The Daevabad Trilogy, #1
The City of Brass
by S. A. Chakraborty
Contents
Chapter 29: Ali
Overview
Ghassan confronts Ali over aiding the Tanzeem and suspected Ayaanle-backed sedition, revealing Rashid’s execution and plans to exile Ali to Am Gezira—effectively a delayed execution. Ali pleads loyalty to Muntadhir and compassion for the shafit, but Ghassan prioritizes Daevabad’s stability. The rift finalizes when Ghassan insists Nahri now hates them after Dara’s death.
Summary
After prayer, Ali is visited by King Ghassan, who unexpectedly speaks about faith and the political roots of their religion, shaken by nearly losing his children in the boat attack. Ghassan recalls naming Ali after the rebel hero Alizayd, then admits he may have erred by giving a second son so provocative a legacy.
Ghassan reveals Muntadhir informed him of Ali’s covert charity, and that Rashid ben Salkh has been executed; the shafit attacker Hanno acted alone, and Sister Fatumai is being hunted. He accuses Ali of being the Ayaanle-backed figurehead for shafit hopes, insisting Ali could one day break and move against Muntadhir under pressure.
Ali denies any intent to usurp, professing love for his brother and a desire only to help the city’s poor. Ghassan counters that Ali’s zeal could collapse Daevabad, a risk he will not take. He strips Ali of titles and funds, ordering him to depart with a caravan to Am Gezira.
Ali realizes exile means abandonment to Geziri assassins—death by proxy rather than formal execution. Begging his father to kill him outright, he learns Ghassan cannot give that order, but will still send him away.
Seeking meaning in his sacrifice, Ali asks about Nahri. Ghassan rejects Ali’s defense of her, asserting that after witnessing Dara’s death at Ali’s hands and being dragged from his ashes, Nahri now regards the Qahtanis as enemies, closing the door on reconciliation.
Who Appears
- Alizayd (Ali) al QahtaniConfronted by his father, denies sedition, loses titles and income, and is exiled to Am Gezira—an implicit death sentence.
- King Ghassan al QahtaniAccuses Ali of enabling revolt, executes Rashid, orders Ali’s exile to protect Daevabad, and declares Nahri now an enemy.
- Muntadhir al QahtaniOff-page; informed Ghassan of Ali’s actions, intensifying the rift and prompting the king’s decisive punishment.
- Rashid ben SalkhExecuted for aiding the Tanzeem; his death underscores Ghassan’s crackdown and Ali’s crushing guilt.
- Sister FatumaiShafit caregiver to orphans; sought by the palace, symbolizing the peril faced by Ali’s allies.
- Nahri (Banu Nahida)Off-page; cited by Ghassan as hating the Qahtanis after witnessing Dara’s death, closing alliances with Ali.