Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Sixty-Seven: Inan
Overview
Inan sneaks into Zélie’s cell while Saran sleeps and the guards are away, finding her brutally tortured. He frees and carries Zélie, determined to save her and defy his father. As they attempt to escape and seek a Healer, a sudden blast shatters the fortress wall, throwing their flight into chaos.
Summary
Inan waits for Saran to sleep and the guards to leave before approaching Zélie’s cell. The departing physician’s bloodstained appearance steels Inan’s resolve. Inside, Inan finds Zélie hanging, barely conscious and covered in blood, and decides saving her must outweigh politics or magic.
He unlocks her shackles and catches her as she falls, muffling her screams. Zélie’s mind is consumed by pain; she says she cannot feel “it,” and her stitches split as Inan applies pressure. Despite Zélie’s plea to be left, Inan commits to finding a Healer and starts carrying her through the fortress.
They hide from passing guards, then continue up the stairs as Zélie warns that Saran will kill Inan. Inan refuses to turn back, focused solely on escape. Just as they push forward, shouts erupt and a searing blast tears through the fortress wall, slamming them to the ground and abruptly jeopardizing their flight.
Who Appears
- InanPrince who defies Saran, frees tortured Zélie, and attempts a perilous escape to find a Healer.
- ZélieGrievously tortured captive; rescued by Inan, barely conscious and bleeding, haunted by unrelenting pain.
- GuardsPatrol the fortress; their movements force Inan to hide during the escape attempt.
- PhysicianLeaves Zélie’s cell bloodstained, signaling the severity of her injuries.
- SaranSleeping king and looming threat whose wrath endangers Inan and Zélie’s escape.