Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Sixty-Nine: Inan
Overview
Amid a fierce assault on the fortress, Inan saves a tortured Zélie and hands her to Amari and Tzain for escape. Witnessing three powerful maji slaughter soldiers cements Inan’s fear of magic. He refuses to join the fugitives, choosing to remain inside and pursue his conflicting duty to "save" Orïsha.
Summary
Inan carries a gravely wounded Zélie through the quaking fortress as explosions, fire, and screams engulf the corridors. Looking out, Inan witnesses three maji— a Burner, a bearded Welder, and a freckled Cancer—obliterate soldiers, confirming his fear that restored magic could devastate Orïsha.
Torn between duty and love, Inan resolves first to save Zélie. He races toward the cells, reasoning that her allies will come to her rather than attempt an external escape through the besieged fortress.
In the corridor, Amari and Tzain arrive mid-battle, cutting down a charging guard. When they see Zélie’s condition—her back mutilated with the word “MAGGOT”—Tzain is shattered and immediately takes her into his arms to carry her out.
Amid fresh blasts and smoke, Inan urges them to flee, refusing Amari’s plea to join. He promises to find Zélie and claims he can protect them from within if he stays. As Amari and Tzain depart with Zélie, Inan suppresses his longing to follow and recommits to his plan to save Orïsha by stopping magic after Zélie is safe.
Who Appears
- InanPrince and POV; carries wounded Zélie, witnesses maji slaughter soldiers, reunites with Amari and Tzain, stays behind to "save" Orïsha.
- ZélieBrutally tortured captive, bleeding with "MAGGOT" carved into her back; rescued and carried out by Tzain.
- AmariArrives battle-ready, helps subdue a guard, urges Inan to come, then flees with Tzain and Zélie.
- TzainStricken by Zélie’s wounds; knocks out a guard and carries her to safety.
- Welder (bearded maji)Reverses arrows back through soldiers’ armor, contributing to the rout.
- BurnerIncinerates charging soldiers amid the fortress assault.
- Cancer (freckled girl)Unleashes disease clouds that seize soldiers’ bodies, tipping the battle.