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Age of the Andulus
Chapter One: An incompetent Hitman that changed the World


Art depiction of the Arab conquest of Iberia

Called 'God's Paradise on Earth', it truely lived up to the reputation. The place in question was the Iberian peninsula. Protected by the high mountain ranges in the north, and lush with fertile soil in the south, that could grow such diverse and unique crops. It had been invaded time and time again, from Carthage to Rome, up to the recent Visigoths, and yet again has it been invaded. However this time would be different, it would change the face of Hispania forever.
It was Tariq ibn Ziyad who decided to take the bounty of 'God's Paradise on Earth', in the name of the Dar as-Salam. He along with Musa ibn Nusayer were the conquerers that brought Iberia under the bode of Islam. This story begins howver with Musa's son, Abd al-Aziz, who started what was to be known as The Age of The Andulus.

''Tell me, Katib, what do you think the Ummayads will do with me.'' Abd al-Aziz looked to the Katib, waiting for a reply. ''I do not know what you mean sir'' He said with a nervous demeanor. ''They want me dead, I know it''. He was Abd al-Aziz ibn Musa, the governer of Al-Andulus. He had defeated the last Visigoths, Roderic, and married his widow. Although today he is admired as a hero, in his time he was looked at with suspicion for his relationship wth Umm'Assim (Fomerly known as Egilona), there were even rumours of a conversion to Christianity. Another man walked through the door of the governer office, it was a local imam. ''Sir, it is time for the Na'mazz.'' He looked to ibn Musa, and he looked back with an expression of frustration. ''I know, let us go. In fact if you don't mind, I will lead the prayers myself.'' The Katib appeared shocked, but of course could not express it with the imam in the room. ''As you wish, sir. I shall inform the men.'' The imam then left the room, scurrying out the door. ''What was that? If I may be so bold, sir. What about the things you told me about earlier? The Ummayads...''
''If I am going to die, I am going to die a devout man''.


A 16th century depiction of the fateful evening.

It was Maghrib, the evening prayer, in Al-Andulus. Men and boys flocked towards the gate of the Sevilla Mosque. However all was not at ease and peace as it seemed, Ziyad ibn ‘Udhra al-Balawi had been ordered to kill Abd al-Aziz, from the orders of Caliph Suleiyman himself. However Abd al-Aziz was no fool, He had a plan in case some thing was to happen to him. Al-Balawi made his way through the mosque , hiding his dagger in his turban. Everything was at peace, yet somehow so loud. The Adhan could be heard being sang in the background, relatives and friends chatting amongst themselves. Even a few Muladi who had never done na'mazz before unsure what to do. However as this was all happening, Ziyad crept into the front row, waiting for the right moment, And as he walked up to the podium where Abd-al Aziz was standing he silenting got out his dagger......

And as he had dagger out, he suddenly felt a coldness inside his body. When he looked down he saw a blade coming out of his stomach. Abd al-Aziz had hidden several body-guards within the front row, each with their own sword. So thus, the Caliphs assassination attempt had failed, and ibn Musa would live to see another day.
Who knows what would have happened if that on that day, Abd al-Aziz had been killed. Maybe Al-Andulus wouldn't have made it to this today. But what that failed asssasination did bring was the beginning of a new age in Iberia, The Age of the Andulus.
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