This is the story of three brothers: Rafiq, a soldier, Qasim, a doctor and Ahmad, a falconer. They live in Córdoba at the beginning of the 11th century, a time of uncertainty, flood, disease and civil war. The rightful ruler of the country, al-Hisham II, the Omayyad caliph, is locked in his palace and isolated from his government and his people. When the Regent, al-Mansur dies, there is no longer a strong man to rule the country and one by one the pretenders for the throne make their challenge.
The three brothers find their loyalties in conflict when al-Hisham is thrown into jail and a new caliph is on the throne. Led by Ahmad they do all they can to help al-Hisham.
Finally al-Hisham is reinstated to the throne but the city is surrounded and Córdoba is under siege. As they struggle to survive in the besieged city, with no food, little water and no means of escape, the brothers come up with a plan. One way or another they must escape from the city but Ahmad refuses to go unless they take the caliph with them.
Genre: FICTION / Historical#34663 in Books > Fiction > Adventure Stories & Action
#48025 in Books > Fiction > Literary Fiction
#52306 in Books > Fiction > Historical
It was morning by the time Ahmad’s group arrived back at the camp.
‘What the devil has happened here? said Rafiq, striding over to the trussed-up man and kicking him with his boot. ‘Wake up.’
‘There’s another one here. He’s dead,’ said Ahmad. ‘What’s been going on and where are the others?’
‘You. Wake up. What’s happened here?’ Rafiq said, kicking the man again.
‘Untie me, please,’ the deserter pleaded.
‘When you tell me what happened.’
‘I don’t know what happened. I was asleep and when I woke up I was trussed up like a goose for the slaughter. And I’ve got a bloody great headache as well.’
‘What are you doing here?’ asked Ahmad. ‘Where are the others?’
‘What others. I don’t know what you’re talking about. We were looking for somewhere to spend the night and we found this place. It was abandoned. I’m telling the truth. There was no-one else here. Untie me please.’
‘So who did this to you?’
‘I don’t know but whoever it was also killed my mate.’ He nodded towards the dead body lying amongst the ashes of the fire.
‘And you didn’t see anyone?’
The man hesitated.
‘Well? Did you see anyone or not?’ barked Rafiq.
‘I thought I saw a girl, but I must have been dreaming.’
‘On her own or was someone with her?’
‘There might have been a boy with her? I’m not sure. My head was spinning. I think someone hit me with a boulder. Then I passed out again.’
‘Makoud?’ Ahmad said, turning away from the man on the ground. ‘It must have been Makoud. So where are they now?’
| Language | Status |
|---|---|
|
Spanish
|
Already translated.
Translated by Pilar Dueñas
|
|
|
Author review: Pilar is an excellent translator who pays meticulous attention to detail. I would certainly use her again. |
