The dry, arid winds of the southern desert howled against Rashid and his small force as they rode deeper into Berber territory. The vast expanse of sand stretched as far as the eye could see, a barren wasteland marked by jagged cliffs and towering dunes. Despite the punishing heat, Rashid’s focus remained unwavering. He knew what was at stake—the survival of his kingdom.

The news of Spain’s encroachment into the southern territories had ignited a fire within him. His thoughts raced as he replayed the words of the messenger. Spain had already swayed several desert factions to their cause, which meant that Rashid was not only facing foreign invaders but also betrayal from within.

Rashid urged his horse forward, leading the way as Malik, Safiya, and the elite soldiers followed closely behind. His mind wandered to the Eternal Flame that burned within him, its power an ever-present force. It gave him strength, but it also reminded him of the burden he carried. The power could save his kingdom, but it could also destroy him if he wasn’t careful.

After days of riding through the unforgiving desert, the group finally approached a Berber settlement nestled in the shadow of a towering cliff. The tribe’s leader, Sheikh Khalid, had been an ally of Morocco for generations, but now his loyalty was in question.

Rashid dismounted his horse and approached the encampment with caution. Armed guards greeted them, their eyes full of suspicion, but they allowed Rashid and his companions to enter. The air was thick with tension, and Rashid could feel the eyes of the tribespeople watching their every move.

Sheikh Khalid emerged from his tent, his weathered face stern and unyielding. He was a man who commanded respect, his presence radiating authority. Rashid had met him once before, as a child, and the memory of the proud warrior standing tall before the Moroccan court had left a lasting impression.

“Prince Rashid,” the sheikh greeted, his voice gravelly and cautious. “I did not expect to see you here.”

Rashid inclined his head respectfully. “Sheikh Khalid. I come with urgent news. Spain has crossed into our southern territories, and some of the desert factions have allied with them. We must unite if we are to drive them back.”

Khalid’s eyes narrowed. “And what makes you think my tribe would risk everything to fight a war that does not concern us?”

Rashid straightened, his voice firm. “This war concerns all of us. If Morocco falls, the Berber tribes will not be spared. Spain will not stop at our borders—they will take everything. If we stand together, we can prevent that.”

The sheikh’s gaze flickered with uncertainty, and Rashid knew that the older man was weighing his words carefully. The Berbers had always been fiercely independent, and convincing them to fight in a war that seemed far removed from their lands would not be easy.

As Rashid waited for the sheikh’s response, he felt the familiar warmth of the Eternal Flame stir within him. It was as if the flame itself sensed the importance of this moment, urging Rashid to act, to seize control of the situation.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Without thinking, Rashid allowed the power of the flame to surface. His eyes burned with a fiery intensity, and the air around him seemed to shimmer with heat. The tribespeople, who had been watching from a distance, gasped in awe as they saw the display of power.

“I do not come to you as a mere prince,” Rashid said, his voice carrying the weight of the flame’s strength. “I come to you as the bearer of the Eternal Flame, a power that will burn through any who threaten our people. Together, we can crush Spain and anyone who stands with them.”

The sheikh’s eyes widened as he witnessed Rashid’s power firsthand. He had heard tales of the Eternal Flame, but seeing it in person was another matter entirely.

For a moment, the tension hung in the air like a heavy mist. Then, slowly, the sheikh nodded. “You have grown since I last saw you, Prince Rashid. You carry a power beyond anything I have seen. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps this war does concern us after all.”

Rashid exhaled in relief. He had managed to convince the sheikh, but he knew this was only the beginning. The true battle lay ahead.

Over the next few days, Rashid and his companions worked tirelessly to rally the tribes. Sheikh Khalid sent word to other Berber leaders, urging them to join the fight against Spain. One by one, the desert tribes began to answer the call, their warriors gathering in preparation for the coming battle.

Rashid could feel the momentum building. The alliance was fragile, but it was growing stronger by the day. The Berbers, though divided by clan and territory, shared a common enemy in Spain. Rashid’s leadership, combined with the power of the Eternal Flame, had begun to unite them under a single banner.

However, not all tribes were so easily convinced. One evening, as the sun set over the desert, Malik approached Rashid with grim news.

“Rashid,” Malik said, his voice low. “We’ve received word from one of our scouts. A faction led by Sheikh Faris has aligned with the Spanish forces. They’ve been supplying them with food and water, guiding them through the desert.”

Rashid’s blood ran cold. Sheikh Faris was known for his ambition, always looking for ways to expand his influence. If he had truly allied with the Spanish, it could spell disaster for their efforts to unite the Berbers.

“We can’t let this stand,” Rashid said, his voice sharp. “If Sheikh Faris is aiding the enemy, we need to deal with him before his influence spreads.”

Malik nodded. “Agreed. But we’ll need to be careful. If we move too soon, we risk alienating the other tribes.”

Rashid clenched his fists, his mind racing. The Eternal Flame burned within him, urging him to act, to confront this betrayal head-on. But he knew that rushing into battle without a plan could cost them everything.

“We’ll send an envoy to Sheikh Faris,” Rashid decided. “Give him a chance to explain himself. If he refuses to stand with us, then we’ll deal with him accordingly.”

Malik’s brow furrowed in concern. “You think he’ll listen?”

Rashid’s gaze hardened. “He doesn’t have a choice.”

As night fell over the desert, Rashid stood on the edge of the encampment, gazing out at the vast sea of sand. The Berber warriors had gathered, their tents spread out beneath the starlit sky. The flicker of campfires dotted the landscape, casting shadows that danced in the darkness.

Safiya joined him, her presence a comforting anchor in the midst of the storm brewing within him. “It’s happening, isn’t it?” she asked quietly. “The war, the alliances—it’s all coming together.”

Rashid nodded, though his heart was heavy. “Yes. But there’s still so much that can go wrong.”

Safiya placed a hand on his arm. “You’ve done everything you can. The tribes are rallying because of you, Rashid. They believe in you.”

Rashid met her gaze, the weight of responsibility clear in his eyes. “And now I have to make sure they don’t regret it.”