Chapter 19
Early 1061 (452 from the Hegira), palace of Muhammad ibn al-Thumna
Of all the treasures conquered by a Qā’id, nothing could be compared to the value of his harem. It is in it, in fact, that the future is generated: numerous children born to numerous women, among whom the one who will reign as successor will be chosen. But those women, bought, kidn*pped, or simply granted, were already the greatest treasure in themselves, as nothing is more precious than human life, even if it is considered simply a property.
Of all the pearls of ibn al-Thumna's harem, Nadira was the brightest jewel, both for the girl's actual beauty and for the fact that she had stolen it from the hands of her rival.
Entering an emir's harem was the dream of many girls of the people, who basically ignored th
