The Priory of the Orange Tree
Sixty-One
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Lord Arteloth (Loth) awakening bound and disoriented aboard the *Rose Eternal*, captained by a mysterious young woman from Feather Island. The cold and eerie dusk set a tense atmosphere as Loth realizes he and the gunner Thim are prisoners. Their captor, a silent Seiikinese woman with a scarred cheek, ignores Loth’s demands and threats of piracy. Loth notices a flower-painted case at her hip, suspecting it holds a jewel crucial to defeating the Nameless One—a threat he urgently explains to her through Thim’s translation.
The woman, revealed to be Tané, remains aloof but engages when Loth correctly identifies the twin jewel’s color as white. Her grip on his throat and cold interrogation hint at her desperation. Loth pleads for the jewel’s return to Queen Sabran, warning of the Nameless One’s imminent rise. Tané’s refusal and abrupt departure leave Loth and Thim stranded, their mission in jeopardy. Thim, reading the stars, realizes they are far east of their intended course, suggesting Tané is using the jewel’s power to propel the ship unnaturally fast.
Thim speculates Tané is pursuing the Golden Empress, leader of the ruthless Fleet of the Tiger Eye, whose butcher-ship *Pursuit* dwarfs the *Rose Eternal*. The gunner warns of their grim odds against the pirate fleet, but Loth remains cautiously optimistic about Tané’s combat skills. Their bleak situation forces them to consider retaking the ship if Tané abandons it, though Thim doubts their chances. To pass time, Loth engages Thim in riddles, briefly lightening the mood despite Tané’s irritation at their chatter.
The chapter closes with Tané steering the ship under the stars, her focus unwavering as she plans her next move. Loth’s riddle—about a flower that opens at night—goes unanswered, symbolizing the unresolved tension between captor and captives. The narrative underscores Tané’s determination and Loth’s desperation, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation with the Golden Empress. The jewel’s power and the looming threat of the Nameless One heighten the urgency, leaving the characters—and readers—anticipating the next clash.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the jewel mentioned in the chapter, and how does it relate to the broader conflict in the story?
Answer:
The jewel is a powerful artifact that plays a key role in the impending conflict with the Nameless One, a major antagonist in the story. Loth reveals that the white jewel in Inys must be reunited with its twin (held by the Seiikinese woman) to destroy the Nameless One, who is prophesied to rise soon. The woman’s jewel allows her to manipulate the ship’s speed, demonstrating its supernatural properties. This sets up a clash of motives—Loth wants to deliver it to Queen Sabran for the greater good, while the woman seems to have her own agenda, possibly tied to the Golden Empress.2. Analyze the dynamic between Loth, Thim, and their captor. How do their perspectives and goals conflict?
Answer:
Loth is desperate to reclaim the jewel for Inys’s defense, while Thim prioritizes delivering Queen Sabran’s proposal to the Seiikinese emperor. Their captor, a silent and ruthless Seiikinese woman, appears indifferent to their pleas and focused on her own mission—likely pursuing the Golden Empress. Loth’s diplomatic threats (“declaration of war”) fall flat, highlighting her disregard for Inysh authority. Thim serves as a translator and voice of caution, recognizing their vulnerability. The tension arises from Loth’s idealism clashing with the woman’s pragmatism and Thim’s survival instincts.3. What does the chapter reveal about the Fleet of the Tiger Eye and the Golden Empress, and why are they significant?
Answer:
The Fleet of the Tiger Eye is the world’s largest pirate fleet, notorious for hunting dragons, and the Golden Empress is its leader. Thim mentions rumors that she seeks the “elixir of life” and commands the Pursuit, a massive “butcher-ship.” Their pursuit suggests a high-stakes quest that could disrupt the balance of power in the world. The woman’s eastward course implies she is tracking the Golden Empress, though her motives remain unclear. This foreshadows a dangerous confrontation, as Thim believes encountering the fleet would mean certain death for them.4. How does the author use sensory details and setting to create tension in this chapter?
Answer:
The chapter opens with visceral descriptions of the “brutal” cold, the “sickly purple” sky, and Loth’s physical discomfort (thirst, exhaustion, and a pounding head). These details immerse the reader in his disorientation and vulnerability. The “unbroken roar of water” against the ship underscores the relentless pace of their journey, while the lantern’s dim glow and the woman’s “cast-iron expression” heighten the eerie, oppressive atmosphere. The nighttime setting and the vastness of the sea amplify the characters’ isolation, making their predicament feel more dire.5. Why is the riddle exchange between Loth and Thim significant, and what might it reveal about their captor?
Answer:
The riddle (about a flower that opens at night and withers by morning) serves as a momentary distraction from their peril, highlighting Loth’s attempt to maintain morale. However, the woman’s irritation (“grinding her teeth”) suggests she views their chatter as frivolous, reinforcing her single-minded focus. The riddle’s themes of fleeting beauty and inevitable demise could symbolically mirror the characters’ precarious situation—their lives hang in the balance, much like the ephemeral flower. It also subtly contrasts Loth’s verbosity with the woman’s silence, emphasizing their cultural and ideological divide.
Quotes
1. “Fate had brought it into his path. A hand-length case, painted with flowers, hung from a sash at her hip. That must be where she kept it.”
This moment captures the pivotal realization that Loth has found the twin jewel he seeks, setting up the central conflict of the chapter. The description of the case hints at the cultural differences between the characters.
2. “She was using the jewel to drive the Rose forward. ‘My lord,’ Thim said under his breath, ‘I think I know where we are going.’”
This reveals the supernatural power of the jewel and foreshadows the dangerous journey ahead. The quote marks a turning point where the characters begin to understand the gravity of their situation.
3. “If she is chasing the Golden Empress—and I cannot think why else we would be this far east—then we are both dead men.”
Thim’s warning introduces the threat of the Golden Empress and the Fleet of the Tiger Eye, raising the stakes dramatically. This quote establishes the formidable opposition the characters will face.
4. “I close in the morning, I open at night, And when I am open, your eye I delight. I am pale as the moon and live only as long—For when the sun rises, behold, I am gone.”
The riddle serves as both a moment of characterization (showing the cultural/language barrier) and a metaphorical reflection of the characters’ precarious situation - their fate hanging in the balance like the answer to the riddle (a flower).