Dawn arrived with a fiery brilliance, painting the desert sky in hues of orange and pink. Rashid’s forces moved with disciplined precision through the narrow mountain pass. The air was cooler here, a welcome respite from the oppressive heat of the desert, but the scent of impending conflict was thick in the air.

Rashid’s mind was focused, calculating the best approach for their ambush. His strategy was simple: lure Guillaume’s forces into a vulnerable position and then strike with everything they had. The mountains would provide natural cover, and the desert would wear down their enemies before the main engagement.

As they reached a vantage point overlooking the enemy camp, Rashid signaled for the troops to halt. They were hidden among the rocks and boulders, concealed by the craggy terrain. From here, Rashid could see Guillaume’s camp spread out below—a sea of tents, flickering fires, and the glint of armor in the early morning light.

Malik approached, his expression tense. “The scouts have confirmed it. Guillaume’s forces are preparing for a morning assault. They’ve set up their cannons and crossbows in strategic positions.”

Rashid nodded, his eyes scanning the enemy camp. “We need to hit them before they can fully mobilize. The element of surprise is our greatest weapon.”

Malik’s gaze followed Rashid’s. “What’s the plan?”

Rashid pointed to a series of boulders and ridges that flanked the enemy’s camp. “We’ll use the high ground to our advantage. The crossbowmen will take position here, and the cannons will be set up along this ridge. We’ll draw their attention with a feigned attack on their flank, then move in with our main force.”

Malik’s eyes narrowed. “And the traitor?”

Rashid’s jaw tightened. “We’ll deal with them after the battle. For now, our focus is on defeating Guillaume.”

As the sun climbed higher, Rashid’s forces prepared for the ambush. Crossbowmen took their positions, hidden among the rocks. Cannoneers loaded their weapons, carefully aiming at key points in the enemy camp. The air was charged with anticipation.

Rashid gave the signal, and a small contingent of soldiers began the feigned assault. They moved quickly, their movements deliberate and coordinated, creating the illusion of a larger force attacking from the west.

The reaction from Guillaume’s camp was immediate. Soldiers scrambled to their positions, cannons were readied, and crossbowmen took aim. Rashid watched as the enemy’s attention was drawn away from their main camp. It was time.

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With a sharp command, Rashid led the main force down from the high ground, charging towards the enemy’s now-vulnerable flank. The ground shook as the cannons roared, their thunderous blasts echoing across the desert. Bolts from the crossbows rained down, cutting through the enemy ranks.

Chaos erupted below. Guillaume’s forces, caught off guard, struggled to mount an organized defense. The desert heat and the sudden assault had them disoriented, their response slow and disjointed.

Rashid’s troops surged forward, cutting through the enemy lines with precision. The battle was fierce, a cacophony of clashing steel and shouting soldiers. Rashid fought at the forefront, his blade flashing in the sunlight. Each swing was a release of the anger and frustration that had been building within him.

Amid the chaos of battle, Safiya’s efforts to uncover the traitor continued. She had spent the night investigating, questioning palace staff and watching for any suspicious behavior. Her instincts were sharp, and she knew she was getting close.

As she walked through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, she overheard a conversation between two guards. Their voices were hushed, but Safiya caught snippets of their discussion about secret meetings and hidden messages.

Her heart raced as she pieced together their words. There was a mole in the palace, someone who had access to Rashid’s plans. She needed to act quickly.

Safiya retraced her steps to the guard’s quarters and found a small, hidden compartment in the wall. Inside, she discovered a stack of coded messages. The traitor had been using these messages to communicate with Guillaume’s spies.

She quickly gathered the evidence, her mind racing with thoughts of what needed to be done. The traitor had to be exposed before they could do more damage.

Back in the desert, Rashid’s forces were pushing back Guillaume’s army. The tide of the battle had turned in their favor, the enemy’s disarray a testament to the effectiveness of the ambush. But even in the heat of battle, Rashid kept one eye on the horizon, wary of any unexpected developments.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the battlefield, Rashid noticed a shift in the enemy’s movements. Guillaume’s remaining forces were regrouping, their resistance becoming more organized. Rashid knew the fight was far from over.

He pressed forward, leading his troops with relentless determination. The battle continued into the evening, the desert air now cooler but no less intense. Rashid could feel the weight of each swing of his sword, each step forward a battle against exhaustion and the enemy.

As the final light of day faded, Rashid stood victorious, though weary. Guillaume’s forces had been defeated, their camp left in ruins. The desert had claimed its toll, but Rashid’s strategic use of terrain and timing had ensured their success.

He looked out over the battlefield, his heart heavy with the weight of victory. The cost had been high, but it was a necessary step in securing their future.

Back at the palace, Safiya presented the evidence to Khalid. His face darkened as he reviewed the messages. “This is damning,” he said, his voice low. “We need to act quickly.”

Safiya nodded. “I’ll inform Rashid immediately. We must expose the traitor before they can escape or cause more harm.”

As Safiya prepared to send word to Rashid, a sense of urgency filled her. The traitor’s influence had to be eradicated if they were to secure their position and prevent further betrayal.