Page 35 of Wrath of the Oracle
“What is the cost of my freedom?” Sholei chose her words carefully. Nothing comes easily.
”After your studies, you must return and work in Dembe.” Ojore held her gaze.
“That’s it?” Sholei waited for another hidden clause to drop, but Ojore only raised an eyebrow at her.
”With your skills, it won’t be long before you join the Imperial Physicians in the palace. I would love to have you around the camp, but you are better suited for the capital,” Ojore said and picked up his cup.
“What will happen to Musembi, Tula, and Prince Gane?” Sholei asked under her breath as Ojore sipped his drink in an unhurried manner.
“It’ll be easy to bring them to your side. After all, Mukuru will be part of Dembe.” Ojore leaned forward, his brows drawn together. “But your dear Prince Ganewilldie.” his face twisted into a scowl.
”He’s not….” Sholei fired back, irritated at his insinuation of her relationship with Gane.
”The best you could do was become an accomplice to whatever schemes he was concocting in the Mukuru inner court. He would never allow you to join the Imperial Physicians.” Ojore placed the cup back on the table with a rattle.
Ojore was the second person to paint Prince Gane in a negative way. Was he as bad as they made him out to be?
Akima coughed. Ojore barely registered the action.
“Prince Gane was going to take me under his wing. With his support, I would have joined the Academy earlier this year. He was the only man…”
“The only man?” Ojore’s quiet voice betrayed the angry undertone that emitted from him. He curled his hands into fists on top of the table.
“He acknowledged my skills and offered me a chance in Mukuru City. I will no longer be a castaway but arespected member of society.” Sholei couldn’t believe she revealed her innermost desires, but she couldn’t bear Ojore talking down about the Mukuru prince.
Ojore’s jaws ticked and his eyes turned to burning coals, fierce and hard on her.
“I stood a chance of a better life if you hadn’t interfered. Even weeds have to cling to strong plants to survive.” Sholei craved acceptance in the Mukuru community, and not as an outcast who only suited them when they needed cheap medical help. After she’d been kidnapped and spent months in the military camp, wouldn’t her already poor reputation sink lower? Was there a chance for her back in Mukuru anymore?
“Aren’t I offering you the same, if not more? Cling to me, Sholei. Use me to climb up and reach the skies.” Ojore’s conviction forced her to look up at him. For some reason, her heart lurched at his words.
Silence fell as she held his gaze longer and tried to read the raw emotions on his face.
Akima’s subtle cough broke the spell, and Sholei was the first to look away. She picked up her milk and tried her best to ignore Ojore’s stare.
After breakfast, Sholei changed into comfy, loose riding clothes and joined Ojore in the stables. He saddled his horse with blankets and fastened the leather reins. He spoke in a low voice and patted its long nose.
Mueni told her she would be riding a horse, and Sholei felt apprehensive. Though she had spent much time in the camp and was fascinated by the beasts, she didn’t dare get close to them. She was used to a donkey, an obstinate one at that, but it wasn’t a horse.
“Come and pet it,” Ojore called when he saw her. He seemed to be in a better mood after their disastrous breakfast. After their argument, they finished their food in silence and she left, but not before Sholei promised to meet himin the stables.
“I don’t think that is a good idea.” She held back and stared at the black stallion that towered over her. It was the biggest horse she had ever laid her eyes on. The camp contained a well-equipped stable with capable stable hands.
“You are acquainted. Radi won’t bite.” Ojore chuckled and stretched his hand toward her. Sholei looked at his outstretched palm and his long, neat fingers, the leather straps secured on his wrists. Even in such a relaxed setting, Ojore was dressed for war. A long spear strapped on his back with the sharp end upward, and the sheath of a sword peeked from underneath his long, black robe. A dark turban enclosed his long locks.Where was he taking her?
“Radi? You named it after lightning?” With small steps, she approached man and beast.
“He was a gift from my grandfather after I passed my initiation ceremony years ago. We have been together ever since.” With gentle moves, he patted the long nose of the horse, as a distant look covered his eyes. “You can attest to his speed. Radi is the fastest horse in the whole kingdom, if not the continent.” The horse neighed as if it agreed with its master.
“Here.” Ojore took Sholei’s hand and placed it on the nose of the beast. “Watch.”
Sholei stared at the motion their hands created. Ojore’s large and calloused hand almost swallowed her slender ones. The dark fur on the horse was smooth, and the gentle motion of his movements fascinated her.
“Horses are sensitive animals. They can sense your approach towards them. You must be confident enough to be able to ride one. Trust them, and they will neverbetray you.” Ojore smiled, at her, and she was captivated by his good looks. Since when did she start to consider him handsome? Maybe there was something more in the alcohol she had drunk, something that muddled her brain. Nothing else could explain her errant thoughts.
“Being scared in the presence of such an animal is only self-preservation,” Sholei answered him.
With a sudden movement, he picked her up and placed her on the saddle. Sholei yelped when she felt the horse move beneath her legs. Ojore joined and sat behind her, the reins in his hands.
