Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Seventy-Nine: Zélie
Overview
Confronted by Saran and Inan holding Baba hostage, Zélie admits her magic is gone and chooses to surrender the relics to save her father. She rejects Inan’s betrayal and hands over the sunstone and scroll while hiding the bone dagger. As Inan protests, an arrow strikes and kills Baba, shattering Zélie’s resolve and raising the stakes on the ritual’s failure.
Summary
Zélie enters the temple to find Baba gagged and bloodied in Inan’s grip while Saran demands the artifacts in exchange for Baba’s life. Shocked and searching for Mama Agba, Zélie realizes she is truly powerless; her magic has not returned despite the imminent solstice and the gods’ silence.
Kenyon urges attack, but Tzain refuses to risk Baba. Zélie confesses her ashê is gone and, despite the rebels’ sacrifices, decides she will not lose her father. She steps forward to trade the relics, facing the fury of Kenyon and the stunned silence of Roën, while only Amari shows sympathy.
As Zélie approaches, she condemns Inan’s betrayal, remembering their bond and the losses that followed. She pulls Baba from Inan, drops the sunstone and scroll, and tosses a decoy knife while secretly keeping the bone dagger concealed. She ungags Baba and turns away from Inan’s words.
Inan suddenly shouts “No!” and, in the same breath, an arrow flies. Baba shoves Zélie down, but the arrow pierces his chest. He collapses, bleeding on the ritual ground, leaving Zélie devastated and the path to completing the ritual—and saving the divîners—more precarious than ever.
Who Appears
- ZéliePowerless and desperate, she chooses to surrender the relics to save Baba; witnesses his death.
- BabaZélie’s father, held hostage and beaten; he protects Zélie and is killed by an arrow.
- InanPrince holding Baba; his betrayal devastates Zélie. He protests moments before the fatal arrow.
- SaranKing who demands the relics in exchange for Baba, tightening control over the standoff.
- KenyonRebel urging attack; condemns Zélie’s decision to surrender the relics.
- TzainZélie’s brother; refuses to risk Baba’s life despite Kenyon’s push for combat.
- AmariShows empathy for Zélie’s choice amid the group’s anger.
- RoënMercenary leader; taken aback by Zélie’s surrender during the confrontation.