Morena 2.0

Francisco Cánovas Carreño, Mauro Rivera Alfaro

• Publisher: Babelcube Inc.
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781071544396
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: European Medieval History
• Index: History

'Morena 2.0'
Esta es una novela que trenza la leyenda y la historia.
The writer, Manuel Francisco Cánovas (1964) makes his debut, hand in hand with Editorial Círculo Rojo, with his novel 'Morena 2.0', a fictional account woven with the oral tradition and history of the city of Elche. The novel is structured in two different timeframes, the Middle Ages (S. XIV) and the current times, both intertwined by the events that take place.
Just as the author explains: "the historical fiction is supported by the finding of the Virgin of the Assumption – patroness of Elche – by the coastguard Francesc Cantó, and it reflects the environment and ideology, prior the expulsion of the Moors from the Kingdom of Spain, in certain regions, as well as the geographical, bureaucratic, and economical structure of the cities. The part that narrates the current times, talks about the re-enactment of the"Misteri d'Elx" – UNESCO World Heritage- and takes advantage of the elements from the past to explain the present through a fictional story that is completely different but perfectly linked.
A novel that takes us to the era when three cultures mingled (Christians, Muslims, and Jewish) in Spain. The description of their interactions, their differences and the environment of the era, thriving in detail and nuance. In addition, to the geographical situation of the plat in the Spanish Levante (City of Elche), and the combination of historically opposing elements, and some other legendary ones.
A novel for those who enjoy historical novels, who rejoice in a well-documented text, with elaborate atmosphere, and perfectly defined characters, where each character is just as well developed as the next, regardless of the relevance in the plot.
SUMMARY
After more than thirteen years away, Laura returns to Elche during the celebration of August. Her nephew performs in the re-enactment of the "Misteri d'Elx" as the "Angel del

E

Guillem and Hugo de León took a long time to get to the city. They traveled the distance along the path made among the palm orchards in silence.

Guillem already knew the intentions of the Knight Templar and the object of his mission: to recover a miraculous relic of the Virgin, lost more than five years ago.

His memory went through some of the nooks in his brain, the youth dream that prompted him to quit his ancestor's faith and convert to Christianity, as well as his falling in love with his wife. And blurry in the memories in his mind, there was always a picture of the Virgin holding the hand of a redheaded girl.

He had to provide Hugo León all the necessary help, he was convinced that was the new priority; although this clashed frontally with his ethics and with his heart; because, for this purpose, he should reveal sworn secrets, kept for more than seventeen years and there was certain risk of seriously harming his daughter

María, who, despite not carrying his blood, he considered her such and never differentiated between her and Ishmael, his legitimate son.

To what extent could the information provided by Moorish sage help? Could he discover that secret without talking about María and her true origin? What about her drowning on the beach?

Too many doubts, too many questions, too many consequences...

So engrossed was in his thoughts, that they reached to Calahorra without even realizing it. There was a great uproar.

A Christian shouted and blasphemed, complaining without ceasing, while a Moor, faced with him, responded threatening.

Guillem barely passed behind the tumult, and at the entrance he bid farewell to the Knight Templar, agreeing to meet him again at noon, once he collected his belongings from the inn.

He'd stay at home.

Guillem accessed the inside of the tower, taking an interest in the racket outside. Apparently, there was a conflict between the two men he had crossed paths with at the entrance, and the dispute had attracted a large number of bypassers, swirling around them.

Those did not agree, so both the Christian and the Moor were willing to let the Council intervene in their differences and apply the laws as appropriate.

The two belligerents entered Calahorra, and each of them exposed their grievances, before the greater justice, with Guillem sitting next to him taking notes.

The hall was filled with the curious who filled the door earlier; Christians supporting their race and Moors encouraging their own. When their allegations had been completed, full of interruptions, accusations, insults and even threats, the Justice declared to be sufficiently aware of the issue and communicated the presents that he would consult the application of the law regarding such a complex matter, and resolve in a few days.

The crowd that filled the room started to leave, with some occasional verbal confrontation among the spectators, that never went further. The few that were left behind were sitting and at ease on the benches, while the turmoil dispersed.

Standing in front of the Justice and Guillem, the Moor remained asking for justice, his face distorted and trying to continue his allegation. The court informed him that there was out of order, that what had been exposed had already been said and the trial was seen, so he

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had to go back home until he was informed of the resolution.

The Moor, however, was reluctant to vacate the room and kept questioning the Justice, less and less vehemently, who, experienced in those affairs, patiently waited for the man to calm down and leave. That lame quietness gave Guillem the time to look at the courtroom and spot the woman sitting on the last bench. She was an old Moor, all dressed in black and with a veil covering her face, so that only her eyes were visible. A pair of black and tired eyes that he immediately recognized when he saw them.

It was Zaida, the old woman who had been in his house more than 17 years before, the night of the Great Storm. The one woman with whom he agreed to exchange children; one dead one for a hopeless living one. He had not seen her again since then, in accordance to the sacred vow they sealed. He had noticed her presence in various occasions, hidden, vigilant, lurking... the arrival of the Knight Templar had brought her back from his memory.

And now, there she was, without saying word, but with a pleading gaze.

What did she intend? Had she heard of the arrival of Hugo de Leon and his mission? Had she seen him with him at the entrance?

His head was boiling with questions and feelings that day. Events were beyond him and he felt distressed. Suddenly, the old woman shook her head and stared at the moor seeking justice, who was still in the courtroom. Muhammad was his name, according to his allegations. And then, she looked at Guillem again...

She tried to tell him something with those black eyes, but he could not decipher the enigma they hid, until he suddenly realize. That Moor was the husband of Zoraida's granddaughter! María's biological father, even if he didn't know it. The same wretch who, unknowingly, lost two children on the same day: a living one he didn't even know; and a dead one he buried.

Guillem nodded at the old woman. He had received the message and would do whatever was in his power for that unfortunate innocent.

Zaida rose then and left as quietly as usual.

"An ugly and sloppy matter," exclaimed the Justice,

approaching Guillem and bringing him back to reality.

"It is," he answered.

"And cursed. Whatever the resolution might be, one of the two parties will not be happy," he said stroking his beard.

"As usual. Everyone is right when they come here, but only one gets entitled with it," replied Guillem.

"Salomon was wise indeed. He solved the conflicts with apparent ease," the Justice pointed out, foreseeing what was coming on him. I am concerned that this might be the beginning of a major problem between the communities. The land and livestock, the sustenance of each other, something worth fighting for and dying for.

"What do you think we should do?" he questioned him, then.

"We must enforce the current laws. Whatever the corresponding law is, because no privileges have been issued in favor of none of the parties," Guillem answered with serenity.

"So simple and yet so complex". It will surely call for something else. We have got to study the matter, the law, the customs, hum...! Complex, very complex..." the Major Justice repeated compulsively.

That doubt cued Guillem to try his ploy.

It was a matter to be resolved by the Justice, according to his powers, and he would limit himself to transcribing his decision, whatever it was. He had to convince him to leave the matter in his hands, that he was the one to solve that question. It was the only way that his intervention could influence the resolution and tip the balance, and thus correspond, in some way, Marias's biological father. But he had to be extremely careful and prudent. That could not corrupt him and lead him to commit an injustice to the Christian, who knew nothing or understood nothing about his debts.

He recalled the matter:

"The Christian reported Muhammad because the sheep of his flock entered his lands to eat the grass of his orchards, when he took them grazing in the hill. Given that the lands were his, Muhammad had to be prohibitted from entering in order to cease the damages. He could not sell him land, not even a portion to cross toward the hill, because the law expressely forbade that the Moor purchase land from Christians. Muhammed, however, claimed that that path had been the passage to take the sheep to the hill for generations. There was no other way to get to the pastures, except by going around for more than twenty leagues. He herded the sheep along the way, but could not prevent some of them from escaping and eating the grass from the Christian's orchards, until he redirected them to the flock. The sheep did not cause damage, they simply ate the grass from the orchards".

"What do you say I look into the matter and advise you...? I know the jurisprudence for I have transcribed it several times, and I like to study, as you know," Guillem proposed to the Major Justice, trying to appear normal.

"A great idea," he said, snorting from that quagmire.

"I'll get on with it immediately and when I have a well-founded opinion, I'll let you know."

"Better prepare the resolution yourself. I trust you, your judgment, and your wisdom, blindly. You will do the right thing, as if it were myself who made the decision," he said, smiling.

"I will, with God's help," ended Guillem.

Imad hadn't shown up at the workshop all morning, nobody knew where he was nor had seen him by the farmhouse.

María, who was absorbed in her own errands, thought at first that he would be in the orchard, up in some palm tree, collecting the clusters of ripe dates, and gave no greater importance to his absence. But it was about noon and she still had no news of him, and she started to worry her. She recalled the sentence that Guillem had imposed the night before, and how angry Imad had left. He was very impulsive, very passionate, very childish, despite his age, five years older than her. Sometimes, it was difficult for him to understand her father; it was a matter of letting a few days pass for things to calm down and be back the way they used to be.

In her hads, she held the fabrics that Rafsiq had handed Imad, and that still remained in the cart. She wanted to ask him where he had found them because they were so beautiful and soft, and of the best quality and design that she had ever contemplated. But faced with the unknown whereabouts of Imad, who still showed no signs of life, she decided to keep them carefully in the workshop, before seeing how Guillem and the Knight Templar approached the house, back from the city.

"You're home earlier than usual,"

María greeter her father when he was close enough to hear her.

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"That's right," he answered laconically. "Call Imad, I want to have a word with him," Guillem told her with severity.

"I don't know where he is. I haven't seen him all morning," María answered the request. "I thought he would be running an errand for you".

"He who roams at nig...