Children of Blood and Bone: Chapter Seventy-Four Summary & Analysis

Inan can’t stop thinking about Zélie, and he can’t shake the feeling that he’s lost her forever. Saran approaches and sees that Inan is wavering. Inan himself looks to the skies, wishing he could turn to the gods for guidance.

Saran surprises Inan by saying that he, too, wavered once. As a young prince, he watched as the monarchy considered a proposal to integrate leaders of the maji clans into the nobility of the court. Saran’s father dreamed of such a government, one of unification and harmony. Saran’s first wife, too, urged support of the referendum. Choosing love over duty, Saran says, he honored his wife’s wishes and supported the movement. But then, he says, he realized the maji just wanted the power to conquer the nobles.

Hearing his words, Inan pictures the death and destruction he witnessed at the Gombe fortress. Saran says that Inan, too, must now choose duty and kingdom before himself. Saran presents Inan with his sword, telling him that sacrificing his heart will make him a noble king. Secretly, Inan thinks that he must choose Orïsha over Zélie. He says he knows how they can get the scroll back.