Page 20 of Wrath of the Oracle

“You have nowhere to go, Gane,” he warned as he approached Sholei and Gane, switching his blade from hand to hand. His long dark locks had come loose, and he had a gash on his forehead. His fists were clenched, and his jaw tightened.

“Stay behind me.” Time stopped as Gane’s gaze perused her from head to toe. Sholei felt her world was at peace, and for a second, she looked at him, ignoring the death and misery surrounding them. Gane was willing to protect her.

“He has more men hidden in Mawindoni caves,” she explained as she held onto Gane’s arm, helping him up.He pushed her behind him. Apart from Musembi and Tula, no one had come to her rescue or stood by her side. Her heart warmed at Gane’s gesture. If they survived the day, Sholei would swear her allegiance to him.

“I will distract him, and you’ll get a horse and ride to the capital. Inform the head of the city guards of all you witnessed today.” Gane spat blood, but his hard stance didn’t change. His eyes were trained on the man approaching.

Another Dembe soldier descended the escarpments on his horse, a bow and arrow strapped across his shoulders, and headed straight for her captor. He whispered something in his ear that forced her captor to look toward them, scowling.

“Your backup is here, Gane. They will carry your dead body back to Mukuru. It will serve as a warning to your King.”

Gane’s nostrils flared as he glared at her captor. “Sholei, leave once I give the order.” Then he released her arm. From his labored breathing, he wouldn’t last long in another bout of the fight. She turned to the entrance of the gorge and prayed for the Mukuru army to reach them before they both died.

“Be careful,” she whispered, watching him approach his opponent, who scowled at them with clenched jaws. His eyes blazed like hot coals just like they had the first time she saw him.

“You will draw your last breath today.” Gane raised his blade and pointed.

“Let’s get this over and done with.” And with that, their swords clashed again.

”Soon, your whole kingdom will bow to the might of the Dembe. Nothing will stop me from crushing you.” Sholei’s kidnapper swung his blade, aiming for Gane’s neck. Gane blocked the attack, but the effort forced him to his knees.

“Your… attacks will not come to pass.” Gane’s breath was coming out in huffs. Using his last strength, he held his blade above him, deflecting his opponent’s attack.

“The convention you held does not change anything. All those minor cities are nothing compared to what you will face if King Gusiwaju does not submit.” With renewed effort, Gane’s opponent knocked him down with the blade. The sharp edge slashed at Gane’s shoulder, missing his neck.

“Sholei, leave now!” Gane shouted before he fell with a deep groan, releasing his sword. Her captor raised his weapon for the final time, intending to end the fight. Sholei looked around and found a sword from a fallen soldier. She picked up the heavy weapon and approached the two men. She had to help Gane or he wouldn’t make it. A crazy thought crossed Sholei’s mind; he would be indebted to her if she risked her life to save him. If he owed her, he could secure her a position in the Academy of Imperial Physicians. Musembi always said you have to lose something to gain something.

With all her might, she charged toward her captor and threw herself before Gane. Her captor’s sword pierced her stomach right above her navel. Pain, white and blinding, sliced through her as Sholei gnashed her teeth.

“Sholei!” Gane shouted as he tried to stand before slumping back onto the ground. He spat out blood, andhis eyes turned blurry. He was heavily wounded, and blood gushed out of his shoulder.

“No!” Her captor released an animalistic growl, dropping his weapon and reaching for her body before she crashed to the ground. Her sword tumbled from her hands. His knees landed on the sandy ground, and he cradled her head with one arm. The other pressed against her wound. Sholei groaned at the pain slicing her body.

“Akima, get the horse!” He shouted instructions to the soldier behind him.

Through burning pain, Sholei looked on as her captor kneeled before her and scooped her into his arms like a husband would carry his new bride. The action brought pain to her wound and she cried again. Her clothes felt damp from blood.

“Why didn’t you stay in the cave as I instructed?” she heard him ask through her state of semi-consciousness. His voice was much gentler than before, or maybe it was the pain muddling her brain. The blind anger that clouded him when he fought Prince Gane had passed. She opened her eyes to find his eyes had gone back to warm brown. Gone was the anger, replaced with another emotion she couldn’t place.

“Will my death be enough to buy his life?” she managed to ask, her breathing heavy despite her body wanting to give up. The burning pain in her stomach intensified. It felt like tiny red ants had attacked her skin.

“Is it worthy to risk your life for him?” Her captor answered, his eyes never leaving her wound.

“If I don’t gamble my life, I can’t win,” Sholei answered as her eyes lost focus. “Before I die, can I knowyour name?” Sholei couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer, but she had to know.

“You can call me Ojore, and I won’t let you die,” her captor said. Sholei tried to follow the drawl of his voice, but her head grew heavier and heavier.

Ojore watched as rain sprayed on the ground before his tent, thinking about the upcoming war. A bright fire was burning in the room to keep the night’s chill away. It had been raining heavily the past few days, putting a dent in his plans.

“An envoy from the court has arrived, my lord,” Akima said from behind him. Ojore sighed and balled his hands into fists behind his back. He had no energy to deal with the troublesome old men in his father’s court.

“My father is getting impatient.” He didn’t turn around. The bright flames danced on the side of his face. “Send him in.”

“Greetings, my lord. I have a message from the king.” The messenger bowed before him, dressed in long, dark, and drenched robes. He appeared weary after the journeyfrom the Dembe capital to the southern army camp, where Ojore and his army were stationed.

“You are a long away from home.” Ojore turned and crossed his arms over his chest. He knew he had to be on his guard whenever he received a visitor from his father’s court. He had yet to find the assassin sent to kill him.

“The king wishes to know the progress of your assault and why you spared Prince Gane’s life. Your orders were to kill him to loosen the morale of his soldiers.” The envoy couldn’t keep the accusation out of his tone.

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