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An unnamed narrator explains that the story is based on an old manuscript written by Ada Reis, found buried with the body of the latter's daughter.
Ada Reis starts life as an abandoned boy who is taken, educated and given the name Reis after a benevolent Genoese merchant whose money he inherits. 'Ada' is the rank of ship's captain he acquires after murdering the previous captain. He grows up to be admired, envied and feared for his cunning and corruption, a self-serving free spirit who has a penchant for the low life but is well respected at various courts for discreet treachery. He is promiscuous, and adored by women. He has an affair with an Italian called Bianca who, after Ada Reis disappears, bears a daughter. The daughter is brought up by the man Bianca eventually marries. Years later Ada Reis returns, stabs Bianca in a fit of jealousy and takes the child, Fiormonda.
The child is brought up in extreme luxury and seclusion, under the watchful eye of a hideously deformed governess called Shaffou Paca - the mother of an evil magician or spirit known Kabkarra, with whom Ada Reis has entered into a Faustian pact. Kabkarra has delivered a prophecy that Ada Reis will rule as a monarch and Fiormonda shall wear an imperial crown with the world at her feet. Kabkarra knows of every foul deed and murder committed by Ada and claims Fiormonda as his future bride. Ada Reis dares not refuse him. Fiormonda's only friend, a page known as Zevahir, banished by Reis after he found them talking alone together, returns to her in his true form as a spirit of pure goodness known as Phaos or Zamohr. He is the half brother of the spirit of pure evil known as Zubanyann. Phaos, whom Fiormonda loves, only comes to Fiormonda when she is in control of her temper and does not give vent to her emotions. Kabkarra, an agent of the Spirit of Darkness, knowing Fiormondas wilful nature will bring about her downfall, joins her father in encouraging the violent side of her nature, which will bring her over to the dark side of her own accord. Neither side can take her by force. Fiormonda becomes increasingly worldly and sees less and less of the good spirit until he finally disappears altogether.
Ada Reis and Fiormonda have to leave their retreat in Tripoli because the Grand Pasha becomes suspicious about Reis's crimes (in addition, Fiormonda had been engaged to his son before they knew about the prophecy). Kabkarra saves them and says he will back in five years to claim Fiormonda for his bride. On a sea voyage they rescue Count Condulmar, with whom Fiormonda falls in love, believing her feelings to be reciprocated. Father and daughter settle in Lima where Fiormonda is never seen in public without her veil and Condulmar by her side, which serves to heighten interest in them both. Reis becomes impatient waiting for the prophesy to materialise, having turned down numerous offers for his daughter. In the meantime Fiormonda only loves Condulmar, who is actually an agent for the Spirit of Darkness and contrives to bring about Fiormonda's downfall by stimulating her vanity, anger and jealousy through abuse of her affections and the cold blooded murder of a rival for her hand, the Duke of Alphonso.
A terrible earthquake causes Ada Reis and Fiormonda to leave Lima, but their flight is intercepted by Kabkarra who spirits away Fiormonda, leaving Ada Reis in the hands of an Indian guide with whom he journeys to the land where the Indian has come from. It emerges that the Indian is another agent of the evil spirit and is leading Reis to his land so that the prophecy can be fulfilled, but not as Reis expected. The Indian murders his cousin, the chief of the tribe and Reis is first pronounced as the new king, then a god. He realises that this is Kabkarra's prophesy come true and that he has been tricked. He escapes into the desert where he is confronted by Kabkarra, who reveals himself as Zubanyann - the spirit of pure evil. Reis wants to be taken to Fiormonda but is told that she wears the oppressive crown she was promised. Zubanyann then takes Ada Reis into the Valley of Death where all inhabitants protest their innocence, and all punishments are seen to fit the crime. After a tour of Zubanyann's palace, which resembles a cold stately home more than a pit of flames (the conventional image of Hell), Reis is taken to the throne room where Fiormonda and her consort, Condulmar, wear the crowns in their first throes of death, much to Reis's horror. Condulmar gloats over his triumph over all that have entered the Valley of Death. His victims have come of their own free will. Fiormonda argues against him, saying that youth and inexperience made them easy prey and they all deserve a chance to repent. Condulmar agrees to a test, saying that they will all fail. All do, apart from Fiormonda, who is transported out of the Valley of Death and returns to earth to live out her life as a repentant sinner.
Leigh Wetherall, Sheffield Hallam University
© 1999 Leigh Wetherall / Sheffield Hallam University
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