Chapter 100 - A Hidden Storm
A week passed in a blur of activity, and training for the deployment had begun. Fifty men were carefully selected from the Abyssinian navy, each chosen not for brute strength, but for something far more valuable: adaptability. Their mission was clear — blend into crowds, recognize threats before they materialized, and master the codes and signals that would allow them to vanish when needed.
They didn’t need to be the best fighters. They needed to be ghosts.
Khisa personally drilled into them the importance of their role. No speech, no ceremony — just hard, relentless training. This operation would depend on precision, subtlety, and discipline.
Among the recruits, Biruk had made a surprising choice. Instead of remaining with the regular ranks, he requested to join the intelligence squad. Khisa had accepted without hesitation. Over the past few months, Biruk had grown tremendously, learning under the Shadows and Khisa himself. From a small border village to now, standing shoulder to shoulder with the best Abyssinia had to offer — Biruk was proof of how much one person could change when given purpose.
Now, Biruk was about to embark on the most dangerous mission of his life: moving thousands of slaves through enemy territory, checkpoint by checkpoint. They had only a month to prepare for an undertaking that would alter the course of history. But they would be ready.
In the command tent, Khisa sat with his 18 Shadows. The Shadows from Massawa and Zeila had already returned, battered but alive. Now, they were all gathered, the full strength of Nuri’s elite intelligence unit.
Khisa’s eyes swept over them, pride burning in his chest. Each one had fought beside him through fire and blood. Now, he needed them more than ever.
"Musyoka, Akumu, Tiriki," Khisa began, his voice low but steady. "You did well. You have earned your rest. I’m sorry to ask you to go back so soon. You have a month here to recover before the next phase begins — and it will be harder. Much harder."
He paused, letting the silence sink in. "I will personally make sure our communications improve. No more delays. No more room for error."
Musyoka grinned, leaning forward. "I’m ready to break those slavers apart, Prince Khisa. Just say the word."
"Me too," Akumu added fiercely. "Seeing what they did... and not being able to act... it was killing me. I won’t disappoint you."