Chapter 11: Ali

At the Citadel, Ali spars with Wajed and Aqisa but is distracted by thoughts of Nahri and an unsettling pull from the lake that heightens his marid-touched senses. Wajed notices Ali holding back. Amid grumbling over scarce equipment, a veiled Zaynab arrives, furious that Ali avoided their family, and orders him to come.

In the litter, Zaynab berates Ali for not visiting and reveals their mother’s anger at Ghassan. Ali apologizes, and they reconcile emotionally. They proceed to Queen Hatset’s pavilion, where Ali is stunned to find the shafit family he freed—Mariam, Ashok, and their daughter Manat—now under Hatset’s protection and employed in the palace.

Once alone, Hatset scolds Ali for his appearance and for visiting Nahri alone. She counters his suspicion by detailing the shafit family’s plight and her efforts to help. Zaynab admits orchestrating the Bir Nabat well sabotage to draw Ali home. After sending Zaynab out, Hatset rejects involvement in Tanzeem treason and criticizes Ghassan’s rule, urging Ali to help Muntadhir through counsel rather than arms.

Hatset spots strange scars on Ali and forces a confrontation. Ali confesses he fell fully into Daevabad’s lake; an enraged presence demanded his name, tormented him with visions, and possessed him to kill Darayavahoush. Hatset identifies the marks as marid-made and is appalled that Ghassan exiled Ali afterward. When Ali hopes Ayaanle lore explains his new water abilities, Hatset reveals the marid are predators in Ta Ntry; victims usually die, not awaken empowered.

Shaken, Ali admits the whispers have worsened since returning. Hatset promises protection: private baths to hide his scars, custom clothing to conceal the marks, and contact with a difficult but knowledgeable scholar on marid lore. As Ntaran dishes arrive, she insists he recover his strength and informs him Ghassan will hold a feast for his return, vowing to fight even marid if needed to keep him safe.