Chapter 108 - When the Forest Trembles
General Mekonnen of Abyssinia leaned over the table in his small command tent, fingers tracing the creased surface of an old map. Lantern light flickered over the sprawl of inked terrain lines, charcoal Xs, and red arrows. The murmuring forest beyond buzzed with the low hum of preparation—swords scraped against whetstones, rifles checked and rechecked, quiet words passed like secrets.
His battalion of a thousand had camped in the clearing for two nights. Veterans of endless conflict, these soldiers were no strangers to war—but this felt different. Sharper. Heavier. As if something great and terrible stirred just beyond the trees.
His lieutenants stood close, weapons at their hips, eyes darting between the map and each other. The air in the tent was tense, but not frantic. Calculated. Focused.
"We’re nearing the Adal encampment," said Lieutenant Fasil, a stocky man with soot-smudged cheeks. "They likely have fortified positions. We should make our final plans now."
"We’ll send scouts—our best riders," Mekonnen replied, not looking up. "They need to find the camp’s layout, guard rotation, terrain weaknesses. And the prisoners—we save them first."
"We should have a separate rescue unit. That way our own soldiers won’t be distracted trying to save them," added Lieutenant Hana, ever pragmatic.
"That is a great idea," Mekonnen confirmed. "We’ll assign fifty men—fast, coordinated. They’ll breach the holding areas and extract the captives. The main force will keep the enemy engaged."
"We should also set up a medic station by the forest’s edge," Hana added. "Just beyond the ridge, hidden in the brush. If we extract fast, they’ll be treated without delay."
Lieutenant Eyob, the youngest among them, cleared his throat. "Sir, if I may... do we know what’s happening at the coast?"
Heads turned.
"My father—Commander Lemma—he was recalled two weeks ago. Said he was headed to Asaab... something about training a new navy under the Emperor’s orders."