The Priory of the Orange Tree
Sixty-Seven
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Niclays awakening in excruciating pain, disoriented and weak, as Laya tends to his wounds. He realizes with horror that his arm has been amputated and his throat bears the scars of cautery, injuries he knows are likely fatal. The two are trapped in an iron cage, suspended in a cavern near Dreadmount, the birthplace of the Nameless One. Niclays notices a mural depicting Cleolind Onjenyu piercing the Nameless One with Ascalon, a revelation that contradicts historical lies he once believed.
As Niclays struggles with pain and delirium, a mysterious woman named Kalyba appears, claiming to be of the Firstblood and offering immortality. She reveals her ability to restore the dead to life, hinting at Niclays’ deceased lover, Jannart. Kalyba’s appearance shifts to resemble Jannart, further unsettling Niclays as she proposes a cryptic favor in exchange for her gifts. The scene blurs the line between reality and hallucination, leaving Niclays and Laya in a state of terror and confusion.
The narrative then shifts to a political gathering in the House of Berethnet, where Sabran hosts the rulers of the South. Jantar Taumargam, the Splendid, and Kagudo Onjenyu, the young High Ruler of Lasia, stand out as formidable leaders. Sabran discusses the need for military support against an impending threat, emphasizing the importance of unity. Kagudo’s presence, guarded by the Priory, underscores her significance as a warrior and descendant of Cleolind.
The chapter juxtaposes Niclays’ harrowing ordeal with the high-stakes diplomacy of Sabran’s court, linking personal suffering to broader geopolitical tensions. Themes of deception, power, and mortality intertwine as Niclays confronts his mortality and Sabran navigates alliances. The vivid imagery of the cavern and the tension in the court create a sense of impending conflict, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the setting (Dreadmount) where Niclays and Laya are imprisoned, and how does it connect to the broader lore of the story?
Answer:
Dreadmount is the birthplace of the Nameless One, a central antagonist in the story, making it a location steeped in mythological and historical importance. The red veins in the rock uniquely identify it, and the cavern contains a painted depiction of Cleolind Onjenyu piercing the Nameless One with Ascalon. This ties directly to the foundational legend of the world, where Cleolind’s actions are revered in Lasian culture but potentially misrepresented in other traditions. The setting underscores the theme of historical manipulation and the cyclical nature of conflict, as Niclays realizes how close he is to Brygstad while facing the legacy of this ancient battle.2. Analyze the character of Kalyba and her offer to Niclays. What does this reveal about her motivations and the themes of immortality in the chapter?
Answer:
Kalyba, a figure of the Firstblood who consumed the hawthorn tree’s fruit, represents the corrupting allure of immortality. Her ability to shapeshift (taking Jannart’s form) and her offer to teach Niclays how to “unknit the seams of age” suggest a manipulative, almost predatory nature. She claims to find the loss of life “distasteful,” yet her actions imply a deeper agenda—possibly tied to the Nameless One, given her presence at Dreadmount. This interaction explores themes of power, sacrifice, and the moral decay that can accompany eternal life, as Niclays, a grieving alchemist, is tempted with the possibility of resurrecting his lost love, Jannart.3. How does the chapter juxtapose the two narrative threads (Niclays’s ordeal and the political meeting in the West)? What effect does this create?
Answer:
The chapter alternates between Niclays’s visceral, life-threatening struggle in the mythical East and the strategic, diplomatic tensions in the West, where Sabran negotiates with Southern rulers. This contrast heightens the stakes: while Niclays faces physical and supernatural dangers, the Western plotline emphasizes political fragility and the need for unity against a common threat. The abrupt shift from Niclays’s feverish hallucinations to the cool rationality of the royal meeting underscores the vast scale of the conflict—personal suffering versus global alliances—and foreshadows how these threads may eventually converge in the battle against the Nameless One.4. What is the symbolic importance of the painted mural in the cavern, and how does it challenge Niclays’s understanding of history?
Answer:
The mural depicts Cleolind Onjenyu wounding the Nameless One with Ascalon, a scene central to Lasian lore but potentially distorted in other cultures. For Niclays, an outsider, this artifact confronts him with the “lies” perpetuated by historical narratives. The vividness of the red scales and the mural’s preservation by the Nameless One himself suggest how trauma and memory are weaponized. This moment forces Niclays to reckon with the gaps between myth and reality, mirroring his own disillusionment with authority and scholarship, as he realizes even foundational truths may be manipulated.5. Evaluate the significance of the chapter’s title, “West,” given that much of the action occurs in the East. How does this irony reflect broader themes?
Answer:
The title “West” ironically highlights the chapter’s focus on Sabran’s Western alliances, even as Niclays’s Eastern captivity dominates the narrative. This juxtaposition emphasizes the interconnectedness of the world’s regions despite their geographical and cultural divides. The “West” is both a literal setting and a metaphor for the political center of power, which remains oblivious to Niclays’s suffering. The irony underscores themes of displacement and perspective—what is urgent in one place is invisible in another—while foreshadowing the eventual collision of these disparate storylines in the global conflict against the Nameless One.
Quotes
1. “He was an anatomist. Even now, he knew this wound would almost certainly kill him.”
This stark realization from Niclays underscores both his professional expertise and the direness of his situation after losing his hand. It marks a pivotal moment of self-awareness amid physical and emotional trauma.
2. “Birthplace of the Nameless One. Niclays knew he ought to be pissing himself with fear, but all he could think was how close he was to Brygstad.”
This ironic observation reveals Niclays’ complex psychological state - facing mortal danger at Dreadmount while fixating on geographical proximity to his homeland. It highlights the character’s unique perspective amid crisis.
3. “Immortality is my gift… I could teach you how to build a man from the ashes of his bones.”
Kalyba’s chilling offer to Niclays introduces the chapter’s central supernatural element and moral dilemma. The promise of resurrection power tempts Niclays with the possibility of reviving his lost love Jannart.
4. “At five and twenty, Kagudo Onjenyu was the youngest monarch in the known world, but her bearing made it clear that those who took her lightly would pay a heavy toll.”
This description of the Lasian High Ruler establishes her as a formidable political force despite her youth. It signals the shifting power dynamics as Eastern and Western leaders convene.