The Priory of the Orange Tree
Thirty-Four
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Queen Sabran’s pregnancy bringing joy to Inys, as the people celebrate the promise of a new heir despite the recent death of Prince Aubrecht. Sabran decides to return to Ascalon Palace to avoid the painful memories of Briar House, and the court prepares for the arrival of the child with new gowns and a refurbished lying-in chamber. However, beneath the surface of celebration, Sabran struggles with physical sickness and emotional turmoil, her condition carefully monitored by her Ladies of the Bedchamber, who prioritize the unborn child’s safety above all else.
Amidst the personal challenges, political tensions loom large. The Dukes Spiritual, particularly Igrain Crest, pressure Sabran to address the threat of an invasion from Yscalin, which is reportedly building a fleet. Crest also urges Sabran to remarry, suggesting an alliance with King Raunus of Hróth to secure military support. Sabran, however, resists these demands, asserting that her focus must remain on her pregnancy and the well-being of her child. Her refusal to entertain the idea of remarriage while pregnant reveals her growing assertiveness and strategic thinking.
The confrontation between Sabran and Crest highlights the queen’s evolving leadership style. Crest, accustomed to wielding influence, is taken aback by Sabran’s firmness, especially when the queen insists on having her trusted ladies, Ead and Katryen, remain during the discussion. Sabran’s refusal to yield to Crest’s demands underscores her determination to protect her autonomy and the sanctity of her pregnancy, even as she acknowledges the political stakes. The tension between the two women reflects broader themes of power and control within the court.
The chapter closes with Sabran reflecting on her relationship with Crest, recognizing the duchess’s frustration at being denied. Katryen attempts to soothe Sabran, reminding her of Crest’s eventual acceptance of past decisions. However, the arrival of a signal beacon warning of coastal danger foreshadows impending conflict, leaving the reader with a sense of unease. Sabran’s resilience and strategic evasion of Crest’s pressures suggest a queen who is increasingly aware of the delicate balance between personal and political survival.
FAQs
1. How does the public’s perception of Queen Sabran’s pregnancy differ from her private experience?
Answer:
The public celebrates Sabran’s pregnancy as a divine blessing and a guarantee of Virtudom’s continued safety from the Nameless One, with courtiers raising cups in her honor and laughter filling the palace. However, privately, Sabran suffers from severe physical discomfort—constant sickness, exhaustion, and anxiety about the changes in her body. Her ladies-in-waiting witness these struggles, recognizing the pregnancy as a perilous time where the child’s survival takes precedence, given the Berethnet lineage’s apparent inability to conceive more than once. This contrast highlights the pressure Sabran faces as a monarch versus her personal vulnerabilities (pp. 355–356).2. Analyze the political tensions surrounding Sabran’s refusal to remarry. How does this decision reflect her evolving leadership style?
Answer:
Igrain Crest pressures Sabran to accept a marriage alliance with the Chieftain of Askrdal to secure military support from Hróth against Yscalin’s looming invasion. Sabran, however, asserts her autonomy by deferring the decision, citing concerns for her unborn child’s well-being—a strategic evasion that forces Crest to retreat. This defiance marks a shift from Sabran’s earlier malleability (“molten glass”) to a more resolute ruler who challenges her advisors. Her prioritization of the heir’s safety over diplomatic expediency also underscores the gendered burdens of queenship (pp. 356–358).3. What symbolic and practical significance does the return to Ascalon Palace hold for Sabran?
Answer:
Returning to Ascalon Palace represents both a practical and emotional fresh start. Briar House is saturated with memories of Prince Aubrecht, making it a painful environment for the grieving queen. The move allows Sabran to escape these reminders while symbolizing renewal for her court—a shift from mourning to hope. Practically, it facilitates preparations for the birth (e.g., airing the lying-in chamber) and distances her from Crest’s influence, reinforcing her agency in choosing her surroundings (pp. 355–356).4. How does the chapter portray the duality of Sabran’s role as both a sacred figure and a mortal woman?
Answer:
Sabran’s divine status is emphasized through public celebrations of her pregnancy, which is seen as a miraculous safeguard for Virtudom. Yet the chapter juxtaposes this with her very human struggles: physical illness, fear of childbirth mortality, and grief. The Ladies of the Bedchamber’s observations—particularly Roslain’s warning about the childbed’s dangers—underscore how Sabran’s sacred duty (bearing an heir) exposes her mortal fragility. This tension between divinity and humanity shapes her isolation and the court’s unrealistic expectations (pp. 355–356).5. Evaluate Igrain Crest’s tactics in persuading Sabran to remarry. Why does Sabran ultimately resist her?
Answer:
Crest employs a mix of flattery (“a sword must be oiled”), urgency (invasion threats), and manipulation (implying Sabran’s emotional state clouds her judgment). She frames remarriage as a patriotic duty, leveraging Raunus’s potential military aid. Sabran resists by invoking the heir’s safety—a rationale Crest cannot openly oppose without seeming callous. This clash reveals Crest’s diminishing control and Sabran’s growing political acumen; the queen recognizes Crest’s “hate to be denied” and strategically uses her pregnancy to assert independence (pp. 357–358).
Quotes
1. “The life of the child took precedence over that of the mother, since there was no evidence that the women of the House of Berethnet could conceive more than once.”
This quote highlights the immense political and dynastic pressure on Queen Sabran, revealing how her value as a monarch is reduced to her reproductive capacity in this patriarchal society. It underscores the central tension between her personal wellbeing and her royal duty.
2. “As a sword must be oiled, so a fellowship must be renewed. Best that you are not a distant relative to Raunus, but a near and dear one. You must wed again.”
Igrain Crest’s metaphor demonstrates the political machinations surrounding Sabran’s remarriage, framing it as a strategic necessity rather than a personal choice. This represents the constant tension between Sabran’s autonomy and her advisors’ vision of statecraft.
3. “Once I was as molten glass, yet to be spun into shape. I sense I have taken a shape she mislikes.”
Sabran’s poignant self-reflection reveals her growing self-awareness and political maturity, contrasting with her earlier malleability. The glass metaphor beautifully captures her transformation from a pliable young queen to an independent ruler making unpopular decisions.
4. “She pushes too hard… I revered her too much to see how much she hates to be denied.”
This private moment shows Sabran’s evolving perspective on her powerful advisor Crest, marking a significant shift in their relationship dynamic. It demonstrates Sabran’s growing confidence in challenging established power structures within her court.