Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: AMARI
Overview
Amari wrestles with the possibility that Inan lives as the group scouts Gusau’s fortress to free imprisoned maji. They encounter child refugees and tîtán guards, but Roën returns with a warning: prisons are ringed with majacite mines and kill protocols. He reveals the Iyika hired him to bring Zélie to Ibadan, forcing the group to abandon the jailbreak and follow him despite the rebels’ hatred of Amari.
Summary
Amari hikes the Olasimbo Range with Zélie and Tzain, haunted by Zélie’s claim that Inan lives. Torn between stopping her mother and reconciling with her brother, Amari steels herself to free the prisoners in Gusau to build an army against Queen Nehanda.
On the trail, three starving, white-haired children beg for food, underscoring the costs of delay. From a cliff, the group surveys Gusau’s iron fortress and watches chained maji delivered under the eyes of patrolling soldiers, including tîtáns in golden armor. Amari imagines liberating the captives to found her coalition.
Before they can plan, Roën arrives unannounced. Amari confronts him, but Roën disarms her and shares grim intelligence: Iyika jailbreak attempts have triggered heavy countermeasures. The fort’s perimeter is sown with majacite gas mines, far stronger than before, and guards are ordered to kill all prisoners rather than allow an escape.
Roën then reveals his purpose: the Iyika paid him in advance to escort Zélie to Ibadan. Although Amari objects, Roën argues that joining the rebels is more viable than impossible jailbreaks. Zélie, faced with the tactical dead end, agrees.
Accepting the hard pivot, the group abandons the Gusau rescue and follows Roën toward the Iyika, fully aware the rebels despise the monarchy and may target Amari.
Who Appears
- AmariPOV; torn over Inan’s possible survival, vows to stop Nehanda, proposes a jailbreak, then yields to Roën’s plan.
- ZélieScouts Gusau, readies to attack, then pivots when Roën reveals lethal defenses; agrees to meet the Iyika.
- RoënReturns with intel that prisons are mined with majacite and kill orders; hired by the Iyika to bring Zélie to Ibadan.
- TzainSupports Amari and questions their strength; wary of Roën but follows the new plan.
- Young maji trioStarving children on the trail; their plight reinforces urgency to end Nehanda’s oppression.