Page 18 of Wrath of the Oracle

“How about we go back to the capital and regroup? From the horseshoes, we have confirmed that the Dembe soldiers have infiltrated our territories.”

“We’ll waste precious time.” Gane didn’t have the time or patience. He had to search for Sholei. She mightlead him to the Dembe soldier. If he managed to prevent the oncoming war and secure the Keseve Market, his ascension to the throne would be unstoppable. His father wouldn’t be hesitant to name him crown prince. His brothers wouldn’t challenge his ascension.

“We could be walking into a trap for all we know. The Dembe soldiers use a lot of tactics to conquer their enemies. We need to be careful about this.” The tracker furrowed his brows.

“I doubt they brought many soldiers with them, or our scouts would have noticed. The physician is the one who saw them and can give us more information. We must search for her. Someone will return to the palace and request for reinforcements to counter any resistance, but the search will continue.” Gane’s tone left no room for discussion as he issued orders.

“But my Prince, how do we know she is not working with them?” another older tracker asked, not daring to look Gane in the eyes. “From the information we received from her friend, she had met the soldier once; that was how she identified him. She even had his crest.”

Gane cut him off. “If she did that, she wouldn’t have sent Tula to find me and warn us in time.”

“But…”

“We are wasting precious daylight arguing. We must find the girl.” Prince Gane pulled his horse’s reins towards the deep valleys.

Sholei peered outside the cave and counted the men outside the entrance. A total of five. They were dressed as porters and traders from the far north. She was sure their blue robes hid deadly weapons. Mawindoni caves were at the border of Mukuru Kingdom. It would take days to reach the fringes of the capital on foot, but on horses, the journey shortened. According to her kidnapper, she was unconscious for a day and a night. She spent the night and planned her way out of the caves. It was already daytime. She couldn’t waste more time.

Their horses were tied under a single tree and saddled. She couldn’t spot Akima or her kidnapper. If their counterparts were there, her kidnapper couldn’t be far away. The nearest location to Mawindonicaves was Vipingo gorge, and Sholei knew the direction to take once she got away.

“Do you need anything?” One soldier approached her, his face hidden behind a dark turban. The other four Dembe soldiers spoke in low tones and cast her speculative glances. They stood around a fire pit to ward off the early morning chill.

“I need to relieve myself,” she said. If she could leave the guarded cave, she would figure out a way to run away. The soldier looked at her, unsure how to proceed. He narrowed his eyes at her as he tried to gauge her plan.

“Your leader ordered you to take care of all my needs. I demand to use the bathroom,” she added when he hesitated.

“This way.” He scratched the back of his head. If Sholei wasn’t in such a predicament, she would laugh at his confused expression. He led her a short distance from the cave and pointed to a small thicket. “Do your business… there. Don’t try and run.”

“Where is your leader?” Sholei asked. She tried to get information from him, but the only response she got was a cold glare.

If her kidnapper and Akima left long ago, would she be too late to inform the Mukuru guards? The thought put new fear in her. Her captor left the previous night. Since he was not back in the caves and his soldiers were still around, she had to figure out how to escape fast.

“Get moving,” the soldier commanded when she didn’t move.

“How can I do mybusinessif you stand in the way? I need privacy.” She needed him to leave.

”Are you planning to run away?” he said, his eyes narrowed into slits.

“Then stand and watch,” she bluffed and approached the bush. The soldier turned and walked a short distance away. As soon as he was out of sight, Sholei planned to sprint away, but something caught her eye, and she smiled to herself.

She found a perfect way to escape.

Ganeand his trackers reached the Bondeni Valley and began their search. The gorges were deep and steep. If Dembe soldiers hid in the natural crevices, it would be difficult to lure them out. Gane tried to think of a strategy to bring them out. He gave silent instructions to his men and they moved forward as a single unit.

The sun burned high in the sky. It was midday. Gane was tired of the search but hungry and angry, he pushed on. If Sholei was right, the reward would make up for his struggle.

“Looking for someone?” A loud echo resonated through the gorges.

Gane raised his eyes to a man dressed in a blue tunic, northern merchant clothes. The man sat on a horse atop one of the slopes. He was too far away from Gane to make out the features of his face. At the man’s side was a long sword that Gane identified as one of the weapons wielded by the Dembe soldiers. Its long black blade gleamed in the sun. He shielded his eyes against its bright reflection.

Sholei was right; Dembe soldiers infiltrated Mukuru Kingdom. Gane narrowed his gaze. If he played his cardsright, this was a chance to establish his path to the crown. Even though Gane was the presumed heir to the crown, until he sat on the throne, he had to worry about his father’s other sons.

“State your name and business, stranger,” Gane shouted back and shielded his eyes against the sun’s glare. He didn’t like how the man stared down at him.

The stranger and his horse climbed down the ridge. His eyes never once strayed from Gane.

Once they were on the same ground but a considerable distance apart, Gane repeated his question, his hand on the sword at his side. The horse under him neighed and pranced around.

“I heard you the first time,” the stranger answered, his tone arrogant and dismissive. “Prince Gane, I have a message for King Gusiwaju.” The Dembe soldier appeared to be calm, but his stance was alert, a wild cat ready to pounce.

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