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Aperitif.
Phantom Carlos is a thirteenth century
Portuguese mariner
Arabian
philosophies and quotation-styles in the novel Carlos were
selected by the author and are not in anyway intended to
contradict other persons or religious doctrines. You can savor
the incredible disclosures of a transient imaginative world of
the legend of Carlos, Phantom of the Red Palace. Bold text
has been utilized to facilitate the recognition of the dialogue
and quotations where necessary, arising from any activity of
Carlos, throughout the novel.
When
the arrow clobbered the eye of Harold, and John narrowly
splotched the parchment at the signing of the Magna Carta, the
Moors commanded the waters surrounding the Mediterranean
Balearic Islands, and the port of Malaga, Spain. Stories of
outrageous tortures served upon the uninvited were a warning to
the heathens to steer well away from the Islands and Malaga. The
exception was a Portugese fleet operated by the Toro family. The
fleet had a complement of seven ocean going trading ships and
was commanded by Commodore El Toro. Carlos, was the Master of
the sloop Braga. He was the youngest of twelve brothers and most
favored by El Toro. Carlos was handsome and tanned to a salted
bronze. His eyes were Celtic blue, and he was blessed with the
charisma of his Jewish mother.
El
Toro senior frequently visited the Red Palace. Women of the
Palace harem prattled relentlessly of the antics involving the
amorous and elderly Commodore.
Legends
concerning greed, horror and romance are often considered nonsense,
perhaps due to ignorance. The legend of the Phantom of the Red
Palace, is one legend which is not considered as nonsense, but
rather as frightening. The Red Palace is within the Alhambra
fortress close to Granada in Spain. Above the keystone of the
weathered archway leading into the aged fortress is a sculptured
naked hand which intimidates the dry and dusty steep approach.
Of the thousands of visitors who have passed beneath the archway
only few have given the sculpture much attention. Many scholars
are dubious of the notion that the naked hand is truly symbolic
of the five points in the Islamic creed, namely, to call in the
name of Allah - to pray five times every twenty four hours- to
observe a fast - to help the poor, and visit Mecca when free of
debt.
Reference
to Carlos is deliberate, yet cautious and daring, and not
without fear of any outcome arising from predictions in the
novel, including those which have already occurred.
The
clairvoyant Gypsies living in Granada believe that Carlos has a
parchment on which is written the following account of Muslim
justice, giving credence to the legend.
‘Long
ago in this great palace, where I have been to be sure, one
night alone with Alisha, and once with nineteen of my kin at a
revelry. I well recall reception hall and cloister above, where
music for selected guests was played by Artists, maestros all.
Each maestro was blind, eyes gouged out so not to see the women
of the harem. On that night twenty chosen guests were invited to the revelry. They did not feel
the swords so quick, when twenty had their heads off. Twenty
heads all blooded on the floor and the miniature pools were
flowing red, because Alisha and passion captured me. Muslim
justice was satisfied.’
I
have visited the Alhambra fortress and the Red Palace on six
occasions and followed six different Spanish guides, and heard
six differing versions of the legend. I labored my way through
the crowded corridors inside the fortress and elbowed in and out
of the ancient royal bed chambers and pool gardens. On six
occasions I slumbered in the magnificent perfumed rose and
flowering-shrub enclosures: giving rein to imaginative dreams of
the legend. I have admired the splendor of the miniature
fountains and the unique terraced walkway leading to the royal
summer quarters. I have been drugged by the bouquet of the
myrtle evergreens which form a bracelet binding the long
goldfish pool close to the royal chambers. On hot and clammy
days I have daydreamed in the cooling pavilion of the lions. On
every visit I have sensed something. Is it imagination or
emotion, or fact? Will I ever know the answer? Visitors to
Alhambra have also felt the presence of the unfamiliar when they
walked in the cold and damp underground royal bath chambers,
which are crowned by star-shaped ventilators cut into the stone
dome which allowed spent vapors out and admitted soft light to
grace the imperial perfumed waters. It is whispered by the
gypsies that lonely virgins loitering in the Alhambra grounds
may see or hear one or more of the legendary ghosts. Perhaps if
favored, the flamboyant Carlos, employing his alluring charms
may beckon a virgin to the revelry.
Senor
Carlos is animated for one day at a time, very absent-minded,
romantic and virtually fearless. He is a mariner beached,
perhaps for ever. On the eve of the twentieth century the
British Empire stretched across the globe and was reported to
have one heart, one language, one policy and one Crown, but the
world inherited the phantom Carlos four centuries earlier.
Carlos’s patch extends from the Alhambra to the planet at
large, including the defunct British Empire, and all who
perished for Her.
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'Carlos'
, Copyright © , 2006, Denis Owen Lee
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