Four dynamics were developed in the Palace involving five main characters, without them even imagining that the actions within each of those dynamics were connected and interlaced in an intimate way: Subh and Jalila promoted meetings to start Almanzor policy elimination process with the presence and help of Amal, which intended to use any resources made available by contact with the Sultana to remove the potentially harmful manuscript to Islam, kept in strict secrecy within the Library and drive it to major centers Christians, while independently but along with Nasr defended his position in the palace, seeking to neutralize the effects of events involving great risk for him and Jalila, which occurred ten years ago, competing against time in this investigation with Bahadur, who in turn sought to clarify the same occurrence of facts, not to neutralize them, but rather expose them against Amal.

It was as if they were all in the same complex labyrinth whose quest for output would go force them to get together at the same dangerous point. None of the characters were able to assess the risk posed to others or even know they were in the same maze.

The events for which these characters were being conducted occur almost simultaneously.

***

Jalila had completed all preparations with Amal and Nasr who she had been presented and the Library was ready to be the nest of conspirators. The camouflage of the contest organization was perfect because it was an activity that was regularly performed under the wider secrecy, which accredits the guise as the ideal coverage.

Subh arrived at the scene before the guests and placed herself in the back of the wooden structure on trellises that had previously been installed in the hall of Amal's studio. It protected her from the looks of the guests.

The room, as we have noted, was spacious and had been prepared with extra pillows for the guests. In the corner of the wall was a table with "food and drink", requested by Jalila from the kitchen of the Palace.

The first guest to occupy his seat in the hall was the architect Farouk, followed by the doctor Benzecry, which came accompanied by Juan Herrera. Hamid was the last to arrive, completing the hearing. All were referred by Nasr that after being included by Amal, with permission of Subh and Jalila, raised to eight the number of conspirators.

They did not know beforehand about the other guests, and it was natural to cast each other initial shy and reserved looks as to exploring the audience although all to a greater or lesser degree knew each other, except for Nasr which had been presented to all by the first time.

The doors of the library were closed with security bars and a thick curtain was installed in its inside in order to muffle the sound of the words that could escape through the cracks and locks.

From the moment that Jalila considered that all were accommodated, she made a sign to Subh on the side of the trellis, and she began to address the attendants.

She started softly, but gradually her speech was gaining strength in excitement, and the beautiful voice that she used to recite beautiful poems and poetries was equally efficient in uncovering for the audience of those inner fears who were also their own.

- My friends, you all know that we are not here to discuss the organization of the competition, this Jalila will practically do alone and then she will give to each one the instructions of how to go when this contest is performed because as everyone here knows, it must be. We are here for the future of Andalusia, and I invited you by indications and choice of my consciousness under the certainty from which I already know of each one that I can relate all of you as good allies. Most of you I met during social work of my late husband Al-Hakam, "God be honored by his presence." What I want is that together, regardless of our beliefs, we discuss ideas for a political project to release Córdoba from the yoke of this fox who now calls himself Almanzor.

Subh paused for a moment during which she moved and the sound of dragging of her robes can be heard in the silence that plunged the audience, and she continued:

- Like my son, I am a prisoner in the palace. I know the risks of the job I am offering to you, and this is the time to decide if we want to go ahead or not. Those who do not wish to follow will have our silence and we are sure that they will offer theirs.

Also, a busy sound of robes moving in the environment followed these last words of Sultana, with all eyes heading into the lattice structure.

Subh continued.

- The noble and powerful build palaces surrounded by magnificent gardens and stunning fountains supplying them with all kinds of luxury and perks while our people die of starvation. The outbursts of poets are filling the streets of Cordoba with satirical songs about the Fox (Abu Amir). I no longer have any influence on the government and my son is coerced to leave the state's matters for a mystical exegesis of life. Is not only that we expect from the Prince of Believers. We hope he takes care of his people and is prevented from exercising this role by ideas being introduced into his head from an early age and now about to reach adulthood, he is dominated by this influence. His return to the center of power will contribute to the return of harmony and restoration of respect for all faiths. I can assure you this.

New hisses of silk's garments on the pads, but Subh continued:

- All power is concentrated in the hands of Abi Amir and I gave myself penance to have to help him a lot to get all this power. He eluded all of us. I did not know him and believed in his good intentions as Hisham's tutor. But by Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful, nothing that some say and sing in the streets is true. I was never his mistress, and this perfidy also encourages me to dethrone him. This calumny was born at the stage where Hakam (Allah bless his memory) was more interested in his books and left his wife, I was constantly alone and this time working hard with Abi Amir as he is and remains bright, no mistake. A brilliance corrupted by ambition for power.

Subh paused to sip some juice which was served by Jalila, giving the opportunity for the first manifestation coming from the small audience.

Hamid was who first spoke, although he was listening Subh attentively he did not fail to follow all the movements of Jalila in the room, a detail that did not go unnoticed by the girl, who was confused about whether the finding bothered her or not.

- I think everyone in this room is aware of all the machinations to seize power since his meteoric rise that now produces regrets in the Sultana due to the fact of her participation in this achievement, was followed afterward it follows the calculated disgrace of Mus-hafy, the overthrow of Ghalib, the vicious wars against the North. At the coming back of the campaign, the celebration of these slaughters caused expenses with majestic works including the expansion of the mosque, all without any workers' care, because everything is built with the sacrifice of the lives of many Christians turned into slaves working with shackles on their ankles. He came to say that Islam's star never rose so high in his glory, but never the unbelievers were so deeply humiliated. No one is unaware of the apparently forced removal of Hisham and the terror regime that spreads a natural consequence of all tyrannical government; they start to fear their own shadow. I see approaching the day when the Caliph is just a name in memory of the people and all the power will be in Almanzor's hands, the Umayyad dynasty will be extinguished. He is a usurper and is not the Prince of Believers. I'm not even sure of his faith and I already assure my solidarity in this endeavor, whatever the path it will take us.

Hamid's intervention encouraged other participants and Farouk also addressed the audience.

- The words of Subh and Hamid are very clear, and I endorse all, but My question is: What we, just distinguished members of society, can do against this enormous power already described? We are easy prey.

Juan Herrera, who had remained calm and attentive till this point, suddenly raised his voice, as if he were preaching to his flock from the top of his pulpit at the Abbey. He cried out in a voice that dominated the room.

- I'm in complete agreement with Subh and I think each of us has some feature or can somehow get others which may serve to stanch all this tyranny. We are a core that can radiate a lot of power, and be syncretic, as Cordoba had been, to seek the graces both by Jesus as well by Allah, to find the force that will drive Cordoba again to peacemaking. We Christians have suffered persecutions and suffering and cried the sacrifices of martyrs who set up events that broke this harmony, but we recognize that Christians had had some responsibility. I have resources to share.

There was a global movement of agreement that included the doctor Benzecry hitherto silent, mainly by his position very close to the Prime Minister, having accompanied the recent campaign almost to the end, as a doctor in charge of his care in the battlefield. It had been replaced and returned to Cordoba, at the request of Subh to meet the Caliph, just one month before the final return of the troops.

Subh resumed word and went back to his audience.

- It seems to me that we all agree as well and what said the Abbot Juan Herrera, all have resources, and we must look for what we can do to serve our cause for the good of Andalusia. Now that we are together and we add our forces, we are more powerful than we think, let's think about the possibilities we have and then we score a close encounter that Jalila will know the date all based on the schedule's information it already has. It will be in the coming days, then we will draw out our action plan.

Amal who had remained silent until then impressed with the poise and determination of the Sultana from which he never had come so close, even seeing only through a protective lattice realized how wonderful was that woman, took the word to express a particular fear and enjoy being noticed by her.

- Loyal friends! It is true that a library is a safe place, but I do not know it will continue after consecutive meetings, we also need everyone to think in an alternate location so that we can take the focus from one place only. We have some gloomy souls wandering on these halls that are eager to find others which they could hurt. I mean, noble Sultana, that these concerns were born after our agreement with the suggestion that the Library would be the ideal location. Believe me, there are hidden evil seeds germinating among us.

Jalila felt at Subh an expression of surprise and by understanding the content of Amal's concern she requested permission to respond, having immediately the Sultana's agreement.

- I understand what you mean Amal. We stayed with the Library as the main place of our meetings, but it would be good if all of you help us by suggesting other places in our next meeting, as Amal said, not to let the focus only on the Library. Everyone is aware that what we are doing involves very serious risks.

That said, Subh moved out and accompanied by Jalila withdrew from the site followed by everyone else. Hamid went along with the others, but in his heart and even his face lamented the loss of the second chance to approach Jalila. She seemed a little more receptive but still had not given him any clear chance. Amal hastened to approach Herrera before he reached the door and asked if they could have a private conversation.

They were in the studio Amal, Herrera, and Nasr, who oversaw closing the door as soon as all withdrew.

Under the expression of surprise and even fear of the abbot, Amal reported the details of his discovery in the manuscript requesting Juan Herrera to support his intention to withdraw their studies of the document the Library and drive them to a Christian center important like Compostela, in order to be prepared for the wide dissemination of action in the Christian and Islamic world.

Juan Herrera was thoughtful sometime before issuing his first comment.

- Are you aware that even in the Christian world this matter needs to be handled with caution and in the right manner? We have many people in our world eager for an opportunity to gain space and so, even among Christians, you must have all the care you can.

- Yes, I know. Do you think you can help?

Yes, but I need some time to assess the correct move. You showed me everything, are these parts that must be transported?

- I showed you examples, in total are 40 sheets as these three. It doesn't make a big volume. Our study is almost at its end, another week and we will finish the analysis of all forty sheets.

- Let's agree like that, completed Herrera; I get in touch with you about the instructions of how we do it, but you realize that you will be passing me an intellectual treasure?

-- Can't do it alone, I need to trust those who harbored my ancestors, said Amal, who had also confided in Herrera all about his history. He has decided it was time for Nasr to be aware, he was so involved, including as a member of the Sultana's conspiracy list, whose usefulness for same group Amal had decided. Moreover, it would be more valuable to help neutralize the danger that prowled if he knew more. Thus, he considered a very small risk of this disclosure brings problems between them.

- All right, I get in touch. By the way, we will always be in contact through the scope of the conspiracy of Subh. Any contact outside of this should be encrypted. Amal soon stepped forward to match their known form of contact by numeric keys and transposition of columns, which was also widely used by convents. In this case, they set the password: Quran, which produced code number 35412.

Giving closed the meeting the abbot took leave and left like the others, leaving Amal Nasr, which we're pleased to also start this stage of their conspiracy.

As soon as they were left alone Nasr made a comment that indicated his feelings were hurt by Amal, not the story itself, but because not trust him.

- You did not have had enough confidence in me to tell me alone what just reveal on this occasion. If you have had said, I could have gone after the events with my feet much more down in the ground. When and if I found something, it would be easier to understand if I knew your history. I would say that the omission of the truth just caused risk to you. What has changed that inspired you to reveal to me indirectly? My God, I learned in the wake of your account to Herrera. This was not cool.

- Sorry, Nasr, I freaked out, and because I neglected your warnings. Understand, this is a secret that is with me for almost ten years. I thought now would be the time, otherwise, I would have to put you out of the room, would be worse is no friend? Do you understand the implications? Are we fine?

- Yes, but you should trust me more, I'm serving you with dedication for five years ago, said visibly hurt and forthwith leaving the room saying he needed to perform a scheduled task.

Amal sat in his studio thinking about everything he had experienced that day, especially the presence of Subh. He had never been good with women, his cult temperament and dedication to books and manuscripts gave him few opportunities to meet the women. His experiences were not the worthiest. But that woman! A queen, a goddess, he can't remove the impression of his retina. Something had happened inside of him that disturbed him. She was Subh, the Sultana, the favorite of the Caliph, the Sayyda Al-Kubra. He had no chance. She tried to keep her out of his head.

***

Bahadur and Al-Aziz were talking at the residence of the first, about the progress of investigations. The librarian was agitated and angry.

- This is not possible Aziz, nearly three weeks investigating this story and we have nothing yet. The staff of Abbas did not find the drunk and we know nothing of these meetings in the Library. Nothing also was found in the investigations by the side of families and friends. This is unacceptable.

- We knew that we would not have immediate results. You must have patience. We have men posted at three taverns in the area. One day it appears. As for the Library, yes, we have news yes.

- What do you mean?

- Yesterday there was a big meeting, we do not know what happened there, the public announcement is that it was a preparatory meeting for the Literary Contest of the Sultana, but the guests put it under suspicion because except for Subh and his faithful squire faithful no one of the other guests, to my knowledge, have a history of participation in Arabic literature, one of them is a Jew and the other is a Christian Abbot. What about the extra work which makes Nasr or Amal, stay late at the studio, we also have a new fact.

Bahadur seemed to calm down with the news saying he was not knowing anything about that contest and asked about the meeting participants.

- Well Chief (رئيس), the ad competition is being widely publicized. Where have you been chief? They were there: Abd Al-Hamid who works with the Vizier of the North Africa policy, the physician Benzecry, Farouk the architect of the works of Hakam, and the Abbot of Tabanos Monastery, the group was completed by Subh, her page and the bastard Nasr, plus our Amal. We set by the candle that the meeting duration was about 3 hours. They all left the room at the same time except for Abbot Juan Herrera, who remained behind closed doors with Amal and Nasr and for at least 1 hour, in the candle.

- Very strange, I get to know all though some not so well and really is what you said, they do not seem to be poetry lovers, but no one is watching this, just we. The Abbot stays longer, may or may not be important to us, so we'll have to put your movements also under stakeout. Do we have resources for others monitoring such as this? You also said you had news of extra work in the studio? Which is the news?

- You know that Nasr does not live in Al-Zahara. At first, he stayed late when it was his turn. We found that he and Amal take turns in this mysterious extra work. It seems that for some time now he prefers to take work home. Always comes out with some documents and is no longer working in the studio. Another thing is that when Amal works in the studio one cannot see any apparent lighting, and there is no noise at all. It's like he was not there. How can they work studying or reading documents without light lamps? As for the ambush of the Abbot and his monastery, I'll see what we can arrange.