time you were outside camp, you were attacked, and we have yet to find the assassin.”

“Ever since I was born, death has been part of my fate.” Ojore had enemies everywhere, from the court of Dembe Kingdom to the battlefields. He created opponents whenever he won a war and expanded his empire’s territory.

“The arrow is sophisticated, and it tested positive for poison. You were meant to die from your wounds. It’s a miracle you are still alive today.” Akima frowned at his friend.

“Yes, a miracle,” Ojore mumbled as he rubbed the bracelet on his hand. He took the bangle with him everywhere he went.

“If everything goes according to the plan, we will know what King Gusiwaju and his son are planning for the war,” Ojore went on.

The Keseve Market is a strategic point for accessing the southern regions. Mukuru Kingdom will want to protect it, hence the convened meeting. We must listen in on what they are discussing.”

“Even if they band together, they cannot defeat our might,” Akima huffed. The Dembe army was used to wars and was rarely defeated. Well-supplied with weaponry and sound strategies, they could face any adversary.

“Information is power. We must attend the meeting.”

“Do we have to dress as traders to infiltrate the market?” Akima asked and straightened the blue turban on his head. Their disguise was a trade caravan loaded with salt and silk from the far northern regions. They were accompanied by several other soldiers disguised as fellow traders.

“Don’t forget, Akima, a chameleon needs to blend in with its environment.” Ojore urged Radi to advance and led the caravan into the Keseve Market.

“Ishouldn’t be here.” Sholei tried to snatch her arm from Tula’s grip. Tula pulled Sholei through the maze of people in the capital square.

It was evening, and the sun cast an azure glow on the horizon. The usually wide streets were filled to the brink as Mukuru residents scrambled to get a view of the visitors from the neighboring cities. For days, guests flocked in and were welcomed with songs, dances, and entertainment. The mood was electric, and business boomed. The scents of delicious foods wafted around and children ran around with face paints. Music played loudly, and dancers swayed in the frenzy of the beats.

“You don’t want to miss this, Sholei. Prince Gane designed a new spear, short and good for close combat. I heard the spears are also designed to piercethrough any armor. Can you imagine that?” Tula didn’t miss a chance to speak about anything war-related. She was obsessed with wanting to join the army, and apart from her brother’s Prince Gane was her ultimate hero.

Tula was a tall girl and took the lithe physique of her brothers. She had wild hair that refused to be tamed by a comb. She preferred braiding it but hated the hassle. She claimed that soldiers shouldn’t be bothered by such trifles. Tula wanted to be a soldier, and the number of times she had dragged Sholei to spy on the soldiers’ training ground was one too many. Tula’s older brothers, Kweku and Anasi, were already seasoned soldiers, and as she was their only sister, they spoiled her.

Sholei tried to match her best friend’s enthusiasm, but it proved difficult. She expected Musembi to jump out from the crowd and drag her back to the medicine yard.

Tula had hauled her from the yard where Musembi held her hostage after their argument days before. Sholei’s back hurt from bending over while she prepared the potions. The festivities meant more people visited the medicine yard.

“Musembi will have my neck if she finds I ran out.” Sholei gazed around. She expected to come across Musembi. From the moment Sholei stepped into the square, something nagged at her. She felt like someone was watching, and the feeling followed her for several days.

“Musembi left in search of herbs. She probably won’t make it back until later in the night. Stop worrying and enjoy the night.” Tula tried to calm her worries. Sholei nodded. Tula was right. She rarely enjoyed suchcelebrations. She needed to stop worrying and soak in the moments.

They stopped by a merchant selling delicacies and bought a few sweets dipped in honey.

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