The Priory of the Orange Tree
Sixty-Nine
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Tané deeply missing her homeland of Seiiki, yearning for its natural beauty and spiritual connection to her gods. Her guilt over Nayimathun’s absence weighs heavily on her, as she fears the dragon may have been hunted down. Ead arrives, offering comfort and checking on Tané’s recovery. Their conversation shifts to the impending battle, with Ead expressing cautious optimism about using the jewels to defeat the Nameless One. Tané remains skeptical, but Ead shares her theory on weakening Kalyba by forcing her to change shapes, though she admits it’s untested.
Ead proposes that Tané should wield Ascalon, the legendary sword, due to her prolonged exposure to the sterren in the rising jewel. Tané, burdened by guilt and feelings of unworthiness, hesitates but ultimately agrees to take the opportunity if it arises. The exchange highlights the growing trust between them, despite their historical enmity. As Ead leaves, Tané prays to the stars for strength to fulfill her duty, reflecting her internal struggle and determination. The scene underscores the high stakes of their mission and the personal sacrifices involved.
The narrative shifts to Ead and Sabran aboard the *Reconciliation*, where Sabran expresses a desire to escape their responsibilities someday. Ead acknowledges the impracticality of this dream, as both are bound to their duties—Sabran as a queen and Ead as a member of the Priory. Their tender moment is tinged with melancholy, as they recognize the constraints of their roles. Sabran, however, chooses to focus on the present, cherishing their fleeting time together before the looming battle. Their dialogue reveals the tension between personal desires and overarching responsibilities.
The chapter concludes with a sense of impending confrontation, as the characters prepare for the final battle against the Nameless One. Tané’s resolve and Ead’s strategic planning highlight their readiness, while Sabran’s vulnerability adds emotional depth. The interplay of hope, duty, and fear weaves through the chapter, setting the stage for the climactic conflict. The characters’ interactions underscore themes of sacrifice, trust, and the weight of legacy, leaving the reader anticipating the next chapter’s resolution.
FAQs
1. What internal conflict does Tané grapple with in this chapter, and how does it manifest in her interactions with Ead?
Answer:
Tané struggles with intense guilt over Nayimathun’s fate and doubts about her own worthiness to wield Ascalon. This manifests when Ead offers her the honor of using the legendary sword against the Nameless One. Though Tané recognizes the significance of Ead’s gesture (considering their historical enmity), she hesitates, feeling her hands are “stained with the blood of her closest friend” (page 745). Her internal turmoil is further shown through restless pacing, self-deprecating thoughts about her unworthiness, and initial reluctance to voice her fears about failure until Ead’s perceptive questioning draws them out.2. Analyze Ead’s strategic reasoning regarding Kalyba’s weaknesses. What does this reveal about her character and approach to combat?
Answer:
Ead proposes forcing Kalyba to repeatedly change forms to deplete her star rot reserves, admitting this is theoretical but stating “it is all I have” (page 744). This reveals her pragmatic, analytical mindset—she formulates strategies even with incomplete information. Her willingness to share unproven theories shows intellectual honesty and collaborative spirit. The plan itself demonstrates deep understanding of magical systems (noting shape-changing drains power) and tactical creativity (exploiting an opponent’s dependency). This contrasts with Tané’s more rigid training, highlighting Ead’s adaptability as a warrior who combines mystical knowledge with practical combat logic.3. How does the chapter juxtapose personal relationships with impending apocalyptic conflict? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The chapter contrasts intimate moments with world-ending stakes through parallel scenes. Tané and Ead’s vulnerable conversation about shared fears (“What if we fail?”) is immediately followed by strategic planning for god-slaying (pages 744-745). Similarly, Sabran and Ead’s tender exchange about future escapes occurs hours before facing the Nameless One, with Sabran pleading “Let us not think of the future this night” (page 746). The recurring motif of characters seeking comfort in relationships (Ead checking on Tané, Sabran clinging to Ead) underscores how human connections persist amid catastrophe. Even Tané’s prayer to fallen dragons blends personal atonement with cosmic stakes.4. What symbolic significance might the “stars above the Abyss” hold in Tané’s closing meditation?
Answer:
Tané perceives the stars as “the eyes of dragons fallen and unborn” (page 745), blending Seiikinese spiritual cosmology with personal symbolism. For a dragonrider, this imagery connects her cultural reverence for dragons (established through earlier references to Seiiki’s gods and forests) with her immediate crisis—the stars become witnesses to her plea for redemption. The Abyss setting heightens the symbolism, representing both literal and metaphorical chasms she must cross: geographical (separating her from homeland), spiritual (her guilt), and existential (the coming battle). Her prayer’s closing line—”let me ask no more”—suggests the stars also represent finality, possibly foreshadowing a sacrificial act.5. Compare how Tané and Sabran each confront the tension between duty and personal desire in this chapter.
Answer:
Both women acknowledge duty’s supremacy but express it differently. Tané’s conflict is active—she must overcome self-doubt to perform her role, as shown when she reluctantly accepts potential use of Ascalon (“If there is opportunity… I will take it,” page 745). Sabran’s is more wistful; she fantasizes about abandoning queenship with Ead but concedes “We are both wed to our callings” (page 746). Tané’s struggle stems from past failures, while Sabran’s arises from future limitations. Notably, Ead mediates both situations—pushing Tané toward action while gently reminding Sabran of reality—highlighting how their leadership roles demand different sacrifices: Tané must reclaim her purpose, Sabran must sustain hers.
Quotes
1. “Far away, beyond the Abyss, the shores of Seiiki called to her. She had dreamed for days of its plum rain, its black sand, the kiss of its sun-warmed sea on her skin.”
This opening passage establishes Tané’s deep longing for her homeland and its spiritual connection, setting the emotional tone for the chapter. The vivid sensory imagery contrasts with her current turmoil.
2. “Whatever happens, I think we will have Ascalon, Tané. I think we will be able to defeat him for good.”
Ead’s reassurance to Tané represents a pivotal moment of alliance between former enemies. This quote captures the chapter’s central conflict - the impending battle with the Nameless One - and the fragile hope driving the characters forward.
3. “We are both wed to our callings.”
Sabran’s poignant acknowledgment to Ead encapsulates the chapter’s theme of duty versus desire. This metaphor underscores the tragic tension between their personal connection and their inescapable responsibilities to their respective nations and causes.
4. “Let us not think of the future this night. It is not yet dawn. We still have time for airy hopes.”
This intimate exchange between Sabran and Ead serves as the chapter’s emotional climax. The poetic language captures their fleeting moment of respite before the coming battle, balancing hope against impending doom.