Chapters 19-21: In Which 'Ajib Learns to See His Heart, The Eyes of the Heart, All the Threads Are Woven Up Summary

Unlike the reign of Shahrayar and his father, the brothers set out to instill fear and distrust in their subjects in order to control them. The kingdom falls into chaos and poverty. The brothers are relieved when Shazaman fails to come to his brother's rescue, though he does cut off supplies from Samarkand. Shazaman and the vizier, who was on an errand at the time of the coup, have developed a long-term strategy to return Shahrayar to the throne. 'Ajib is appalled by his brothers' actions while Shahrazad weeps in her tower for the people. Buried in a dungeon, Shahrayar does not know...