Chereads / Kingdom of Andalusia / Chapter 18 - "Secrets of the Shadows"

Chapter 18 - "Secrets of the Shadows"

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Prince Badis ibn Habus: (sitting on the throne, his face covered with sadness and anger, looking at the Arab minister Al-Nayyeh) "Minister, it has been days and days that we've been searching for the killer who assassinated my son Makisan. Why haven't we yet been able to find him? Where are we in achieving justice?"

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (appearing fearful and hesitant, bowing slightly) "My lord, we are searching diligently, but the case is complicated. We are trying to gather evidence and analyze information. It is not as simple as it seems."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (slaps the arm of the throne, his face frowning) "But how can this case be complicated? My son was killed, and this demands urgent action! How can we allow the criminal to escape?"

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (sighs deeply, trying to stay calm) "My lord, we fear accusing an innocent person. Investigations require time and caution. We want to ensure that every step we take is based on real evidence."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (shouting in anger) "Do you not realize that each passing day increases my family's suffering and my grief? Death is preferable to wronging someone, but do you not know that injustice can be worse than death itself?"

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (bowing his head, his voice trembling) "I understand your anger, my lord, and I feel your suffering. But I do not want us to be responsible for harming anyone without cause. We are committed to achieving true justice."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (looking intently at the minister, trying to calm himself) "Justiceā€¦ How harsh it is that the pursuit of justice tortures me more than anything. Well done, Minister, but I want to hear about real progress, not just fleeting expressions."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (raising his head slowly, his face showing relief) "My lord, we will redouble our efforts and pursue the investigations with utmost care. We will not rest until we achieve the justice you seek."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (calming down a little, looking away) "Well done, Minister Al-Nayyeh. You have spared me from rushing into unjust judgments. I want to assure you that I appreciate your dedication to the truth."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (with appreciation and gratitude) "Thank you, my lord. I will work with all my effort to ensure we reach the truth and achieve justice for our late prince and his family."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (closing his eyes for a moment, then opening them slowly) "I hope that what we are doing is in the interest of truth and justice. The pain I endure cannot be measured by anything, but the hope of reaching the truth eases that pain."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: "We are committed, my lord. I will ensure that justice is what we achieve, and we will not allow injustice to prevail."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (nodding slowly) "Then let us continue this work with determination and resolve. May Allah be our support in this mission."

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Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (looking worried, speaking seriously) "Prince Badis ibn Habus has been patient until now, but his patience is not long. We must act quickly and capture the killer before his patience runs out. Who is the prime suspect?"

Omar, the Army Commander: (looking at the attendees with a grim expression) "The evidence points to Minister Yusuf ibn Naghrela. There were significant disputes between him and Makisan. It was well known that their conflicts reached a dangerous level. But, have we conducted a thorough investigation with the servants?"

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (shaking his head) "Yes, we have investigated the servants, but found nothing substantial. Perhaps because they were reserved or frightened."

Minister Abu Al-Rabee: (taking the floor) "Let's not overlook the suspicions surrounding Suleiman, Yusuf's son. Although Yusuf is keen on not divulging secrets, Suleiman is young and might have information. We need to verify any details he might be connected to."

Omar: (beginning the analysis) "But are there other suspects?"

Minister Abu Al-Rabee: (showing interest) "Yes, there is also the former army commander, Muhammad Al-Ahmar. He is nicknamed 'Al-Ahmar' because his beard had a reddish tint. There were disputes between him and Makisan when Makisan was young. Makisan opposed Muhammad Al-Ahmar's orders in a particular battle, and although Makisan won, Muhammad Al-Ahmar's brother was killed in that battle. Muhammad Al-Ahmar believes Makisan was the cause of his brother's death, which could be a strong motive for revenge."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (looking dissatisfied) "What about investigating Muhammad Al-Ahmar's servants?"

Omar: (shaking his head) "We have investigated them, but found no tangible evidence. They also did not know anything that could be useful."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (sighing deeply) "So, we are in a complicated situation. We need to focus our efforts on gathering tangible evidence. Are there any other steps we can take to ensure the truth?"

Minister Abu Al-Rabee: "It might be useful to speak with people who were close to Makisan in the days leading up to the assassination. We might find new information or initially unclear clues."

Omar: "It might also be necessary to review archives of letters or documents that might relate to the conflicts between Makisan and the suspects. Sometimes, old documents can reveal important information."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (appearing somewhat hopeful) "Good, we will enhance our investigations in these directions. We must ensure we use every available means to uncover the truth and apprehend the killer as quickly as possible."

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Abdullah: (with a serious and concerned face) "Sir, I have information that might be useful in the investigation. Three days before my uncle Makisan was poisoned, he went to Yusuf ibn Naghrela's house. After he returned, he told me that there was no longer anyone opposing his reforms, but he noticed that Yusuf was smiling a lot that evening. There was something strange about his behavior."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (looking intently) "What do you mean by 'strange' in Yusuf's behavior? Was there anything unusual during that visit that caught your uncle Makisan's attention?"

Abdullah: "Makisan could not pinpoint the reason precisely, but he felt that Yusuf's smile was not genuine. Yusuf seemed unusually cheerful, especially given the context of the reforms Makisan intended to implement."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (appearing thoughtful) "This could be evidence that Yusuf had malicious intent or was pretending. The unusual smile might have been a cover for hidden feelings or plans. We will need to investigate this."

Abdullah: "Should we call Yusuf ibn Naghrela in for questioning again based on this information?"

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: "Yes, it is crucial to call Yusuf in for questioning. We need to ask him about his behavior that evening and his stance on the reforms. We will also look into other details regarding his relationship with Makisan recently."

Abdullah: "I will arrange for Yusuf's summons as soon as possible. If there are any additional details about the visit or Yusuf's behavior, I will make sure to provide them."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: "Good, Abdullah. We will also review any communications or letters that might have been exchanged between Makisan and Yusuf. This could provide us with additional clues."

Abdullah: "I will follow up on all these points and keep you informed of any new developments."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: "Thank you. Let us work together to uncover the killer and ensure justice for your uncle Makisan."

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Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (with a serious and earnest expression) "Yusuf, you are fully aware of why you've been summoned today. Abdullah mentioned your visit to Makisan three days ago. We would like to know the details of that evening. What transpired between you two?"

Yusuf ibn Naghrela: (calmly, with a warm smile) "Yes, . That evening, the meeting with Makisan was an opportunity for me to clarify my position. I had some reservations about his new reforms, but I wanted to express my full support for him and his vision. I spoke frankly about my concerns as well as my support for his efforts. It was a constructive conversation, and I made sure to show my respect and appreciation for his position, as I did not want him to feel that I was against his progress."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (with intense focus) "Abdullah mentioned something else. He said your smile that night was unusually noticeable. There seemed to be something unusual in your behavior. Why were you smiling so much?"

Yusuf ibn Naghrela: (looking surprised but responding calmly) "I understand your question, but I must clarify that the smile was an expression of my relief and gratitude. I felt a deep sense of relief after realizing that Makisan had listened to my perspective and gave me the chance to support him. At that time, the smile was completely natural, and there was nothing to be suspicious about. If there are any specific implications you're considering, there might be a misunderstanding."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (appearing thoughtful, in a calm voice) "I think we need a deeper understanding. There has been talk about possible hidden motives behind your actions that evening. If everything was fine, why was there an impression of discomfort? Are there any details that might have been overlooked in your account?"

Yusuf ibn Naghrela: (seriously) " I admit that I was in a state of tension and concern about the situation. This may have contributed to the smile appearing differently. But I assure you that my intentions were pure. If you have any additional questions, I am here to answer them."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (thoughtfully) "Alright, Yusuf, we can say that the information you provided seems reasonable, but there are points that need further verification. We will continue our investigation based on what you've said and ensure that all details are thoroughly examined."

Yusuf ibn Naghrela: (standing up from his seat, smiling warmly) "Thank you, . If there are any other inquiries or additional details you need to discuss, I am at your service. I hope we reach the truth as soon as possible."

(Yusuf leaves the room slowly, while Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh continues to look thoughtfully at the door after his departure, contemplating the credibility of Yusuf's statements and the possibility of hidden details that might have been overlooked in previous investigations.)

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Omar: (seriously and with concern) "Welcome. We are here to verify the details of what you witnessed at Suleiman's house. Please explain to us in detail what you heard and saw."

The Maid: (looking nervous, taking a deep breath) "Sir, I have been serving Suleiman for a while. A few days ago, I was in the kitchen when I heard unusual noises coming from Suleiman's room. I approached the door and quickly realized that Suleiman was drunk."

Omar: (showing keen interest) "What was Suleiman talking about in that state?"

The Maid: "I heard him speaking loudly and laughing hysterically. He said something like 'pomegranate juice will deal with Sif Al-Dawla' and laughed unnaturally. It seemed like he was talking about a plan or means to harm Sif Al-Dawla."

Omar: (surprised and concerned) "Pomegranate juice? Was he referring to Makisan, who is known by the title Sif Al-Dawla?"

The Maid: "Yes, he was referring to Makisan, because he is known by the title Sif Al-Dawla. His speech was somewhat incoherent due to his drunken state, but his tone suggested an intention to do something dangerous."

Omar: (angry and worried) "What happened next?"

The Maid: "When I tried to get closer, I noticed that Suleiman became more aggressive, but he lost consciousness due to the drink. I then fled immediately. I did

The Maid: "I then fled immediately. I didn't want to speak up at first, but after hearing about what happened to Makisan, I felt it was necessary to share this."

Omar: (thoughtfully) "Why did you wait to provide this information?"

The Maid: (voice broken) "I was very afraid of Suleiman's retaliation. But when I remembered how Makisan punished corrupt officials, one of whom was responsible for my father's death, I felt I needed to speak up now."

Omar: (decisively) "Thank you for your bravery in providing this information. We will continue the investigation based on what you have said and take all necessary measures to protect you."

The Maid: (sighing, bowing her head) "Thank you, sir. I hope justice is served for Makisan and my family."

Omar: (confidently) "We will proceed with the investigation thoroughly. If you recall any additional details, do not hesitate to inform us."

(The maid leaves the room slowly, and Omar remains, contemplating the information she provided, determined to follow the evidence and connect it with other clues in the case.)

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(: The meeting hall in Prince Badis ibn Habus's palace. The hall is spacious, decorated with heavy curtains and luxurious furnishings. The prince sits on his throne in the middle of the room, while the Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh and Omar stand near him. The rest of the attendees in the hall appear tense and anxious.)

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (staring at the Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh, his expression reflecting anger and worry) "Speak, what news do you bring? Have you discovered anything new about Makisan's murder?"

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (in a calm but serious tone) "My lord, after recent investigations, we have uncovered new information. Omar is here to provide you with the details."

Omar: (bowing respectfully, then speaking seriously) "My lord, we have investigated Suleiman ibn Yusuf's servants. One of the maids, who was present at Suleiman's house a few days ago, admitted she heard Suleiman speaking in an unusual manner while drunk."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (alert, motioning for Omar to continue) "Go on, what was Suleiman saying?"

Omar: "The maid mentioned that Suleiman was laughing loudly and talking about 'pomegranate juice' as a means to kill Sif Al-Dawla, which is the title known for Makisan. It seemed he was talking about a plan or method to harm Makisan."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (interjecting with concern) "My lord, if this is true, it suggests that Yusuf ibn Naghrela might have been involved in plotting Makisan's murder, potentially with accomplices."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (showing clear anger, rising from his seat) "Yusuf ibn Naghrela! This man, whom I considered trustworthy, could be behind this heinous crime. How could someone dare target Makisan?"

Omar: "Yes, my lord. But we need to verify all details before taking any action. The maid was very frightened when she provided her testimony, and there might be additional details."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (raising his voice slightly, his face stern) "I will not accept any delays on this matter. We need a swift and thorough investigation. Bring Yusuf ibn Naghrela here immediately. I want all his family members and children to be detained as well. But bring Yusuf first."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (taking a deep breath, trying to calm the situation) "My lord, I will oversee the execution of your orders. We will ensure that Yusuf and all his family members are detained in an organized and fair manner."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (with determination and resolve) "I want to hear directly from Yusuf ibn Naghrela. He must explain how he planned to kill Makisan, if he indeed was behind it. We need all the facts before making any decisions."

Omar: (confidently) "We will start the procedures immediately, my lord. We will ensure Yusuf ibn Naghrela is brought to the palace as soon as possible and will follow up on the investigation meticulously."

Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh: (with submission and respect) "My lord, we will do everything necessary to ensure the investigation proceeds smoothly. I promise that every detail of the case will be examined thoroughly."

Prince Badis ibn Habus: (placing his hands on the arms of his throne, appearing angry and resolute) "Ensure that this investigation takes its proper course. There is no room for corruption or injustice in my kingdom. We need to achieve justice for Makisan, no matter the challenges."

(Everyone starts moving to execute the orders. Omar and the Arab Minister Al-Nayyeh head immediately to another room to plan the arrest of Yusuf ibn Naghrela. Prince Badis ibn Habus remains in his place, expressing his displeasure and concern, planning the next steps.)

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