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