Contents
Chapter 6: Nahri
Overview
Nahri’s work as Banu Nahida collides with palace politics. She discovers clandestine shafit surgeons and dreams of reviving the Nahid hospital, but Muntadhir rejects collaboration and reveals anti-shafit policies. Eavesdropping exposes Muntadhir’s fraught bond with Jamshid and his terror of Ali’s return, signaling looming upheaval in Daevabad.
Summary
Nahri exhaustively treats a shapeshifter in the overcrowded infirmary, showcasing her growing skill and frustration with limited resources. Muntadhir arrives, pressing her about missed nights together and asking to speak privately. Their banter turns intimate in the garden until Ghassan summons Muntadhir, cutting the moment short.
Alone, Nahri spots a shafit laborer cutting willow. Confronting him, she discovers a healing trepanation beneath his scalp. He explains shafit doctors saved his life, and—after Nahri bribes and promises aid—gives her a name and location: Subhashini Sen on Sukariyya Street.
Preparing to dine with Muntadhir, Nahri rejects cosmetic illusions of pureblood “shimmer” and drinks Nisreen’s discreet contraceptive tea. On arriving early, she secretly listens as Jamshid and Muntadhir argue about Ghassan forcing a dangerous return: Ali is coming back to Daevabad. Muntadhir, terrified of Ayaanle vengeance, shares an anguished kiss with Jamshid; Jamshid refuses to continue out of loyalty to Nahri and condemns Ghassan’s arrests of Daevas.
Nahri reveals herself and, after Jamshid leaves, tells Muntadhir about the shafit surgeon. She proposes rebuilding the Nahid hospital and partnering with shafit physicians to share the burden of care. Muntadhir balks at the cost, the illegality of shafit medicine, and the risk of empowering shafit, exposing discriminatory policies aimed at limiting their numbers.
Stung, Nahri recognizes Muntadhir cannot be the ally she needs. He softens the refusal as a matter of timing but finally admits the true cause of his panic: Ghassan has ordered Ali’s return to Daevabad, heralding major political turmoil.
Who Appears
- NahriBanu Nahida healer; treats patients, discovers shafit surgeons, proposes rebuilding Nahid hospital, overhears Muntadhir and Jamshid, learns Ali is returning.
- MuntadhirEmir and Nahri’s husband; flirts, panics over Ali’s return, shares painful intimacy with Jamshid, rejects Nahri’s shafit collaboration plan.
- Jamshid PramukhMaster of the Guard; confronts Muntadhir about Ali’s return and Daeva arrests, refuses renewed intimacy out of loyalty to Nahri.
- NisreenNahri’s mentor; assists in the infirmary and provides contraceptive tea, encouraging Nahri’s patience and future plans.
- Shafit laborerGarden intruder with a healing trepanation; leads Nahri to clandestine shafit surgeons in the city.
- GhassanKing offstage; summons Muntadhir, orders Ali’s return, enforces policies leading to Daeva arrests and anti-shafit constraints.
- Subhashini SenNamed shafit doctor on Sukariyya Street; reputed to perform skilled surgery including trepanation.
- ZaynabMuntadhir’s sister; previously informed him about Nahri’s hospital discovery and her Geziri Quarter excursions.
- AliPrince offstage; ordered to return to Daevabad, triggering Muntadhir’s fear of political retribution.