Rowan and the Zebak facts for kids
Rowan and the Zebak is an exciting fantasy adventure book for children. It was written by Australian author Emily Rodda and first published in 1999. This book is the fourth story in the popular Rowan of Rin series. In this adventure, Rowan faces a new challenge to save someone he loves.
What is Rowan and the Zebak About?
A Dangerous Rescue Mission
The story begins when Rowan's younger sister, Annad, is suddenly taken from their home in Rin by a scary flying creature. To save her, Rowan knows he must go to the land of the Zebak. The Zebak are the biggest enemies of Rowan's people, and their land is a very dangerous place.
Sheba's Mysterious Prophecy
Before Rowan leaves, the wise woman Sheba gives him a special message. Sheba often gives riddles or prophecies to guide Rowan on his quests. This time, her prophecy is:
- Five strange fingers form fate's hand,
- Each plays a part at fate's command,
- The fiery blaze the answer keeps,
- And till its time each secret sleeps,
- When pain is truth and truth is pain,
- The painted shadows live again,
- Five leave but five do not return,
- Vain hope in pride and terror burn
This riddle hints at who will join Rowan and what challenges they will face. The "five strange fingers" are Rowan and his friends who go with him.
The Journey to Zebak City
Rowan doesn't go alone. Four others join him on this risky journey. They are Zeel, a friend from the Travelers who was born in Zebak; Allun, the baker; Perlain, a friend from the Maris people; and even Sheba helps them from afar with her messages. Each person uses their unique strengths to help the group safely reach Zebak City.
Sheba also gives Rowan a mysterious gift. She tells him he can only open it once he is in Zebak land. In a strange way, Sheba burns Rowan's hand with green flames, causing him pain. This gift later becomes very important. It contains a special metal medallion from Rin's ancestors, some dry branches that can create green flames again, and a bit of grass from Rin.
A Hidden Truth Discovered
Once they reach Zebak City, Rowan and his friends uncover an amazing secret. Long ago, their people were very different. Some were strong and brave warriors, while others were gentle and quiet. The Zebak had captured them. About 300 years ago, the Zebak separated their prisoners. They took the strong people as warrior slaves and made them forget their families.
The story of the warriors was known: they eventually turned against their Zebak masters and helped the Travelers and Maris fight them off. These warriors then settled and created what is now Rin. But what happened to the gentle people left behind was a mystery. Rowan learns that only three survivors remain: an old man and his two grandchildren, Shaaran and Norris. Shaaran is gentle like Rowan, but Norris is strong, like his warrior ancestors.
The Return Home
The prophecy said, "Five leave but five do not return." This means that while five people left Rin, five people would not come back in the same way. Rowan and his friends not only rescue Annad, but they also bring Shaaran and Norris back with them. After many centuries, these grandchildren finally rejoin their people in Rin.
Main Characters
Rowan of Rin
Rowan is like the "Thumb" in Sheba's prophecy. He is brave and helps a working grach (a flying creature) named Unos fly back to Rin. He is the main hero of the story.
Sheba the Wise Woman
Sheba is the "Pointer" in the prophecy. She guides the quest, even though she isn't physically with the group. She helps by sending mysterious rhymes and messages.
Zeel of the Travelers
Zeel is the "Middle" finger. She helps the group by cleverly disguising herself as a Zebak Guard. This allows them to reach where the slaves are kept. Zeel was born in Zebak but was smuggled away as a baby to escape the dangerous city.
Allun the Baker
Allun is the "Ring finger." He helps the group by keeping everyone's spirits up. He tells jokes and makes sure they don't get too worried about the Zebak.
Perlain of the Pandellis (Maris)
Perlain is the "Pinky" finger. He plays his part at sea, helping the group safely get to shore during their journey.
Annad of Rin
Annad is Rowan's younger sister. She is snatched by a flying grach, and the whole adventure is about rescuing her.
Shaaran the Slave
Shaaran is a gentle and quiet slave of the Zebak. She is one of the survivors of the gentle people left behind by the Zebak. Rowan and his friends rescue her.
Norris the Slave
Norris is a strong slave of the Zebak. He is Shaaran's brother and also rescued by the group. He reminds them of the warrior ancestors.
Theiry the Slave
Theiry is an old man and a timid slave to the Zebak. He had made a promise never to escape on his grach. Sadly, Theiry dies because of a Zebak guard named Zanel. His death allows the group and other slaves to ride his grach back to Rin.
