Amina al-Sirafi, #1
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
by Shannon Chakraborty
Contents
Chapter 25
Overview
Amina learns from Raksh that possession of the Moon of Saba, especially during the imminent eclipse, enslaves and tortures spirits of discord—including his kin. Realizing Marjana may be vulnerable, Amina forces Raksh to help. With no escape, they decide Amina will petition the island’s court for supernatural aid, and Raksh prepares her to impress them.
Summary
Amina challenges Raksh’s tale of al-Dabaran and the Moon of Saba, but accepts the danger, especially with an eclipse approaching. Raksh explains eclipses thin boundaries, making lunar spirits easier to access and heightening calamity.
Pressed on why he fears Falco’s success, Raksh admits he is a spirit of discord. When humans seize the Moon, spirits like him become fuel—burning in torment until the possessor dies, with the weakest perishing. Amina retorts bitterly, but his mention of “cousins” makes her realize these spirits are kin, implying Marjana could be bound through blood ties.
Horrified that Marjana might be enslaved or destroyed if Falco gains the Moon, Amina threatens Raksh and demands a way to stop Falco. Raksh insists he cannot whisk them off the island and that the island’s court prizes balance and avoids interfering with humans.
Seizing on that balance, Amina argues the court would abhor a human wielding the Moon. Though intervention is forbidden, Raksh concedes a loophole may exist if they petition the court—Amina must speak, as he is anathema to them and she might be spared summary execution.
Resolved, Amina orders Raksh to get her to Falco or the court that could stop him. With time short and the eclipse nearing, Raksh agrees to prepare Amina to “impress” the court within a day.
Who Appears
- Amina al-SirafiDetermined to stop Falco; realizes Marjana may be endangered by Moon-possession and decides to petition the island court.
- RakshSpirit of discord and Amina’s bound husband; reveals Moon-possession tortures his kin; agrees to prepare Amina for court.
- FalcoOffstage antagonist; seeks control of the Moon of Saba, which would be easier during the eclipse and catastrophic for spirits.
- MarjanaAmina’s daughter; potentially kin to discord spirits, making her vulnerable if the Moon is seized.
- Al-DabaranLunar entity whose ascendance empowers discord spirits; his entrapment altered their state and risks exploitation.