Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: INAN
Overview
Inan readies for his first royal assembly, haunted by his father and shaken by unreliable magic. With Admiral Ojore’s support and Nehanda’s guidance, he accepts the crown and the need to project strength. Nehanda pushes a public appearance to secure the council and army, setting Inan’s resolve to rule differently.
Summary
Inan studies his reflection, struggling with the weight of kingship, his father’s abuse, and the pain that follows any attempt to use magic since Zélie wounded him in the dreamscape. Wearing his father’s robe intensifies his self-loathing and grief, yet he steels himself for a first royal assembly.
Ojore arrives with banter that lightens Inan’s mood. As admiral, Ojore supports using tîtáns in war but condemns magic, scarred by Burners who killed his parents. He recalls finding Inan bleeding on the ritual grounds, underscoring Inan’s indebtedness and the stakes of failure.
Nehanda enters, immaculate and commanding, and rejects the safety of cellars for tradition: the assembly will meet in the throne room. She stresses that the council—especially General Jokôye—must see a decisive king to secure the army against the Iyika and their firebombs.
Nehanda crowns Inan despite his visceral recoil from his father’s legacy. She counsels him not to become his father but to be the king his father couldn’t. Inan resolves to present strength, rely on Nehanda and Ojore, and lead publicly even as he hides the instability of his magic.
Who Appears
- InanNewly returned heir; doubts himself, struggles with painful, unreliable magic, accepts the crown and prepares for a public assembly.
- NehandaInan’s mother; orchestrates a throne-room assembly to project strength, crowns him, urges decisive leadership to win the war.
- OjoreInan’s cousin and admiral; supportive yet anti-magic, scars from Burners, endorses tîtáns for war and boosts Inan’s confidence.
- General JokôyePowerful council general; cited as the key skeptic Inan must convince to command the army.
- The late king (Inan’s father)Haunting presence through memories; his cruelty and legacy weigh on Inan as he takes the crown.