The Priory of the Orange Tree
Seventy-Three
by Shannon, SamanthaNiclays Roos returns to Brygstad, the capital of Mentendon, after years of exile, summoned by High Princess Ermuna to aid in diplomatic relations with Seiiki. Despite the city’s familiar beauty—its sugared roofs, bell-gabled houses, and the towering Sanctuary of the Saint—Niclays feels no joy. Haunted by memories of his past, he reluctantly obeys the royal invitation, knowing refusal would risk another banishment. As his coach crosses the Sun Bridge, he reflects on his impoverished arrival decades earlier, contrasting it with his current fractured state, both physically and emotionally.
The chapter delves into Niclays’ physical and emotional scars. Having lost part of his arm and narrowly escaped death aboard the *Dancing Pearl*, he dismisses the assurances of Inysh physicians with characteristic cynicism. He muses on the heroic deeds of Eadaz and Tané, who defeated the Nameless One—a feat he slept through, much to his wry amusement. The city’s bells and the sight of the Free State Theatre stir memories of happier times with his late friends, Jannart and Edvart, though he takes solace in knowing his friend Laya survived and returned home.
Before facing the court, Niclays detours to the Old Quarter, immersing himself in the sensory delights of Brygstad—gingerbread, sugared quinces, and apple tarts—reminiscent of his youth. The bustling markets and bookshops evoke thoughts of his friends in Seiiki, Purumé and Eizaru, whom he hopes might one day join him. His journey culminates at the Sun in Splendor, a shabby inn unchanged by time, where he gathers the courage to confront the ghosts of his past, symbolized by his impending visit to Jannart’s tomb.
The chapter closes with Niclays visiting the Silver Cemetery, where Jannart and Edvart lie entombed. The alabaster effigy of Jannart, crafted in his likeness, forces Niclays to confront his grief and denial. The inscription on the statue’s shield serves as a poignant reminder of the love and loss that define his return. This moment of quiet reflection underscores the chapter’s themes of memory, survival, and the enduring weight of the past as Niclays prepares to re-enter the world he once fled.
FAQs
1. How does Niclays Roos feel about returning to Brygstad and the Mentish court, and what internal conflict does this reveal?
Answer:
Niclays experiences mixed emotions about returning to Brygstad. While he had “dreamed of returning to its streets” and appreciates the familiar sights like the sugared roofs and Sanctuary spire, he dreads facing the court, calling it “haunted” by ghosts of his past—particularly memories of Jannart and Edvart. His reluctance reveals an internal conflict between nostalgia and grief. Though Princess Ermuna seeks his expertise for diplomacy with Seiiki, Niclays resists this role, showing how trauma and loss have complicated his relationship with his homeland. His detour to the Old Quarter before attending court underscores this tension between duty and emotional readiness.2. Analyze the significance of Niclays’s physical and emotional wounds in this chapter. How do they shape his perspective?
Answer:
Niclays’s amputated arm serves as both a physical reminder of his ordeal on the Dancing Pearl and a metaphor for his fractured identity. Though the pain is manageable, the injury symbolizes irreversible change—much like his lost years in exile. Emotionally, he grapples with survivor’s guilt, humorously noting he “slept through” the heroic defeat of the Nameless One, a moment Jannart would have celebrated. These wounds deepen his reflective tone, as he revisits memories with bittersweet awareness of time’s passage. His journey to Jannart’s tomb finally confronts these unresolved griefs, suggesting his physical and emotional healing are intertwined.3. How does the chapter use sensory details to contrast Niclays’s past and present experiences in Brygstad?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes vivid sensory memories with Niclays’s present observations to highlight his transformation. Past experiences—like crossing the Sun Bridge on a haywain as a penniless youth—contrast with his current comfort in a “fur-lined cloak.” The market’s aromas (gingerbread, apple tarts) evoke visceral nostalgia for a life he once cherished but can no longer fully reclaim. Similarly, the shabby yet familiar Sun in Splendor inn mirrors his own weariness and resilience. These details underscore his dual role as both insider and outsider, emphasizing how exile has altered his relationship with the city’s textures and tastes.4. What does Niclays’s visit to Jannart’s tomb reveal about his character development and the themes of grief and closure?
Answer:
Niclays’s long-delayed visit to the tomb marks a pivotal moment of acceptance. Having previously avoided the mausoleum due to his disbelief in the afterlife and raw grief, his decision to go now shows emotional growth. The alabaster effigy, crafted to capture Jannart’s likeness in his prime, forces Niclays to confront memory rather than avoidance. This act symbolizes his gradual move toward closure, though the chapter’s abrupt cutoff at the tomb’s inscription suggests the journey remains incomplete. The scene reinforces themes of legacy and the enduring impact of relationships, even beyond death.5. Evaluate how secondary characters like Laya, Princess Ermuna, and the footman serve specific narrative purposes in this chapter.
Answer:
Secondary characters highlight Niclays’s evolving connections. Princess Ermuna represents institutional authority and the demands of his former life, yet her trade-focused invitation feels hollow to Niclays, emphasizing his disillusionment with politics. The baffled footman’s insistence on protocol contrasts with Niclays’s refusal, illustrating his reclaimed agency. Meanwhile, Laya’s survival and invitation to Nzene offer hope for renewal, symbolizing resilience and the possibility of reconciliation with the past. Together, these characters frame Niclays’s struggle to balance societal expectations with personal healing, enriching the chapter’s exploration of reintegration after trauma.
Quotes
1. “Brygstad, capital of the Free State of Mentendon, crown jewel of learning in the West. Years he had dreamed of returning to its streets.”
This opening line establishes the significance of Brygstad as both a symbolic and personal destination for Niclays Roos, setting the stage for his emotional return to a city filled with memories and personal history.
2. “He wanted none of it. That court was haunted. If he walked there, all he would see were the ghosts of his past.”
This quote powerfully conveys Niclays’ internal conflict about returning to court, revealing his deep emotional scars and reluctance to confront painful memories associated with the place.
3. “Death had kissed his cheek on the Dancing Pearl… Niclays had slept through the whole damned thing. Jannart would have laughed his guts out.”
This poignant reflection combines Niclays’ near-death experience with his characteristic dark humor, while also invoking the memory of his deceased friend Jannart, showing how past relationships continue to shape his present perspective.
4. “Hungry for the sights, Niclays leaned out on his elbow. Scents wafted from the open market, scents he had dreamed about so often in Orisima.”
This sensory-rich passage captures Niclays’ reconnection with his homeland through familiar smells and sights, emphasizing what he had missed during his exile and his visceral joy at returning.
5. “It was traditional for the people of Mentendon to be laid to rest in their birthplaces. Only in rare cases was it permitted for them to be entombed elsewhere.”
This quote introduces the cultural significance of burial customs while subtly foreshadowing Niclays’ visit to Jannart’s tomb, highlighting the importance of place and tradition in the narrative.