The Priory of the Orange Tree
One
by Shannon, SamanthaA mysterious stranger emerges from the sea onto the shores of Seiiki, described as a “water ghost” in local folklore. Tané, a young woman on the eve of her Choosing Day—a pivotal moment in her life—confronts the outsider with a dagger, torn between fear and curiosity. The moonlight reveals him as a sunburned foreigner, likely abandoned by smugglers, who pleads for help to see the Warlord. Tané realizes her predicament: aiding him would expose her violation of seclusion, a sacred pre-Choosing Day ritual, while abandoning him could spread the feared “red sickness” across the island. Her life’s fortune now feels like a cruel punishment.
Tané’s dilemma intensifies as she weighs her options. Reporting the outsider would reveal her broken seclusion, jeopardizing her chance to become a rider and dishonoring her family. Yet, letting him roam unchecked risks an epidemic. With no good choices, she improvises, covering his face with cloth to prevent contagion and escorting him through Cape Hisan’s bustling night markets. Her blade pressed to his back, she navigates the lantern-lit streets, determined to isolate him without drawing attention. The weight of her decision hangs heavily, each step fraught with peril.
She resolves to take the outsider to Orisima, an artificial island housing foreign traders. Barred from entering herself, Tané recalls a contact—a woman who can smuggle him in. Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to Niclays Roos, a reclusive Mentish scholar rationing wine in his Orisima quarters. Annoyed by a knock, he opens the door to find Tané, drenched and urgent, with the outsider in tow. She reveals the man is Niclays’ countryman, delivered by smugglers, and insists he shelter the stranger until she can present him to the Governor. Niclays, skeptical and irritable, faces an unwelcome disruption to his solitary life.
The chapter culminates in a tense exchange between Tané and Niclays, underscoring the clash of cultures and personal stakes. Tané’s desperation to conceal her transgression and protect her future contrasts with Niclays’ reluctance to卷入麻烦. The outsider’s presence becomes a catalyst for both characters, exposing their vulnerabilities and the fragile balance of Seiiki’s isolationist society. The stage is set for a collision of fates, with the outsider’s identity and the red sickness looming as unresolved threats.
FAQs
1. What dilemma does Tané face when she encounters the outsider on the beach, and why is this situation particularly consequential for her?
Answer:
Tané faces a moral and practical dilemma when she discovers the outsider on the beach. As a trainee on the eve of Choosing Day—a pivotal moment in her life—she has broken seclusion rules by leaving the South House to visit the sea. Reporting the outsider would require admitting her own transgression, potentially delaying Choosing Day and ruining her chance to become a dragon rider. However, abandoning him risks spreading the red sickness, endangering Seiiki. Her decision to hide him in Orisima reflects her desperation to protect her future while mitigating immediate danger (pp. 3–5).2. Analyze how the chapter juxtaposes cultural mythology (e.g., water ghosts) with Tané’s immediate reality. What effect does this create?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts Seiiki’s folklore about water ghosts—silent, malevolent beings lurking in the sea—with Tané’s encounter with a living, vulnerable outsider. This juxtaposition heightens tension by subverting expectations: the “ghost” is merely a sunburned smuggler, yet his arrival is far more threatening to Tané’s future than any supernatural force. The contrast underscores how real-world consequences (e.g., broken seclusion, disease) can be more perilous than myths, while also highlighting Tané’s internal conflict between cultural superstition and pragmatic action (pp. 3–4).3. Why is Orisima a strategically chosen location for Tané to hide the outsider, and what does this reveal about Seiiki’s political landscape?
Answer:
Orisima, an artificial island trading post, is ideal because it houses foreign merchants (like Niclays Roos) and is isolated from mainland Seiiki. The chapter notes that only Mentendon and Lacustrine traders are permitted there, reflecting Seiiki’s strict isolationist policies. By taking the outsider there, Tané minimizes exposure to the red sickness while leveraging a space where foreigners might blend in. This choice reveals Seiiki’s controlled openness: while the nation is closed to most outsiders, it maintains limited diplomatic channels, creating loopholes Tané can exploit (pp. 5–6).4. How does the chapter use sensory details (e.g., weather, physical descriptions) to reinforce its themes of secrecy and consequence?
Answer:
Sensory imagery amplifies the tension. The “spidersilk” mist and moonlight obscured by clouds mirror Tané’s obscured intentions and the outsider’s uncertain fate. Later, the “plum rain” and drumming on Niclays’s roof evoke a claustrophobic atmosphere, paralleling Tané’s trapped position. Her salt-flower robe, soaked by rain, symbolizes her tainted purity. These details immerse the reader in a world where every action—like Tané’s dagger glinting in the dark—carries weight, reinforcing the chapter’s themes of hidden risks and irreversible choices (pp. 3–6).5. Evaluate Tané’s decision to involve Niclays Roos. What potential risks and benefits does this introduce for her plan?
Answer:
Involving Niclays introduces both opportunity and peril. As a Mentish scholar, he might sympathize with the outsider, providing temporary shelter. However, his resentment (“I strongly dislike visitors”) hints at unpredictability. If Niclays reports Tané or mishandles the outsider, her transgression could still be exposed. Conversely, his foreign status might insulate her from direct blame. The risk reflects Tané’s limited options: she must trust a stranger to avoid greater consequences, underscoring her desperation and the fragility of her plan (p. 6).
Quotes
1. “The stranger came out of the sea like a water ghost, barefoot and wearing the scars of his journey.”
This opening line vividly introduces the mysterious outsider who disrupts Tané’s life, setting the tone for the chapter’s themes of intrusion and consequence. The water ghost imagery ties into Seiiki’s folklore while foreshadowing the danger this stranger represents.
2. “All her life, she had been too fortunate. This was her punishment.”
This internal reflection reveals Tané’s fatalistic worldview and her belief that encountering the outsider is divine retribution for breaking seclusion. It highlights the cultural importance of purification rituals and the high stakes of Choosing Day.
3. “She had seen him, and he could not be unseen.”
This concise statement captures the irreversible nature of Tané’s predicament. The quote represents the chapter’s turning point where she realizes her witness status creates mutual culpability, forcing her into morally ambiguous actions.
4. “She wrapped a strip of cloth around his face to keep him from breathing out the sickness. Her hands quaked.”
This physical action demonstrates Tané’s conflicted state - both protecting her community from potential disease while violating protocols herself. The trembling hands reveal her fear and the gravity of her decision to conceal the outsider.
5. “Orisima. That was where she would take the outsider.”
This decisive moment shows Tané’s resourcefulness in crisis, choosing the trading post as a solution that balances her competing loyalties. The quote introduces the important setting of Orisima while moving the plot toward its next development.