It is Cairo in the year 1021 and two men chance upon one another in a
dark alley. Harsh words are traded as one accuses the other of
following him. Before blades can clash, three Sudani attack. The
would-be foes join forces to defeat these three. Al Afdahl the Turk
admits his error in accusing de Guzman of following him and the two go
for a drink and hatch a plot that will benefit both. De Guzman is a
Spaniard out to avenge the slaughter of his family and, as luck would
have it, al Afdahl wants the same man dead for other reasons. With the
Turk as his guide, de Guzman slays Zahir el Ghazi in single combat.
However, Ghazi revealed that Spain was doomed because Al Hakim, the
Caliph, is planning a massive attack that will sweep away Castile. To
save Spain, he must now kill the Caliph but al Afdahl will not aid him
in this and demands he leave Cairo.
Elsewhere, Zaida the Venetian slave girl had been tossed into the streets and discovered by Al Hakim himself! He had banned women from the streets of Cairo and he planned to make her death a harsh lesson. Zaida changes his mind with her feminine wiles but soon thereafter, she discards her to the leader of his Sudani warriors who, in turn, sells her to her worst rival, an Arab princess who wants nothing more than to torture and mutilate poor Zaida. Things look bleak indeed.
Like the Spears of Clontarf, this story is based in history though it paints a different picture than history tells. Al Hakim was indeed Caliph who vanished in 1021 though his bloody clothes were discovered in the desert near Cairo. This story purports to explain how that came to pass. I don't know enough specific history about the region to level any complaints as regards the accuracy of the general details of the story. The narrative is much better than Clontarf as it follows primarily Diego de Guzman and Zaida. It is a very engaging tale with lots of exciting fights, excessive bloodletting, and even a naked slave girl. Great stuff!
Elsewhere, Zaida the Venetian slave girl had been tossed into the streets and discovered by Al Hakim himself! He had banned women from the streets of Cairo and he planned to make her death a harsh lesson. Zaida changes his mind with her feminine wiles but soon thereafter, she discards her to the leader of his Sudani warriors who, in turn, sells her to her worst rival, an Arab princess who wants nothing more than to torture and mutilate poor Zaida. Things look bleak indeed.
Like the Spears of Clontarf, this story is based in history though it paints a different picture than history tells. Al Hakim was indeed Caliph who vanished in 1021 though his bloody clothes were discovered in the desert near Cairo. This story purports to explain how that came to pass. I don't know enough specific history about the region to level any complaints as regards the accuracy of the general details of the story. The narrative is much better than Clontarf as it follows primarily Diego de Guzman and Zaida. It is a very engaging tale with lots of exciting fights, excessive bloodletting, and even a naked slave girl. Great stuff!
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