The Priory of the Orange Tree
Fifty-Nine
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with the *Rose Eternal* caught in a violent storm in the Sundance Sea. Loth, a nobleman aboard the ship, battles seasickness in his cabin before deciding to face the tempest head-on, invoking the Knight of Courage’s teachings. On deck, he is met with chaos: crew members struggle against the wind and waves, one sailor is swept overboard, and the ship’s mast begins to splinter. Despite the danger, Loth seeks solace near Captain Harlowe, a seasoned seafarer, as the storm threatens to destroy the vessel.
As the storm intensifies, the *Rose Eternal* is nearly capsized by a rogue wave, sending Loth sliding across the deck. He is saved by a carpenter clinging to the ratlines, highlighting the crew’s desperation. Amid the turmoil, a cry of “Land ahoy!” sparks hope, but the island’s sudden appearance is met with suspicion. Harlowe orders the ship toward the unknown land, despite Quartermaster Plume’s warning that its inhabitants may kill them. The crew scrambles to adjust sails and ropes, their efforts a chaotic yet coordinated dance of survival.
The island’s approach reveals an unnatural pull, as if the ship is being drawn toward it against the storm’s will. A mysterious flash of light from the island’s shore raises questions—is it a signal or a trap? Harlowe, recognizing the danger of running aground, orders the crew to drop anchors and stow sails, prioritizing the ship’s survival over the storm’s immediate threat. Plume and Melaugo protest, but Harlowe remains resolute, his authority unwavering even as the crew faces exhaustion and injury.
The chapter culminates in a tense standoff between the crew’s fear of the unknown island and the inevitability of their approach. Harlowe’s decision to halt the ship reflects his pragmatism and loyalty to the *Rose Eternal*, even as the storm rages on. Loth, caught between admiration for the captain’s leadership and his own terror, watches as the crew braces for whatever awaits them on the mysterious shore. The chapter leaves readers with a cliffhanger, questioning whether the island offers salvation or further peril.
FAQs
1. How does the storm impact the crew and ship in this chapter, and what does this reveal about the dangers of maritime travel in this world?
Answer:
The storm creates life-threatening conditions for the crew of the Rose Eternal, with waves battering the ship, winds howling, and lightning flashing. The crew struggles to maintain control as one swabber is pitched overboard, another slips across the deck, and a sailor is severely injured after being lashed off the yards. The mast begins to splinter under the wind’s force, and Loth nearly drowns after being swept by a rogue wave. These events highlight the extreme perils of maritime travel in this world, where even experienced sailors like Harlowe and his crew are at the mercy of nature’s fury. The chapter emphasizes the fragility of human life against the overwhelming power of the sea.2. Analyze Captain Harlowe’s leadership during the crisis. What does his decision-making reveal about his character and priorities?
Answer:
Harlowe demonstrates decisive and pragmatic leadership during the storm. Despite the crew’s concerns about potential dangers on the island, he prioritizes the survival of both his crew and ship, ordering them to head toward land rather than risk being destroyed by the storm. His command to drop anchors and douse sails when he realizes the Rose might run aground shows his deep attachment to the ship and his willingness to make tough calls. His calm demeanor amid chaos (“with a calm that belied the chaos around him”) further underscores his experience and resilience as a captain. Harlowe’s actions reveal a leader who values practicality, courage, and loyalty to his ship above all else.3. What significance does the mysterious island hold in this chapter, and how does its sudden appearance affect the narrative tension?
Answer:
The island serves as both a potential salvation and an unknown threat. Initially, the cartographer insists there should be no land in their current location, making its appearance unsettling. The unnatural tide pulling the Rose toward it and the mysterious flashes of light add an element of supernatural intrigue. This heightens narrative tension by introducing uncertainty—will the island provide refuge or harbor danger? The crew’s fear of being “put to the sword” by possible inhabitants contrasts with Harlowe’s determination to reach it, creating a suspenseful dilemma. The island’s presence shifts the immediate threat from the storm to the unknown, propelling the story forward with new mysteries.4. How does Loth’s perspective as a non-sailor influence the reader’s understanding of the storm’s severity and the crew’s bravery?
Answer:
Loth, as a landsman, provides a relatable lens for readers to grasp the storm’s terror. His physical reactions—retching in his cabin, clinging to the mast, and nearly drowning—highlight the extreme conditions. His observation that the ship, once solid, now feels “hollow” underscores its vulnerability. His admiration for Harlowe (“This was the man who had fought a pirate lord in a typhoon”) and the crew’s chaotic yet coordinated efforts (“They danced to the tune of the whistle”) emphasize their exceptional skill and bravery. Through Loth’s eyes, readers better appreciate the crew’s expertise and the true ferocity of the storm, which even a nobleman accustomed to danger finds overwhelming.5. Evaluate the symbolic role of the Rose Eternal in this chapter. How does the ship represent more than just a means of travel?
Answer:
The Rose Eternal symbolizes resilience, loyalty, and identity. Harlowe’s refusal to let it run aground (“If the Rose runs aground, she’s finished. And that, I cannot allow”) reveals his deep emotional connection to the ship, treating it as a living entity worth preserving at great risk. The crew’s desperate efforts to save it further emphasize its importance as their home and livelihood. The ship’s name itself—Eternal—suggests endurance against impossible odds, mirroring the crew’s struggle. When the storm twists the image of Ascalon on its sails, it subtly reflects how their journey is distorting their original purpose, making the ship a microcosm of their evolving fate.
Quotes
1. “‘The Knight of Courage tells us to look death in the eye,’ he answered. ‘I intend to obey.’ He sounded bolder than he felt.”
This quote captures Loth’s internal conflict as he faces the storm, embodying the chapter’s theme of confronting fear. It shows his determination to embody knightly virtues despite his terror, marking a pivotal moment where he chooses courage over safety.
2. “This ship had felt solid as they crossed the Abyss; now he felt its hollowness. He had survived the plague, glimpsed death in the eye of a cockatrice, but it seemed it would be in the waters of the East that he would perish.”
A powerful reflection on vulnerability and mortality. The contrast between past survival and present peril underscores the chapter’s tension while revealing Loth’s existential reckoning amid the storm.
3. “‘If it’s inhabited, they’ll put us all to the sword,’ Plume shouted back. ‘Then the Rose will live, and we’ll die faster than we will out here,’ Harlowe barked.”
This exchange highlights the desperate calculus of survival during the storm. Harlowe’s pragmatic brutality contrasts with Plume’s caution, emphasizing the chapter’s life-or-death stakes and the crew’s impossible choices.
4. “‘This is no natural thing. The tide shouldn’t be strong enough to reel us in.’ His face tightened. ‘She’s going to run aground.’”
A turning point where supernatural elements intrude on the natural disaster. Harlowe’s realization shifts the chapter from a survival narrative to something more ominous, foreshadowing the island’s mysterious pull on the ship.
5. “‘We can try. If the Rose runs aground, she’s finished. And that, I cannot allow.’”
Harlowe’s declaration reveals his deeper motivation - preserving his ship above all else. This quote crystallizes the chapter’s exploration of loyalty and sacrifice, showing how the crew’s fate becomes secondary to the vessel’s survival.