Page 15

S holei woke when the sun’s rays touched her face. She raised her hands to block the upsetting light, and the sharp pain behind her eyes made her flinch. Pain exploded behind her head as she made the mistake of sitting up. The world swirled, and she collapsed back into the bed, her eyes shut tight.

She would never drink again. Why would Musembi torture herself every night?

“You are awake.” Mueni came in, her voice too loud. “I brought you some hangover soup.”

The scent hit her, and the contents of Sholei’s stomach pushed through her throat. In record time, she emptied her stomach on a patch of grass behind her tent.

“You shouldn’t have drunk so much alcohol.” Mueni gently patted her back and offered her fresh water. Sholei took the flask and cleaned her mouth.

“You should have stopped me.” Sholei shivered as her skin prickled from the early morning chill.

“I tried, but you barely stopped. If the general didn’t appear at the right time, you might have finished the whole flask of wine.”

“Ojore is back?” Sholei rose and faced Mueni. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She tried to think about the previous night, and she remembered dreaming of Ojore appearing in her dreams. She tried to recall what she said to him but couldn’t.

“You are a very stubborn drunk.” Mueni couldn’t hide her laughter at the horror on Sholei’s face.

Sholei cringed at the thought. She couldn’t believe she had behaved like Musembi. “You fought him for the alcohol when he tried to snatch it away.”

“I fought him?” Sholei asked, her voice small. She wished she could recall all that happened, but a part of her thought it was best that she forgot.

“It was hilarious,” Mueni doubled in laughter.

“Keep alcohol away from me from now on.” Sholei frowned. “Is everything okay at the medical camp?” Sholei tried to change the topic as she settled back in her room.

“Nothing much happened during the night apart from two soldiers reporting stomach aches. Litonde attended to them.”

“Let’s check on them.” Sholei turned to change her clothes, but Mueni stopped her .

“The general instructed you to have breakfast with him today. I am here to collect you,” she said, a mischievous glint dancing in her bright eyes.

”Can I skip it?” Sholei asked with a hopeful smile. Breakfast with Ojore? No way . She would wait at the medicine tent for Litonde to bring her answers. If she never saw Ojore’s face again, she would be okay.

“You can’t. I have already selected clothes for you.” Mueni pointed to the clothes on the wall, embroidered brocade made of silver and gold threads. “The general bought these. You should try them.” She dragged the surprised Sholei forward.

Sholei looked at the new shiny clothes, her fingers tracing the fine craftsmanship. “I will put on what I usually have.”

“You shouldn’t forget that you will dine with the Prince of Dembe. He is royalty. I think you should dress the part. Here, let me help you.”

Sholei swallowed her complaints as she performed her morning toilet. Mueni helped her dress in the heavy material. The cloth covered her chest but exposed her delicate collarbones and had long loose sleeves. It flowed to her feet. The gold and silver threads glittered in the morning light. The material was luxurious, and though heavy, it felt light against her skin. A heavy set of golden waist beads were fastened on her waist. As usual, her attire wouldn’t be complete without a matching white fluffy cap. Whenever she received a new set of clothes, a matching cap was always amongst them. Mueni respected her distance and excused herself whenever Sholei wanted to change her scarf .

“These clothes are only worn by the wealthy and affluent in Dembe. As a gift, the general is trying to send a message,” Mueni said when she returned with a white coat.

“What message would that be?” Sholei met Mueni’s eyes while she adorned her silver earrings.

“His feelings,” Mueni answered, and Sholei scoffed under her breath. Ojore and romantic liaisons didn’t belong in the same sentence.

Her scrubbed and oiled feet were fitted in new leather sandals decorated with long, soft white furs that protected her legs from the chill. The sandals covered her from her feet to her knees.

“You look wonderful. The prince will not be able to tear his eyes away.” Mueni stared at Sholei with stars in her eyes. Sholei wished for the opposite; she hoped he would stay as far away from her as possible. Sholei prayed she would be able to swallow her food and not throw up on his face. Her stomach felt queasy from nerves and the effects of consuming alcohol the previous night.

“You are ready.” Mueni placed the heavy white cloak on her shoulder.

Maybe the idea of dining with him wasn’t bad. She might get a direct answer about her release. Sholei tried to have a positive outlook.

With tentative steps, Sholei made her way into the general’s quarters. While he was away, she did her best to avoid his chambers. As she stood before the wooden door, Sholei grew apprehensive. The scents of fresh delicacies wafted in the morning air, causing her stomach to turn .

“Maybe we should forget about this.” Sholei turned to Mueni.

“He won’t bite,” Mueni said, her eyes twinkled with mirth as she came to a halt. “I won’t be joining you.”

“You don’t expect me to go in there alone.” Sholei’s eyes widened.

“Don’t keep him waiting.” Mueni gave her a dismissive wave. She couldn’t hide her amusement.

Sholei straightened her back and entered the warm room. A fire burned bright in the middle of a pit surrounded by huge stones. Morning light from the expansive windows filtered in and blended with the blaze’s yellow glow, it cast the room in dazzling radiance.

Ojore stood in the middle of the room and faced away from her. He was dressed in heavy black robes, wrapped under his sinewy arms and secured on top of his left shoulder with a silver lion head crest. Thick golden bracelets hugged his lean biceps. The heavy fabric stretched to his ankles, and golden sandals peeked out from underneath his clothes. He had changed out of his military boots. She wondered why he dressed officially, not that she was complaining. He appeared with his long locks braided in plaits and styled into a high bun on top of his head. Behind him stood Akima, the ever-silent dark sentinel acknowledged her presence with a slight bow.

Ojore turned, and they stared at each other for several seconds. A slow smile stretched across his lips as an appreciative gaze swept her from head to toe. When his eyes settled on her face despite herself, her breath fluttered. Sholei was convinced it was the alcohol .

Besides minor scratches on his face and a bandaged wrist, Sholei couldn’t tell he was coming from a bloody war that had raged for some time. He stood regal and majestic in his tall frame. Under different circumstances, Sholei might be awed by his presence, but at that moment, he represented everything wrong in her life.

“You appear to be much more sober now.” He took a step toward her, slow and purposeful. Sholei stood transfixed as he approached her. His dark, spicy scent surrounded her and intoxicated her further. He raised his thick eyebrows at her, and Sholei hated the knowing smirk that danced on his face.

”I’m no longer soaked in coconut wine,” she breathed.

“Is that so?” His tone carried amusement. “How can I tell?” His voice dropped in a low husky whisper and a shiver ran up her spine.

“Check for yourself,” she dared him as she sunk deep in the browns of his eyes.

He leaned toward her neck. Sholei panicked and tried to take a step back but stilled herself. She wouldn’t run away. She tried not to take in his scent, but his proximity made it impossible. The fragrance of scented smoke and something unique to him assaulted her nose, and the heady scent suited him.

The tip of his nose touched the sensitive skin of her neck, and Sholei gasped at the contact. She leaned back as shock registered on her face.

“Much better.” He winked at her and stood straight. “I wouldn’t want to face you again when you are drunk. You turn even more feisty than normal,” he said, and heat crept up her neck. She wasn’t dreaming. He had visited her the night before.

Did he come for her the moment he got back to the camp? Why?

“It was my first time drinking. I suppose it won’t be happening again.” She cleared her throat.

“That would be better. I wouldn’t want my soldiers distracted during their training.”

”It was a gift. Don’t fault Agala for indulging me.” Sholei panicked.

“ Agala .” His eyes narrowed into slits. “You must be getting comfortable with my men.”

Behind them, Akima chuckled, and Ojore sent him a scathing look.

“He was being appreciative of my skills, unlike someone else.” The last sentence came out haughty. Ojore had kidnapped and imprisoned her inside his war camp, Sholei thought, even after she saved his life. Her payment was being held as a prisoner of war.

“Fair warning, witch. Apart from me, you’re not allowed to cast spells on any other man inside or outside this camp,” Ojore warned, and Sholei couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking with her.

As if. Why would he joke around with you?

“I don’t cast spells…” She started to warn him against calling her a witch but thought it best not to. “I believe you called me here for breakfast.” She decided to get over with the meeting as soon as possible. Maybe Litonde had spoken to him earlier and he had agreed to his request.

“Before that, what do you think about my new robes?” He spread his arms and looked at her expectantly.

Why would he ask her that ?

”I hope next time I visit your dreams, I will be more approachable and not a beast.” He leaned in and whispered.

For the second time in such a short period, Sholei was at a loss for words. She stared at him with her mouth open. Everything that had happened the previous night crashed back into her. In horror, she recalled telling him how only monsters visited her dreams.

“I …” she started to explain, but words died in her throat. Her dreams were her worst secrets, and she never revealed them to anyone, aside from Musembi and Tula. Ojore finding out about them didn’t sit well with her.

“You have lost a considerable amount of weight.” He went on in his normal speech like he hadn’t revealed one of her gloomiest secrets. “You will take your meals with me from today on anytime I am in the camp and can spare time,” he declared.

”When did you decide this?” Sholei gaped.

“In this camp, my decisions are final.” He took her arm and led her to the table where a small banquet was set. The warmth of his hand scorched through the heavy material of her coat. He helped her to a seat opposite him. Grilled fish, roasted goat ribs, and thick broth-filled meats were placed in platters beside flasks with warm milk and roasted nuts. On the side was a platter full of different fruits cut in a decorative fashion. Mueni’s signature.

Ojore pushed a cup of warm milk into Sholei’s hands. “Have this. It will warm you up in no time.” Sholei accepted and hoped it would settle her stomach .

“After breakfast, we’ll leave the camp. You had better fill your stomach.” He held her gaze above the steaming cup.

“Where are we going?” Sholei lowered the cup.

“You’ll see.” He gave a half smile. In the morning light, Ojore’s eyes brightened his eyes as he placed slices of meat on her plate.

”Your praises traveled throughout the plain and reached the battlefield. You are quite talented in medicine.” He leaned his elbows on the table. The small action drew Sholei’s eyes to his sinewy bicep, which flexed with the smallest movement. She took a drink to water her throat and forced her eyes back to his face.

“I try my best.” She didn’t know how to react to his praise and chose to shove food into her mouth. Her stomach quivered. The right time to ask about her release had come.

“Your talents will be better recognized back home. Your achievements have been reported to the king, and your reward awaits you in the capital,” Ojore went on. “Litonde would like to recommend you to the Academy of Imperial Physicians. What do you think?”

“Are you going to release me?” Sholei faced him, food forgotten.

“I don’t suppose you would want to live your whole life in the war camp.” Ojore wiped his mouth with a small towel Akima handed him.

“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 Gane will die.” 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 a respected 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.