The victory in the desert had been hard-won, but Rashid knew it was only one part of the larger struggle. The desert lay silent and still as the last of Guillaume’s forces retreated. The battlefield was littered with the detritus of war—abandoned weapons, discarded armor, and the bodies of fallen soldiers.

Rashid surveyed the scene with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. His forces were weary but victorious. They had held their ground and pushed back the enemy. But even as the dust settled, his thoughts were already turning towards the next challenge—the traitor within the palace.

In the palace, Safiya’s heart raced as she gathered her findings. She had uncovered a web of deceit, and every moment mattered. She needed to get the information to Rashid as soon as possible. The traitor’s identity had to be exposed before they could undermine Rashid’s hard-fought victories.

She met with Khalid in a private chamber, her face pale with urgency. “The traitor’s identity is confirmed,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s one of Rashid’s most trusted advisors, someone who had access to all of his plans.”

Khalid’s eyes widened. “Who?”

Safiya handed over the coded messages and additional evidence she had gathered. “It’s Farid, the financial advisor. He’s been communicating with Guillaume’s spies, providing them with critical information about Rashid’s movements and strategies.”

Khalid’s face hardened. “Farid… I never suspected. He’s been with Rashid for years.”

“We need to act swiftly,” Safiya said, her voice resolute. “If he’s not stopped, he could do irreparable damage. We have to arrest him and ensure he doesn’t escape or sabotage our efforts.”

Khalid nodded, his expression grim. “I’ll mobilize the guards. We’ll apprehend him immediately.”

Meanwhile, Rashid’s camp was abuzz with activity as soldiers tended to their wounds and cleaned up after the battle. Rashid moved among them, offering words of encouragement and ensuring that their morale remained high. The victory had been a significant one, but there was no time to rest.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Malik approached Rashid, his face etched with fatigue. “The scouts have reported that Guillaume’s retreat was disorganized. We’ve captured some prisoners who might have useful information.”

Rashid nodded. “Interrogate them. Find out if there are any further threats or if Guillaume plans to regroup.”

Malik bowed. “I’ll see to it.”

Back in the palace, the guards were mobilized, and Farid’s arrest was imminent. Safiya and Khalid waited in tense anticipation as the guards approached Farid’s quarters.

Farid, unaware of the impending raid, was sitting at his desk, studying financial records. His expression was calm, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes as he heard the commotion outside his door.

The door burst open, and the guards entered. “Farid Al-Mansour, you’re under arrest for treason,” one of the guards announced.

Farid’s eyes widened in shock. “What is this? You can’t do this!”

Safiya stepped forward, her voice cold. “We have evidence of your betrayal, Farid. You’ve been providing information to our enemies. It’s over.”

Farid’s face contorted with anger and desperation. “You have no proof! This is a ploy to discredit me!”

Safiya showed him the evidence. “This is all the proof we need. You’re going to face justice for your crimes.”

As Farid was escorted away, Safiya felt a pang of relief. The traitor had been unmasked, but the damage he had done was not yet fully known. Rashid needed to be informed of the developments immediately.

In the desert, Rashid received word of Farid’s arrest through a messenger. He took a moment to read the report, his expression darkening as he absorbed the details. The betrayal cut deep, especially coming from someone so close.

Malik approached as Rashid finished reading. “What’s the news?”

“Farid,” Rashid said, his voice cold. “He was the traitor. He’s been arrested, but the damage he’s caused is a significant blow. We need to ensure that his treachery hasn’t compromised our plans further.”

Malik nodded. “I’ll coordinate with Safiya and Khalid to assess any potential fallout. We need to secure our position and continue our preparations.”

Rashid looked out at the desert horizon, his mind racing with the implications of Farid’s betrayal. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over. The internal threat was now dealt with, but new challenges lay ahead.

In the palace, Safiya and Khalid worked quickly to secure any remaining evidence and prevent further leaks. They knew that Farid’s arrest was only the beginning of dealing with the consequences of his betrayal.

As they moved through the palace, preparing for Rashid’s return, Safiya couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. The traitor had been exposed, but the damage was done. Rashid would need to rebuild trust among his advisors and secure his position more firmly than ever.