Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Thirty: Amari
Overview
Amari buckles under the chaos of the arena sea battle, paralyzed despite her training. When boarders attack, Tzain saves her but is injured. Their vessel takes multiple cannon hits and starts to sink. The chapter sharpens Amari’s internal conflict and escalates the stakes as their crew faces imminent disaster.
Summary
Amari narrates the chaos aboard their ship during the arena sea battle, overwhelmed by explosions, blood, and screams. Though the crew operates with precision, she struggles to breathe and act, haunted by memories of courtly discipline and her father’s commands to fight.
When another vessel charges to board them, Tzain shouts for Amari to take the rowers and help lead. Despite training, Amari freezes as enemy fighters leap aboard. Paralyzed by fear and self-doubt, she hides as the melee rages and blood spills around her.
An enemy blade targets Amari’s neck, but Tzain intervenes, knocking the attacker down and taking a slash to his arm. He orders Amari to stay out of the way and continues the fight, leaving her ashamed of her inaction.
Moments later, a devastating cannon blast strikes their ship. Amid smoke, shattered wood, and rushing water, a second shot tears through the deck. The bow pitches up, and Amari clings to the mast as the vessel begins to sink.
Who Appears
- AmariNarrator; overwhelmed by battle, freezes during boarding, questions her choices and training as fear paralyzes her.
- TzainActing captain; directs Amari, saves her from an attacker, is wounded in the arm, continues fighting amid cannon strikes.