Summary

Chapter 31 begins with the narrator describing the uproar in town after Sultan’s death, with most citizens taking either Mustafa’s and Oleander’s or Raci Bey’s and Muhacir’s side. The narrator remains impartial, however, and one day goes to meet Rahmi at a restaurant. The two discuss the ongoing conflict and Rahmi maintains that Mustafa has gone mad trying to control the hill with the church on it. As they talk, a man enters the room and Rami introduces him as Nazmi Bey, or as he is better known, Muhacir. Muhacir denies killing Sultan, Oleander’s nephew, but still intends to kill Oleander despite respecting his strength. Muhacir asks the narrator if h would like protection but the narrator declines, as that would imply choosing a side. The narrator returns home and packs his bags, thinking of leaving town when...