Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE: AMARI
Overview
Amari, Zélie, and the elders return to the sanctuary and consult Mama Agba, who reveals Zélie’s moonstone can bind lifeforces to create cênters but at a devastating cost. The council splinters: Zélie rejects making more cênters and pushes for war, while Amari argues for negotiation with Inan, then resolves to pursue peace alone.
Summary
After four grueling days, Amari, Zélie, and the elders reach the mountain sanctuary. Amari reunites with Tzain, their intimacy interrupted by Jahi, who presses them to convene the council. Amari hopes her new power as a cênter can help force the monarchy to surrender.
In the council room, Mama Agba examines the golden markings on Zélie and identifies them as the moonstone—divine power granted at the solstice, sister to the destroyed sunstone. When activated, Zélie’s tattoos glow, and Mama Agba explains the moonstone can bind lifeforces, which likely created Amari and Nehanda’s cênter abilities.
Mama Agba warns that forging another cênter requires sacrificing someone one loves; any shortcut would fail or doom both lives. She cautions that some weapons shouldn’t be used and leaves the choice to the elders. Amari interprets this as leverage to build cênter power and proposes going to Lagos to negotiate peace with Inan.
Kenyon presses for a direct assault; Kâmarū refuses to spill maji blood. When Zélie rejects creating more cênters as too dangerous and immoral, she insists on training maji to defeat Nehanda and end the monarchy—Inan included. Amari refuses to support killing her brother, asserts her value as their only cênter, and, after the elders rally behind Zélie, leaves determined to pursue peace on her own.
Who Appears
- AmariCênter princess; reunites with Tzain, advocates negotiating peace with Inan, clashes with Zélie, and decides to act alone.
- ZélieBearer of moonstone tattoos; power can bind lifeforces. Rejects creating cênters, vows to train maji and topple the monarchy.
- Mama AgbaElder who deciphers Zélie’s markings; reveals moonstone’s cost and warns against using such perilous power.
- TzainAmari’s partner; comforts her on return. Their intimacy underscores Amari’s personal stakes before duty calls.
- KenyonElder urging an assault on Lagos; prioritizes decisive force over negotiation despite potential sacrifices.
- KâmarūElder who refuses to spill maji blood; opposes creating cênters through lethal sacrifice.
- NâoElder supportive of Zélie’s militant path; rejects sacrificing loved ones to forge cênters.
- JahiWinder who interrupts Amari and Tzain; pushes the group back to council duties.
- Na’imahElder briefly backing the idea of making their own cênter before Zélie rejects it.