The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of violence, death by suicide, and death.

With the members of the caravan, Samir trades the coral for sea sponges, sugarcane syrup, and gold. They go to a teahouse to avoid Gracus, who is at the main gathering hall in the city. Samir teased the teahouse owners’ children with gold coins and stories, earning free food as a result. Monkey notes that Samir seems to genuinely love children even though he doesn’t seem to have ever been a father. 

Samir gives Monkey some dumplings to bring to Mara, but as he goes to leave, he sees an old Chinese poisoner sit down across from Samir. Monkey tries to warn Samir, but Samir dismisses him. Monkey insists that he just wants to earn another bolt toward his freedom for saving Samir’s life. Samir tells him to return in an hour and raise a ruckus. Before leaving, Monkey quickly checks that Samir doesn’t plan to die by suicide by drinking poison on purpose. Samir dismisses this, insisting he still has plenty of reasons to live.

Monkey is still nervous, so he watches from outside the tent. Samir invites the poisoner to play chess, suggesting they drink raki for every piece they lose.