Web Of Faith | Scott Davis
Web Of Faith
The story of the Unveiled Trilogy begins in the treacherous back alleys of 1950s Tehran, where a single act of violence sets in motion a decades-spanning saga of espionage and revenge. When her father, a key smuggler for a clandestine Christian network known as the “Spider’s Web,” is publicly executed, a traumatized fifteen-year-old Maryam Amiri is taken in by the group’s matriarch, Zahra Javadpour. Under Zahra’s guidance, Maryam is forged into a brilliant operative, mastering the secret routes and codes of a world where faith is contraband. She is sharp, disciplined, and devoted, a rising star in the hidden war for belief.
But Maryam’s carefully constructed life is shattered by the arrival of Farid Nassiri, a charismatic and ruthless criminal mastermind who co-opts the Web for his own empire. He sees in Maryam a reflection of his own ambition and begins a calculated seduction that culminates in a devastating public betrayal. This crucible of humiliation doesn’t break Maryam; it hardens her into a legend. Over the next decade, she becomes the feared “Spider of Jerusalem,” a pragmatic and lethal operator who must navigate the chaos of the Iranian Revolution, settle old debts with brutal finality, and ultimately confront the man who created her, even if it costs her everything she has left.
Main Characters
Supporting Cast
Lore in Web Of Faith
Amiri Family Bible
Maryam’s father’s Bible is the foundational artifact and emotional catalyst of the entire trilogy. A small, battered book with a cover stained and made slick by her father Mahmoud’s own blood, it is thrust into her hands in the moments after his public execution. More than just scripture, it becomes the physical embodiment of his last command—”Continue what I started. Do not be afraid”—and the anchor for Maryam’s lifelong vow. It remains her most sacred possession and a source of private torment and conviction, traveling with her from her first mission, through her ruthless transformation into the feared “Spider of Jerusalem,” and into her final redemption as Sister Mariam, representing the unbroken and defining thread of faith, vengeance, and legacy that drives her entire story.
The Crucifix Beacon
The Crucifix Beacon is a small, worn cross on a thin chain, an unassuming religious object that doubles as a clandestine communication device for the Spider’s Web. Passed down as a secret family heirloom from the original matriarch, Zahra, to her daughter Laila and then to her grandson Reza, it embodies the fusion of faith and espionage that defines the network. A hidden latch on the back of the crucifix conceals a short-range transmitter, which, when activated with a specific coded sequence, sends out a powerful distress signal to the Web’s operatives. More than a tool, it is a symbol of last resort and a physical link connecting three generations, used by Maryam to trigger a prison break and later by Reza to summon the Spider’s network, proving to be the one of the most pivotal devices in the entire trilogy.
The Web Of Faith Timeline
Web Of Faith Events
Farid Nassiri's Birth
January 15, 1922Farid Nassiri is born in Tehran.
Zahra Javadpour's Birth
May 22, 1932Zahra Javadpour is born into a clandestine Christian family.
Maryam Amiri's Birth
October 2, 1942Maryam Amiri is born in a small Iranian fishing village.
The Strategic Marriage
May 25, 1949Farid marries Zahra to gain access to her family’s Bible smuggling network.
Expansion and Quiet Work
May 1949 – 1958Farid expands smuggling routes using Zahra’s family connections while Zahra begins quiet underground Bible work.
A Father's Execution
September 12, 1958Maryam witnesses her father’s execution for Bible smuggling, takes his Bible but is haunted by fear.
Under Zahra's Wing
1958–1960A fear-stricken Maryam is taken under Zahra’s wing to learn the family's smuggling operations.
First Trade Trip
April 1960Zahra takes Maryam on her first “trade trip” to Jerusalem during Iraq’s political turmoil, hiding Bibles in saffron crates.
Laila Nassiri's Birth
March 18, 1962Laila Nassiri is born to Zahra and Farid.
The Affair Begins
November 3, 1965Farid begins an affair with Maryam, manipulating her with rare books and influence.
The Humiliation
May 1967Maryam reveals the affair to Zahra; Farid publicly chooses Zahra, humiliating Maryam and hardening her resolve.
The Spider's Rise
1967–1976Maryam expands the smuggling network, blending Bible distribution with contraband while maintaining her public image as the “Spider of Jerusalem.” Farid siphons routes for arms and opium.
Laila's Arranged Marriage
June 4, 1976Laila is married to Ali Mahmudian, a union arranged by Farid for business leverage.
Reza's Birth
April 14, 1977Reza ibn Mahmud is born to Laila and Ali.
Years of Turmoil
1976–1987Laila suffers years of abuse from Ali, while Maryam’s empire grows amid regional instability.
Iranian Revolution
1979The revolution increases Christian persecution, forcing Maryam’s network deeper underground.
Iran-Iraq War
1980–1988The war expands refugee crises and the demand for smuggling.
Laila's Death
October 12, 1987Laila dies after years of abuse, triggering Maryam’s guilt and rage.
A Murder and its Fallout
March 3, 1988Maryam murders Ali Mahmudian, fracturing her network as crackdowns intensify.
Flight to the Monastery
September 9, 1988Maryam flees to a monastery near the Jordanian border, becoming “Sister Mariam” while quietly continuing Bible smuggling.
A Plea for Help
May 14, 1991Father Hassan asks Maryam to help rescue Christians trapped between Iran and Iraq during the Gulf War.
The Network Reactivated
June 18, 1991Maryam reactivates her old smuggling network for the rescue mission.
The Ambush
June 21, 1991An ambush kills Father Hassan; Maryam is captured, imprisoned, and marked for execution.
Coded Messages
June 21 – September 26, 1991From prison, Maryam uses a crucifix transmitter to send coded messages to her operatives, planning an escape.
The Final Confrontation
September 27, 1991 (night)During the prison break, Farid confronts Maryam underground. After he gloats over his manipulation and Hassan’s death, Maryam kills Farid, ending years of betrayal.
Rebirth
September 28, 1991 (dawn)Maryam returns to the monastery bloodied and exhausted. The “Spider” dies; “Sister Mariam” is reborn, quietly continuing her father’s legacy of faith and rescue work.
