Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Sixty-Three: Zélie
Overview
Imprisoned in a majacite cell, Zélie refuses Inan’s plea to reveal how to destroy the scroll, rejecting his turn toward suppressing magic after the massacre. King Saran interrupts, interrogates Zélie about Admiral Kaea, and vows to seize the artifacts, cementing the regime’s brutality and Zélie’s defiance.
Summary
Zélie awakens chained in a sweltering iron cell, bound by majacite cuffs that block her magic. Wracked with guilt over the massacre at the festival, she braces for torture as footsteps approach.
Prince Inan enters, dismisses his lieutenants, and reveals guards found the Iyika camp after divîners entered Gombe for supplies. Pressed for time, he begs Zélie to tell him how to destroy the scroll, arguing fear after Kwame’s inferno makes magic too dangerous. Zélie refuses, accepting death over betraying magic.
King Saran arrives, eclipsing Inan. He interrogates Zélie about Admiral Kaea’s death, while Zélie withholds Inan’s secret. Saran denigrates the maji and justifies oppression; Zélie counters with defiance, straining against the majacite as rage and pain sear her skin.
The confrontation hardens both sides: Inan falters between fear and duty; Saran threatens to carve out answers and asserts they will seize the artifacts. Zélie warns he should kill her now, vowing the maji will fight back.
Who Appears
- ZélieImprisoned in a majacite cell; rejects Inan’s plea to destroy the scroll; defiantly confronts King Saran.
- Prince InanVisits secretly; urges destroying the scroll to save Zélie; shaken by Kwame’s flames; wavers between fear and duty.
- King SaranArrives to interrogate Zélie about Admiral Kaea; spews hatred, threatens torture, vows to seize the artifacts.
- Royal lieutenants/guardsEscort Inan and secure the cell; dismissed to allow a private exchange before Saran’s arrival.