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    Fantasy

    The Priory of the Orange Tree

    by Shannon, Samantha
    “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon is an epic high fantasy novel set in a divided world where dragons and ancient threats loom. The story follows multiple protagonists, including Queen Sabran IX of Inys, who must produce an heir to secure her queendom, and Ead, a secret mage sworn to protect her. Meanwhile, in the East, dragonrider Tané grapples with loyalty and destiny as an ancient enemy, the Nameless One, stirs. The narrative weaves political intrigue, mythology, and feminist themes across continents, blending European and Asian-inspired lore. At 848 pages, it’s a standalone tale of magic, war, and resilience, praised for its intricate world-building and diverse characters.
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    The Priory of the Orange Tree

    Thirty-Five

    by Shannon, Samantha

    Niclays Roos, a for­mer alchemist turned reluc­tant sur­geon aboard the pirate ship *Pur­suit*, suc­cess­ful­ly treats a crew mem­ber stung by a rare quarl, earn­ing the favor of the Gold­en Empress. Despite his med­ical tri­umph, he endures harsh con­di­tions, sleep­ing on the deck and fac­ing abuse from pirates. His despair deep­ens as he reflects on his lost com­forts in Orisi­ma, con­trast­ing sharply with his cur­rent plight. The chap­ter high­lights his vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty and the pre­car­i­ous­ness of his new role under the empress’s ruth­less com­mand.

    Laya Yidagé, the ship’s inter­preter, emerges as a sym­pa­thet­ic fig­ure, offer­ing Niclays food and warmth while reveal­ing her own trag­ic past. Born in Kumen­ga, she joined the pirates after a failed quest to find her miss­ing father, sur­viv­ing by lever­ag­ing her lin­guis­tic skills. Her cama­raderie with Niclays pro­vides a rare moment of con­nec­tion amidst the bru­tal­i­ty of their sur­round­ings. Their con­ver­sa­tion under­scores the themes of sur­vival and the fleet­ing nature of kind­ness in a mer­ci­less world.

    Niclays con­fides in Laya about his alchem­i­cal pur­suit of immor­tal­i­ty, hop­ing to study the cap­tured East­ern drag­on aboard the ship. Laya, intrigued, sug­gests his knowl­edge might intrigue the Gold­en Empress, who seeks eter­nal life her­self. She shares the leg­end of Komoridu’s sor­cer­ess and her myth­i­cal mul­ber­ry tree, hint­ing at the empress’s obses­sion with longevi­ty. This exchange fore­shad­ows poten­tial alliances or con­flicts, as Niclays’s ambi­tions inter­sect with the empress’s desires.

    The chap­ter clos­es with Niclays’s grow­ing curios­i­ty about the drag­on and the mul­ber­ry tree leg­end, his heart­beat quick­en­ing at the pos­si­bil­i­ties. Laya’s tale weaves myth into the nar­ra­tive, sug­gest­ing deep­er mys­ter­ies ahead. Their bond, forged in shared iso­la­tion, offers a glim­mer of hope amid the grim real­i­ty of pira­cy, set­ting the stage for Niclays’s pre­car­i­ous jour­ney toward redemption—or ruin.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What was Niclays Roos’s first medical challenge aboard the Pursuit, and how did he handle it?

      Answer:
      Niclays’s first challenge was treating a Lacustrine pirate who had been stung by a rare, glowing quarl, causing severe pain and leather-like hardening of the skin. Drawing on prior knowledge from Eizaru, Niclays prepared a remedy that alleviated the pain, though the pirate’s leg remained permanently disfigured. This successful treatment earned him the title of master surgeon under the Golden Empress, though he admitted his expertise was limited. The incident revealed his resourcefulness but also his precarious position—his survival depended on maintaining this facade of competence (pp. 375–376).

      2. How does the chapter illustrate Niclays’s internal conflict regarding his current circumstances?

      Answer:
      Niclays grapples with regret and despair, contrasting his miserable life aboard the Pursuit—sleeping on deck, enduring abuse, and eating unpalatable food—with his former stability in Orisima. He nostalgically recalls his sunlit home, highlighting his longing for safety and dignity. His self-deprecating humor (“a master surgeon I am not”) underscores his sense of inadequacy. Yet, his interaction with Laya sparks cautious hope, as he shares his alchemical ambitions. This duality reflects his struggle between resignation and the faint desire to reclaim agency (pp. 376–377).

      3. Analyze the significance of Laya Yidagé’s backstory and her role in the narrative.

      Answer:
      Laya’s history as an educated Southerner trapped by circumstance mirrors Niclays’s plight. Her thirst for knowledge led her to pirates in a futile search for her father, forcing her into servitude as an interpreter. Her multilingualism and pragmatism make her a bridge between Niclays and the crew. Her revelation about the Golden Empress’s interest in immortality (“There is a reason this ship is called the Pursuit”) hints at a larger plot, positioning her as both a confidante and a catalyst for Niclays’s potential redemption (pp. 377–378).

      4. How does the legend of the mulberry tree connect to the broader themes of the chapter?

      Answer:
      The mulberry tree myth, introduced by Laya, symbolizes eternal life—a direct parallel to Niclays’s alchemical quest for immortality. The sorceress’s island, Komoridu, represents sanctuary for outcasts, reflecting Niclays’s and Laya’s marginalized statuses. The Golden Empress’s pursuit of similar power suggests why she might value Niclays’s skills, weaving folklore into the chapter’s exploration of desperation, ambition, and the elusive nature of salvation. This tale expands the worldbuilding while foreshadowing future conflicts over immortality (p. 378).

      5. Evaluate the strategic decisions made by the Golden Empress in this chapter.

      Answer:
      The Golden Empress demonstrates shrewd tactical awareness by scattering her fleet to evade the Seiikinese High Sea Guard and skirting the Abyss, where Eastern dragons fear to venture. Her “test” of Niclays reveals her calculated approach to recruiting talent—rewarding competence with precarious privilege. Her interest in immortality (implied by Laya) suggests long-term ambitions beyond piracy. These choices paint her as a formidable leader who blends ruthlessness with strategic patience, setting the stage for her larger role in the narrative (pp. 375, 378).

    Quotes

    • 1. “All things considered, his first surgery aboard the Pursuit—the flagship of the Fleet of the Tiger Eye—had gone better than Niclays had anticipated.”

      This opening line sets the tone for Niclays’ precarious situation aboard the pirate ship, highlighting his unexpected success in a high-stakes environment and foreshadowing his role as the ship’s surgeon.

      2. “The Golden Empress has a vested interest in immortality. Your alchemy may endear her to you.”

      This quote reveals a pivotal moment where Niclays shares his alchemical ambitions with Laya, hinting at a potential alliance or leverage with the Golden Empress and introducing the theme of immortality that drives the narrative.

      3. “Centuries ago, a sorceress was said to rule over an island called Komoridu. Black doves and white crows flocked to her, for she was mother to the outcasts.”

      Laya’s recounting of the mulberry tree legend introduces a mythic element to the story, tying into the broader themes of immortality and outcasts, while also foreshadowing possible future plot developments.

      4. “I am an alchemist… I have been trying, for the last decade, to create an elixir of immortality.”

      This confession by Niclays is a key revelation about his character and motivations, explaining his desperation and the risks he’s willing to take, even among pirates.

      5. “This was his life now. He should have been grateful for his little house in Orisima.”

      This introspective moment captures Niclays’ regret and homesickness, contrasting his current dire circumstances with his former life and emphasizing the harsh reality of his choices.

    Quotes

    1. “All things considered, his first surgery aboard the Pursuit—the flagship of the Fleet of the Tiger Eye—had gone better than Niclays had anticipated.”

    This opening line sets the tone for Niclays’ precarious situation aboard the pirate ship, highlighting his unexpected success in a high-stakes environment and foreshadowing his role as the ship’s surgeon.

    2. “The Golden Empress has a vested interest in immortality. Your alchemy may endear her to you.”

    This quote reveals a pivotal moment where Niclays shares his alchemical ambitions with Laya, hinting at a potential alliance or leverage with the Golden Empress and introducing the theme of immortality that drives the narrative.

    3. “Centuries ago, a sorceress was said to rule over an island called Komoridu. Black doves and white crows flocked to her, for she was mother to the outcasts.”

    Laya’s recounting of the mulberry tree legend introduces a mythic element to the story, tying into the broader themes of immortality and outcasts, while also foreshadowing possible future plot developments.

    4. “I am an alchemist… I have been trying, for the last decade, to create an elixir of immortality.”

    This confession by Niclays is a key revelation about his character and motivations, explaining his desperation and the risks he’s willing to take, even among pirates.

    5. “This was his life now. He should have been grateful for his little house in Orisima.”

    This introspective moment captures Niclays’ regret and homesickness, contrasting his current dire circumstances with his former life and emphasizing the harsh reality of his choices.

    FAQs

    1. What was Niclays Roos’s first medical challenge aboard the Pursuit, and how did he handle it?

    Answer:
    Niclays’s first challenge was treating a Lacustrine pirate who had been stung by a rare, glowing quarl, causing severe pain and leather-like hardening of the skin. Drawing on prior knowledge from Eizaru, Niclays prepared a remedy that alleviated the pain, though the pirate’s leg remained permanently disfigured. This successful treatment earned him the title of master surgeon under the Golden Empress, though he admitted his expertise was limited. The incident revealed his resourcefulness but also his precarious position—his survival depended on maintaining this facade of competence (pp. 375–376).

    2. How does the chapter illustrate Niclays’s internal conflict regarding his current circumstances?

    Answer:
    Niclays grapples with regret and despair, contrasting his miserable life aboard the Pursuit—sleeping on deck, enduring abuse, and eating unpalatable food—with his former stability in Orisima. He nostalgically recalls his sunlit home, highlighting his longing for safety and dignity. His self-deprecating humor (“a master surgeon I am not”) underscores his sense of inadequacy. Yet, his interaction with Laya sparks cautious hope, as he shares his alchemical ambitions. This duality reflects his struggle between resignation and the faint desire to reclaim agency (pp. 376–377).

    3. Analyze the significance of Laya Yidagé’s backstory and her role in the narrative.

    Answer:
    Laya’s history as an educated Southerner trapped by circumstance mirrors Niclays’s plight. Her thirst for knowledge led her to pirates in a futile search for her father, forcing her into servitude as an interpreter. Her multilingualism and pragmatism make her a bridge between Niclays and the crew. Her revelation about the Golden Empress’s interest in immortality (“There is a reason this ship is called the Pursuit”) hints at a larger plot, positioning her as both a confidante and a catalyst for Niclays’s potential redemption (pp. 377–378).

    4. How does the legend of the mulberry tree connect to the broader themes of the chapter?

    Answer:
    The mulberry tree myth, introduced by Laya, symbolizes eternal life—a direct parallel to Niclays’s alchemical quest for immortality. The sorceress’s island, Komoridu, represents sanctuary for outcasts, reflecting Niclays’s and Laya’s marginalized statuses. The Golden Empress’s pursuit of similar power suggests why she might value Niclays’s skills, weaving folklore into the chapter’s exploration of desperation, ambition, and the elusive nature of salvation. This tale expands the worldbuilding while foreshadowing future conflicts over immortality (p. 378).

    5. Evaluate the strategic decisions made by the Golden Empress in this chapter.

    Answer:
    The Golden Empress demonstrates shrewd tactical awareness by scattering her fleet to evade the Seiikinese High Sea Guard and skirting the Abyss, where Eastern dragons fear to venture. Her “test” of Niclays reveals her calculated approach to recruiting talent—rewarding competence with precarious privilege. Her interest in immortality (implied by Laya) suggests long-term ambitions beyond piracy. These choices paint her as a formidable leader who blends ruthlessness with strategic patience, setting the stage for her larger role in the narrative (pp. 375, 378).

    Note