Zelie

Zelie is the protagonist of the novel. She is a 17-year-old girl who is training to fight with a staff under the guidance of Mama Agba when the gods intervene in her life and she runs into Amari in the marketplace as Amari is trying to escape with the scroll. Zelie, who is reckless and wild, but also good-natured and virtuous, agrees to help the princess escape without knowing anything else about her other than that she is in need of help.

Once Zelie finds out the truth about Amari, she is furious with herself for risking her life and her village for a member of the royalty that oppresses her and is responsible for her mother's death, but she decides that Amari's intentions are good and embarks upon a quest alongside her.

Zelie is strong and fiercely independent. She has firm beliefs and opinions on the subject...