Contents
Chapter 31: Ali
Overview
In the aftermath of the Navasatem massacre, Ali comforts a devastated Nahri as she grieves Nisreen. Learning the attackers were shafit, Ali fears reprisals. When Ghassan orders a brutal razing, Ali refuses, overthrows command at the Citadel, and redirects the Guard to keep the peace and fortify the city.
Summary
Ali rushes to the hospital and finds Nahri exhausted but alive amid scores of wounded, most of them Daeva. After confirming the attackers were shafit, Ali takes Nahri into the garden, where she breaks down over Nisreen’s death and questions her ability to protect her people. Ali tries to reassure her, but Nahri, consumed by grief and anger, rejects his comfort and urges him to leave Daevabad.
Outside, seeing the rebuilt shafit camp and fearing reprisals, Ali resolves to prevent a wider bloodbath. Subha joins them, lamenting the attack and Nisreen’s loss, and agrees to stay with Nahri. Ali decides to go to the Citadel rather than return to the palace, intending to calm the city and identify the perpetrators.
At the Citadel, Ali learns Ghassan has ordered the Guard to raze the neighborhood linked to the attack, despite evidence the resident shafit were already murdered by the assailants. When Abu Nuwas insists on obedience to the king, Ali refuses, strikes him unconscious, burns the order, and declares that the Guard will keep the peace, not slaughter innocents.
With Daoud’s support, the officers rally under Ali’s command. Ali orders the shafit district secured against vengeance, the midan gates closed and fortified, and prepares messages to the king and his siblings. Aware of the open borders with the Geziri Quarter, he calls for all Geziri muezzins to assist in stabilizing the city.
Who Appears
- Ali (Prince Alizayd al Qahtani)Comforts Nahri, confirms shafit attackers, then defies Ghassan’s razing order, seizes Citadel command, and organizes peacekeeping and fortifications.
- Nahri (Banu Nahida)Exhausted and grieving Nisreen’s death; questions her leadership, seeks the warning woman, and ultimately sends Ali away to return to her patients.
- SubhaPhysician who assesses casualties, regrets missing Nisreen’s surgery, and agrees to stay with and support Nahri.
- DaoudGeziri officer who backs Ali, salutes his command, and helps rally the Guard to maintain order.
- Abu NuwasOfficer insisting on obedience to Ghassan; Ali knocks him unconscious to stop the razing order.
- LubaydCompanion concerned for Nahri; accompanies Ali to the Citadel during the crisis.
- AqisaCompanion ready to draw steel; supports Ali at the Citadel as he assumes command.
- ParimalHospital worker who directs Ali to Nahri and confirms the dire situation.
- BarghashCaptain who argues the razing is unnecessary given evidence the attackers and residents are already dead.
- MuntadhirStays behind to help Jamshid restore order after the attack; absent from the Citadel scene.
- JamshidAssists with restoring order after the massacre; one of Nahri’s immediate concerns.
- King GhassanIssues the order to raze the neighborhood tied to the attack, prompting Ali’s open defiance.