The kingdom of slave girls

In the late fifth century AH, amidst the sectarian conflicts raging among the emirates of southern Arabia, and in a harsh, patriarchal environment, the Jableh region was ruled by a woman whose reign extended for more than 50 years. Her power extended without an army to protect her, except for a few preachers of the esoteric Ismaili sect... and concubines. In the school attached to the palace, Queen Arwa al-Sulayhiyya trained her concubines in the arts of seduction, seduction, and absolute loyalty, and through them she subdued the princes of the castles and fortresses. Among these concubines, Shawdhab stood out, gaining the queen's trust. This experienced slave, whose names were many and whose guises were shrouded in confusion, would rule in her mistress's name in secret for a long time after her departure, at the request of her companions, who realized that concealing the news of the queen's death was the only way to maintain their power. And Shodhab, or whatever her name was, was not only the queen's beloved, but she was also the passionate, forbidden love that tormented the queen's scribe, Gowther, who kept his nights awake and burned his days. In the late fifth century of the Islamic calendar, amidst the raging sectarian conflicts among the emirates in southern Arabia, and in a harshly patriarchal environment, a woman ruled the region of Jibla, extending her authority for over 50 years with no army to protect her except for some Ismaili Batini missionaries and concubines. In the palace's annexed school, Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi nurtured her concubines in the arts of seduction, eloquence, and absolute loyalty to her, through which she subdued the princes of castles and forts. Among those concubines, Shaddadah emerged, earning the queen's trust. This knowable concubine, whose names were numerous and whose disguises were many, would rule in her mistress's name in secret for a long time after her departure, at the request of her fellow concubines, who realized that concealing the queen's death was the only way to protect their authority. And Shaddadah, or whatever her name may be, was not only loved by the queen, but she was also the forbidden passionate love that tormented the queen's scribe, Judhar, keeping him awake at night and consuming his days.

It is the kingdom of women that will come to an end with Shaddadah's death, igniting wars among the proponents of divine truth, including Zaidis, Sunnis, tribalists, and dynasts, and dividing the kingdom into kingdoms.

This is the story of yesterday. This is the story of today.”