Chapter Thirteen: Zélie

At dawn, Zélie wakes exhausted from nightmares of Prince Inan strangling her, fueling resentment toward Princess Amari. She clashes with Tzain for lending Amari his cloak and rails against trusting a royal. When Amari changes, Zélie and Tzain glimpse a ghastly scar across Amari’s back, shocking them into silence.

They reach Sokoto, a peaceful lakeside settlement once famed for Healers. While Tzain waters Nailah, Zélie escorts Amari to trade. Uneasy among common folk, Amari asks about Zélie’s mother; Zélie reveals Mama was a powerful maji slain in the Raid. Amari apologizes and, pressed about her scar, explains their father forced the royal siblings to spar, insisting Inan has a good heart despite the harm.

At a merchant’s wagon, they trade Amari’s burned dress for supplies. Fearing the journey’s costs, Amari offers her jeweled headdress. The merchant, overwhelmed by its value, finally pays 300 gold. Remembering giving up her mother’s amulet, Zélie tells Amari she doesn’t have to sell, but Amari insists, choosing sacrifice to help save divîners.

They stock up on gear, including canteens, flint, a bow, and an extending blade that Amari confidently claims. On the walk back, Zélie tests her, throwing a papaya; Amari slices it cleanly midair, revealing real training.

The sale funds their mission to Chândomblé and reframes Amari in Zélie’s eyes—from spoiled princess to determined ally marked by the monarchy’s cruelty and capable in a fight.