Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Sixty-Two: Amari
Overview
In the massacre’s aftermath, Amari and Tzain search the charred clearing and realize Zélie is missing. Amari concludes the guards captured Zélie and likely took her to a Gombe fortress. While Tzain breaks under grief, Amari reclaims her resolve, forming a plan to infiltrate the fortress, rescue Zélie, and defy her father’s tyranny.
Summary
At sunrise, Amari surveys the scorched festival clearing, haunted by memories of joy turned to slaughter. Tzain searches the bodies for Zélie, but she is not among the dead. Amari, recalling her father’s methods, reasons that Zélie is too valuable to kill and was likely taken alive.
Tzain collapses under grief, blaming himself for failing Zélie and invoking promises to their parents. Amari tries to steady him, reminding Tzain that they still hold the scroll, sunstone, and dagger, which make Zélie a hostage rather than a corpse. Despite Tzain’s fear that Zélie will be tortured, Amari asserts Zélie’s strength.
Spurred by Nailah’s distress and memories of her father’s cruelty, Amari refuses to let this loss stand. Recalling the king’s war maps, she identifies a guard fortress outside Gombe as the likely destination for Zélie’s captors. Amari decides to act immediately.
When Tzain asks how they can get inside, Amari claims the mantle of the Lionaire once more, promising a plan to infiltrate the fortress, rescue Zélie, and strike against her father’s rule as they push toward completing their mission.
Who Appears
- AmariGrieves the massacre, deduces Zélie was captured to a Gombe fortress, and resolves to lead a rescue and defy her father.
- TzainOvercome with grief and guilt over Zélie’s capture; clings to Amari’s emerging plan for hope.
- NailahZélie’s ryder; whimpers and comforts Tzain, underscoring the group’s loss.