The Priory of the Orange Tree
Forty-Five
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens on Feather Island, where Tané and Elder Vara witness the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The beaches are flooded, and an eerie silence hangs over the land. The scholars discover the body of a young Seiikinese dragon washed ashore, its scales dulled by mist and birds. The elders conclude the dragon was boiled alive by the sea—an unnatural and ominous event that leaves the community in shock. Tané, deeply disturbed by the sight, struggles to comprehend the implications of such a horrific omen.
As the scholars mourn the dragon’s death, Elder Vara summons a surgeon, Doctor Moyaka, to examine Tané’s old injury. Tané is initially reluctant, recognizing the name Moyaka as connected to a painful past involving threats to her dragon. Elder Vara reassures her, revealing he and the High Elder know about her exile from Seiiki. Despite her discomfort, Tané agrees to the examination, determined not to appear childish. The encounter with Moyaka stirs memories of her traumatic experiences in Ginura, adding to her emotional turmoil.
Doctor Moyaka, a practitioner of Seiikinese and Mentish medicine, examines the lump on Tané’s side, diagnosing it as a bone spur. She proposes a minor procedure to confirm her assessment. Tané, who has longed for numbness since arriving on the island, accepts a pain-relieving drug. The smoke induces a dreamlike state, temporarily easing her shame and grief. As Moyaka begins the procedure, Tané’s physical discomfort is dulled, but the emotional weight of her past lingers.
The chapter highlights Tané’s internal struggle as she grapples with her exile, the trauma of her past, and the unsettling discovery of the dead dragon. The unnatural death of the dragon serves as a harbinger of darker forces at work, while Tané’s interaction with Moyaka underscores her unresolved pain. The island’s scholars, meanwhile, remain in a state of collective mourning, their world shaken by both natural disaster and supernatural omens. The chapter ends with Tané caught between physical relief and emotional vulnerability, hinting at deeper conflicts to come.
FAQs
1. What was the most shocking discovery on Feather Island after the earthquake, and why was it considered an ominous sign?
Answer:
The most shocking discovery was the body of a young Seiikinese dragon that had washed ashore. This was considered an extremely ominous sign because dragons, being gods in this world, cannot drown—they are one with water. The elders concluded the dragon had been “boiled alive by the sea itself,” which was described as deeply unnatural. The text emphasizes that “no omen could be more sinister,” suggesting this event represents a fundamental disruption of natural order and foreshadows greater calamities to come (pages 480-481).2. How does the chapter portray Tané’s emotional state and her relationship with her past?
Answer:
Tané is depicted as deeply traumatized and haunted by her past. She experiences visceral grief upon seeing the dead dragon, shuddering and turning away when she “could bear it no more.” Her interaction with Elder Vara reveals she carries shame about her exile from Seiiki, feeling “stripped naked” when learning others know her secrets. The chapter shows her seeking escape through Doctor Moyaka’s painkilling drug, which provides temporary relief: “the weight of her shame evaporated” as she finally breathes easy. This illustrates her ongoing struggle to reconcile with her history (pages 481-483).3. Analyze the significance of Doctor Moyaka’s examination of Tané’s side injury. What does this reveal about both characters?
Answer:
The examination scene reveals multiple layers of characterization. For Tané, it demonstrates her internal conflict—she initially refuses treatment due to her traumatic association with the Moyaka name (linked to someone who threatened her dragon), but ultimately complies to avoid embarrassing Elder Vara, showing her respect for authority. For Doctor Moyaka, her professional demeanor (“traced the shape of the lump”) contrasts with Tané’s anxiety, highlighting generational differences in handling trauma. The bone spur itself becomes symbolic—a physical manifestation of Tané’s long-buried pain, now being brought to light just as her emotional wounds resurface (page 483).4. What does the chapter suggest about the broader political situation in Seiiki through the conversation about the Fleet of the Tiger Eye?
Answer:
The brief exchange about the Fleet of the Tiger Eye reveals ongoing instability in Seiiki. Doctor Moyaka mentions there have been no attacks since Ginura (where Tané experienced trauma), but ominously states “they will soon return,” implying cyclical violence. The reference to the “Golden Empress being emboldened” suggests rising authoritarian threats. This political tension forms a backdrop to Tané’s personal struggles, connecting her exile to larger societal conflicts. The conversation also establishes Feather Island as relatively insulated from these mainland troubles, making it both a refuge and place of isolation for Tané (page 482).
Quotes
1. “Gods could not drown. They were one with water. Finally, the elders had concluded that this dragon had been boiled. Boiled alive by the sea itself. Nothing was more unnatural. No omen could be more sinister.”
This quote captures the shocking discovery of a dead dragon on Feather Island, revealing the unnatural horror of a water-bound creature being killed by the sea itself. It marks a pivotal moment of dread and foreshadowing in the chapter, signaling that fundamental natural laws are being violated.
2. “I know your last days in Seiiki were unhappy, Tané. I also know how hard it is to let go of the past. But on Feather Island, you must let go.”
Elder Vara’s gentle admonition to Tané reveals both her troubled history and the chapter’s theme of confronting one’s past. This moment shows Tané’s internal struggle and the tension between her trauma and the need to move forward in her new life.
3. “The smoke rubbed her throat raw. When it reached her chest, it blew a dark, sweet comfort through her blood, and her body was half feather and half stone, sinking as her thoughts grew light. The weight of her shame evaporated.”
This vivid description of Tané’s medicinal experience powerfully conveys her emotional release and temporary escape from her burdens. The poetic language captures both physical sensation and psychological relief, marking a rare moment of peace in her otherwise troubled existence.
4. “The Golden Empress is emboldened.”
This brief but ominous statement by Doctor Moyaka references the growing threat in Seiiki, connecting Tané’s personal struggles to larger political tensions. It serves as both a reminder of the world beyond Feather Island and foreshadowing of future conflicts.