Page 55 of Wrath of the Oracle

“That is if Gane survives the battlefield,” Sholei shook her head. “If I get to present myself to the king and plead my case, I might avoid persecution, which will only work if I don’t try to escape.”

“We can’t wait for Gane to return from the battle. We must act now. I’ll plead with my father to grant me an audience with the king. I’m sure I can convince him.” Tula whispered the last sentence to herself.

“You need to focus on your recovery,” Sholei insisted, concerned about Tula’s fragile health. “You haven’t healed from the interrogation at the camp.”

“Look who’s talking. You can’t even sit, and here you are, worried about a soldier like me.” Tula slapped her chest, and despite the pain that coursed through her side, Sholei laughed. Tula joined in. For a moment, their predicament was forgotten.

“Isn’t it strange how life takes us in circles?” Sholei asked after the laughter died down. “I’ve always wantedto be a reputable medicine woman, and just when I was about to earn that respect, I turned around and betrayed the person who could have made it possible.”

“You are talking about General Ojore, aren’t you?” Tula’s eyes narrowed. “You still haven’t told me how you got away.”

Throughout their journey back to Mukuru, Sholei lost count of the number of times she turned around and wondered if Ojore gave chase. If he caught up to her, what would he do? The poison must have faded from his body. Sholei made sure the dose was the correct amount to put him under for several days.

As she worked on an antidote for the malady that spread in the camp, the men had prepared to attack the Keseve Market again. In those grueling days, Ojore had held endless closed-door meetings with his generals. He would move south as soon as he was up. He could even be at the Keseve Market already or somewhere nearby.

“Sholei.” Tula walked to the door and peeked out. “How did you get away from General Ojore?”

“I went against my principles and committed the worst kind of offense a medicine woman can.” Sholei slumped against the wall.

“You poisoned him.” Tula’s voice turned into a whisper. She had spent enough time in the medicine yard to know that poison-making was a taboo for a physician. For Sholei even to consider that as an option in her escape plan meant she was at her wit’s end.

“It was the only way to incapacitate him so we could escape.” Sholei couldn’t erase the haunting image ofOjore’s fall and his piercing stare laden with betrayal. She blinked back the tears that clouded her eyes.

“I haven’t seen you cry for a long time. Is it because you used poison against your principles, or is it something else?” Tula pushed for more answers.

“What else could it be?” Sholei’s response lacked conviction. She behaved like a heartbroken woman who lost her love.Heartbreak? Love?

“You have feelings for him,” Tula whispered, and realization struck Sholei like lightning.

“Impossible,” Sholei whispered back as her voice trembled. She looked anywhere but at Tula’s face.

“He must have done something to you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be thinking about him like that.” Tula raised her voice.

“Ojore might look fierce, and I won’t deny he can be cruel, but he has been nothing but respectful toward me.” Her voice softened. To speak about him brought her strange comfort, as if she were with him again, even though she had left him incapacitated.

She had betrayed him in the worst way possible.

“Seeing as you are on a first-name basis with him, you two must have been close in the camp.” Tula’s anger flared. She stood up, and her hand reached for her sword. “How could you harbor feelings for a man who threatens our kingdom’s very existence? I almost died by his sword!”

“But you didn’t.” Sholei tried to rise and failed. She leaned against the cold wall and took deep breaths. “We managed to get away from him, didn’t we?”

“We can’t discuss your relationship with General Ojore now,” Tula declared, and paced before the wooddoor, her gaze vigilant. “I came to get you out of here, and I am sure more guards are on their way.”

Sholei sighed, thankful for the change of topic. She didn’t want to think about why speaking about her growing attraction to Ojore lifted some weight off her shoulders. The timing couldn’t be less than ideal. She needed to regain her composure to survive her current predicament.

“I don’t think breaking out of prison is my best option,” she explained when Tula grabbed her arm and pulled her to the door.

“We have to try.” Tula linked arms with Sholei, the sword in her other hand.

“Where will I go after escaping here? Certainly not to the medicine yard.” Sholei pushed Tula away. She didn’t want to drug Musembi. “Our best solution is for you to track down Prince Gane. When the king and the alliance offer me a chance to plead my case, the prince will vouch for my innocence.”

”It was Prince Gane who ordered me to rescue you. With him, no one will doubt your story,” Tula nodded. With the scar of Ojore’s sword on her body, Gane wouldn’t deny her, would he? Doubts clouded Sholei’s mind, and she shook them off.

“You must reach him. I’ll stay here and wait.” Sholei said.

“But these guards will continue to torment you. It’s been three days, and you’re injured,” Tula protested, her eyes roving over Sholei.

”I can endure it. Once my identity is confirmed, everything will be fine.” Sholei offered a brave smile to ease her friend’s concerns.

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