Page 54 of Wrath of the Oracle

“We’re set.” Akima gave a grim nod.

“When we ride out, the poisoned men should be prepared to return to the capital for further treatment. The remaining ones should break camp and follow us to the Keseve Market as backup if anything goes wrong.” Their camp was exposed, and they paid a deadly price for that. It was time to move.

”Summon the generals. I want this war to end once and for all.”

After a grueling couple of days’ journey, Sholei and Tula reached the outskirts of Mukuru Kingdom. They avoided the route to the Keseve Market and the Dembe Army. Exhaustion took a toll on them, and Tula could barely sit upright anymore. Her health had deteriorated during their escape. She struggled to maintain her seat and nearly slipped from the saddle. Sholei tied a rope around Tula’s slender waist to secure her in place.

“Hold on, we are about to reach home,” Sholei reassured her friend. They hadn’t spoken much after Tula accused her of betraying Mukuru. Sholei told herself she didn’t want to argue with Tula, but her friend’s words cut deep. In a time of war, she chose the enemy’s side toreap benefits for her selfish needs. Didn’t that make her a traitor?

Radi neighed and raised its head. Sholei shielded her eyes from the evening light setting in on the horizon. She saw the caves where Ojore held her sometime back. Sholei couldn’t push Radi, their faithful steed, any further. It was time to release and let it return to Ojore’s side.

She chose a secluded spot and helped Tula off the horse. Their limited food supplies were exhausted. Besides the clothes on their backs, they didn’t carry a lot to cover more ground.

With a gentle touch to Radi’s nose, Sholei whispered, “You can go now.” The horse neighed in response, its warm breath fanning her face. Radi turned and galloped away and disappeared into the dense foliage. Sholei watched him depart, her heart heavy, and she prayed for his safe reunion with Ojore.

Sholei turned her attention back to Tula, who slipped in and out of consciousness. She failed to notice the men who approached her from all sides. They were dressed in bright armor, the same as the soldiers in the alliance, with weapons in hand.

A cold blade pressed against her neck, and before Sholei could react, she found herself in a chokehold as she struggled for breath. Her fingers dug deep into a meaty arm, but her assailant didn’t let go.

“State your name and your purpose here,” a voice demanded. His warm breath was unpleasant and caused her stomach to turn.

“I’m not your…enemy,” Sholei gasped. She couldn’t see the one holding her. Her eyes darted to where Tula lay. She hoped her friend wouldn’t be hurt.

“She’s dressed in Dembe’s clothes. She must be a spy,” another voice chimed in. Sholei shook her head, but the arm around her tightened, making it hard to breathe or speak. Someone else began to pat her down with rough hands and caused her to vomit as his rough fingers violated her body.

”She must be sneaking in. We must inform the capital guards,” another voice declared.

”Let…me…explain,” Sholei whispered, her voice barely audible.

The hands searching her found Ojore’s golden crest, and the men screamed in her face.

“She’s holding the crest of the General of Dembe. A spy.” Sholei fought hard, but she couldn’t match the man’s superior strength.

“Drop your weapons now before I shoot,” Tula’s voice interrupted, surprising everyone. Amid the chaos, Tula rose from her slumber, an arrow aimed at the man who choked Sholei. Sholei struggled to break free, but her strength waned, and someone hit her head from the back.

“Sholei,” Tula shouted as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Sholei tried to sit up,and with great effort, she propped herself up against the wood wall. She was in a prison cell. The floor, strewn with dry straw, offered ameager semblance of comfort to those unfortunate enough to be held within the small enclosure.

“You have to let me see her,” Tula’s voice called from outside. Sholei paused and strained to hear her friend.

“No one is permitted to visit the spy. Leave,” a brusque voice answered, the accent similar to Mukuru residents. She was back in the city. The very place she had struggled so hard to return to now held her in a cell. She had exchanged one prison for another.

“Move before I am forced to make my way in,” Tula shouted before the sound of blades echoed in the air. Tula was injured during her captivity in Dembe’s camp and was in no condition to engage in combat.

“Tula!” Sholei called out. Her voice echoed in the cell.

The next moment, she heard the guard grunt, and the wood door was kicked open. Tula stormed in, wielding a sword, her face a mixture of anger and apprehension. She changed her clothes and washed her face, her unruly hair braided into two thick plaits. It gave her a lethal look, and Sholei hated to see her carefree friend change into a soldier right before her eyes.

She rushed to Sholei’s side. “You should be hailed as a hero for surviving captivity in Dembe’s camp, not treated as a traitor,” Tula complained. “Once my identity was confirmed, I was allowed to pass, but you’re being held for questioning.”

Sholei wanted to laugh at the irony of the situation. She had comforted Tula days ago, and now the roles were reversed. She was imprisoned, and Tula broke down the cell door to rescue her.

“Didn’t you call out my betrayal a few days ago?” Sholei asked. “How come you have changed the tune when the rest of Mukuru capital labels me a traitor?”

Tula averted her eyes, and it confirmed Sholei’s suspicions. It would be naive for Sholei to expect a warm welcome back home. She hadn’t thought about the reception she’d receive. At that time, her focus had been to rescue Tula.

“The patrol guards are unaware of the circumstances,” Tula explained. “I’m sure if we meet with Prince Gane, he could explain everything to the court and the alliance leaders. He was the one who sent me to bring you back.”

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