Contents
Chapter 8: Ali
Overview
Ali returns to Daevabad, confronting its decay and a public sham sale of shafit. He sacrifices his zulfiqar to free a father and daughter, exposing his identity and drawing palace attention. A hostile Muntadhir urges him to leave, but King Ghassan compels Ali to remain until Navasatem and gives him Darayavahoush’s dagger.
Summary
Crossing Daevabad’s eerie, rippleless lake, Ali is briefly entranced by a marid-like pull toward the water until Aqisa breaks his daze. The trio—Ali, Aqisa, and a seasick Lubayd—arrive to a majestic but neglected city with diminished guards and filthy streets, deepening Ali’s concern.
In the shafit district, they find a Geziri trader “facilitating” shafit reunions—effectively selling people—on the ruins of Sheikh Anas’s mosque. When a shafit father clings to his daughter, Ali, enraged, offers his zulfiqar to secure their freedom, then reveals himself as Prince Alizayd to force the deal. The pair vanish into the crowd as Royal Guards arrive to escort Ali.
At a secluded palace garden, Qaid Wajed warmly greets Ali. Muntadhir appears, has Aqisa and Lubayd removed to guest quarters, and, once alone, bitterly demands Ali leave Daevabad and stay away from Zaynab, declaring he won’t protect Ali anymore.
King Ghassan enters, and formalities mask tension as Ali explains his return with the Ayaanle caravan. They discuss Ali’s marid-scar and his irrigation work; Ghassan suspects lingering risks. Ali asks to depart quickly, but Ghassan refuses, citing appearances and Ayaanle meddling, and places Muntadhir in charge of Ali’s eventual leave.
Ghassan presents Darayavahoush’s Daeva dagger—seized from Nahri—as Ali’s prize for killing the Afshin; Ali rejects the honor, insisting the marid killed Dara. Unmoved, Ghassan rules Ali must remain until Navasatem, warns Wajed will stop any escape, plans a welcoming feast, and promises other property’s return, leaving Ali trapped in Daevabad.
Who Appears
- Alizayd (Ali) al QahtaniReturns to Daevabad, frees a shafit father and daughter by trading his zulfiqar, clashes with Muntadhir, and is ordered by Ghassan to stay until Navasatem.
- Muntadhir al QahtaniColdly rebuffs Ali, orders his companions removed, demands Ali leave and avoid Zaynab, then accepts Ghassan’s control over Ali’s departure.
- King Ghassan al QahtaniReceives Ali with formal warmth, questions marid aftereffects, compels him to remain until Navasatem, and gives him Darayavahoush’s dagger.
- AqisaStops Ali’s lake trance, condemns the shafit sale, nearly draws steel, and secretly arms Ali before leaving for guest quarters.
- LubaydSeasick but loyal; warns Ali to avoid rashness, manages camels, and follows guards to guest quarters after sampling palace food.
- Wajed al SabiQaid of the Royal Guard; warmly welcomes Ali, pledges hospitality for his friends, and invites Ali to the Citadel.
- Geziri traderHosts a sham ‘kin-finding’ auction of shafit at Anas’s mosque ruins; accepts Ali’s zulfiqar to release the father and daughter.
- Shafit fatherClings to his daughter, begs not to be separated; freed when Ali trades his zulfiqar.
- DaoudRoyal Guard officer from Hegra; escorts Ali, expresses gratitude for Ali’s help to his family’s well.