In the city of Arcila, a mysterious letter held by the rebel Guennum is intercepted. Its content, seemingly innocent, detail the state of health of the Caliph and insinuate the existence of a spy in the court of al-Hakan II. The eunuch Faiq al-Nizami informs the prime minister about the findings and they both decide to open an investigation. Faiq demands that the head of the investigation be someone removed from the spy world but also someone who can move at ease and with discretion. The eunuch Yasir is chosen. He is an important officer at the library. Soon afterwards, at the zoo in Medina al-Zahra a corpse appears in the lions cage and several slaves at the palace die poisoned. Suspicions grow. The destiny of Caliph al-Hakan II and of his whole family is inevitable. The Caliphate is about to disappear and the Taifa Kingdom begins to emerge.