"Under attack?" Beai asked the soldier that just handed him a letter.
"Ma'am, it appears that Suruthum is actually being invaded right now based on the radio report that someone intercepted."
"And Jamal's living there?" she slammed her hands on the desk.
They were doing so good, so well, it would have only been a matter of time for them. And now this, which they personally didn't care for much, but if Jamal's family was there, he would surely leave them. And how well would they do without him? Probably not much.
"We need to keep him here." Beai told the soldier.
"I don't think this is righ-"
"We have no choice! If we don't, then the war is a lost cause!"
"What's a lost cause?" Jamal said, as he entered inside, drenched from recent rainfall, "Oh, it's been raining a bit out there, so be careful too."
"I was telling this soldier here that it would be a lost cause if we didn't have the one hundred soldiers with you against that last town we need you to take." Beai quickly said.
"Of course, then back home. Can't wait to see my son again." he gleamed, as he slowly began to steam to dry himself.
"About that, well, t-" the soldier was about to say.
"The trip will be dangerous. We don't even know where we'll land, but we'll find a way. Now you may leave." she directed to the rebel, who just shook his head before walking out.
"What was that about?" Jamal questioned, watching the man leave.
"Just a bit worried is all." Beai explained. "This last town we need, with it's resources will make sure we don't fall again. You told me you'll start tomorrow?"
"Yeah, about to head out, just came to tell you that after this, I'll be leaving of course, but I might come back."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I too want my son to see Saputa. The glory it had all that time ago, I want him to see it." he grinned.
"I hope so." she replied.
Outside, they could hear noises and grunts, as they were preparing for the march ahead to that one last town Jamal needed to capture. It would be tough, but he could manage.
"I better get going, these men here got to stay focused." he told her, as he walked out the door.
She didn't respond, as he moved out and calling out to the rebels, as many of them began to move north, towards their final chance to redeem themselves. She covered her face with her hands in frustration. How was she going to tell him the truth?