Page 49 of Wrath of the Oracle

“Father,” Gane interjected, and halted the conversation. “Could we defer this discussion until after the war?”

Of course, he knew Mmbone. Gane couldn’t help but grumble inside. With her incessant presence, the girl shadowed him wherever he went. She possessed the privilege and upbringing befitting a future queen, but her attitude left much to be desired. Mmbone’s father wielded substantial power and boasted powerful connections across the four cities and beyond. A marriage union with her would cement his stability in court.

“Right now,” Gane said, “Dembe soldiers are sick and dying each day. Our intelligence suggests that they are burning corpses throughout the camp due to a mysterious malady that attacked them. If we strike now, we can reclaim our land and chase them back to the mountains, where they came from.”

The elders nodded and whispered to each other.

“That is a brilliant plan.” His father chuckled, proud of his son’s achievement. His round belly danced with the effort. “Appointing you as the head of the coalition was the right decision.”

“Thank you, My King.” Gane bowed, his voice tight with determination. “It’s too early to celebrate, but it won’t be long before we purge the Dembe from our lands.”

“Ojore,Sholei is outside in the cold. You should hear her out.” Akima watched Ojore to gauge his reaction. Since the incident at the pavilion five days ago, Ojore retreated deep into his thoughts.

“She’s wasting time pleading for me to spare the life of a spy,” Ojore replied, his voice bland. He ran his hands through his long hair and approached a map on the far wall.

“That spy happens to be her friend. Sholei couldn’t bear to witness her best friend’s execution. If you proceed with Tula’s death, it may cause irreparable damage to the delicate relationship between the two of you.” Akima recalled the significant changes in Ojore’s demeanor. The smiles and apparent happiness he displayed while with Sholei were now a distant memory. He cursed the cruel twist of fate that disrupted their budding relationship.

Ojore had an irate army that wanted the spy to pay for the deaths of their comrade with her life. If he did so, Sholei would lose someone close to her, and Akima doubted their relationship would survive such a blow. A messenger from the Keseve Market reported the alliance converged to take back the market and the Dembe army lost a considerable amount of men. Everything was a mess.

“I will incite mutiny if I spare the spy’s life.” Ojore’s hands were tied. He was to weigh numerous factors before he made a decision that might jeopardize his relationship with Sholei and affect the outcome of the war.

“The soldiers’ deaths have ceased, but we still have many in critical condition. Sholei’s treatment appears tobe working. You should take that into account,” Akima tried to help Ojore find a solution.

“The deaths have stopped, but we have lost too many.” The past days were hard for everyone in the camp. Hundreds of men had died of the poisoning. Sholei worked to the bone but didn’t give up until she had found a cure. She had hardly slept or ate.

“She’ll pass out from the cold if you don’t see her.” Akima raised a bushy eyebrow.

“You are persistent in advocating for her life, Akima,” Ojore sighed.

“I am only concerned about your well-being, my lord,” Akima confessed.

In the beginning, Akima harbored reservations about Sholei, but he came to learn she was genuine and compassionate and had a heart to aid others. Despite her challenging start at the war camp, she had settled in and developed amicable relationships with the soldiers. Her skills had earned her their respect, Akima included. He would be content if things could progress smoothly between her and Ojore.

“Besides, as the messenger reported, the situation in Keseve is dire. We must send reinforcements before the coalition succeeds in retaking the market.”

“Arrange for every man who can fight to join us. We must hurry to reach Keseve before the coalition drives us out,” Ojore turned from the map. “After tonight, bolster camp security. I won’t tolerate a breach in our safety again. About Sholei, follow my instructions to the letter.” Ojore beckoned him closer and whispered some instructions to him.

“I will see to it.” Akima bowed and left the room.

Outside, Akima encountered Sholei, bundled up in her coat, and rubbing her hands together to stave off the cold.

“May I see him now?” she attempted to bypass him.

”I don’t think that is a good idea.” Akima stretched his hands and blocked her path.

Sholei blinked up at him. “Why not? I’ve upheld my end of the bargain. I found the antidote and stopped deaths in the camp. He promised to release Tula.”

Akima started, but pressed his lips into a thin line.

“I promised you nothing.” Ojore’s quiet voice came from the door. Sholei and Akima turned to see him, his face shrouded in indifference.

“General.” Sholei rushed past Akima to stand before Ojore. “Tula cannot endure another day in that frigid place. Her health is deteriorating fast.” Sholei was barred from visiting her friend in prison without a guard present.

“There has never been a precedent of me sparing a spy before, and I will not start now,” Ojore declared.

“The punishment she received is more than enough. Another day inside that cell, she will cross to the land of the living dead.” Sholei sank to her knees, her voice trembling with urgency.

”She ventured into enemy territory, fully aware of the consequences should she be captured. By keeping her alive until now, I have shown a great degree of mercy.” Ojore crouched before her, his gaze unyielding. The bunched-up cloak on his shoulders made him appear bigger than normal.

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