The Red Citadel

ISBN-13: 9781739185749 / Angielski

Michael Lynes

Opis

Isaac Alvarez is a heretic, a reluctant spy, and a murder suspect. Can he prove his innocence and quell a rebellion to reunite his family? Granada, Andalusia, 1499 Forced to convert to Catholicism Isaac remains a Jew at heart. Exiled from Seville by King Ferdinand for heresy he is suspected of murdering the Grand Inquisitor, Torquemada. Did he? Andreas, a priest, has been accused of the murder and imprisoned. Alonso, Torquemada's previous deputy and an old foe of Isaac's, has now returned from exile in the Indies determined to prove his childhood friend's innocence. Isaac now lives with Abdul Rahman - a wealthy Muslim spice merchant - his wife Fatima, and his brother Ali Sina, the last apothecary in the city. He works for Archbishop Talavera. Granada is in turmoil. The rulers coerce Muslims to embrace Catholicism. A rebellion is developing, led by Abdul Rahman. The King instructs Isaac to spy on the rebels. He is conflicted by his loyalty to the brothers and his love for Fatima, but reluctantly agrees. Isaac yearns to return home to Seville, where his daughter Isabel takes care of his other three children. She is still in love with Alejandro, who has taken Isaac's position as adviser to the King. She regrets rejecting his marriage proposal. Alejandro still loves Isabel but is too wounded to pursue the relationship. Isaac is jealous that Alejandro has taken his position and angry he did not keep his promise to poison Torquemada. Alonso visits Isabel to share his suspicion that Isaac killed Torquemada. Isabel moves to Granada to become an apprentice apothecary to Ali Sina. Alonso then travels to Granada to confront Isaac with his suspicions, which he denies. Isabel shares her concerns that her father is a murderer with Alejandro, who does not reveal his involvement in the plot. Alonso accuses Isaac of killing Torquemada in front of the King. Isaac denies it. The King chooses to believe him - after Talavera intercedes - and pardons Andreas. Isaac misses his wife, Maria, murdered by Torquemada, but has fallen in love with Fatima. She converted to Islam to marry Abdul Rahman. She is regarded as an apostate by Cardinal Cisneros, who summons her for questioning. Whilst being escorted to Cisneros' palace a crowd of Muslims attempts to prevent the interrogation. A constable is killed, Fatima is injured, but is rescued by Isaac. Residents march on Cisneros' house. Overnight the crowd fades away, but the rebellion becomes more organised under Abdul Rahman's leadership. Isaac and Isabel join the rebellion, but it is ultimately unsuccessful. Abdul Rahman is killed. Isaac negotiates a deal with the King as the rebels' 'honest broker' to prevent their mass slaughter on condition they convert to Christianity. The King pardons Isaac and Isabel but keeps him in exile. He sends Isaac on a mission to London, dangling his return to Seville as a reward. He considers disobeying the King and fleeing with Fatima. Alejandro reveals he did not go through with the poisoning to save Isaac's soul. They are reconciled, but do not share the truth with Isabel. She and Alejandro marry, with Isaac's blessing, and return to Seville. Isaac and Fatima part ways and he leaves for London. She marries Ali Sina, and they join the Muslim exodus to Morocco. The epilogue reveals Isaac did not murder Torquemada.