Page 29 of Wrath of the Oracle

“Is everything okay?” Ojore cocked his head to one side.

“Your plan seems to be working. Sholei thrives in the medicine camp, under Litonde’s guidance,” Akima said. Ojore smiled for the first time in their gloomy days. “There were some minor skirmishes…”

“Is she hurt?” Ojore’s smile disappeared, and his stance hardened.

“Some of the men weren’t comfortable with her treatment, but she managed the situation,” Akima recapped. He raised a thick eyebrow at Ojore.

“She has a knack for dealing with stubborn patients. I should know,” Ojore chuckled. “Sholei has a gift for medicine. If she establishes herself in the camp, it will be easier to incorporate her into the Dembe Kingdom. Maybe even get her to work with Imperial Physicians.”

“You don’t plan to use her as a pawn in this war?” Akima asked.

“She was never a pawn.” Ojore returned to his map.

“You had her working with the Imperial Physician to pave her way in the capital?” Akima didn’t give up questioning Ojore’s motives. When his friend didn’t answer, he narrowed his eyes at him and went on, “I think you have feelings for her.”

“She was being wasted back in Mukuru. I am giving her a chance to practice her skills without much interference.” Ojore held Akima’s narrowed gaze.

“That is what you think you are doing, but to Sholei, she’s your hostage. You are at war with her people. It would be a surprise if she didn’t turn against you.”

Ojore shook his head and tried to convince himself Sholei wouldn’t betray him. If she could get herself stabbed to gain the favor of Prince Gane, who could say she wouldn’t turn against him for the same reason? He leaned on his seat, angry at the thought.

“Are you willing to take that chance?” Akima asked, his voice low.

”You are quite bold today, Akima.”

“I am worried about you. This decision seems a little bit...” Akima bowed slightly. Ojore hated how his friend backed down when he used his noble voice, but it was the only way for the questions to stop.

“Reckless.” Ojore finished the statement and rubbed his temples in frustration. Sholei running around the medicine camp was a risk, but so far, she hadn’t tried anything to raise his suspicions. The men he sent to spy on her hadn’t reported anything out of the ordinary, and Litonde had nothing but praise for his protégé.

“I didn’t mean to sound rude,” Akima said, head bent. Ojore stood before his friend and helped him stand straight.

“I know the risk I am taking by keeping her around. But if we manage to integrate her into our capital, she will be a great asset,” Ojore said. Akima nodded and didn’t pursue the matter further. He produced an arrowhead from his waist pouch.

“Do you remember this from your assassination attempt? Our men have traced it back to one of the blacksmiths in the capital. He was highly secretive and refused to reveal his customers. He was willing to die rather thansay anything.” Akima handed the small metal object to Ojore.

“An enemy from within? Someone from Dembe hired an assassin to come after me?” Ojore twisted the arrowhead between his long fingers. “I have to watch my back not only in the war but at home, too.”

”I will do everything in my power to figure out who did this,” Akima said through clenched teeth.

“I thought if I avoided taking part in court politics, my fate could be changed, but it turns out once one is born of royalty, he is born with a target on his back,” Ojore said.

“Do you suspect someone?” Akima was hesitant. “The queen?”

”Walls have ears. Watch your words.” Ojore turned toward his confidant.

“It’s infuriating to what extent she would go to try to kill you.” Akima lowered his voice. “No matter how far you are, she hunts you down. I think it’s time to inform your father of what is happening.”

“You think King Kaza has no idea what is happening in his court? In his harem?” Ojore dropped the arrowhead on the table. He picked up a bowl of water and emptied it in one gulp. “The queen holds too much power in the court because of her clan and half the officials are on her side. Father needs their approval to control the kingdom. He will overlook the atrocities she commits.”

“You don’t covet power and have brought immense honor and prestige to Dembe. That should earn you respect, not a poisoned arrow in your back.”

“Either way, run through our men again and fish out the assassin before his second attempt.” Ojore stood up. “At dawn, we must break through the alliance’s defense and capture Keseve.”

Akima bowed and left the tent.

“Generals,we must hold our fort to win this war. We can’t afford to lose our resolve now.” Gane hunched over the map of Keseve with several generals from the alliance.

“We will win this war, Prince Gane. The Dembe have met their match. They can’t break through our defense,” said the General of Etago, a short, stout man who loved to talk big.

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