The Priory of the Orange Tree
Forty-Nine
by Shannon, SamanthaLoth and Ead arrive in Inys aboard the *Bird of Truth*, greeted by a melancholic and sunless coastline. Their destination is Albatross Roost, the westernmost settlement, from where they plan to ride hard to Ascalon within a week. Ead, visibly weakened since leaving Lasia, remains vigilant as they observe the growing Draconic Army fleet near Quarl Bay. In a display of her formidable power, Ead silently incinerates five enemy ships with fire, a stark reminder of the looming threat posed by King Sigoso’s impending invasion. The weight of their mission hangs heavy as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
As the ship docks, Loth reflects on his complicated feelings about returning to Inys, a place he never expected to see again. Despite initial tension between him and Ead, their shared experiences during the journey have rekindled their former camaraderie. They avoid contentious topics like religion, focusing instead on their mutual goal of protecting Virtudom. Ead, wary of expending her magical resources, acknowledges the need for caution, while Loth grapples with his fear of her abilities. Their bond deepens as they openly accept each other’s flaws, symbolized by Loth’s gesture of covering Ead’s Priory ring—a sign of trust and solidarity.
Disembarking in a harbor reeking of fish and seaweed, Loth and Ead note the unusual presence of sweet-bags—hawthorn charms—hanging from doorways, a long-forgotten tradition to ward off evil. This sparks a conversation about Inys’s pre-Six Virtues religion, hinting at deeper cultural and historical layers beneath the surface. Traveling onward, they encounter a war-torn landscape: burned villages and smoldering sanctuaries, evidence of wyrm attacks orchestrated by the Draconic Army. Ead speculates that these acts of intimidation are precursors to a full-scale assault led by the Nameless One, heightening the urgency of their mission.
Exhausted and drenched, the pair take refuge in a rundown inn by the River Catkin. Ead, keeping a low profile, overhears troubling rumors about Queen Sabran’s unexplained absence and the growing unease among her subjects. The lack of news about her pregnancy and the escalating Draconic threats have sown fear and uncertainty. Loth, weary but determined, steels himself for the trials to come as they prepare to infiltrate Ascalon. The chapter closes with a sense of impending doom, underscoring the high stakes of their quest to save Virtudom from annihilation.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter establish the mood and setting of Inys as Loth and Ead approach it?
Answer:
The chapter paints Inys as a melancholic, sun-deprived land through vivid sensory details and emotional language. Loth describes the coast as “dowly” and notes it looks like it “had never seen the touch of the sun, or heard a joyful song” (p. 507). The bitter wind, rotting seaweed smells, and clag-covered boots (pp. 508-509) reinforce a grim atmosphere. This setting mirrors the characters’ emotional states—Loth’s “leaden” heart and Ead’s diminished vitality—while foreshadowing the kingdom’s struggles against the Draconic threat. The resurgence of ancient hawthorn sweet-bags (p. 509) adds an eerie, superstitious layer, suggesting a populace reverting to old protections amid crisis.2. Analyze the significance of Ead’s fire magic and how it reflects her character development.
Answer:
Ead’s incineration of five Draconic ships (p. 508) demonstrates her formidable power and ruthless pragmatism. Her expressionless observation of the flames—with “orange light flickering in her eyes”—reveals a hardened warrior comfortable with destruction for a greater good. This contrasts with earlier chapters where she concealed her abilities, marking her transition into openly wielding magic. Her caution about conserving siden (p. 508) shows strategic discipline, while Loth’s acceptance of her “shadows” (p. 508) highlights their reconciled trust. The blossom ring (p. 508) subtly reinforces her Priory identity, now worn openly.3. What do the hawthorn sweet-bags symbolize about Inysh society’s response to the Draconic threat?
Answer:
The ubiquitous sweet-bags (p. 509) symbolize a societal regression to pre-Virtudom traditions amid existential fear. Loth notes they predate Ascalon’s Foundation and were never seen in his lifetime, implying a revival of folk protections as orthodox religion fails against wyrm attacks. Their hawthorn contents—sacred in pre-Virtudom beliefs (p. 509)—suggest a collective unconscious turning to older spiritual safeguards. This detail critiques institutional religion’s limitations during crisis while foreshadowing potential cultural shifts, as Ead’s brooding silence (p. 509) hints at her recognizing parallels to her own tree-based magic.4. How does the chapter build tension regarding Queen Sabran’s situation and the broader political stakes?
Answer:
Tension mounts through fragmented updates: Sabran’s absence from public view fuels rumors about her pregnancy (p. 510), while wyrm-burned villages (p. 509) confirm Draconic aggression. Ead’s theory about High Westerns “intimidating” Sabran (p. 510) and the Nameless One’s impending invasion (p. 508) raises apocalyptic stakes. The juxtaposition of Loth’s urgency (“ride hard,” p. 507) with physical exhaustion (p. 510) mirrors Inys’s precarious state—rushing toward a crisis while weakened. Crest’s alleged manipulation (p. 510) adds intrigue, positioning the protagonists’ journey as both a physical and political race against collapse.5. Evaluate how the dynamic between Loth and Ead has evolved since their reunion.
Answer:
Initially strained by Loth’s discomfort and Ead’s reticence (p. 508), their bond deepens through shared vulnerability. Their cabin conversations (p. 508) rebuild trust, and physical gestures—Ead’s hand on his arm, their interlaced fingers (pp. 508-509)—signal restored warmth. Loth’s acceptance of her magic (“I accept yours,” p. 508) shows growth beyond Inysh dogma, while Ead’s care for his beard disguise (p. 508) reflects practical solidarity. Their mutual protection (helping each other ride, p. 510) cements them as equals in purpose, though religious differences remain unresolved—a nuanced portrayal of friendship amid ideological divides.
Quotes
1. “Melancholy. That was the first word that came to mind when he beheld its dowly coast. It looked as if it had never seen the touch of the sun, or heard a joyful song.”
This opening description of Inys sets the tone for the chapter, emphasizing the grim atmosphere and foreshadowing the challenges ahead. Loth’s perception reflects both the physical and emotional landscape they’re entering.
2. “Ead had said nothing at the sight. Only turned an open hand toward the five ships at anchor—and fire, born of nothing, had roared up their masts. She had watched it devour them all with no expression, orange light flickering in her eyes.”
This powerful moment showcases Ead’s formidable magic and her ruthless efficiency in combatting the Draconic threat. The imagery highlights her transformation and the moral complexities of using such power.
3. “All of us have shadows in us. I accept yours. And I hope you will also accept mine.”
This exchange between Loth and Ead represents a pivotal moment of reconciliation and mutual understanding. It underscores the theme of embracing each other’s flaws and pasts as they face challenges together.
4. “I have never seen them hanging in my lifetime. […] What was the religion of Inys before the Six Virtues?”
The reappearance of ancient hawthorn charms signals a cultural shift in Inys and prompts discussion of pre-Virtudom traditions. This moment foreshadows potential religious and cultural revelations to come.
5. “This time, the Nameless One will lead his armies himself.”
Ead’s ominous prediction serves as both a warning and a call to action. It emphasizes the unprecedented scale of the coming conflict and raises the stakes for their mission to protect Virtudom.