The Priory of the Orange Tree
Sixty-Five
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Tané awakening in a salmon-colored stone room, her hands bound and the rising jewel taken from her. A shaved-head woman interrogates her about Queen Sabran’s ring and the blue jewel, accusing Tané of killing a sister and consorting with a wyrm—a crime punishable by death. Tané, trained to withstand torture, remains silent but demands to speak only with Chassar uq-Ispad. The woman leaves, and Tané reflects on her dragon Nayimathun’s escape, clinging to hope despite her dire situation.
Chassar uq-Ispad arrives, a towering figure in purple brocade, and Tané reveals her mission: to retrieve a fruit from the orange tree to save Eadaz uq-Nāra from poisoning. Chassar is stunned, believing Eadaz dead, and grows wary when Tané mentions Lord Arteloth Beck. He explains the Prioress’s intent to execute Tané for her crimes and to control the rising jewel. Tané pleads for his help, warning that Eadaz will die without the fruit, but Chassar hesitates, torn between loyalty to the Prioress and saving Eadaz.
Later, Tané is led to a rocky ledge near a thunderous waterfall, believing all is lost. Chassar intervenes, claiming the Prioress ordered further interrogation, and secretly helps Tané escape. He guides her to a hidden stair, returning her lacquer case and providing silk to carry the fruit. Tané worries about reaching Inys without her dragon, but Chassar instructs her to follow the River Minara and promises aid. He refuses to let her stay for the rising jewel, vowing to send it later if possible, then disappears.
Tané descends the treacherous stair, clinging to the cliffside, and finally glimpses the orange tree Loth had described. The chapter ends on a note of precarious hope as Tané prepares to face the tree’s judgment, her survival and Eadaz’s fate hanging in the balance. Chassar’s defiance of the Prioress and Tané’s resilience underscore the tension between duty and sacrifice, setting the stage for the next phase of her perilous journey.
FAQs
1. What are the three reasons the Prioress intends to execute Tané, according to Chassar uq-Ispad?
Answer:
The Prioress plans to execute Tané for three primary reasons: First, Tané murdered a sister of the Priory during her arrival. Second, she arrived riding a sea wyrm (Nayimathun), which is considered a punishable offense by the Priory. Third, executing Tané would allow the Prioress to gain control over the rising jewel, a powerful artifact that currently answers only to Tané. These reasons are revealed during Chassar’s tense conversation with Tané, where he explains the Prioress’s motivations and the dire situation Tané faces (pages 706-707).2. How does Tané demonstrate her training and resilience during her interrogation?
Answer:
Tané draws upon her rigorous training as an apprentice to withstand interrogation. The text reveals that apprentices in her homeland were trained to endure beatings without revealing even their names, and Tané herself had passed this test by remaining completely silent during her own beating. This discipline is evident when she refuses to answer the initial questions posed by the woman with the shaved head, maintaining her composure despite the threat of execution. Her silence is a strategic choice, demonstrating both her mental fortitude and her understanding of interrogation tactics (page 706).3. Analyze the significance of Chassar uq-Ispad’s decision to help Tané escape. What does this reveal about his character and loyalties?
Answer:
Chassar’s decision to help Tané escape reveals his internal conflict between loyalty to the Priory and his personal connection to Eadaz. Though he initially claims he cannot defy the Prioress, his actions ultimately prioritize saving Eadaz’s life over institutional allegiance. This choice highlights his compassion and moral complexity—he risks his position and safety to provide Tané with directions, supplies, and a chance to retrieve the orange tree’s fruit. His parting words (“That need not concern you”) suggest self-sacrifice, implying he expects repercussions for his actions. This moment underscores themes of divided loyalties and the personal costs of difficult choices (pages 707-708).4. What strategic importance does the rising jewel hold, and how does its current ownership drive the conflict in this chapter?
Answer:
The rising jewel is a powerful artifact that responds only to Tané’s command, making it a coveted object for the Prioress. Its control represents significant power, as hinted by Chassar’s statement that the Prioress could dominate it through Tané’s death. This creates high stakes: Tané refuses to leave without it, while the Prioress sees its acquisition as justification for execution. The jewel’s duality (paired with the waning jewel, previously stolen by Eadaz) suggests it’s part of a larger mythological or magical framework. Its presence escalates tensions, transforming Tané’s mission from a simple retrieval quest into a life-or-death struggle over a potent symbol of authority (pages 706-707).5. How does the author use physical descriptions of the Priory’s setting to create atmosphere and symbolism?
Answer:
The descriptions of the salmon-colored stone room, tiled floors, and bronze statues of a woman holding an orb establish the Priory as an ancient, ritualistic space. The waterfall’s “veil” and thunderous roar during Tané’s near-execution scene mirror her emotional turmoil while evoking Seiiki’s coastal setting, connecting her to home at a dire moment. The orange tree’s offscreen presence (mentioned but not yet described) builds anticipation. Most strikingly, the dark corridors “that must never have seen sunlight” metaphorically reflect the Priory’s secrecy and the shadow of its harsh justice. These details immerse readers in a world where environment and power are deeply intertwined (pages 705, 707-708).
Quotes
1. “She was lying in a room of salmon-colored stone, and her hands were tied behind her back.”
This opening line immediately establishes Tané’s vulnerable position as a captive, setting the tense tone for the chapter. The vivid description of her physical constraints mirrors her political and personal predicament.
2. “If you cannot give some justification for your crime, we will have no choice but to execute you. Even if you had not spilled our blood, consorting with a wyrm is punishable by death.”
This quote reveals the fundamental conflict between Tané’s identity as a dragonrider and the Priory’s beliefs. It highlights the cultural divide that threatens her life and mission, while foreshadowing the execution threat that drives the chapter’s tension.
3. “I trust that you will think of something, Ambassador uq-Ispad, or Eadaz will die. Let me go, and she may not. The choice belongs to you.”
Tané’s ultimatum to Chassar represents a pivotal turning point, forcing him to choose between loyalty to the Priory and saving Eadaz. The quote demonstrates Tané’s strategic thinking under pressure and introduces the moral dilemma that motivates Chassar’s later actions.
4. “Only the tree can decide if you are worthy of a fruit.”
This mystical statement encapsulates the chapter’s central quest for the orange tree’s fruit while introducing the theme of worthiness and natural judgment. It suggests that Tané’s fate depends on forces beyond human control or politics.
5. “I cannot leave here without the rising jewel. It answers only to me.”
Tané’s insistence on reclaiming the jewel demonstrates her growing sense of responsibility and connection to magical artifacts. This quote foreshadows future conflicts while showing her determination to maintain control over what rightfully belongs to her.