Page 29

S holei awoke, and her body ached in delicious ways. Sometime in the night, Ojore pulled her into his embrace again and took her body to new heights of pleasure. Morning light filtered inside the room, and a fire burned in the pit. She patted the side of Ojore’s bed to find it empty and cold.

“My Lady,” Mueni called, and Sholei turned to her. Mueni sat beside the bed, a wide smile on her face.

“Where is Ojore?” Sholei cleared her throat and pulled the covers close to her chest, conscious of her naked state. She sat up and gazed around the room. No one else was about. Why didn’t he wake her up?

“He left to receive delegates from the Dembe capital.” Mueni came to Sholei’s side and placed a loose robe on her naked shoulders. “He promised to join you for the midday meal once he’s finished with the morning court session.”

As Sholei went through her morning toilet, her thoughts were on the new direction of her relationship with Ojore. It would be difficult to part with him when the time came. With the incoming of more officials from Dembe, the transition period was about to end, and a new ruler would be selected. Soon they would leave for Dembe and once she received her merits, she would go to Faye Islands. Ojore hadn’t agreed to her request, but Sholei hoped she could convince him. Her life seemed to find ground at last. If Musembi would join her, everything would be perfect. Tula’s eyes flashed before her eyes, and Sholei’s heart squeezed.

Where are you? Sholei whispered into the air.

“Did you say something?” Mueni asked as she rubbed Sholei’s back.

“No, nothing,” Sholei answered. She didn’t have anyone to consult about her friend’s whereabouts. She considered going back to Tula’s home, but the reception she received the last time she was there was fresh in her mind. It was too risky. She hardly moved outside the palace without a guard, and if she took one to Tula’s home it would aggravate the residents of Mukuru even more.

Should she consult Ojore? Would he help her search for someone who almost crippled his army?

”You promised that Prince Ojore wouldn’t leave the grasslands.” Queen Nnandi tapped her long, golden- painted nails on the chair’s armrest. The quick movement of her fingers betrayed her calm demeanor.

“Patience, my queen,” the old man in dark robes and a wide-brim black hat answered, his voice low. He knew better than to disappoint the mother of the Dembe Nation.

“My patience is growing thin.” She stood and walked toward him. Queen Nnandi had dressed down to avoid detection. She couldn’t be caught with the likes of Mzee Chabo, the leader of the Sokwe Society. It was the dead of night, and she left the palace with her most trusted guard. They rode horses deep into the mountains to meet with the leader of the assassins.

“Prince Ojore will die in the savannah. He can’t survive for long,” Mzee Chabo lowered his head.

“How? He is busy holding court in Mukuru Kingdom. Ojore has survived several assassinations, and his father is urgently recalling him back home.” She came to stand before him. “Forgive me if I fail to see the return on the gold I have given out for this task.”

Mzee Chabo raised his head and caught a glimpse of the queen. Her beauty was well-known throughout the land, but few knew of her lethal ways.

“There are other ways Sokwe Society can help Prince Kengani inherit the throne.” He tried to suggest another way to help the queen achieve her goal.

“Silence.” Queen Nnandi turned her head fast enough for the cap adorning her head to fall, revealing a mass of inky dark hair. “You are not to mention the name of the prince ever again. Remember your place.” He saw her angry reflection in a puddle of water in the moonlight .

”Forgive me.” Mzee Chabo bent forward. “We have information that Prince Ojore is interested in a girl.”

“How is that important?” Queen Nnandi ran her long gold-painted nails through her thick hair.

“He heavily protects this woman. She hardly leaves his side. I have done some digging and found out she’s a physician from Mukuru. A very gifted physician,” he went on.

“Wait,” she recalled. “Is she the same woman who helped cure the military camp’s epidemic?”

“Yes.” He approached the queen again. “How they met is still a mystery, but I am made to understand that she entrances Prince Ojore.”

“This is the first time he has showed interest in a woman. When the list of achievements from the Keseve war reached Dembe court, I recalled seeing a foreign name. Some Sholei of the Ulele clan from Mukuru capital. Is that her name?”

“When the alliance recaptured the Keseve Market, everyone thought Ojore would fail, but he turned the tide. His victory was highly applauded in court. There are talks of making him heir to the throne among court officials,” Mzee Chabo said, and Queen Nnandi gritted her teeth. She couldn’t believe Ojore survived after lots of effort and resources were used to eliminate him.

Ojore was a thorn in her side.

“Tell me more about this physician.” She needed to know everything about Ojore. His influence in court caused her sleepless nights. King Kaza refused to name her son, Prince Kengani the heir, and the thought that Ojore, the son of a concubine, might take the throne irked her to no end.

“Sholei escaped from the camp, and Ojore managed to recapture her back in Mukuru. Her closeness to him made the residents of Mukuru Kingdom turn their backs on her. They almost stoned her to death a couple of weeks back,” Mzee Chabo explained.

“He will try to bring her back to the Dembe capital.” Queen Nnandi narrowed her eyes in realization.

The old man nodded. “Imagine Ojore having someone influential beside him. Her prowess in medicine will boost his reputation further.”

“I can’t have someone significant supporting him. If her people don’t want her, why should we welcome her to Dembe?” Her maniacal smile revealed pearly white even teeth.

“Should we…?” Mzee Chabo gazed expectantly at the queen.

“Get rid of the pest, but remember our objective. Prince Ojore must die. If he dies with this physician… well, good.” Her eyes held Mzee Chabo’s, her intent clear.

”I have someone who will act upon this when I get out the message.” Mzee Chabo licked his lips and approached her. “If we use him, it will take some time to find someone close to Prince Ojore again.”

“That is a big gamble we’ll be taking.” She contemplated for a few seconds. “But since we want to go all in, let’s risk it.”

“Understood.” He bowed and turned to leave .

“Remember, it is your neck on the line if you fail this time,” the queen warned. “I am sure Ojore knows about you now. He won’t let you live if you don’t finish him off.”

“He won’t live long enough for that,” he answered before he blended with the shadows.

“He’s holding court again?” Sholei huffed in disbelief as she stared at Akima. A couple of days had passed after their night together, and Ojore was as busy as ever.

Despite his promise to have midday food with her after that night, the court session turned into closed-door meetings throughout the day. He sent a message that she should go ahead without him. Sholei tried to catch him early in the morning and late at night a day later, but he wasn’t in his room.

Why did she feel like he was avoiding her? Sholei wondered. Did she do something wrong?

“He won’t be done until late in the day.” Akima scratched the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “But I’ll pass him your message.”

“There must be a reason he’s avoiding me.” She glanced past Akima to the doors to Ojore’s chambers. “But that doesn’t matter because he must complete his medication. The poison in his body hasn’t completely disappeared.”

When Akima didn’t answer, Sholei went on.

“Where is he?” She approached him, and the tall guard took a step back.

“At the training pavilion,” Akima confessed, and Sholei’s eyes widened .

“Fighting or any form of training will accelerate the movement of poison in his body.” Sholei closed her eyes in frustration.

“I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen,” Akima answered. Sholei didn’t wait for him to explain. She rushed toward the training arena. The palace grounds were vast, and she needed to get there fast. Mueni and Akima followed.

She reached the training grounds—a vast open space lined with weapons on the sandy edges before the southern palace gates. The soft sand was spread on the ground to buffer the men who practiced. Some men wrestled with each other, and others fought with swords. She spotted Ojore locked in a brawl with another soldier in the middle of the half-naked wrestlers.

He was dressed in tight brown attire around his waist that was secured to his mid-thigh. His upper body gleamed with sweat and white sand. His locks were secured in a high bun, and his feet were bare. Part of his face was covered with sand. He appeared rugged and fierce, and Sholei had never been so entranced. She remembered when she saw him fight with fluid movements and controlled efforts. This time was different, charged with emotions she couldn’t explain.

Sholei dragged her eyes from Ojore. She needed to get her head straight if she was to face him. To get his attention, she crossed the field. Soldiers paused and watched whenever she passed. Her sandaled feet sank in the sand as she trudged toward him.

“General,” she called out, but he ignored her. With a rough push, he pinned his opponent down. The confused man was distracted, and Ojore took the chance. She approached and stood before him when he got up.

“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.

“Tula taught me,” Sholei managed to say despite the heaviness in her throat.

“She was a good friend.” Ojore’s face darkened. The possible death of Tula hung above them like a dark cloud.

“Why are you avoiding me?” She searched his gaze. “Did I do something wrong?” She hated how small her voice sounded.

“You could never do wrong in my eyes. When I woke up that morning with you beside me, I wanted to propose marriage.” He gave her a half smile and Sholei’s heart skipped a beat. Marriage? Ojore as her husband. How would it feel to celebrate their relationship before, man, ancestors, and gods?

“You have ambitions Sholei, great ambitions I will always support. As someone in charge of thousands of men who look up to me as a leader, am used to being in control. You told me you wanted to cut off communication once you were in the Faye Islands, and it’s been a challenge for me to accept that. I want to be with you and make you my wife, but the life of a royal might stifle your dreams. ”

“Ojore…” Sholei started, but he held up his hand to stop her.

“I don’t want to let you go, Sholei. Despite how you challenge my authority at every turn, you also bring light to my world.” Her heart melted at his confession. “I thought maybe if I delay my treatment and the return to Dembe, you’ll stick around. Am I selfish to want to maintain this state of bliss I found in you?”

“We promised to leave for Dembe together once you complete your duties to the new court.” Sholei turned to him. The pavilion was empty, apart from Mueni and Akima, who stood out of earshot.

”I fear the more I demand from you, the more you’ll feel constricted by me.” Ojore released a deep sigh. “I shouldn’t have ignored you.” He took her hand in his, and she squeezed it in support.

“You’re not the only one overwhelmed by these feelings.” Sholei tugged her hand from Ojore’s and sat on the nearby bench. In the far west, the sun began its descent, casting its warm glow on her face. “Over the past few days, I have come to several realizations. I have no place in Mukuru Kingdom, but I have a chance to become an Imperial Physician. In the past, I never dreamed of falling in love and being happy in a relationship, but here you are considering marriage with me?”

“So you’re admitting your feelings for me?” Ojore took the seat next to her and turned to the setting sun.

“After that night, there is no point in denying I am in love with you.” Sholei chuckled. “But if what the Oracle said is true, no matter how much we feel for each other, it will be for naught. Musembi insists I will find answers about my tattoos on the Faye Islands.”

Ojore said, “I will help you tackle this puzzle. You’re no longer alone. I might not understand why Lord Keita is inhabiting my body, but we’ll work it out together.” He took her hand in his.

“It might be dangerous.” Sholei shook her head as she recalled the Oracle’s revelations. Tula’s dismembered body. Sholei closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She hoped the journey to the Faye Islands would bring answers before the vision came to pass.

“No obstacle is too great for a determined mind,” Ojore said, and Sholei turned to face him. “Don’t lose hope.” He smiled at her, and Sholei reciprocated, glad they had cleared the air. She decided to trust him and look toward the future.

It was better than nothing.

Later that night, Sholei prepared for the selective blood-draining procedure to release the poison. Ojore approached her from behind. He wrapped his hands around her waist and leaned his head on her shoulder.

Sholei sighed. Since he confessed his insecurities earlier that day, she was touched by his vulnerability. Just like her, he was overwhelmed by the feelings they shared.

“I regret keeping away from you,” he whispered and kissed the back of her ear.

“Ojore,” she breathed when his hold tightened. Heat coiled in her lower stomach. The pestle in her hands dropped on the soft carpet by their feet .

“I like it when you call my name.” He turned her around, and Sholei’s heart missed a beat at his ardent gaze. She didn’t trust herself to speak and only hoped her eyes communicated what she couldn’t utter. The dimmed lights added to the charged tension between them. He proceeded to kiss her on the lips, and need hit her at the intimate contact. With a touch of his tongue, Sholei pulled back and gasped for air. Her skin burned hot from head to toe.

“Ojore,” she whispered in the velvety darkness. He molded her into his firm body.

The passion in his gaze almost knocked her off her feet. He leaned down again, the touch of his lips soft. The kiss expressed everything he couldn’t say—his worries, fears, and desires. His gentleness moved her so much, a tear dropped from her eyes. If only time could stand still and she could live in the oblivious cocoon of his arms.

“My Lady, everything is ready. Litonde is waiting outside.” Mueni broke the tender moment between them.

”It will not be easy to break away from the spell you have put on me, witch.” Ojore touched their foreheads together, his breathing ragged.

“When I wake up, will you be here?” he asked, and she nodded.

“Remember, if you leave, I’ll hunt you down.” He chuckled, and Sholei swore no one was going to tear her from Ojore’s side.

Later, with Litonde’s help, she placed him into a deep sleep. They worked in relative silence as Sholei focused her concentration to drain the poisoned blood. The slight cuts on his chest, arms, and other selective parts of the body enabled her to draw out the coagulated blood that harbored the poison in his body. The process was long and tiresome, and it took them half the night to complete. After, they rubbed medicine on his wounds and bandaged them up.

“With more elders coming in from Dembe court to take over the transition period, Ojore will be free of his duties soon and travel back home,” Litonde started as they washed up. “I look forward to hearing from you when you get to the Faye Islands.”

“Will you be going back to the Dembe capital too?” Sholei asked as she wiped her hands.

“My people aren’t welcomed in the capital. I am safe in the army camp.” Litonde shrugged his shoulders. “I will be in the camp outside the capital when the general goes back, unlike you, who will thrive among the royals with your skills after your studies.”

“It’s their loss not to appreciate the talents you possess,” Sholei tried to cheer the older man up. As an outcast in Mukuru, she understood the prejudice Litonde faced due to his skin tone. It didn’t matter where people were, they were still shallow.

“You and the general will have a happy union.” Litonde smiled at her, and Sholei floundered with words. She grew apprehensive about their future, but after the earlier discussion, she hoped they stood a chance. With Ojore by her side, Sholei would face the future bravely.