"Why? Why do we stop here?," Rugerio asked. Rugerio had been with the family a very long time. He was a fine servant and a good friend. However, Rugerio was not entirely aware of what his young master did when he was away. They'd come down to the coast, the journey taking several days through roads and small villages most of those with Altayr didn't even know existed. It had been somewhat arduous to go this way, but it was safer than traveling the main roads, because of the Christians fighting with the Nasridim to retake Granada. They'd only come upon a small group of soldiers once in their travels, but Altayr had them wait out their passing, hidden in the trees. They would confront no one, so no one would know of their flight. "Because, we are waiting," was Altayr's answer. "I thought there would be boats!" Rugerio said. "There will be," Altayr smiled. "Have faith, my friend. They are coming for us." "And where will we go then?" "Over there." Altayr pointed to the distant land rising like a dark ghost in the gathering twilight...the dark and dangerous land across the sea. "You are serious? Over there?! We will be captured before we even arrive! We will become slaves!" the old servant exclaimed, horrified. "Not if we are on the boats of my brothers I tell you," Altayr assured him. "Have no fear Rugerio. Go now and have some soup. Get some rest." "We are to become pirates!" "Not you, my friend. I cannot 'become' a pirate - as I already am a pirate - sometimes," he chuckled. "This Reconquista is bound to fail at last. It is crumbling even now, and the Christians will retake Granada from the Nasrids. My sources tell me Muley Hacen has refused to pay tribute to the king in Castilla. If you think there is strife now, in a few months there will be all out war. This may be the land of my birth and my family for generations, but better to be far away when that happens. Mark my words. When the Christians take Granada and Al-Andalus, things will get worse for us. At least over there, it is more or less 'live and let live'...as long as you know the right people, and I do. You and Consuela may leave if you like. I will not stop you - but I warn you, if you are caught and they find that like me you are half Morisco and to whom you were a servant, they will burn you both like they did my father. The choice is yours, Rugerio. I don't know about you, but I am going to Marakesh!" ***** Indeed, these were terrible troubled times, but the Church and Ferdinand and Isabella were only some part of it. For nearly 800 years, the various Arab Berber and Arab dynasties tried to retake and hold southern Iberia (Spain). They fought with each other and they fought against the Christians. Evenutally Muley Hacen's (Abu I-Hasan Ali) own son known as Boabdil (Abu 'adb Allah Muhammed XII) would rise against him and oust his father who then fled to Malaga. As Altayr 'predicts' this is the beginning of the end of the Reconquista by the Moors. Thanks for looking and your comments. They are much appreciated! I'm glad you like Altayr and the story! This is my very first back tatoo and it turned out better than I thought it would. I was sure it would not match up right but it did! I painted the background too. I hope you're enjoying your weekend dear friends ~ Rayvn