Page 57 of Wrath of the Oracle

“There is movement on the plains, but it’s hard to discern in the darkness.”

“Prepare the archers and shoot at anything that moves. Have any of our informers returned with information from inside the market?” Gane asked, casting a sidelong glance at Tula.

“None have made it back,” General Kangemi answered. His face contorted into a deep frown. “Neither are the men we sent to watch the Dembe military camp. We can only assume the worst.”

”Did Sholei tell you how long the poison in Ojore’s body would last?” Gane turned to Tula.

“A couple of days,” Tula nodded. “It gave us a head start.”

“Did you witness the poisoning firsthand?” Gane continued his interrogation. “Could Sholei have lied to you?”

“Sholei would never,” Tula answered, but a shadow crossed her eyes. Gane gritted his teeth. Sholei wasn’t to be trusted when it came to Ojore, and Tula couldn’t be trusted when it came to Sholei.

“What about his soldiers? Did the poison work as you claimed?” If Ojore’s army were halved in theirmassive numbers, the alliance stood a chance even if Ojore attacked.

“The number of fatalities among their ranks kept rising while I was there. They burned bodies daily,” Tula replied. She omitted the fact Sholei healed the injured soldiers. Gane’s eyes narrowed at her obvious omission.

“Is this an informer?” General Kangemi glanced at Tula. He observed the entire exchange between Tula and Gane in silence. Gane almost forgot he was still in the room.

“I sent him earlier into the camp to rescue the physician who was abducted from the capital,” Gane replied, careful not to reveal Tula’s real identity.

“The same woman who jumped before the sword to save you from Ojore?” General Kangemi asked. Gane swore under his breath; he resented being reminded of his shortcomings. That single moment put a dent in his well-cultured reputation.

“She has made it back to the capital.” Gane waved his hand dismissively.

“If she was rescued from the camp, we must question her. We could be harboring a spy for all we know. She spent a lot of time with the Dembe and could be indoctrinated in their ways,” the general countered.

“Sholei is not a criminal. She risked everything to help me escape from the Dembe military camp.” Tula glared at the older general.

“That is not for you to decide. We have a panel she must face.” The general sneered.

“Enough.” Gane silenced them. “General, let me handle the matter of my spies. You need to investigate what is happening outside.”

“But…” General Kangemi began to protest, his mouth agape.

“We don’t have time to bicker.” Gane ground his teeth, and General Kangemi gave a curt nod and left. His loud voice shouted orders outside the tent.

“Once we win this war, I will present you before the king for your reward. You have proven your loyalty and bravery to your kingdom. Return home and wait for my victory.” Gane turned back to his maps. With some guidance and training, Tula could make a fine soldier.

“What about Sholei?” Tula asked. “She can’t stay in the cell.”

“I will send word to the court. She will be released immediately,” Gane assured her. Tula prepared to leave when a soldier busted in.

“Prince Gane, it appears to be a stampede.” The soldier breathed hard, sweat glistened on his brows. “And it is heading directly for us.”

“Have you ever seen a stampede at this time of the night?” Gane banged his clenched fists on the table. “Have the archers shoot arrows with fire just like we practiced. Ojore is here.”

Tula was givena horse and ordered to ride back to the capital. She didn’t have time to search for Kweku and Anasi, her brothers, in the camp. She maneuvered the horse into a sprint as the loud stampede tore throughthe makeshift alliance camp outside the market gates. She stared as wildebeests, zebras, and buffaloes tore through the tents amidst the rain of fiery arrows shot by the alliance soldiers.

Toppled lanterns fell and fire spread across the camp, eating away at the dry grass and makeshift tents. Smoke billowed in the air, and the once quiet night was shattered by the bays of wild animals and the agonized screams of injured soldiers.

Tula stopped on top of a small hill. Behind the stampede, dark horses ridden by men dressed in black clothing with painted faces descended on the camp.

The Dembe army.

Tula shuddered, struck by the brutality of their assault. The clash of weapons and the spray of human blood could be seen from where she was. She watched in morbid fascination as they butchered the alliance soldiers. Despite the alliance’s valiant attempts to form defensive formations, they struggled to stem the tide. Their enemies controlled the beasts that blindly crashed through shields and trampled her comrades.

The Dembe army showed no mercy and fought as if this were their final battle. Their war cries resounded in the night. Dembe soldiers from inside the Keseve Market charged out of the gates and joined their comrades. The alliance was surrounded by both sides.

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