Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Three: Amari
Overview
At a royal luncheon, Princess Amari learns her divîner maid Binta has been summoned to the throne room. Eavesdropping, Amari hears that magic has resurfaced through ancient artifacts from Warri. When a scroll awakens Binta’s power, King Saran executes her. Shattered, Amari steals the scroll from Commander Kaea’s quarters and takes the king’s cloak, setting a new course.
Summary
During a tense palace luncheon, Princess Amari endures her mother’s constant criticism and nobles’ veiled barbs, including insults toward divîners. A servant reveals that Amari’s divîner maid and closest friend, Binta, has been escorted to the throne room, alarming Amari.
Amari slips away and secretly watches King Saran question Admiral Ebele and Commander Kaea. They report that ancient artifacts washed ashore at Warri have reawakened magic in some divîners, turning them into maji. Kaea presents a recovered scroll; the sunstone is missing.
Guards bring in Binta. When Kaea forces the scroll into Binta’s hand, light and magic surge from her. King Saran immediately kills Binta with his sword, confirming his ruthless stance against magic. Amari flees, horrified and ill.
Seeing a guard deliver the scroll to Commander Kaea’s quarters, Amari composes herself and follows. Inside, she confirms the scroll shows no visible magic to her touch, but understands its power and the danger it represents. Overcome by grief and fear, she takes the scroll and grabs King Saran’s cloak.
Amari’s theft marks a decisive break from her father and court, propelled by Binta’s death and the revelation that magic has returned to Orïsha.
Who Appears
- Princess AmariProtagonist of this chapter; witnesses magic’s return and Binta’s execution, then steals the magic scroll and the king’s cloak.
- King SaranRuthless ruler; learns magic has resurfaced and executes Binta when the scroll awakens her power.
- BintaAmari’s divîner maid and closest friend; the scroll triggers her magic, and Saran kills her.
- Commander KaeaMilitary commander; presents the recovered scroll, forces Binta to touch it, stores it in her quarters.
- Admiral EbeleReports artifacts from Warri reawakened magic; failed to destroy them and is threatened by Saran.
- Queen (Amari’s mother)Cold, controlling; polices Amari’s behavior at luncheon and courts noble favor.
- Prince InanCrown prince; appears in uniform before his first Lagos patrol, symbolizing rising royal power.
- SamaraOloye Ronke’s daughter; derides divîners and flatters the queen, favored as a potential match.
- Oloye RonkeAmbitious noble; invites Amari to Zaria and postures for royal approval.