Naseem Hijazi's "Shaheen" (English Translation)

Chapter 12: The Man-in-Black

(1)

The rumor of Badr Bin Mughira's assassination spread in the length and breadth of Andalus like wildfire. It was Abu Abdullah's wish for this news not spread among the people of Granada but Abu Dawood advised him that this news would dishearten Abul Hassan's supporters. So, a few paid orators were assigned to broadcast the news of the Frontier Falcon's assassination among the people of Granada.

Abu Dawood dispatched his emissary to Ferdinand with the message that this was the right time to strike a final blow to Abul Hassan.

According to his own opinion, Abu Abdullah thought that that he had gotten rid of his greatest enemy. However, the presence of the Frontier Falcon's comrades in the vicinity of Granada was no less disturbing for him. But when he heard that the Frontier Falcon's comrades have decided to leave instead of laying a siege on Granada, his jubilation had no bounds. Two or three days later when he got the news that they were abandoning Abul Hassan and leaving Malaga also, he feasted in the palace and distributed prizes among the nation sellers.

After a few days an emissary of Ferdinand came and informed him that in a few weeks their forces would reach the southern coast of Andalus. He informed and said, "Major part of the army would advance from the north and east towards Mount Nevada to crush the strength of the border tribes. The other contingent would head east of Cadiz and Jerez De La Frontera. Both armies would meet in the mountains of Sierra Nevada and then capture all the cities near the coastline. In the meantime, you need to immediately come out of Granada and attack Malaga. We anticipate that you will be able to capture Malaga by that time. However, if you are unable to capture Malaga due to stiff resistance of the enemy, which I doubt, then the ruler of Cadiz will come to your aid."

Abu Abdullah thought that after assassinating Badr Bin Mughira, he had cleared every thorn in Ferdinand's path. He was confident that his ally and patron would not burden his shoulders with another war. He would descend on Malaga like a storm and return after annihilating his enemies and after recognizing him as the sole ruler of Andalus. On hearing Ferdinand's message, he nervously asked Abu Dawood, "In the given circumstances, doesn't Ferdinand know that the most secure place for me are the confines of the four walls of Al-Hamra? After the Frontier Falcon's assassination, the people of Granada are extremely infuriated with me. As for the army, I fear that in case I invade my father, some of them might defect to his side."

Abu Dawood understood Ferdinand's strategy. He knew that Ferdinand could not trust Abu Abdullah completely and therefore he wanted him to attack Malaga so that the gulf of hatred between the father and son would become so wide that there would be no chance of a reconciliation between them.

So he replied, "Maybe he desires to divide the enemy's attention on three fronts. If you avoid going to war, then he might even give up the idea of supporting you. Therefore, you should attack Malaga without any further delay. The Frontier Falcon and his comrades were the enemy's biggest support. The Frontier Falcon has been killed and his companions have returned to their homes, so possibly, you can capture Malaga before Ferdinand's arrival. After Malaga's victory, all the rebel chiefs and tribes of the south would bear allegiance to you and this way you wouldn't have to take Ferdinand's favor."

Abu Abdullah replied, "I am ready to attack Malaga but only when Ferdinand's armies have entered the bordering areas."

Abu Dawood replied, "If you so command, I can dispatch this reply."

"Sure! But write it in such a way that the King should not think that I am a coward. I only want to be cautious."

(2)

Abul Hassan had become paralyzed and blind. On the insistence of the emirs he nominated his brother, Al-Zeghel, as his successor. Ferdinand left Castile with his innumerable army, camped near Cordova and prepared to serve a final blow to the Muslims' last bastion of defense in Andalus. He ordered the Christian nobles of Jerez De La Frontera, Seville and Cadiz to advance toward Sierra Nevada ravaging the cities South West of Granada and for another part of the army to be given under an experienced general to subdue the border tribes in the North East.