Page 47 of Wrath of the Oracle

“It’s possible, General,” Litonde answered with a slight bow.

“Then make haste. One soldier’s death is one too many.” Ojore’s jaw ticked as he glanced around the room.

“General, we have arrested the two intruders within the camp.” A soldier rushed inside.

“Take them to the training pavilion. I will question them myself.” Ojore instructed, and Sholei wondered who’d be crazy enough to break into the guarded camp.

“They might have information about the poison. If we find the components, we can concoct an antidote.” Sholei suggested when Ojore turned to leave.

“I’ll send a message to the court. Our supplies have been compromised. We need fresh food and weaponry. Empty the stored water; we will fetch it directly from the source. Every soldier must be alerted, and send out spies to gather information on the alliance’s movements.”

“The alliance?”Could the alliance be behind this?Prince Gane?

“We can’t rule them out,” Ojore said as his gaze settled on her. “We are at war, and they will use any means possible to secure victory.”

“The most urgent thing we need to do is find the source of the infection,” Sholei reminded him.

“I believe you will cooperate with her,” Ojore turned to Litonde. “Her word equals my orders.” Sholei felt both empowered and speechless by the trust he placed in her.

“I will try my best.” She bowed as he left.

“We are awaiting your instructions, My Lady,” Litonde said, a half-smile lifted the tired lines on his face.

“We will begin with burning the dead bodies. The sick should be isolated.” Sholei peeled her eyes back fromOjore’s tall frame. She turned to Litonde, and a few designated soldiers waited for her guidance with expectant eyes.

Sholei was engrossed in her duties for the next few hours, and she didn’t notice the time pass.

“My Lady, you must go to the trial pavilion.” Mueni ran to her with wide eyes. Her temporary mask slid down her face.

“You should cover your face if you don’t want to be sick. Is the interrogation over?” Sholei helped her correct the cloth. “Do they know who poisoned the camp?”

”One of the spies caught keeps calling your name,” Mueni recounted between breaths.

Sholei’s mouth fell open as shock registered on her face. A spy from the alliance? Mukuru kingdom? Someone who kept calling her name? Someone crazy enough to break into Ojore’s camp?

Tula.

Sholei dropped her hands from Mueni’s face and sprinted out of the tent.

She reached the pavilion just in time to witness Ojore slash a man’s neck with his sword. Blood splashed on the wooden pavilion as the lifeless body collapsed at Ojore’s feet. Someone else knelt on the floor beside the fallen man, a soldier dressed in an ill-fitting Dembe soldier’s attire. Her clothing barely concealed her female physique.

Sholei could recognize her best friend no matter how she was dressed.

“Tula!” Sholei exclaimed, and everyone around the pavilion turned in her direction.

Her best friend was disheveled. Sholei’s heart broke as she ran up the wooden stairs to Tula. A soldier tried tohold her back, but she pushed him with such force he let her through. A subtle shake from Ojore stopped the guard from pursuing her.

“Tula!” Tears watered her eyes as she took in her friend’s state. Blood oozed from her mouth, and she sported an open wound on her head. Dried blood coated her thick, plaited hair. Her hands were tied behind her back, and part of her clothing was torn.

“Look at me.” Sholei tried to get her friend’s attention. She knelt on the wooden floor, and the blood of the dead spy seeped into her white coverall.

“What are you doing here?” The last time they saw each other was on the night she was kidnapped. Tula was unrecognizable; her cheeks hollow and her eyes dark. How long had she been away from home?

How long had she spied in the camp, in hiding?

Tula stared at Sholei, and her stern gaze softened. “I’m sorry, Sholei. I was supposed to come and rescue you, but unfortunately, I’ve fallen into the hands of the enemy.”

“You found me. I am right here!” Sholei exclaimed and threw her arms around her friend. Tula had lost a considerable amount of weight. Her body swayed and went limp in Sholei’s arms. Her breathing was shallow, and she mumbled incomprehensible words.

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