The Priory of the Orange Tree
Thirty-Seven
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens in the study of Principal Secretary Combe, a powerful and calculating figure whose unassuming workspace belies his influence. Ead Duryan, a Lady of the Bedchamber, is summoned and informed that Queen Sabran has discharged her from court due to their intimate relationship. Combe reveals his network of spies reported their affair, emphasizing the political instability it could cause. Ead maintains her composure but internally strategizes her next move, aware of the precariousness of her position.
Combe justifies his actions by stressing the need for Sabran to remarry and produce an heir to secure Inys’s future. He compares Ead’s dismissal to his earlier exile of Lord Arteloth, though he admits Loth’s case pained him. Ead challenges Combe’s motives, accusing him of hypocrisy given his lineage as a descendant of the Knight of Courtesy. Combe defends his ruthless methods as necessary to uphold the crown’s stability, revealing his role as a shadowy enforcer who eliminates threats to the realm.
The tension escalates as Combe hints at growing dissent among the Dukes Spiritual, who may challenge Sabran’s rule now that she lacks an heir. Ead warns that Sabran will retaliate if she discovers Combe’s interference, but he dismisses her concerns, asserting his indispensability. Their exchange underscores the power struggle at court, with Combe positioning himself as Sabran’s protector while manipulating events behind the scenes. Ead’s defiance and Combe’s cold pragmatism highlight their conflicting loyalties.
The chapter climaxes when Combe orders his retainer to kill Ead, testing her rumored magical abilities. In a burst of self-defense, Ead disarms the attacker, revealing her latent powers. Combe, now confirmed in his suspicions, observes her with calculated interest. The confrontation leaves Ead exposed but resolute, setting the stage for her next confrontation with the forces arrayed against her and Sabran. The chapter ends with Ead’s hidden strengths unveiled, complicating the political intrigue further.
FAQs
1. What reasons does Combe give for dismissing Ead from her position as Lady of the Bedchamber, and how does this reflect his political strategy?
Answer:
Combe dismisses Ead because her intimate relationship with Queen Sabran threatens the political stability of Inys. He explains that Sabran must maintain the appearance of seeking a suitable marriage to produce an heir, as this is crucial for maintaining her rule (page 393). Combe’s actions reveal his role as a political operator who prioritizes the crown’s stability over personal relationships. His strategy involves controlling court dynamics by removing perceived threats, as seen when he previously exiled Lord Arteloth (page 394). This demonstrates his utilitarian approach to governance, where individuals are expendable for the realm’s greater good.2. How does Ead’s reaction to Combe’s threat reveal both her character traits and hidden abilities?
Answer:
When Combe orders her execution, Ead initially maintains composure but instinctively defends herself with supernatural abilities when physically threatened (page 395). This reveals her disciplined training (keeping calm under pressure) and her secret magical prowess (“siden”), which she had concealed until this moment. Her quick reaction—dislocating the retainer’s shoulder—shows combat skills beyond an ordinary courtier’s. The glowing fingertips confirm Lady Truyde’s earlier rumors about her sorcery (page 395). This pivotal moment underscores Ead’s dual identity: a composed courtier masking a dangerous, mystical background.3. Analyze Combe’s self-justification for his ruthless actions. How does he reconcile his methods with his lineage as a descendant of the Knight of Courtesy?
Answer:
Combe rationalizes his harsh tactics by framing himself as a necessary shadow operator who enables the court’s surface-level civility (page 394). He argues that his role as “the hidden dagger of the crown”—employing spies, exiles, and violence—allows the Knight of Courtesy’s ideals to flourish publicly. This dichotomy reflects his belief that political stability requires unspoken brutality. His almost regretful tone (“I wish it were otherwise”) suggests a twisted sense of duty rather than pure malice (page 394). However, his willingness to kill Ead without trial exposes the limits of this justification, revealing hypocrisy in his “courteous” lineage.4. What broader political tensions in Inys does this chapter expose through Combe’s dialogue about Queen Sabran’s rule?
Answer:
Combe hints at a looming crisis: Sabran’s inability to produce an heir has weakened her position, making her dependent on his protection against rival nobles (page 394). He implies that factions within the Dukes Spiritual may soon challenge her legitimacy, as her “chief duty as a Berethnet queen” remains unfulfilled. This foreshadows potential succession conflicts and underscores how Sabran’s personal life directly impacts national stability. The scene also critiques gendered power structures—Sabran’s worth is tied to reproduction, while Combe manipulates politics through violence and secrecy, highlighting unequal systems of control.5. How does the setting of Combe’s study contribute to the chapter’s themes of power and deception?
Answer:
The “mundanity” of Combe’s study contrasts with its reputation as his “lair” (page 392), mirroring his public persona versus his covert operations. The ordinary appearance deceives observers, much like Combe himself—a high-ranking official who operates in shadows. The firelight casting half his face in shadow visually represents his moral ambiguity (page 394). Meanwhile, the retainers wearing Courtesy brooches while aiding his schemes (page 392) reinforce the theme of hypocrisy. This environment reflects the chapter’s exploration of how power often hides behind unassuming facades, with true control exercised discreetly.
Quotes
1. “Her bed is the stability of this realm. Or the undoing of that stability. Her bed, Mistress Duryan, is all that stands between Inys and chaos.”
This pivotal quote from Combe reveals the political calculus behind his actions, framing Queen Sabran’s sexuality as a matter of state security. It encapsulates the chapter’s central tension between personal desire and political duty in a monarch’s life.
2. “We who are the hidden dagger of the crown—the rack-masters, the rat-catchers, the spies, and the executioners—do not often receive compassion.”
Combe’s self-description provides profound insight into his worldview and the ruthless pragmatism that drives his actions. The quote defines the shadowy role of power brokers who maintain political stability through morally ambiguous means.
3. “It is my work in the shadows that allows courtesy to maintain its face at court.”
This paradoxical statement highlights Combe’s justification for his methods as a descendant of the Knight of Courtesy. The quote explores the theme of how political systems often require unseemly actions to maintain their public ideals.
4. “She needs me more than ever. I am faithful to her for her qualities as a ruler, and for the legacy of her house, but some of my fellow Dukes Spiritual will not brook her on that throne.”
This quote reveals both Combe’s loyalty and the precariousness of Sabran’s position after failing to produce an heir. It sets up the coming political crisis while showing Combe’s complex relationship with the queen he serves.
5. “There,” Combe said softly. (After Ead’s magical abilities are revealed)
This simple, loaded statement marks the chapter’s dramatic turning point where Combe’s suspicions about Ead are confirmed. The minimalism of the quote underscores its significance as the moment when the power dynamic fundamentally shifts.