Chapter 21: Nahri

Nahri arrives to collect Muntadhir for a long-planned Grand Temple visit crucial to winning priestly backing for her inclusive hospital. She finds him drunk with courtesans; he refuses to go, denounces shafit inclusion, and blames Ali for publicly threatening their cousin. Furious, Nahri confronts Ali, who promises to repair the damage.

At the Temple gates, Ali appears—dressed in royal finery—and Zaynab unexpectedly joins to help mollify the Daeva clergy. Jamshid warns that Kaveh is present and hostile to Ali. Inside, pilgrims glare at Ali, and a marid-touched stone reacts to him, which Nahri quickly covers. At Dara’s shrine, someone has left a charred crocodile; Ali pointedly returns it as a tribute to Dara rather than taking offense, disarming the moment as Kaveh arrives.

In a closed meeting with Kartir and senior clergy, Nahri presents her hospital plan, proposing study and work alongside shafit. She counters slurs and fears about Suleiman’s law and the myth that Nahids lose powers by touching shafit, arguing Daevabad’s isolation makes humane treatment within its walls no violation. Kaveh tries to pin the idea on Ali’s radicalism; Nahri rejects his condescension and stresses both compassion and pragmatic peace.

When pressed for permission, Nahri asserts her authority: she is informing, not asking. Kartir invokes Nahid tradition of shared counsel; Nahri replies that old ways led to ruin and she will try another path. Jamshid openly supports her; Kaveh withdraws. The clergy then bargain for her presence in the Navasatem procession as Anahid; Nahri agrees in exchange for their support.

Outside, Ali apologizes for the circumstances and receives Nahri’s grudging thanks for his hospital work. They trade barbs about his regalia before Ali sincerely praises her leadership; Nahri pointedly suggests one day leading his people too. As onlookers watch, Nahri masks any vulnerability, resolving to pursue her vision without yielding.