Page 87 of Wrath of the Oracle

“You shouldn’t be practicing.” She tried to catch his eye, but Ojore looked anywhere but at her.

“I don’t remember summoning you,” he said as he unwrapped his bandaged fist. Everyone around stopped what they were doing and turned to them. Sholei wanted to hit the back of his head for his indifferent attitude.

“I am not one of your servants to be summoned,” she replied and clenched her fists. “Why are you avoiding me?” she whispered.

“Why would I do that?” he asked, and took a step toward her. Sholei stood her ground. His intimidation wouldn’t work. She would get him to listen.

“Stop being difficult,” she whispered through clenched teeth.

He held her gaze for a few seconds, his thoughts unreadable. Sholei suppressed the urge to dust off the sand on his face and stared back at him. The eyes that normally gazed lovingly at her were distant and indecipherable. What happened to him? Did the poison get to his head and make him forget everything about them? Sholei thought of the possibility wasn’t unheard of for people to forget fractions of their memories.

“How about a challenge?” he proposed and pulled her toward the artillery stand. “Choose a weapon that you can use.”

“Ojore...” she began to protest.

“If you manage to draw blood, I will get the treatment,” he whispered in her ear. His eyes twinkled in the midday sun. Sholei was stunned by their brilliance. “Since she decided to join us in the arena, why don’t we see her expertise?” Ojore shouted and took a step back. The crowd of men cheered out loud before Sholei could protest.

“Fine. Promise me you will not postpone it anymore.” She raised her gaze to his.

“You have my word.” He winked at her, his dimpled cheek spellbinding her further.

She chose a small dagger since the other weapons were too heavy to carry. Tula had taught her how to wield one because she was worried Sholei would spend time in the forest alone. Maybe the lesson would come in handy. In her room she kept a small dagger Tula handed her before she left in search of Prince Gane.

“You prefer close combat,” Ojore gave her a half smile.

“Prepare for defeat,” she admonished him, and he roared with laughter.

She removed her sandals, and Mueni picked them up with a worried look. Sholei smiled at her with assurance that Ojore wouldn’t hurt her. She tightened the leather belt on her waist and rolled up her sleeve. She was determined to take him down as payback for being ignored.

“Charge at me,” Ojore challenged, He bent his shoulders, and beckoned her with his hands.

“I will give you a chance to attack first,” Sholei said, and the crowd cheered, glad of the free entertainment. Ojore nodded his approval and ran at her.

Remember, we can’t fight against huge people, so we could try to topple them over and run as quickly as possible. Pray they don’t catch you.

She remembered Tula’s words seconds before Ojore reached her. In a split second, she crouched and aimed for Ojore’s calves. She grabbed them and pushed him down with her entire strength. The crowd roared when Ojore crashed onto the sand. Sholei tried to get a cut, but he recovered fast and jumped straight up.

“That was impressive.” He wiped the sand off his hands and looked proudly at her. “I shouldn’t have gone easy on you.”

“Do you always talk so much in a fight?” She crouched again with the knife in front of her, ready to strike.

When Ojore approached her this time, she missed him by inches and escaped underneath his arms. He pulled her back and grabbed the wrist which held the knife. She yelped when he applied pressure on her wrist, and the knife dropped on the sand. Sholei squirmed under his hold. He pulled her back to his front and secured her in place. Her mind flashed to the first time they met and how he had trapped her.

“Never turn your back on the enemy in a fight,” he whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickled her senses.

“Did you assume a dagger is the only weapon I wield?” With that, she scratched her nails on his naked thighs and drew blood. Ojore grunted and released her. She raised her hand, and the crowd cheered. Sholei smiled at her accomplishment. Tula’s lessons paid off. Ojore commanded everyone to leave.

“Can we now proceed with your medication?” Sholei returned the knife to the stand.

“The champion gets to keep the weapon.” Ojore picked it up and placed it in her hand. His touch lingered, and Sholei pulled her hand back from his warmth.

“I don’t need it.” She pushed it back to him.

“You might one day; we are living in a turbulent world.” He held it before her until she took it. “You don’t know what enemy you’ll face tomorrow.”

“With you around, who would dare attack me?” she asked and met his gaze. Ojore’s eyes softened.

“I wonder where you learned to tackle someone like that?” He leaned forward and brushed sand off her arms.

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