Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT: INAN
Overview
Inan awakens after the monarchy’s ambush to learn Nehanda’s tîtáns have captured the Iyika forces marching past Lagos. Nehanda justifies Ojore’s death as necessary, while Inan grieves and challenges her.
Confronted with the cost of victory, Inan realizes he has perpetuated his father’s brutal legacy rather than creating peace.
Summary
In a rocking caravan, Inan wakes in pain to the creak of wood and Nehanda’s blood-splattered face. As memories return, he whispers Ojore’s name, recalling the swift, shocking moment Nehanda struck down his oldest friend when Ojore turned his blades on Inan.
Nehanda soothes and sedates Inan, declaring the plan a success: the Iyika column that marched past Lagos has been defeated and captured by her tîtáns. She credits Inan’s strategy and frames the outcome as the war’s end and their victory.
Grief breaks through Inan’s shock. He accuses Nehanda of murdering Ojore and his family; Nehanda coldly replies that Ojore attacked the king and thus killed himself. The exchange widens the hollow guilt inside Inan as he reckons with his complicity.
Nehanda urges Inan to embrace rulership and “peace,” but her conviction exposes Inan’s truth: in pursuing the crown, he has not transcended his father—he has completed his father’s violent work, trading ideals for a poisoned victory.
Who Appears
- InanWakes injured in a caravan; learns the Iyika were captured; mourns Ojore and realizes he’s continued his father’s legacy.
- NehandaDeclares victory after capturing the Iyika; justifies killing Ojore; pressures Inan to embrace rulership.
- OjoreInan’s oldest friend; killed by Nehanda after attacking the king; his death triggers Inan’s crisis.