The air in Rashid’s chambers felt heavy, thick with unspoken words. Safiya stood by the doorway, her dark eyes reflecting the moonlight that spilled through the windows. Rashid could sense the turmoil within her—the tension that had been building for days, perhaps weeks, finally rising to the surface.

She moved closer, her steps soft against the mosaic floors, until she stood just a few feet away from him. Her usual confidence seemed to waver, and for the first time in a long while, Rashid saw vulnerability in her.

"I’ve been keeping something from you," Safiya said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rashid’s mind raced, but he remained silent, allowing her the space to speak.

"It’s Guillaume. He’s not just an enemy... He has eyes inside the palace. Spies." Her words hung in the air, each syllable sinking deeper into Rashid’s chest. "I’ve heard whispers—rumors that someone close to you is feeding him information."

Rashid’s heart pounded in his chest. Betrayal. The word tasted bitter on his tongue, and a cold shiver ran down his spine. "Who?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with fury.

Safiya shook her head. "I don’t know. But whoever it is, they’re high enough to know your strategies, your plans... even your thoughts."

Rashid clenched his fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. His mind flicked through the faces of his trusted council. Malik? Khalid? Could one of them be the traitor? The thought of it gnawed at him, but he forced himself to remain calm. He couldn’t afford to let paranoia cloud his judgment.

"We need to find them," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Quietly. If Guillaume knows our moves before we make them, we’re already lost."

The following morning, Rashid’s resolve was solidified. The palace bustled with activity as preparations for the siege continued. Elite crossbowmen trained in the courtyard, their bolts striking targets with deadly precision. Cannons were being loaded and positioned along the fortress walls, their thunderous presence a reminder of the coming storm. The clink of armor and the hum of sharpened blades filled the air as soldiers readied themselves for battle.

But Rashid’s mind was elsewhere, consumed by the thought of betrayal. He moved through the palace, his eyes scanning every face, every glance exchanged between his council. He needed to be cautious, to root out the spy without tipping his hand.

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In the war room, the tension was palpable. Malik stood at the table, discussing defensive strategies with Khalid, while the rest of the council listened intently. Rashid entered, his presence immediately commanding attention. The room fell silent.

"We move forward with the plan," Rashid said, his voice authoritative. "But we must remain vigilant. Guillaume is a dangerous enemy, and he will strike when we least expect it."

Malik nodded, his expression serious. "Our scouts have reported movement near the border. His forces are positioning for an attack. If we strike now, we can catch them off guard."

Rashid crossed his arms, considering the options. The terrain between them and Guillaume’s army was treacherous—mountain ranges with sharp cliffs, narrow passes that could easily turn into death traps. But if they played it right, the mountains could be their greatest ally.

"Send a small force through the mountain pass," Rashid said. "Use the terrain to your advantage. Lay traps, ambushes. We’ll draw them into the desert, where they’ll be at our mercy."

Khalid raised an eyebrow. "A risky move, but one that could work. The desert is unforgiving to those who are unprepared."

Rashid nodded. "We have no choice. If we wait for them to attack, they’ll overwhelm us with sheer numbers. We strike first."

That night, Rashid met with Safiya in secret, away from the prying eyes of the palace. The moon was high in the sky, casting long shadows over the garden where they stood.

"Any progress?" Rashid asked, his voice low.

Safiya shook her head. "Nothing concrete. Whoever this spy is, they’re careful. But I’ll keep digging."

Rashid looked out at the night sky, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. "I trust you, Safiya. More than anyone else. But we need to act quickly. The longer we wait, the more dangerous this becomes."

Safiya’s gaze softened, and for a moment, Rashid saw the woman behind the warrior—the woman who had stood by his side through every challenge, every battle. "We’ll find them," she promised. "And when we do, they’ll pay for their betrayal."

As dawn broke, Rashid prepared to lead his forces into battle. The desert stretched out before them, vast and unforgiving, but it was their greatest weapon. The heat would sap the strength of Guillaume’s forces, and the sandstorms would cloak their movements. It was a dangerous gamble, but one Rashid was willing to take.

The soldiers lined up, their armor gleaming in the early morning light. Crossbowmen stood at the ready, their weapons poised for action. Cannons were positioned along the fortress walls, their barrels aimed toward the horizon.

Rashid mounted his horse, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the enemy. His heart pounded with anticipation, the weight of the coming battle heavy on his shoulders. But behind his focus on the war, the shadow of betrayal loomed, a constant reminder that danger didn’t only lie on the battlefield—it was hidden within the walls of his own palace.

As the sun climbed higher, a plume of dust appeared in the distance. Guillaume’s army. Rashid’s jaw tightened. This was it. The storm was coming.

But as his forces moved into position, a single thought echoed in his mind: Who could he trust?