The Priory of the Orange Tree
Fifty-Seven
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with the execution of Igrain Crest, a noblewoman convicted of murder, in the undercroft of Ascalon Palace. Despite Queen Sabran’s initial desire for a brutal public execution, she relents to a quieter beheading. Crest remains defiant to the end, hurling insults at Sabran and claiming her actions were justified. The scene is tense and ceremonial, with Crest’s family members, including Roslain, present to witness her death. The execution is carried out swiftly, and Roslain assumes the Crest family title, marking the end of Igrain’s influence.
Following the execution, Sabran retreats into introspection, grappling with revelations about her lineage. Ead, her companion, tries to comfort her as Sabran wrestles with the knowledge that she may be descended from Kalyba, the Lady of the Woods, and Gian Harlowe, making her a bastard. Sabran feels her identity and legacy are built on lies, compounded by the loss of her loved ones. Ead reassures her that her bloodline does not diminish her accomplishments, but Sabran remains troubled by the implications of her ancestry and Kalyba’s betrayal.
The chapter delves deeper into Sabran’s emotional turmoil as she reflects on Kalyba’s actions, including the mysterious barb placed inside her. Ead attempts to rationalize Kalyba’s motives, emphasizing that her alliance with the Nameless One makes her an enemy regardless of their shared blood. Sabran’s grief and uncertainty are palpable, and the chapter highlights her struggle to reconcile her past with her present role as queen. The intimate conversation between Sabran and Ead underscores the weight of leadership and personal identity.
The chapter concludes with an urgent message from High Princess Ermuna, hinting at an impending crisis. The letter’s date suggests that the thousand-year binding of the Nameless One is nearing its end, foreshadowing a looming threat. Ead senses the inevitability of this revelation, and the chapter ends on a foreboding note, setting the stage for the next phase of the story. The sandglass metaphor reinforces the urgency and inevitability of the coming conflict, leaving the reader anticipating the consequences of this turning point.
FAQs
1. How does Igrain Crest face her execution, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Igrain Crest meets her execution with defiance and no remorse. She refuses to apologize for her actions, calling Aubrecht Lievelyn a “sinner and leech,” Rosarian Berethnet a “whore,” and Sabran a “bastard.” She claims she served “just punishment” and believes the Saint will welcome her in Halgalant. This reveals her unwavering conviction in her own righteousness, her deep-seated hatred for the Berethnet line, and her fanatical devotion to her twisted interpretation of justice. Her composed demeanor while kneeling for execution further demonstrates her steely resolve and lack of repentance.2. How does Sabran’s reaction to Crest’s execution and her newfound lineage reveal her internal conflict?
Answer:
Sabran remains outwardly composed during Crest’s execution, showing no reaction to the taunts, but her cold expression hints at suppressed turmoil. Later, she grapples with the revelation of her potentially illegitimate birth and Kalyba’s bloodline, feeling that “everything I am is a lie.” She fixates on her hands, symbolizing her struggle with identity and power. While Ead reassures her that her heritage doesn’t define her worth, Sabran’s grief over lost loved ones and the violation of the barb underscore her vulnerability and existential crisis about her role as queen.3. What symbolic and practical significance does the transfer of the Crest signet ring hold?
Answer:
The transfer of the Crest signet ring to Roslain signifies both the end of Igrain’s reign as Duchess of Justice and the continuation of the Crest lineage. Traditionally placed on the right hand, it instead goes on Roslain’s left due to her injury, subtly highlighting the irregularity of this transition. The steward’s proclamation—”May she be rightwise in her conduct”—emphasizes the expectation of moral integrity, contrasting with Igrain’s treachery. Practically, it solidifies Roslain’s authority, while symbolically, it represents hope for redemption of the Crest name.4. How does the chapter foreshadow the coming conflict with the Nameless One?
Answer:
The urgent letter from High Princess Ermuna, dated the “third day of this spring,” explicitly signals that “the thousand years are almost done,” referencing the prophecy of the Nameless One’s return. Sabran’s shock and Ead’s resigned acknowledgment (“part of her had already known”) create a tone of impending doom. This revelation follows the execution of Crest and Sabran’s identity crisis, suggesting that personal and political turmoil will soon be eclipsed by a greater, existential threat—the breaking of the ancient binding spell and the wyrm’s resurgence.5. Analyze the contrasting perspectives on justice presented in this chapter.
Answer:
The chapter presents two conflicting visions of justice: Igrain Crest’s vengeful, self-righteous version (executing those she deems “sinners”) versus Sabran’s more measured approach (initially wanting a brutal punishment but accepting a private execution). Crest believes her actions are divinely sanctioned, while Sabran, though angry, heeds counsel to avoid public spectacle. The blood collection ritual—a traditional but macabre practice—further complicates the theme, blending ceremony with violence. Ultimately, the chapter questions whether justice is about retribution (Crest) or stability (Sabran), leaving room for reflection on its true nature.
Quotes
1. “I ask for no mercy, and make no apology. Aubrecht Lievelyn was a sinner and a leech. Rosarian Berethnet was a whore, and Sabran Berethnet is a bastard who will never bear a daughter of her own.”
This defiant declaration by Igrain Crest at her execution encapsulates both her unrepentant villainy and the central tensions around Sabran’s legitimacy. The quote reveals deep-seated political and personal conflicts while foreshadowing later revelations about Sabran’s true parentage.
2. “That I am likely a bastard. That I am descended from a liar and the Lady of the Woods—the same woman who took my child from me—and that no good house could be built on such a foundation. That everything I am is a lie.”
Sabran’s existential crisis following revelations about her ancestry captures the novel’s themes of identity and legacy. This vulnerable moment shows her grappling with the collapse of her understanding of self and royal heritage.
3. “The thousand years are almost done.”
This ominous closing line (referring to the prophecy about the Nameless One) serves as both a cliffhanger and a thematic summation. The brief statement powerfully conveys the impending doom facing the world while tying together various prophetic threads in the narrative.