‘What has caused such rage in Don Pedro?’ said Blackstone.

‘He sent his treasury by ship down the Guadalquivir but it has been seized by his admiral, Boccanegra. The Portuguese ambassador delivered the news that the King’s daughter’s betrothal has been rejected and they will not offer him sanctuary. They are blockading the Guadalquivir. No reinforcements from Granada can reach us and if there was ever a chance to escape by ship that is no longer a possibility.’

No wonder the delegation Blackstone saw scurrying away looked so nervous. A King crazed with fury had nothing to lose by killing messengers who bore bad news. They had run for their lives.

‘You’ve seen his temper before: how long before we can talk sense into him?’

‘Days. Now he insists on defending Seville.’

‘If he does that, he’ll die here. You hear that?’ he said, meaning the rising sound beyond the walls. ‘That’s a mob. They know his half-brother’s men are on our heels. Think about it. They storm the Alcázar and they gift the city to the skinners. You know what I mean by skinners? Mercenaries?’

‘I understand,’ al-Hakam said, ‘but no one can enter the King’s chambers. Not yet.’

‘Where is Álvaraz?’

‘He is guarding the entrances with my men.’

Blackstone nodded. ‘He knew we would be trapped here.’ Blackstone saw the danger that could soon swamp them. Leave it too late and the people of Seville would blockade the palace. It would take a bloodbath for an army to kill a whole city and make a fast escape. And Blackstone had no army. It was time to risk trusting the Moor. ‘Álvaraz gave me men to go with my own and bring fresh horses.’

‘The King’s?’

Blackstone nodded. If such grand theft stirred the royal bodyguard’s sense of duty, then he would order his men to stop Blackstone’s.

‘And now you also steal his wealth.’

‘I use his wealth to save his life. We need fresh mounts. How will they be brought into the Alcázar?’

Al-Hakam hesitated. He and Blackstone were now conspirators together. He knew there was no longer any choice how best to serve Don Pedro. ‘They’ll bring them through the rear gates; they’re narrow, easy to defend, and open to the farmland. I will see to it. It is a long ride north to the coast and that’s now our only hope to deliver Don Pedro to your Prince.’