Contents
Chapter 2: Ali
Overview
Ali proves himself by riding a zahhak and returns to a now-thriving Bir Nabat sustained by springs he discovered. Village life pulls at him—requests to preach, communal teasing, and marriage prospects—while a blood-sealed package from Zaynab brings gold and a Nahid-crafted armband. Though tempted to settle, Ali recoils, fearing hope invites ruin.
Summary
On the cliffs above Bir Nabat, Ali steels himself and leaps onto a roosting zahhak, riding the ancient flying serpent as his friends goad and guide him. The terror shifts to exhilaration as Ali takes in the desert and a distant human oasis before he dismounts amid fire and cheers.
He and his companions pass into Bir Nabat through a concealed gate, revealing a village transformed by the water sources Ali uncovered. Amid markets and fields, Reem ropes Ali into reviewing a suspect contract. The muezzin, weary of Brother Thabit’s harangues, asks Ali to give the khutbah, and Ali reluctantly agrees.
Outside Ali’s tent, Umm Qays and her daughter Bushra deliver food—and pointed matchmaking. Lubayd and Aqisa tease Ali about marriage and palace rumors, while Ali insists ties are dangerous after past assassination attempts. Despite their reassurances that his status deters killers, Ali remains wary of entanglements.
In private, Ali opens a blood-sealed tube from Zaynab containing a gold bar, a letter, and a Nahid-crafted armband for his headaches. He reflects on exile and lost family closeness, then briefly imagines settling and starting a life in Bir Nabat. Dread smothers the fantasy, and Ali withdraws from the hope of permanence.
Who Appears
- Alizayd (Ali) al QahtaniExiled prince; rides a zahhak, supports Bir Nabat, agrees to preach, resists matchmaking, receives gold and a healing armband.
- LubaydAli’s closest friend; goads him to ride, jokes about rumors, deflects matchmaking, urges Ali to build a life.
- AqisaFriend and fellow raider; helps distract the zahhak, teases Ali, encourages sermon, downplays assassination risk.
- Zaynab al QahtaniAli’s sister; sends a blood-sealed package with gold, a letter, and a costly Nahid armband for headaches.
- Umm QaysStone mage; pointedly promotes her daughter to Ali and hints he should marry and settle.
- BushraUmm Qays’s daughter; brings food to Ali, shows shy interest as a potential match.
- ReemArtisan-caste vendor; presses Ali to review a contract she suspects is unfair.
- Bir Nabat muezzinRequests Ali deliver the khutbah to avoid Brother Thabit’s rants.
- Sheikh JiyadElder cleric; unwell, prompting the muezzin to seek Ali for the sermon.
- Brother ThabitSheikh Jiyad’s son; known for divisive sermons, fueling the request for Ali to preach.
- ZahhakAncient flying serpent; Ali rides it as a daring local tradition.