The Silver Lyre

By Jeannine Jordan

Ari es una estudiante estadounidense en España cuando visita la real ciudad medieval de la Alhambra. ¿Quiénes eran las personas, los moros, que vivieron en estos hermosos palacios hace mucho tiempo? En un momento en que Ari está sola, el sitio histórico cobra vida a su alrededor. Las personas que conoce y la aventura que experimenta tienen un efecto que dura mucho después del día de su visita. ¡Tal vez Ariana, la doncella española, el sultán africano y el astrólogo árabe también puedan lanzar un hechizo encantador sobre ti!

Ari is an American student in Spain when she visits the medieval royal city of the Alhambra. Who were the people that lived in these beautiful palaces long ago? In a moment when Ari is alone, the historic site comes to life around her. The people she meets and the adventure she experiences have an effect that lasts long after the day of her visit. Perhaps Ariana the Spanish maiden, the African sultan, and the Arabian astrologer may cast an enchanting spell on you too!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798885059152

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Glossary

Food of Andalusia

Asiana's Songs

Creative Project

Ariana's Wardrobe

Bibliography

About the Author

cover.jpg

The Silver Lyre

Jeannine Jordan

Copyright © 2023 Jeannine Jordan

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2023

ISBN 979-8-88505-914-5 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88505-916-9 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88505-915-2 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Welcome to the Alhambra!

Andalusia is the most beautiful region of Spain. The snowy Sierra Nevada sends streams of water down the hillsides to irrigate the arid land. The Mediterranean coastline brings fresh breezes and moist air. The years of Islamic rule at the Alhambra (1238–1492) overflowed with celebrations of culture—literature and music, art and dancing, gardens and international guests. Muslims, Christians, and Jews who lived in Granada shared food, music, clothing, art, and many other customs with greater tolerance than at any other time in Spanish history. One historian dubbed Andalusia the ornament of the world because of the relatively peaceful interactions among the three groups during these years. The Alhambra was the fortress home of the sultans who governed Andalusia. It is a work of beauty in every respect—location, climate, gardens, fountains, palaces, avenues, courtyards, mosques, filigree work, mosaics, and towers.

The Alhambra, a medieval marvel, still stands today with much of its original glory. Tales of magic, intrigue, and romance abound. When you visit, be on the alert for mysterious voices, music, and movements. Feel the romance of this magical place. Perhaps you will have your own Alhambra adventure like the characters in this story.

To my children—James, Irene, Kira, and Audrey—for sharing the many wonders of childhood and for encouraging me to pursue my dreams, even in retirement.

Author’s Note

In 1832, the American writer Washington Irving visited the Alhambra in Spain for a few months, collecting stories from the people who lived there. He shared these legends of morals, magic, and mystery with the rest of the world in a book he titled Tales of the Alhambra. The tales are fun to read, but they leave many questions unanswered. What motivated the characters? What was the lifestyle of the people in the Alhambra? What universal truths do the legends carry for modern readers? Does the magic of the Alhambra still affect visitors?

In The Tale of the Arabian Astrologer, an old sultan at the Alhambra welcomes an ancient Arabian astrologer to help him defend his borders using magic. A Spanish maiden is captured and brought to the sultan. The astrologer thinks she is an evil enchantress who will subvert the sultan; and the sultan, infatuated with the maiden, tries to win her affection through extravagance. Each time the sultan makes a passionate advance toward the maiden, she plays her magical silver lyre, which sends him into a deep sleep. Eventually, the astrologer removes the maiden using magic and keeps her in eternal bondage. The sultan resumes the defense of his borders by traditional methods.

I visited the Alhambra as a tourist and found it fascinating. I studied medieval Spain and gained new insights. If we had access to the diaries and chronicles from that time, what more might we learn? Might the entire narrative look different from the Spanish maiden’s perspective? These thoughts led me to compose the following story, which I call The Silver Lyre. I hope you enjoy it!

– Jeannine Jordan

Note: This story is entirely fictional. The related study resources are based on the author’s informal research as an interested tourist. Details may differ from those of more expert researchers. The author’s primary goal is to ignite the interest of readers in a fascinating, historic culture.

Chapter 1

Ari gazed up at the ancient hand and key. They seemed to speak to her.

Ari checked her watch again. It was still just 3:00 p.m. Her tour group was enjoying the medieval Alhambra fortress city, amazed at its beauty and entertained by its legends, but she wanted to ride the tour bus back to her apartment in downtown Granada as soon as possible. She loved this historic site, but she should not have signed up to go on the tour today. Her recital at the university was tonight, and she was nervous. Studying classical guitar in Granada had been her dream ever since she learned to play her first guitar chords in middle school in America. Here she was now as a college student, living her dream! She had been in the program for six weeks and would perform a traditional piece from Andalusia for the music department’s faculty and her fellow students. She loved this culture and their music. Would she live up to their expectations? Ari leaned against a wall in a shady spot to wait for her group at the designated meeting place: the enormous Gate of Justice .

Ari’s ringlets of dark hair were tied back with a pink ribbon in a simple ponytail, and she wore no makeup. Her black jeans and pink blouse were fresh but basic. Her leather shoes were sensible for walking. Her jewelry was the same silver earrings she wore every day—tiny hands of hospitality—which she picked up on her first week in Granada, hoping the ancient good luck symbol might work in her favor. Despite casual grooming, Ari’s natural beauty shined. Her dark eyes sparkled with energy, and her smile was contagious. She struggled to appear dignified and aloof for performances because she naturally glowed with enthusiasm