Chapter Ten: Zélie

Zélie, Tzain, Amari, Baba, and Mama Agba reach a rocky inlet after fleeing Ilorin’s flames. Zélie wrestles with guilt over the deaths in the fire as Mama Agba dresses their burns. The memory of the raid and the screams of the dying deepen Zélie’s resolve and pain.

On shore, Zélie fixates on her failure until Baba meets her eyes and urges action. Breaking years of silence since the Raid, Baba demands they fight back by restoring magic, insisting that respect will only return if the monarchy fears their power. He points out nearby royal soldiers corralling survivors, including the captain who burned their home.

Tzain pleads for Baba to come, but Baba refuses, trusting Mama Agba’s Seer visions and believing Zélie, Tzain, and Amari must reach Chândomblé. Zélie worries the guards will target those left behind, yet Mama Agba promises to evade capture. The urgency spikes as a guard threatens an elderly woman.

Before parting, Baba embraces Zélie and Tzain, expressing pride and invoking their mother’s fierce love. Amari weeps; Zélie’s grief briefly flares into anger at the role Amari’s family played in their suffering. Mama Agba counsels strength, and Baba entrusts Nailah to protect the youths.

With final goodbyes, Tzain and Amari mount Nailah and Zélie joins them. They ride away toward Chândomblé to pursue the restoration of magic, while Baba and Mama Agba remain behind to misdirect and survive the guards’ sweep of the coastline.