This Woven Kingdom, #2
These Infinite Threads
by Tahereh Mafi
Contents
Twenty-Seven
Overview
Imprisoned in a frigid tower, Kamran endures a magical onslaught of voices that drives him to search his pockets. He discovers a long-forgotten Diviners’ gift: a black feather with his grandfather’s note instructing him to blood it to summon Simorgh. He obeys, triggering a desperate bid for escape.
Summary
In a freezing, fetid tower cell, Kamran regains his footing and takes stock of the brutal conditions, forcing thoughts of Alizeh aside to focus on survival. He resolves to endure the night and considers scaling the wall with his daggers at first light.
As he debates escape, a disorienting wave of magic overwhelms him. A cacophony of voices bursts into his mind—snatches of nobles, Hazan, Omid, and an apothecarist—culminating in a commanding refrain: turn out your pockets. The assault leaves Kamran bleeding from the ear and convinced the Diviners are somehow communicating with him.
Obeying the command, Kamran searches himself and discovers a small, wrapped box he’d forgotten: a gift the Diviners gave him days before the recent upheavals. Inside lies a single black feather and a torn note in his grandfather’s hand instructing Kamran to touch the feather to his blood to summon Simorgh “when all else seems lost.”
Recognizing the gravity of the moment and with no other option, Kamran presses the feather into his bloodied palm, choosing to invoke Simorgh as a last resort to escape his imprisonment.
Who Appears
- KamranImprisoned in a tower; endures magical voices, finds a Diviners’ feather, and bloods it to summon Simorgh for escape.
- The DivinersApparent source of the mental command to “turn out your pockets”; earlier gifted Kamran the feather.
- OmidStreet child referenced in the magical chorus; seems to be aiding efforts to find or help Kamran.
- HazanAlly mentioned in the voices; appears to be involved in trying to locate or save Kamran.
- The apothecaristReferenced in the overheard voices; implicated among those connected to Kamran’s situation.
- Kamran’s grandfatherAuthor of the note explaining the feather’s power to summon Simorgh in dire need.
- AlizehHaunts Kamran’s thoughts, symbolizing his losses and conflicted feelings while he faces captivity.