The Priory of the Orange Tree
Thirty-Five
by Shannon, SamanthaNiclays 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.
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.