You talk of the toil and expense of maintaining Alhama.

Did we doubt on undertaking this war that it was to be one of infinite cost, labor, and bloodshed?
And shall we shrink from the cost the moment a victory is obtained and the question is merely to guard or abandon its glorious trophy?
Let us hear no more about the destruction of Alhama; let us maintain its walls sacred, as a stronghold granted us by Heaven in the centre of this hostile land; and let our only consideration be how to extend our conquest and capture the surrounding cities." The language of the queen infused a more lofty and chivalrous spirit into the royal council.

Preparations were made to maintain Alhama at all risk and expense, and King Ferdinand appointed as alcayde Luis Fernandez Puerto Carrero, senior of the house of Palma, supported by Diego Lopez de Ayala, Pero Ruiz de Alarcon, and Alonso Ortis, captains of four hundred lances and a body of one thousand foot, supplied with provisions for three months.
Ferdinand resolved also to lay siege to Loxa, or Loja, a city of great strength at no great distance from Alhama, and all-important to its protection.

It was, in fact, a military point situated in a pass of the mountains between the kingdoms of Granada and Castile, and commanded a main entrance to the Vega.

The Xenil flowed by its walls, and it had a strong castle or citadel built on a rock.