Page 81 of Wrath of the Oracle

Gane winced as he settled back in his seat. “We’ll leave only after we’ve buried our fallen comrades and seen to their funeral rites,” he replied, his voice firm. Some of the men Leikun rescued from Keseve didn’t survive their injuries.

“We will travel north. My associates out in the desert will offer shelter from Ojore’s reach.” Leikun took a drink from the leather flask on his waist. Far north, past the Dembe Mountains, were the desert tribes. They lived off the dry, unforgiving land. A perfect place to hide from the Dembe.

”You have otherassociatesapart from me?” Gane raised an eyebrow at Leikun. His eyes strayed to the curly, red wet hair pasted against Leikun’s forehead.

“I have made valuable contacts across the land. They can offer protection when Ojore decides to come after us,” Leikun said, wiping and pulling his hair back. Gane offered him a band, with which he secured his hair in a bun on his head.

Ojore would be on their trail once he learned that Gane was alive. It was but a matter of time. The remnants of the alliance bid their time in the steep gorge. They received news that Ojore declared the alliance rebels would be dealt with heavily.

”I’m not afraid of him.” Gane curled his hand into a fist on the table.

“Really? Do you know how I found you in Keseve? You were battered and bleeding everywhere. I thought you were dead.” Leikun ground his teeth. “Even with the alliance’s force behind you, it was impossible to take him down.”

“And yet I almost incapacitated his army.” Gane countered.

“You used Tula to infiltrate his camp. I didn’t know you would involve women in your fight.” Gane hated the accusation in Leikun’s tone. Leikun had developed asoft spot for the female spy. For some reason, the thought didn’t sit well with Gane.

”Tula volunteered to go, and I approved. She has proven herself to be a worthy soldier.” Gane shifted in his seat.

“How did she survive and get away? It must have been hard.” Leikun removed his wet cloak. Gane’s eyes followed the motion.

“Sholei poisoned Ojore to save her friend.” Gane averted his gaze from Leikun’s exposed chest and passed Leikun a bowl of water.

“The physician working under Musembi in the capital?” The bandit took the bowl and emptied the drink in one gulp. With his head tipped back, the gold earring shone from the oil lamp on the table.

“You know Sholei?” Gane raised his eyebrows.

“She’s skilled. I have sent people to get her tonics from time to time, though I heard she rarely socializes. How did you two meet?” Leikun leaned his arms on the table. The gold bracelet on his arm shone.

“She’s the physician who tended to my wounds after the stabbing incident. During that time, we got to know each other.” Gane chuckled at Leikun’s inquisitiveness. Sholei was nervous around him while she treated his wounds. Sholei figured out the source of his wound, Gane’s weapon, but she never questioned him. Her ability to grasp the situation and not divulge any information made him curious about her.

“You like her?” Leikun’s eyes narrowed, and Gane leaned closer to him.

“Are you jealous?” Gane asked and Leikun leaned back after a long pause.

“She sacrificed her life to save mine in the Vipingo Gorge, the first time I encountered Ojore. If not for her intervention, I would have died before the first battle of Keseve.” He recalled her bravery, how she threw herself before Ojore’s sword. Her sacrifice bought him enough time before his backup arrived.

“You like her because she risked her life for you?” Leikun arched his eyebrow at Gane and leaned on his seat.

“Before that, we were growing close.” Gane leaned his cheek against his hand.

“How close?” Leikun asked. He didn’t think Gane’s reason was enough to show that he was in love with the miraculous healer.

“You have never shown this much interest in my life.” Gane narrowed his gaze at Leikun.

“You are a prince. Your marriage can’t be to anybody. No matter how much you are attracted to them,” Leikun answered, as he averted his gaze and focused on the wall behind Gane. A few heavy seconds passed as Gane searched Leikun’s face, and he tried to figure out the reason behind his curiosity.

Leikun had never been interested in Gane’s private life. It wasn’t as if they ever talked about love and relationships before. Their interactions were cordial and business-like until the Keseve war. Gane gained his accomplishments, and Leikun got his cattle. When they were younger, before tragedy befell Leikun’s wealthy family, Gane was his best friend, but Gane was too young to act. For years Gane swore to gain power and restore Leikunto the capital, but his friend disappeared. It wasn’t until later that they met by coincidence. Leikun turned out to be the ferocious bandit Gane was assigned to bring down, and after several close calls, they decided to work together towards a common goal.

“Don’t be jealous,” Gane smirked, “there is nothing between Sholei and me. But I can’t say the same with Ojore. He keeps her close and is overly protective. I think he’s in love with her.”

“Is she that charming to have two princes pursuing her?” Leikun scoffed, and his eyes drifted back to Gane’s.

“She’s a beautiful woman. It’s only natural for her to attract attention, and her skills make her stand out among the rest.” She might have failed in killing Ojore and countered his plans to take down the Dembe army, but Gane wasn’t going to downplay her skills. No one knew of her location ever since Ojore took over. Information was difficult to come by.

Tula was worried sick about her friend. Losing her brothers and then her only friend had taken a toll on her. She kept to herself and didn’t venture far from her tent.

“With Ojore’s nature, do you think he would have let go of Sholei that easily?” Leikun challenged Gane.

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