The Priory of the Orange Tree
Sixty-Six
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Ead emerging from a prolonged, deathlike slumber, her senses slowly returning as she struggles to break free from her immobile state. A golden sun ignites within her, symbolizing her revival, while fragmented memories and voices—particularly Margret’s—guide her back to consciousness. The “wretched fruit,” an orange with mystical properties, plays a crucial role in her recovery, hinting at deeper lore and sacrifices made on her behalf. Ead’s dry humor and Margret’s steadfast care underscore their bond, even as Ead grapples with the implications of her resurrection.
Margret reveals the extraordinary events that transpired during Ead’s unconsciousness, including Loth’s diplomatic mission to the East and the arrival of a Seiikinese girl bearing a golden fruit and a legendary jewel. This “rising jewel,” thought to be lost in the East, now surfaces in the West, raising urgent questions about its origins and significance. Margret’s protective demeanor clashes with Ead’s desperation to uncover the truth, highlighting the tension between Ead’s warrior instincts and her fragile physical state. The chapter subtly weaves political intrigue with personal stakes, as Ead’s recovery intersects with broader geopolitical shifts.
The reunion between Ead and Sabran is charged with emotion, their brief exchange blending affection and exasperation. Sabran’s hurried arrival and fierce embrace convey her relief and fear, while Ead’s wry remark about their mutual “damning” lightens the moment. Their dynamic, layered with unspoken history, adds depth to the narrative. Meanwhile, Margret’s delayed wedding and her mother’s insistence on a white dress provide a fleeting glimpse of normalcy amidst the chaos, grounding the story in human details.
As Ead regains strength, her interactions with Aralaq and Doctor Bourn underscore her resilience and the support of her allies. The chapter closes with Ead poised to re-enter the world, her physical recovery mirroring the unfolding mysteries around the jewel and Loth’s mission. The blend of personal and political threads sets the stage for future confrontations, leaving readers eager to see how Ead will navigate the challenges ahead.
FAQs
1. What significant object did the Seiikinese girl bring to the palace, and why is it important to the story?
Answer:
The Seiikinese girl brought two crucial items: a golden fruit (likely from the Priory of the Orange Tree) and the rising jewel. The golden fruit is significant because it revived Ead from her near-death state, demonstrating its mystical healing properties. The rising jewel is even more critical, as it was believed to be lost in the East. Its reappearance suggests a major shift in the balance of power and hints at the convergence of Eastern and Western narratives. Margret’s revelation that the girl carried these items (pages 718-719) underscores their importance to the overarching conflict and Ead’s role in it.2. Analyze the relationship dynamics between Ead and Margret as revealed in this chapter.
Answer:
Ead and Margret share a deep, sisterly bond marked by mutual care and humor. Margret’s dedication is evident in her nursing Ead back to health twice and delaying her wedding for Ead’s sake (page 719). Their banter about caudle and Margret’s playful scolding (“silly goose”) reveal their affectionate rapport. Margret also respects Ead’s urgency, as seen when she prioritizes sharing critical information about the rising jewel despite Ead’s weakened state. Their dynamic blends warmth with practicality, highlighting Margret as both a nurturer and a key ally in Ead’s mission.3. How does the chapter portray the theme of resurrection or rebirth, both literally and symbolically?
Answer:
The chapter vividly depicts rebirth through Ead’s awakening from a deathlike slumber, described as “a night without stars” (page 717). The golden fruit’s healing power literally resurrects her, while the cracking of the “calyx” around her symbolizes emergence from a cocoon. This mirrors broader themes in the novel: the rising jewel’s reappearance suggests the rebirth of hope against the Nameless One, and Sabran’s emotional reunion with Ead (page 720) hints at the renewal of their relationship. The imagery of fire and heat further reinforces this theme of transformation.4. What strategic implications does Loth’s mission to the East have for Inys and the broader conflict?
Answer:
Loth’s voluntary ambassadorship to the Unceasing Emperor (page 719) represents a pivotal diplomatic effort to bridge East and West against a common threat. His disappearance and the subsequent arrival of the Seiikinese girl with Inysh relics suggest his mission triggered significant events. The wyvern attacks on crops and the girl’s delivery of the rising jewel imply that Loth’s actions may have uncovered secrets or alliances critical to combating the Nameless One. This subplot underscores the geopolitical stakes and the need for unity across traditionally opposed factions.5. Evaluate Sabran’s reaction to Ead’s recovery. What does it reveal about her character development?
Answer:
Sabran’s breathless arrival and emotional embrace (page 720) mark a departure from her earlier reserved demeanor. Her raw relief—”Damn you, Eadaz uq-Nāra”—blends affection with vulnerability, showing her deepened emotional investment in Ead. This moment contrasts with her regal role in council meetings, humanizing her as a ruler who balances duty with personal attachments. The juxtaposition of her crimson silk (symbolizing power) and her trembling hands reveals her struggle to reconcile her public and private selves, highlighting growth since earlier chapters.
Quotes
1. “Her world had become a night without stars. It was sleep, but not-sleep; a boundless darkness, settled by one soul.”
This opening passage powerfully captures Ead’s near-death state, using vivid celestial imagery to convey her liminal existence between life and death. It establishes the chapter’s tone of rebirth and transformation.
2. “Eadaz uq-Nāra. You might not believe in the Saint, but a higher power must have a care for you.”
Margret’s emotional declaration highlights the central tension between Ead’s secular identity and the divine intervention that saved her. The use of Ead’s full name underscores the gravity of her survival.
3. “She told her how Loth had volunteered to be the Inysh ambassador in the East… How a Seiikinese girl had stumbled to the palace with bloody hands, carrying a golden fruit and the Inysh coronation ring.”
This pivotal revelation explains the miraculous means of Ead’s recovery while advancing key plot points about Loth’s mission and the mysterious Eastern girl who becomes crucial to the story’s resolution.
4. “Damn you, Eadaz uq-Nāra… How many times have we damned each other now?… Not nearly enough.”
Sabran’s emotional reunion with Ead captures their complex relationship through their characteristic banter. The exchange reveals deep affection beneath the surface tension, marking a turning point in their connection.
5. “I delayed it for you. I had no idea what a tiring affair it would be. Mama wants me to wear white now. Who in the world wears white on their wedding day?”
Margret’s casual revelation about postponing her wedding demonstrates the depth of her friendship with Ead, while her humorous complaint about wedding traditions provides levity amidst the chapter’s heavier themes.