Turtuxa

Rodrigo had never traveled so far before. He had worked as a bodyguard for merchant caravans, but he had never ventured beyond what was known as the Kingdom of León. Arriving in Turtuxa was a very strange experience.

The city of Turtuxa was located within what was known as the "Caliphate of Córdoba." To get there, Tania had first directed them to the Kingdom of Castile, and then she led them south to enter the Caliphate of Córdoba through a city called Madinat-Salim, which served as an entry point between Castile and the Moorish kingdom.

Here, Rodrigo saw for the first time a fully Muslim city, but he could tell that Christians lived there too. He believed that Muslims forced everyone to worship their pagan god, but he realized that was not the case.

They didn't stay there for long; they only rested for the night and then set off to the east, to the city of Turtuxa, which was formerly known as Tortosa. Tania's objective was to take a ship bound for an island called Ibiza, which was exactly where she lived.

The city of Turtuxa was impressive. At the top of a mountain stood a majestic palace that was said to have been built by a former caliph of Córdoba: Abd ar-Rahman III. Enormous mosques and minarets adorned the entire city, which also boasted many gardens and well-paved streets.

In its streets, there was a thriving commerce throughout the city, with people buying and selling in various markets, including food, animals, spices, perfumes, books, and more; it bore no resemblance to the poor cities in León or the Kingdom of Castile.

This city, which wasn't even the capital of the caliphate, appeared more impressive than León or Burgos, the capitals of the Kingdom of León and Castile; a testament to the economic power of the Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula. Rodrigo couldn't help but feel a certain hatred when he saw these people happy and completely isolated from the situation that he and his people were living with the constant Moorish attacks on their lands.

—Our ship will depart in two days— Tania commented as she joined Rodrigo and Ana again. She had gone to secure a place on a merchant ship that was traveling to that island.

Both Ibiza and Majorca were within the Caliphate of Córdoba, making it easier to travel from there to those islands. In earlier times, they would have traveled to Barcelona, but the city had been devastated the previous year and was still recovering.

—Hey, would you like to take a walk around the city, Rui?— Ana asked Rodrigo.

Rodrigo was sitting on a bed in the room that Tania had rented as their accommodation while they waited for the ship. It was a modest inn with two beds and was located on the second floor.

The room was small but fairly clean. In front of the beds, there was a small table illuminated by a beam of midday light entering through the window.

—No, I think I'll stay here. I have a lot to think about— Rodrigo replied with a somewhat somber expression.

—You should cheer up more— Ana said with a smile, looking out the window. A group of houses could be seen through it, as well as a nearby minaret from which prayers were being recited.

—I don't feel comfortable here because, well, my family, you know— Rodrigo replied.

—Do you think all these people are to blame for what Al-Mansur did in your hometown?— Ana asked.

—Well, they're from the same group: invaders— Rodrigo replied, annoyed.

—Unlike Tania, I haven't lived as long, but before I was born, these lands were inhabited by groups of people who worshipped local gods. I believe that only those people called Basques are the remnants of those groups— Ana responded.

—All the others are a mixture of Celts, Romans, Phoenicians, and Goths. They all did the same and have always done the same, Rui. It's part of the nature of living beings to want to dominate others. Not just humans, but gods are the same— Ana explained while looking out the window without much enthusiasm.

—Why do you want to justify the attack of those damned Moors on my home?— Rodrigo replied angrily.

Ana turned to Rodrigo with a serious and piercing gaze. Her blue eyes sparkled as if they had an inner light. Her expression was quite serious, yet beautiful.

—Ordinary humans are not to blame for the ambitions of their leaders— Ana replied.

—Why do you say that?— Rodrigo asked.

—I want you to look out the window— Ana said, turning to look outside again.

Rodrigo stood up and leaned out. Ana then pointed to a beggar in the street asking for money.

—What benefit will that poor man have from the conquests of the Sultan of Córdoba?— Ana asked.

Rodrigo remained silent.

—None. He had the misfortune of being born in poverty and will die in poverty, whether he's Spanish, Muslim, or from another kingdom— Ana answered herself.

Ana then pointed to a Berber man who was being insulted by another group of Arabs.

—Is that man to blame for being born darker-skinned and in North Africa, to be seen as a second-class person?— Ana asked.

Rodrigo continued to remain silent.

—Listen, Rui. Not only here but everywhere, those who have power exercise it. The injustices that this Al-Mansur commits in your land will not benefit the people below— Ana commented melancholically.

—Someday the Emirate of Córdoba will fall, and its inhabitants will be treated the same way your family was treated. The world is always in that sickening and devastating cycle, unfortunately— the goddess continued her explanation.

—Even so, I don't feel good about it— Rodrigo responded with a somber look.

—I know, and I understand you. I just wanted you to consider it and learn to hate the guilty individuals, not the people who are part of that leader's group— Ana said, putting her hand on his shoulder as Rodrigo sat back on the bed.

—I'll buy you something nice— Ana said as she left the room, while Rodrigo remained in silence, still tormented by his thoughts.