Cemal

Known as the basha, Cemal is one the humans Nahri scammed in the beginning of The City of Brass. He's a rich Ottoman basha who pays handsomely for Nahri's health reading, even though there's nothing wrong with him. His younger brother, Arslan, is highly skeptical of the whole thing while Cemal believes it wholeheartedly.

## History

### Events during City of Brass

Cemal and Arslan visit Nahri's stall in Cairo early in the morning for a health reading, having paid handsomely for the discrete meeting. Nahri served Cemal a bitter tea of fenugreek seeds and mint, then took her time "reading" the dregs while she secretly observed the brothers. After dropping the cup "in shock," she tried to return his money, pretending that he was too sick for her skills. Secretly, she could sense that he was healthy. As Cemal grew more hysterical and Arslan more irritated, Nahri finally suggested a possible solution. Claiming it was evil eye from the envy of someone near him (and glancing at Arslan as the source), Nahri suggested he needed to "clear [his] home of any darkness the envy brought in." Telling him a list of items to buy from Yaqub's apothecary, she instructed Cemal on how he needed to completely empty his home of all living souls for seven days, and take his family to the oasis in Faiyum. There, he would need to collect water from the second-smallest spring at sunset with his youngest son and use the water for his ablutions. Cemal believing this wholeheartedly, he continually shut down his brother's concerns, and paid Nahri with not only the bag full of dirhams but also the heavy gold ring from his pinky.

## Characteristics

### Appearance

Cemal and Arslan are described as rich Turkish men with light features and expensively cut coats. Cemal also has ruddy skin, a plump belly, and graying beard hair that he tries to hide with henna. He wears a lot of gold jewelry: multiple rings, thick bands on his wrists and neck; and has a beautifully cut garnet pinned to his turban.

### Personality

Cemal is gullible in how easily he falls for Nahri's scam, even against the concerns his brother voices. He also seems to worry easily, considering he is visiting Nahri after another doctor said there was nothing wrong with him. He also sobs openly when he thinks there is something wrong with his health and Nahri's unable to help. However he also shows determination in convincing Nahri to help him, and in following her instructions.

## Quotes

* "By the Almighty! It's bad, isn't it?"
* "Oh, God... do you hear her, Arslan? You said I was crazy! And now I'm going to die! I was so looking forward to marrying..."
* "No, there must be something you can do. I've heard rumours-- People say you made a crippled boy walk by just *looking* at him. Surely you can help me."
* "Be silent, brother,"
* "Yes. By the Most Merciful, I swear."
* "Yes, of course. So it is to be Faiyum. And then my heart will be cured?"
* "Oh, thank you, dear one, thank you. God bless you."

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The City of Brass, ch. 1, pg. 1
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The City of Brass, ch. 1, pg. 2
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The City of Brass, ch. 1, pg. 3
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The City of Brass, ch. 1, pg. 4
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The City of Brass, ch. 1, pg. 5
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The City of Brass, ch. 1, pg. 6