The setting for this latest offering by paulo coelho is in jerusalem. the date is july 14, 1099. on this date, the city was held by the fatimids. outside the city, the crusaders are to make their final assault and enter the city. most of the inhabitants of the city at this time profess one of the three abrahamic religions: judaism, christianity, and islam. knowing that the crusaders will soon attack, the people, vexed with uncertainty, are told to gather around a wise greek simply known as the copt. some expected some sort of sermon; but instead the copt wanted the people to ask questions that were troubling them. this dialogue would be set to writing or memorized for posterity. certainly, many of them asked about what will happen the next day.