Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Sixty-One: Zélie
Overview
As the royal legion storms the divîner festival, a parley attempt by young Zu ends with her being shot, triggering slaughter. Kwame unleashes devastating blood magic, sacrificing himself to drive the guards back and let others escape. Grieving and radicalized, Zélie commits to restoring magic, but is captured as Tzain and Amari arrive.
Summary
Zélie and Inan’s intimate moment is shattered by horns and crashes as the royal legion breaches the festival gate. The commander demands the scroll and “the girl.” Zélie freezes while Inan urges retreat. Thirteen-year-old Zu steps forward to negotiate, insisting the gathering is peaceful.
Without warning, an archer shoots Zu through the gut. Her death ignites chaos as archers rain arrows and soldiers unleash panthenaires into the panicked crowd. Zélie searches desperately for Tzain while witnessing indiscriminate slaughter, including the killing of the child Salim.
Kwame charges into the fray, slashes his palm, and invokes blood magic. Enveloped in searing white light, he erupts into living fire, incinerating soldiers and tearing through the camp while the power burns him alive. Folake screams as the flames force the legion back, creating a path for divîners to flee.
As Kwame dies in a final starburst, Zélie’s hope for peace collapses. Remembering Baba’s words, she concludes only power can secure safety. She resolves to fight and to regain magic with the scroll.
Tzain and Amari arrive on Nailah, Amari carrying Zélie’s pack. Before they can escape, nearby guards recognize Zélie and seize her, grabbing her arms, chest, and throat.
Who Appears
- ZélieProtagonist; witnesses massacre, mourns Zu and Salim, resolves to restore magic, seized by guards.
- InanPrince and reluctant ally; with Zélie at onset, urges escape as legion attacks.
- KwameDivîner who invokes blood magic, immolating himself to incinerate guards and let others escape.
- ZuYoung divîner who tries to negotiate; shot by archers, her death sparks chaos.
- TzainZélie’s brother; arrives on Nailah amid chaos, trying to reach and protect Zélie.
- AmariPrincess ally; arrives with Tzain, holding Zélie’s pack as they attempt escape.
- SalimDivîner child Zélie knows; surrenders unarmed, slain by a guard’s sword.
- Legion CommanderLeads royal troops; demands the scroll and Zélie, initiates violent assault.
- FolakeDivîner ally; restrained as she screams for Kwame during his final sacrifice.
- PanthenairesSavage beasts unleashed by soldiers; maul fleeing divîners during the attack.
- NailahMassive ryder beast; carries Tzain and Amari to reach Zélie amid the chaos.