Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: INAN
Overview
Staggering from Amari’s attack, Inan is swept into a battle as Nehanda’s unauthorized strike hits the Iyika base. The Iyika’s earthworks and taming magic devastate royal transports, forcing Inan’s retreat. Ojore reveals Nehanda ordered the assault, deepening Inan’s conflict. Nehanda promises Jokôye’s reinforcements to finish the Iyika.
Summary
Inan, weakened by Amari’s earlier drain, stumbles through the jungle into a full assault on the Iyika base. Royal wagons surge forward, but earth maji raise stone walls that smash the transports, while Iyika cyclones blow back majacite gas. The counterattacks reveal the assault is failing.
Ojore reaches Inan and drags him from the front as chaos mounts. A Tamer girl pelts the royal ryders with pink magic, turning panthenaires rabid and throwing soldiers. Inan, furious, demands to know who defied his order to stand down.
Ojore admits he could not lie to Nehanda and that she ordered the strike to “save” Inan from a trap. An explosion hurls them to the ground, and a tîtán evacuates Inan from the collapsing front. Assessing the Iyika’s superior defenses, Inan realizes the assault cannot break through and fears the war is tipping against him.
They rendezvous with Nehanda, who embraces Inan. Inan rebukes her for starting the battle, insisting they must retreat to avoid losing the war. Nehanda dismisses his warning, declaring that Jokôye’s forces are en route and that the Iyika will end today, setting up a clash between Inan’s caution and Nehanda’s ruthless escalation.
Who Appears
- InanKing of Orïsha, disoriented from Amari’s drain; witnesses failing assault; urges retreat; clashes with Nehanda’s decision.
- OjoreInan’s commander and ally; extracts Inan from the front; admits Nehanda ordered the attack.
- NehandaInan’s mother; secretly orders the assault; dismisses retreat; promises Jokôye’s reinforcements to crush the Iyika.