Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR: AMARI
Overview
Amari grapples with sacrificing loved ones to end the war as Tzain insists on pursuing Zélie and Roën. When Nâo surfaces injured and alone, panic rises. To prevent interference with her plan against Nehanda and Inan, Amari incapacitates Tzain and sounds a horn, committing to a perilous strike.
Summary
At dawn outside the cave, Amari wrestles with her father’s ruthless legacy and the impossible calculus of ending the war. She believes Nehanda and Inan are vulnerable now, yet acting may cost the lives of people she loves, especially Zélie.
Tzain, convinced something is wrong, demands they pursue Zélie and Roën. Before debate resolves, Kâmarū and Khani spot movement as Nâo blasts up through the carved shaft, battered and bleeding, reporting explosions below. Zélie and Roën are missing.
Tzain bolts for the village, and other elders move to follow. To keep them from disrupting her time-sensitive plan against the soldiers changing guard, Amari makes a brutal choice: she strikes Tzain with a cobalt blaze, freezing his legs. The act devastates her even as it halts the group.
As accusations and fear mount—Khani cries for Jahi, Kâmarū notes absences—Amari hardens. Accepting that Nehanda would sacrifice anyone, she decides she must do the same to save Orïsha. When the guard change window arrives, Amari apologizes and blows the signal horn, setting her risky attack in motion despite the danger to Zélie and Roën.
Who Appears
- AmariTorn between love and duty; incapacitates Tzain and signals a high-stakes attack to strike Nehanda and Inan.
- TzainFears for Zélie; tries to rush into the village but is frozen by Amari’s Connector magic.
- NâoSurfaces injured from the tunnels, reporting explosions and missing Zélie and Roën.
- KhaniPanics over Jahi’s absence as chaos erupts in the cave.
- KâmarūSpots Nâo’s return and realizes Jahi is missing amid the confusion.