Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER NINETEEN: ZÉLIE
Overview
Zélie reunites with Mama Agba and meets the Iyika, including the eager Reaper Mâzeli and Grounder elder Kâmarū. Mama Agba reveals how the Iyika formed and how Baba sacrificed himself. Roën parts ways for Lagos. Kâmarū opens a hidden mountain entrance, and Zélie is welcomed into the rebellion’s stronghold.
Summary
Zélie breaks down in relief as she embraces Mama Agba, confirming that Mama Agba survived and is leading armored maji with white coils. A young Reaper, Mâzeli, boasts of his family’s giant animation and impulsively pledges himself as Zélie’s Second, to the others’ amusement.
Roën lingers only to accept payment and announces he must return to Lagos for work, hinting their paths will cross again. His departure deflates Zélie, underscoring his mercenary priorities despite their connection.
Guided along a jungle river, Mama Agba explains the Iyika’s beginnings: after a vision, she and Baba tried to reach the attacked divîner settlement, then led survivors toward safety. When soldiers struck again, Baba surrendered himself to spare the others. The loss steels Zélie’s resolve against Inan and Nehanda.
Mâzeli and another maji recount how, anticipating magic’s return, the Iyika surrounded Lagos and surged in on the solstice, nearly taking the palace before Nehanda repelled them. Their confidence swells now that the famed Soldier of Death stands with them.
At a cliff, Mama Agba introduces Elder Kâmarū, a Grounder with an iron prosthetic. At her coaching, Kâmarū chants and parts the mountainside, revealing a stairwell into a concealed stronghold. Mama Agba welcomes Zélie, Amari, and Tzain into the rebellion’s hidden base, signaling a new phase of organized resistance.
Who Appears
- ZélieReunites with Mama Agba, hears of Baba’s sacrifice, and is welcomed into the Iyika’s hidden base.
- Mama AgbaLeader within the Iyika; explains the rebellion’s origins and guides entry to their mountain stronghold.
- MâzeliYoung Reaper who animates a giant construct and impulsively pledges himself as Zélie’s Second.
- RoënMercenary who accepts payment and departs for Lagos, hinting he and Zélie will meet again.
- TzainStays close to Zélie, learns of Baba’s sacrifice, and enters the Iyika base.
- AmariTravels with Zélie, hears of the Iyika assault on Lagos, and joins the rebellion’s stronghold.
- Elder KâmarūGrounder elder who parts the mountainside with an incantation to reveal the Iyika’s entrance.