Chapter 15: Nahri

Nahri and Dara land at Daevabad’s neglected lakeside docks and pass easily through the gates into the Grand Bazaar, overwhelmed by its chaotic diversity. A Daeva hustler accosts them but flees when he glimpses Dara’s Afshin mark. As the crowd thins and shutters close, a curfew is struck and tension rises.

In the adjoining plaza of seven gates, a shafit agitator denounces Daevas and the king’s favoritism while a young Daeva trades insults. Rumors fly about a kidnapped convert bride. As a mob approaches, the Daevas retreat into their quarter. Dara seizes a Geziri guard’s scythe and steps alone to face the crowd.

Dara reveals his Afshin tattoo and, to deter the mob, animates the brass shedu lions, which roar fire and panic the attackers. Before violence escalates, Geziri soldiers arrive from multiple gates, and an elephant-mounted archer—Captain Jamshid—orders his men to stand down from attacking Dara, recognizing the Afshin mark and the animated statues.

Jamshid invites Nahri and Dara to meet the king. In a palanquin ride uphill, Nahri urges restraint while Dara fumes over serving a Geziri ruler. They enter the palace gardens and grand audience hall, where courtiers argue trade before the jeweled throne.

As Nahri and Dara are noticed, the king rises, stunned. Locking eyes with Nahri, he drops his goblet and whispers, “Manizheh?”, mistaking Nahri for a renowned Nahid, signaling recognition that could transform their position in the city.