Contents
Chapter 39: Dara
Overview
Dara survives the collapse, heals, and is attacked by the mortally poisoned Muntadhir using Dara’s bow. Failing to extract the path to Suleiman’s seal, Dara realizes Muntadhir is goading him to kill. Instead, Dara binds the wound and drags Muntadhir away, intending to force answers through Manizheh.
Summary
Dara awakens under rubble in agonizing pain, recalling Nahri bringing the ceiling down on him. Realizing he has lost control of his conjured blood beasts and fearing for Manizheh’s plan, he embraces his other form to break free, a reminder that his strength has limits.
As Dara emerges, an iron-tipped arrow—his own—pierces his arm. He discovers Muntadhir al Qahtani, grievously wounded by the zulfiqar, firing at him with Dara’s bow. Dara creates smoke to blind Muntadhir, then rushes him, disarms him, and confirms the spreading, fatal poison in the emir’s belly.
Interrogating Muntadhir about Nahri and Alizayd, Dara fixates on Suleiman’s seal. Muntadhir refuses and taunts Dara’s lack of honor and his culpability in the night’s civilian deaths, provoking Dara’s guilt and anger. Dara offers a swift death for Alizayd in exchange for directions; Muntadhir stalls, describes a staircase beneath the palace library, and then reveals it likely leads to “hell,” attempting to bait Dara into killing him.
Realizing the ploy and pressed for time, Dara restrains himself. Remembering how slowly the zulfiqar’s poison kills, he binds Muntadhir’s wound with the emir’s turban, preventing an immediate death. Dara decides to take Muntadhir alive to Manizheh, believing she can force the truth about retrieving the seal.
Who Appears
- Dara (Dara e’Azaf)Survives the collapse, fights and disarms Muntadhir, fails to learn the seal’s path, then binds and captures him.
- Muntadhir al QahtaniMortally poisoned by the zulfiqar; shoots Dara with his bow, resists interrogation, and tries to provoke his own death.
- Nahri (Banu Nahida)Absent but pivotal; her collapse of the ceiling and flight with Ali drive Dara’s pursuit of Suleiman’s seal.
- Alizayd al Qahtani (Ali)Absent but target of Dara’s pursuit; his fate is leveraged as Dara bargains for the seal’s location.
- ManizhehOffstage architect of the plan; Dara intends to deliver Muntadhir to her to extract answers.