Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Seventy-One: Zélie
Overview
Zélie awakens severely traumatized, discovers the solstice is tomorrow, and realizes her magic is gone. While Tzain and Amari push to retreat, Kenyon demands they press on through Jimeta. After the sunstone proves inert to her touch, Zélie defiantly chooses to risk Jimeta and pursue the ritual anyway.
Summary
Zélie wakes in a healing tent, aching and traumatized by Saran’s torture. Healer Khani tends her wounds and admits the scars will likely remain. Tzain arrives guilt-ridden for leaving the festival early; Zélie lies to spare him blame. Amari enters with the sunstone, but Zélie feels no magic stirring.
Realizing the solstice is the next day, Zélie panics about reaching the sacred islands in time. Attempts to summon spirits fail, deepening her fear that Saran severed her connection to magic. Amari and Tzain argue for retreat and safety, believing they cannot reach Zaria in time.
Kenyon barges in, condemning any retreat and insisting they push through Jimeta. Despite the danger, his challenge forces a decision. Zélie tests the sunstone and feels nothing, confirming her magic is gone. Without her, the ritual cannot proceed.
Faced with dwindling time and crushed power, Zélie rejects retreat. Fueled by fury over the slur carved into her back, she declares they will head to Jimeta that night, refusing to let their enemies win.
Who Appears
- ZélieWakes traumatized and scarred, unable to feel magic or the sunstone; chooses to push for Jimeta despite the risks.
- TzainArrives guilt-ridden and protective; argues for retreat and safety, worried about Zélie’s condition.
- AmariBrings the sunstone; urges regrouping and safety when the solstice deadline looms and Zélie’s magic fails.
- KenyonAgbön player turned ally who confronts the group, insisting they push through Jimeta instead of fleeing.
- KhaniHealer who stitched Zélie’s wounds; warns the scars may remain and tends to her recovery.