- ARCHIVE - The Sultanate Court of Algeria

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A Plot Unfolds

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As dusk approached, the men met in the shadows of the bazaar, out of sight from the few patrons that remained after the Portuguese soldiers marched by.

When their agent had arrived, he reported the news.

-"It is done, the old man is dead. I have sent four loyal men to deal with Al'Karnattah."

--"It is good," spoke one of the men, softly through the linen that wrapped his face, covering all but his eyes, "And we now know where to find the boy, Halud Hasan, as well."

---"Deliver the letter," spoke the tallest of the men who had been waiting, "and then we shall await the response."

All nodded at each other, and a pouch was produced to give to the one whom had brought the news. They disappeared into the empty buildings of the square.

 

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The Dinner

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Yasmine Mohammed , stood opposite of the head table as Ali A'ku led the 26 Portuguese into the grand ballroom. She actually stifled a giggle.

"You will excuse me, your majesty, but I was not expecting so large a crowd. But there shall be enough for everyone, yes?"

She clapped her hands and servants entered from the sides to set places at two smaller tables that stood on the flanks of the head table.

Though she still worn black, to be recognized by the Frankish king as a sign of mourning, she radiated charm and hospitality.

As she, flanked by her attendants, approached, she made a small bow, more out of courtesy than any subservience. She stopped short of the men then waved a slender arm toward the tables, where other servants were laying out a rich meal.

Once the men began to seat themselves, under the watchful eye of the Emperess' only loyal bodyguards, she turned and walked back to her seat at the head of the table, beckoning the Portuguese king to join her.

The walls of the ball room were hung with rich tapestries depicting scenes of the nation's past history. At the end of the room, however, the left wall was empty. Yasmine glanced up at it.

"You see that space? This is where the our new history shall be hung. But what history shall that be? You can help determine this King Joao.

Our people have signed a treaty unprecendented in the histories of Christians and Muslims. What is your vision? What do you see in the future? How shall we in Algiers remember these years, and capture them in the art of our tapestries?"

A servant pulled the chair from the table so that the Portuguese monarch might sit, while Yasmine waited for him to be seated first. The wine steward waited for both to be seated before approaching.

 

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To Pay a Debt

The Gulf of Sihdra​

Lady Anna Maria Rosa Giovanna dripped the railing as the ship tossed on the waves of the approaching storm. This craft was not to her liking, but with the Algerian fleet resting on the sea floor there were few options for her but to book passage with this merchant trader.

After Palermo, it would travel on to Cittavecchia then to Genoa, from where she would disembark and make her way to Torino.

Now that the war had ended, proper security for her cargo was easily secured, but such a journey made her uneasy. But whether this was because of the rough seas or the reluctance to meet again with the men of Casa San Maurizo, only she knew.