The Lions of Al-Rassan

The Lions of Al-Rassan
Guy Gavriel Kay

Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, a deeply compelling story of love, adventure, divided loyalties, and what happens when beliefs begin to remake – or destroy – a world.The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has eroded. The Asharite empire has splintered into decadent city-states led by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan – poet, diplomat, soldier – until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever.Meanwhile, in the north, the conquered Jaddites' most celebrated – and feared – military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, driven into exile, leads his mercenary company south.In the dangerous lands of Al-Rassan, these two men from different worlds meet and serve – for a time – the same master. Tangled in their interwoven fate – and divided by her feelings – is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose skills may not be enough to heal the coming pain as Al-Rassan is swept to the brink of holy war, and beyond.

Guy Gavriel Kay

The Lions of Al-Rassan

Copyright

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

HarperVoyager

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First published in Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers 1995

THE LIONS OF AL-RASSAN. Copyright © Guy Gavriel Kay 1995

Guy Gavriel Kay asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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Source ISBN: 9780007342068

Ebook Edition © AUGUST 2011 ISBN: 9780007352227

Version: 2016-11-18

Dedication

For Harry Karlinsky and Mayer Hoffer,

after thirty-five years

Epigraph

The evening is deep inside me forever.

Many a blond, northern moonrise,

Like a muted reflection, will softly

remind me and remind me again and again.

It will be my bride, my alter ego.

An incentive to find myself. I myself

am the moonrise of the south.

—PAUL KLEE, THE TUNISIAN DIARIES

Contents

Cover (#ulink_d2a7cf2a-18c9-5880-908c-f7f1c24e846b)

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Epigraph

Principal Characters

Map

Prologue

It was just past midday, not long before the third…

Part One

Chapter I

Always remember that they come from the desert.

Chapter II

After somehow coping with the disastrous incident at the very…

Chapter III

From within Husari ibn Musa’s chamber late in the afternoon…

Chapter IV