Chapter 30: Nahri

Nahri rides the grand Daeva chariot as “Anahid,” enjoying the festive Navasatem procession. She chats with Aqisa and Nisreen, plans to bring Subha to the infirmary, and notes the shafit being kept back, resolving to make amends later. Jamshid joins on horseback, and the parade approaches the midan.

Suddenly, gunfire erupts from a balcony. Aqisa shields Nahri as muskets shatter the shedu and Rumi fire bombs ignite the chariots and streets. Daevas scramble to evacuate children; an Agnivanshi archer kills one attacker before being shot dead. Jamshid charges to recover the fallen bow but is struck in the back by Rumi fire.

Nahri wrenches off Jamshid’s burning coat, then, recalling Dara conjuring a storm, prays and reaches for the city’s dust. A chilling surge of magic through Jamshid steadies her, and she summons a massive sandstorm that smothers the flames, saving many and extinguishing the blaze.

As the dust settles, another shot rings out. Nisreen is hit in the abdomen by a musket ball. Nahri realizes the ammunition is iron; her healing sears and fails. She orders tools, cuts the wound, and removes the bullet, but Nisreen’s heart stops. Nahri pours magic into her mentor to no effect.

With attackers felled by arrows, Nahri confronts the irreversible: Nisreen is dead despite all Nahid skill. The triumph of saving the city is eclipsed by personal loss, leaving Nahri devastated amid the wreckage of the celebration.