QUOTE:
To his Majesty Charles Hart, King of Spain,

Your Highness, I do trust that although I am at war with the Order of the Templars and the Roman Empire, you will find it in thee to read my words, especially since it is a letter of the utmost importance.

Unfortunately, I no longer am the young man I used to be. Every day I look in the mirror and I see more and more wrinkles on my face. I used to be able to actually count them. Not anymore though...they are that many. I am almost 45 years old and although that doesn't necessarily mean I will die, it does mean I have to start putting my affairs in order, just in case Allah decides to take me to him.

Perhaps it will seem distasteful to thee to hear that us, Muslim rulers, take on more wives and even more concubines. Unfortunately I no longer have any wifes....they all died. Ironically, although it was I who fought numerous battles, it was my wives that died before me. So I decided to stick to the concubines. In the end they are just as capable as a wife of fulfilling their role on this Earth....perhaps even better sometimes. Plus, they are far cheaper to support.

But in time, my lifestyle has also brought me three sons and one daughter. Which brings us to the main topic of my letter.

Your Majesty, if I die without electing a successor, than my sons will most likely tare the kingdom apart in an attempt to take over the throne. And that is something I cannot allow. I have therefore decided to name a successor and to...ensure that once Allah takes me to him, he will remain on the throne. This is perhaps not very often seen at a Muslim leader, but I prefer to do things this way.

The son I have chosen to inherit the throne will be named Alar II.

What I wish to ask thee is if you are willing to hold as...guests the other two of my sons: the eldest brother Rayhan and the youngest brother Uthal. His sister Buthayna will remain at the Fatimid court since women are not allowed to become rulers anyway. Naturally, the Fatimid Sultanate would pay the sum of 100 silver per year to the Kingdom of Spain, in order to cover the expenses of hosting my sons.

I should also perhaps warn your Majesty that once Alar II is on the throne, he will most likely send out assassins to your kingdom in order to...eliminate his brothers. On this matter I would trust that your Majesty would know how to assure their security.

Perhaps your Majesty wonders why I decided to send my sons to a Christian kingdom, rather than to a Muslim kingdom. It is because it would not be the first time that a Sultan's son would obtain military assistance from another Muslim kingdom in order to take over the throne of his dead father. But that could never happen if they would be sent to a Christian kingdom.

I hope to hear from thee soon.

Insha'Allah!,

Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Sultanate

QUOTE:


Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Sultanate,

I much confess some feeling of surprise at this message from you, especially concerning your sons. I am a father of six myself, so I well know the worries of a Father for his children; whatever our other disagreements might be of politics or faith I think this is one area we can agree that our goals are united... in hoping for their futures. I will accept your sons at my court... though some idea of their ages and dispositions might be useful. I do not believe silver to the Kingdom of Aragon will be required, though what you send your sons directly in regards to such is of course a family affair and none of my concern.


Spain, on the whole, remains often a land in transition, and their remain enclaves of Muslims sworn now to the crown of Aragon or whatever King they owe such duty to, and in the far south remains a Muslim nation entire. So perhaps, it is not so great a surprise that your choose Aragon as a destination. My Lady Wife, Queen Rowan and I shall await the arrival of your sons with interest and welcome, where they will be treated as befitting their high birth and places found for them commiserate with their abilities.


Our correspondence has extended for many years now, and while I can never say to have ever truly understood you, it does seem a queer event for you to discuss your death so randomly. I am not a stranger to the sure knowledge that we must all one day account for the things we have done in this life, to He who put us here. Yet I will urge you not to dwell on the certain mortality, so much as what you may still do to serve God's will, rather than your own, in this life with the time remaining to you. I have found that in this way the burden of years seems less a trial than a growing certainty of duty well fulfilled.

-Charles Hart
-King of Aragon, Rey de Espania

QUOTE:
Your Majesty Charles Hart, King of Aragon and Spain,

I am most grateful for accepting to host my sons, they will no doubt feel the safest as they can between the walls of your fortress.

I also apologize to your Majesty for forgetting to mention the ages of my sons. Rayhan is 28 years old, while Uthal is 13 years old. He is but a boy and he seems to be very...fearful of the outside world. I wanted him to be like his father and to make a soldier and a politician out of him, but when I look at him I wonder if he wouldn’t be better suited for...women tasks. Hopefully for him though, his elder brother is a kind and gentle person, very protective towards his younger brother.

I also wish to thank your Majesty for accepting to host them without any financial assistance on my part, but nevertheless I will make sure my sons will receive a decent yearly sum of money...at least while I’m still alive.

Last but not least, after my current wars will end, I will no doubt organize a tournament celebrating their end, be them victories or defeats. In gratitude towards your gesture I wish thee to be the first person I invite to it. If of course your Majesty will not be able to attend due to the distance, than I will understand.

Insha’Allah!,

Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Sultanate