Chapter 74 - Whispers at The Gate
As promised, Khisa and the Shadows left the supplies behind. They took a single covered carriage to help transport the rescued women. Khisa had decided that whenever they encountered enslaved captives, they would free them and leave them in the care of the nearest town. It was more practical than bringing everyone along through the dangerous roads ahead.
Since Biruk was well known in this region, he easily convinced the villagers to help return the women to their homes. His name carried weight—he was one of their own.
The reaction to the Shadow Guard was the same everywhere. Suspicion first. Awe second.
Women wielding weapons was unheard of—especially with such precision and control. Even stranger was how these warriors managed to successfully raid and destroy Adal camps. Something that had tormented these lands for years had suddenly been broken apart with swift, surgical force. Entire villages watched them with a mix of reverence and disbelief.
Soon enough, word began to spread through the valleys and highlands—Adal encampments were burning.
Some whispered that it was internal betrayal. Others said vengeful spirits had risen from the earth to defend the people. One old woman insisted that the gods had heard their prayers and sent wrath upon their tormentors.
No matter the explanation, joy broke out like spring rain across the hills. Finally, the tide was turning.
But Khisa and his group did not stop to celebrate. They pressed on toward Shewa, the heart of the highlands, rescuing as many captives as they could along the way.
Faizah trained diligently each day—sweat glistening on her brow as she repeated sword forms, her lips murmuring new words in Swahili under her breath.
The Shadows, too, had made it a priority to learn the local tongue, Amharic. They couldn’t be effective spies without understanding what their enemies were saying. They practiced with each other at night, under starlit skies and beside crackling campfires.
Biruk observed all this with wide eyes. He wasn’t old, but he had never seen such discipline, such precision. His admiration for Khisa deepened by the day.