Page 71 of Wrath of the Oracle

“Leikun, the rustler, is protecting him. Our spies have managed to find their location and confirm Prince Gane is alive. They are awaiting your orders to attack.”

“Leikun is a unique individual. I never thought he would be a threat, but after coming to Gane’s rescue, I don’t know.” Ojore learned Gane made a deal with Leikun to minimize the cattle raids on Mukuru capital and, atthe same time, help Gane improve his credibility with his father, King Gusiwaju. If Gane managed to stop the cattle raider, a menace in the eyes of the people, Gane would gain the court’s favor. It was an endeavor that would pave the way for his ascension to the throne.A cunning and calculating man,Ojore thought.

Leikun would raid, and Gane was to chase him and ‘retrieve’ the cattle. Ojore figured Prince Gane paid the rustler a tidy sum of gold in the deal, a well-kept secret that went on for some time.

Ojore recalled how surprised Gane was when he revealed his secret.

“Gane is quite cunning. He’s lucky Leikun came for him. We have lost so many men and are yet to conduct the burial rites. It’s not wise to attack the bandits right now. Continue gathering information and tell our men to watch the women from Gusiwaju’s harem closely.”

”We can strike him now rather than wait for him to recover. All the males in his family have been annihilated. Hewillcome for revenge.” Akima reasoned.

Akima was right. It would be better to kill Gane before he became a nuisance once he recovered. But Ojore grew hesitant to attack him blindly. They needed more information before he attacked Leikun’s camp. His men needed time to recuperate, too. They might have won the battle of Keseve, but they dwindled in numbers. With the traps in the gorge, it would be premature to attack without a well-thought-out plan. During the transition period of Mukuru to Dembe’s tribute state, he needed the remaining soldiers close in case of an uprising in the capital.

“Have men investigate the gorge more, and assign more guards to the gates and anywhere else they might attack from.”

“The longer he lives, the bigger a threat he becomes.” Akima insisted.

”I am solely responsible for destroying his family. I don’t blame him for hating me.” Ojore sighed with a faraway look—another enemy he had to watch out for. The list grew longer each day.

”Something else,” Akima started.

“What is it?”

“Tula is alive and with the rustlers.”

Ojore turned toward him. “She’s alive, too?” Ojore was surprised at the tenacity of Sholei’s friend. “She joined the alliance once she made it back?” After she spent weeks spying on him and his army, the girl was bare bones. When Sholei made the daring escape to save her, Ojore wasn’t sure she could survive the journey back to the Mukuru capital. But she survived and joined the fight right after.

“She’s joined the alliance, and that makes her the enemy. I would spare her life if she were by Sholei’s side, but she chose to fight beside Gane.”

“I don’t think she joined the army upon coming back. For some reason, she rushed out to the Keseve Market. We’re still interrogating the prison guards,” Akima said. Tula must have been caught in the crossfire when they attacked that night.

“She’s a true friend and a capable soldier.” Ojore hadn’t forgotten Tula managed to infiltrate his camp and poison his men. Under different circumstances, he wouldhave recruited her to his side, but soldiers like Tula were loyal to their people—in this instance, Prince Gane.

“Should we tell Sholei about her friend?” Sholei would be pleased and relieved to learn that Tula was alive.

A few moments passed, and Ojore didn’t say anything. The furrows on his forehead deepened.

“Tula has nothing to do with Sholei now,” he replied. “She’s the enemy.”

Musembi woke up with a headache.It had been a long time since she drank alcohol, and she hadn’t experienced a hangover ever since Sholei was kidnapped. The memories of their ambush on the shores of Alokove Lake flooded back. An attack by Dembe soldiers. Musembi sprang up from the bed, despite the pain, but stopped short and considered her surroundings.

From the murals and bass reliefs on the clay walls to the heavy fabrics that covered the bed, Musembi never experienced such luxury. She was back in the capital of Mukuru, possibly inside the palace. No one else was in sight, as she strained her ears to listen for any sound.

The door opened, and Sholei entered. Musembi took a second look to ensure her eyes didn’t betray her. Sholei came in dressed in the most exquisite clothes, colorful silky robes, and decorated gold jewelry. She was dressed similar to the noble women who pranced around the capital.

“You are awake,” Sholei said upon seeing her. Another demure girl followed behind her, dressed like the Dembe women Musembi met in the Keseve Market.

”We are back at the palace. This is Mueni, and she was a great help when I was in…um…captivity.” Sholei cleared her throat and introduced her servant.

”Nice to meet you,gogo.” Mueni lowered her head and referred to her as an elderly female, a typical Dembe custom. Her accent was similar to that of the people from the north.

“What is the meaning of this?” Musembi ignored the girl’s greeting and glared at Sholei. How could she walk around with the people from Dembe after Musembi revealed her delicate fate? If they were in Mukuru palace, Ojore wouldn’t be far off. Sholei walked back into the lion’s den. The girl courted death.

“Mueni, go and watch over the medicine. I will join you later.” Sholei waited until the heavy wooden door closed before she turned to Musembi. “You didn’t have to be rude to her.”

“You have a servant following you?” Musembi walked to Sholei’s side.

”Prince Ojore assigned her to me when I was in the camp. I view her as a friend and not a servant.” Sholei said. “I haven’t forgotten anything you told me. How was I supposed to get away with you unconscious?”

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