Contents: Glossary. Siqilliya 1153-4: 1. Idrisi's reflections on beginnings and chance encounters. His first meeting with Rujari. 2. Family life and domestic idiocies. Idrisi foils a plan by his daughters to trap and betray their husbands, but is determined to educate his grandsons. 3. Siqilliyan whispers. The sultan in the palace informs Idrisi of the fate awaiting Philip al-Mahdia. Idrisi's encounter with Mayya and Elinore makes him forget all else. 4. The Mehfil at the Ayn al-Shifa mosque in Palermo. Philip is convinced that the Barons and Bishops are plotting a massacre or possibly two. 5. The Amir of Siracusa organises a dinner at which there is open talk of rebellion. 6. Love and a secret marriage. The poetry of Ibn Quzman. Elinore asks many questions, while Balkis listens. 7. Idrisi is overpowered by memories of an enchanted island. A first meeting with the trusted one, who preaches open rebellion against Palermo. 8. Siqilliyan sisters. Mayya and Balkis discuss the merits of life with and without men. Secrets are revealed. A plan is agreed to extract Idrisi's seed. 9. Idrisi reflects on rebellion and is surprised in his sleep. His seed is extracted more than once. 10. A twenty-six-years-old conversation on theology in which Rujari and Idrisi compare the merits and demerits of their respective religions. 11. The trial of Philip. The Amir of Catania farts loudly during the prosecutor's speech. 12. Idrisi's love for Balkis and its consequences. 13. The trusted one frees a village and gives battle to the Lombard barbarians. The sweet scent of victory. Life and fate. 14. A dual pregnancy and Idrisi discovers an unusual cure for coughs and colds. 15. The death of Rujari. Idrisi is a father again and twice. Dreaming of Siracusa. 16. Spring in Siracusa. Good and bad poetry. Fathers and sons. 17. Massacre in palermo. Idrisi decides never to visit the city again. He leaves for Baghdad. Lucera 1250 - 1300: Epilogue.