The Priory of the Orange Tree
Six
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Queen Sabran of Inys hosting an intimate supper in her Privy Chamber, attended by her ladies-in-waiting, including Ead Duryan and Linora. Ead, an outsider with hidden allegiances to the Priory, feels uneasy, as if her secrets are palpable to the court. The conversation centers on a miniature portrait of Prince Aubrecht Lievelyn, a potential suitor for Sabran. The queen and her ladies critique his appearance, with Roslain Crest, the Chief Gentlewoman, advocating for giving the prince a chance despite her grandmother’s reservations about his political and economic ties.
Ead is unexpectedly drawn into the discussion when Sabran asks for her opinion on the prince’s looks. Her measured response—calling him “comely enough”—stands in contrast to the flattery of the other ladies. This leads to a tense exchange where Sabran probes Ead’s background and faith, subtly challenging her loyalty. Ead navigates the conversation carefully, concealing her true beliefs while outwardly praising the Six Virtues and Sabran’s lineage. The queen’s pointed questions hint at her suspicion of Ead’s origins and motives.
The tension escalates when Roslain pressures Ead to recount the Inysh tale of the Saint and the Damsel from her Southern perspective. Ead recognizes this as a test, knowing the Inysh are protective of their sacred narratives. Sabran insists, framing the request as a comfort amid rising threats from wyrms. Ead reluctantly agrees, taking the storyteller’s seat by the hearth, poised to navigate the delicate task of retelling a foundational myth without revealing her true faith or offending the court.
The chapter underscores the political and personal undercurrents of the Inysh court, where alliances and loyalties are constantly scrutinized. Ead’s internal conflict—balancing her secret mission with the need to survive in a hostile environment—adds depth to the narrative. Sabran’s probing demeanor and Roslain’s calculated challenges highlight the precariousness of Ead’s position, setting the stage for further intrigue as the story of the Nameless One looms.
FAQs
1. How does the political tension between Inys and Mentendon manifest in the Privy Chamber discussion about Prince Aubrecht Lievelyn?
Answer:
The political tension emerges through differing opinions among Sabran’s advisors about the potential alliance with Mentendon. Lady Igrain Crest opposes the match, viewing Mentendon as a financial drain and criticizing Lievelyn’s trade relations with Seiiki. Roslain Crest, while acknowledging her grandmother’s concerns, cautiously supports giving the “Red Prince” a chance, highlighting the divide between conservative and progressive factions at court. Sabran herself seems ambivalent, mocking Lievelyn’s appearance (“dormouse” eyes) while ultimately entertaining the possibility of the union. This reflects the complex diplomatic calculations surrounding royal marriages in Inysh politics.2. Analyze how Ead Duryan’s outsider status affects her interactions at court, using specific examples from the chapter.
Answer:
Ead’s position as a foreigner from the Ersyr creates both suspicion and intrigue. The courtiers scrutinize her intensely, as shown when Roslain tests her by demanding she retell the Saint’s story “as taught in the South”—a clear trap given Inysh orthodoxy. Sabran probes Ead’s religious loyalty, referencing Ambassador uq-Ispad’s “heresy,” forcing Ead to falsely praise the Six Virtues. Yet her outsider perspective also grants her boldness; her “dormice” quip and refusal to excessively flatter Lievelyn’s portrait demonstrate independence uncommon among sycophantic courtiers like Linora. The chapter emphasizes Ead’s constant balancing act between assimilation and maintaining her secret identity.3. What does the chapter reveal about the competing narratives surrounding Cleolind Onjenyu (the Damsel/Mother), and why is this significant?
Answer:
The chapter highlights starkly different interpretations of Cleolind’s legacy. The Inysh view her as the passive “Damsel” saved by their Saint, while Ead’s Southern tradition venerates her as the warrior “Mother.” This ideological rift carries profound religious and political implications: Inys uses the Damsel narrative to justify its supremacy, whereas the Priory’s Mother tradition challenges Inysh authority. Sabran’s request for Ead’s version suggests either curiosity about heresies or a test of loyalty. The tension over this foundational myth underscores how historical narratives become tools of power, with Ead caught between her true beliefs and required court performance.4. How does Samantha Shannon use the Privy Chamber setting to develop Sabran’s character and leadership style?
Answer:
The intimate Privy Chamber setting reveals Sabran’s multifaceted rulership approach. Unlike formal court settings, here she engages in candid discussions, soliciting diverse opinions from her ladies while maintaining ultimate authority. Her teasing humor (“another Mistress Duryan?”) and affectionate rapport with Roslain (“how are you always so wise?”) show a relatable human side, yet her sudden commands (“we will hear it now”) remind everyone of her power. The firelit atmosphere creates a sense of both warmth and tension, mirroring Sabran’s ability to foster loyalty while keeping subjects off-balance—a crucial skill for a queen surrounded by political maneuvering.5. What strategic purpose does Ead’s storytelling moment serve in the narrative, and how does it foreshadow future conflicts?
Answer:
Ead’s compelled retelling of the Saint-Damsel myth serves multiple narrative purposes. Firstly, it exposes the ideological fault lines between Inysh orthodoxy and Southern beliefs, foreshadowing larger religious conflicts. Secondly, it demonstrates Ead’s precarious position—she must navigate heresy accusations while subtly preserving her true faith (“the Mother” reference). Thirdly, Sabran’s insistence on hearing the story suggests either growing suspicion about Ead or secret curiosity about forbidden knowledge, hinting at their complex future relationship. The moment’s tension (“the fire crackled”) mirrors the broader geopolitical “crackling” of rising wyrm threats, connecting personal drama to epic-scale dangers.
Quotes
1. “Sometimes she felt as if they could smell her secrets. As if they sensed she had not come to this court to be a lady-in-waiting. As if they knew about the Priory.”
This quote reveals Ead’s constant tension and fear of exposure at court, hinting at her true mission and allegiance to the secretive Priory. It establishes the underlying tension of her character throughout the chapter.
2. “Best he remembers his place if he weds you. He is not the one who is descended from the Saint.”
Roslain’s statement captures the political dynamics of the royal marriage negotiations, emphasizing the sacred importance of Sabran’s lineage and the power imbalance in any potential union. It reflects the court’s preoccupation with bloodlines and status.
3. “I believe it would behoove us to give this new Red Prince a chance.”
This diplomatic suggestion from Roslain represents a key turning point in the chapter’s political discussion, showing how Sabran’s advisors balance caution with opportunity in matters of state and marriage alliances.
4. “The Six Virtues is a beautiful faith, Majesty, and impossible not to believe in, when the true descendant of the Saint walks among us.”
Ead’s carefully worded response to Sabran’s probing reveals her skill at courtly deception, maintaining her cover while hinting at her true beliefs. The irony is palpable as the reader knows she maintains her secret faith.
5. “Cleolind Onjenyu was also remembered in the South as the greatest warrior of her time, but the Inysh would never believe that. They believed that she had needed to be saved.”
This thought from Ead highlights the fundamental cultural and religious divide between the South and Inys, foreshadowing larger conflicts to come while revealing Ead’s personal perspective on the shared mythology.