Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Five: Zélie
Overview
Zélie chooses to help a fugitive noble, triggering a citywide chase. She disguises the girl, battles guards, and uses a makeshift firebomb to breach a blockade. Cornered at the gate, Zélie is rescued by Tzain and Nailah, escaping after a startling, electric moment of connection with the pursuing captain.
Summary
Zélie hesitates when a terrified, copper-skinned girl begs for help, but Mama Agba’s teaching pushes Zélie to act. She trades the girl’s fine cloak for plain ones, attempts a quiet exit, and is forced to knock out two guards when they move to reveal the girl’s identity.
Pursued through the merchant quarter, Zélie uses falling barrels to slow soldiers and leads the girl into the slums. They hide in a tight crawl space until troops pass, then Zélie improvises a firebomb with rum and a torch as they sprint for the city gate.
At the blockade, a young captain on a massive leopanaire orders their surrender. Zélie ignites the firebomb, throwing guards and panthenaires into chaos. They dash for the gate as it closes; Zélie fights through the checkpoint but the girl falls short, forcing Zélie to turn back.
Surrounded and prepared to die, Zélie braces for the end—until Tzain arrives on Nailah, their lionaire, leaping the gate. Zélie hauls the girl up and they bound away amid the wreckage. As they clear the wall, Zélie briefly locks eyes with the captain, feeling a shocking, mysterious connection before escaping into the trees.
Who Appears
- ZélieDivîner protagonist; decides to help the fugitive, fights guards, improvises a firebomb, and escapes Lagos.
- AmariFugitive noble girl with amber eyes; terrified but follows Zélie through the chase to freedom.
- TzainZélie’s brother; arrives on Nailah and rescues Zélie and Amari at the closing gate.
- NailahMassive lionaire; leaps the gate and carries the fugitives to safety.
- Young captainAmber-eyed officer on a leopanaire; leads the blockade and shares a startling, electric moment with Zélie.
- Cloth merchantTerrified trader; coerced as Zélie swaps Amari’s fine cloak for plain disguises.