Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Seventy-Three: Zélie
Overview
En route to the hidden island, Zélie’s group encounters Saran’s fleet and chooses to seize a royal warship for speed and cover. Under Zélie’s rule of no killing, Roën’s crew subdues the guards swiftly. With the ship secured and Saran and Inan absent, they race toward the island by dawn.
Summary
Zélie, Amari, Tzain, and their allies cross the glowing Lokoja Sea aboard Roën’s sleek boat. As Zélie wrestles with trauma from Saran’s torture and her continued loss of magic, Amari notices an approaching fleet. Through a telescope they identify multiple royal warships bearing Orïsha’s seal, likely bound for the same hidden island.
Despite fear of facing Saran or Inan, Zélie decides they must act strategically and supports Roën’s bold plan to take the nearest ship. When Roën asks for limits, Zélie insists on no killing, determined to avoid further bloodshed. Roën’s crew fires a grappling line, and Käto silently boards first, clearing the way.
In a swift, mostly silent assault, the mercenaries subdue and bind dozens of guards, stripping uniforms for disguise, all without fatalities. Roën returns in just over six minutes, short of his boasting goal, but with the deck secured and more guards captured below.
Relieved not to find Saran or Inan among the captives, Zélie regains focus as Roën issues orders: stash the prisoners in the brig, remove escape tools, Rehema to helm the captured warship, and Käto to follow in their original boat. They set a course to reach the island’s coordinates at daybreak.
Who Appears
- ZélieProtagonist; traumatized and without magic, she insists on no killing and backs seizing a warship.
- RoënMercenary leader; boldly boards and captures the royal warship swiftly, honoring Zélie’s no-kill order.
- AmariPrincess ally; spots her father’s fleet, supports the plan, and steadies Zélie through panic.
- TzainZélie’s brother; travels with the group, questions the plan, and witnesses the swift takeover.
- KätoRoën’s taciturn lieutenant; first up the rope, silently clears the deck for the mercenaries.
- RehemaMercenary; assigned to helm and keep the captured warship on course to the island.