The Priory of the Orange Tree
Thirty-Six
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Ead keeping vigil over Queen Sabran, who remains gravely ill after being wounded by the White Wyrm. The aftermath of the attack haunts Ead, particularly the memory of Sabran’s near-death experience and the loss of her unborn child. Despite rigorous precautions, Sabran developed a severe infection that left her infertile—a devastating revelation that threatens the continuity of the Berethnet bloodline. This secret is known only to a select few, including the Royal Physician and the court’s inner circle, who now grapple with the implications of a queen who cannot produce an heir.
Sabran’s physical and emotional turmoil is palpable as she oscillates between despair and rage. She lashes out at Ead, demanding the window be opened despite the cold, and bitterly curses her fate. Her anguish stems not only from her inability to bear children but also from the guilt of having once sought an elixir to avoid pregnancy, leading to her banishment of Niclays Roos. Ead, though sympathetic, refuses to indulge Sabran’s self-destructive tendencies, challenging her to rise above her grief. Their tense exchange underscores Sabran’s isolation and the weight of her crown.
The political ramifications of Sabran’s infertility loom large. The Dukes Spiritual debate whether to conceal the truth or consider drastic measures, such as adopting an heir. Sabran, meanwhile, spirals into self-recrimination, believing her attempts to delay motherhood have doomed her lineage. She questions why the Saint, who seemingly favored her by repelling Fýredel, has now abandoned her. Ead, though burdened by her own role in perpetuating court illusions, urges Sabran to hold onto faith, but the queen’s despair remains unshaken.
In the chapter’s closing moments, Sabran’s vulnerability surfaces as she confesses her regrets to Ead. The once-proud queen is reduced to a broken figure, grappling with the collapse of her dynasty and the impending threat of the Nameless One. Ead’s quiet presence offers a fragile solace, but the chapter leaves no doubt that Sabran’s personal tragedy is intertwined with the kingdom’s uncertain future. The weight of legacy, loss, and looming catastrophe hangs heavy in the air, setting the stage for the challenges to come.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the White Wyrm’s attack on Sabran, and how does it impact the future of Inys?
Answer:
The White Wyrm’s attack has two catastrophic consequences for Sabran and Inys. First, the barb from the High Western’s tail caused internal damage that rendered Sabran permanently barren, ending the Berethnet bloodline (page 380-381). Second, this creates a political crisis since the Inysh monarchy relies on the Berethnet succession. The chapter reveals that council members are already considering drastic solutions like passing off an orphan as an heir (page 382). The attack also psychologically devastates Sabran, who sees her inability to produce an heir as both a personal failure and divine abandonment, despite her earlier success in repelling Fýredel (page 383).2. Analyze how Ead’s approach to caring for Sabran differs from conventional court behavior. What does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Ead deliberately refuses to coddle Sabran, rejecting the pity and pandering typical of courtiers (page 382). When Sabran demands the window opened despite her fragile health, Ead challenges her to do it herself, even risking execution for her bluntness (“I would gladly dance upon the pyre”). This reflects a relationship built on authenticity rather than subservience. Ead’s tough love—including calling Sabran’s grief “wallowing”—shows she prioritizes Sabran’s recovery over protocol. Their dynamic contrasts sharply with Sabran’s interactions with others; she reduces maids to tears but engages in barbed banter with Ead, suggesting mutual respect beneath the conflict.3. How does the chapter portray Sabran’s psychological state through both physical and historical parallels?
Answer:
The chapter depicts Sabran’s trauma through visceral physical details—her leaking breasts, rounded belly, and fever-weakened body serve as constant reminders of her lost pregnancy (page 382). Historically, she’s paralleled to Berethnet ancestors prone to “grievoushead” (depressive episodes), like Carnelian the Fifth who allegedly committed suicide (page 382). Sabran’s own mention of throwing herself off the Alabastrine Tower echoes this. Her oscillation between rage (“I despise all of you”) and despair (“I am the destroyer of my house”) reflects a monarch grappling with grief, guilt over delaying childbearing, and the weight of dynastic collapse.4. What revelation about the High Westerns challenges existing historical knowledge, and why might this be significant?
Answer:
The chapter reveals that historical records only document five High Westerns, none with green eyes—yet the attacking White Wyrm had distinctive green eyes (page 381). This discrepancy suggests either: 1) the existing records are incomplete/inaccurate, 2) this wyrm is a new or mutated specimen, or 3) it’s somehow connected to the Nameless One (whom Sabran mentions returning, page 383). The anomaly creates foreshadowing—if this wyrm breaks established draconic patterns, it may herald greater threats. For scholars like the Mentish expert, this could upend centuries of draconic research.5. Evaluate Sabran’s confession about Niclays Roos. How does this reflect her character development and the theme of consequences?
Answer:
Sabran’s admission that she banished Niclays Roos for failing to create a youth-preserving elixir (to avoid pregnancy) reveals her earlier selfishness and desperation to control her fate (page 383). This confession marks significant growth—she acknowledges her role in her predicament, moving beyond blaming divine abandonment. Thematically, it underscores how past actions (her delay tactics) compound present tragedies (infertility). Ironically, her attempt to avoid one crisis (losing autonomy to motherhood) created a worse one (dynastic collapse). This moment humanizes Sabran, showing her grappling with regret rather than projecting royal infallibility.
Quotes
1. “The Queen of Inys did not have the plague, but she would never bear a living child.”
This devastating revelation marks a pivotal turning point in the chapter, exposing the existential crisis facing the Berethnet lineage. The sterile diagnosis threatens both Sabran’s personal identity and the political future of Inys.
2. “The House of Berethnet would end with Sabran the Ninth.”
This blunt statement encapsulates the core tension of the chapter - the impending end of a centuries-old royal dynasty. It highlights the weight of history and tradition now resting solely on Sabran’s shoulders.
3. “I was meant to die in childbed. I was meant to give Glorian life. And yield my own.”
Sabran’s anguished confession reveals her deep internalization of the Berethnet queens’ traditional fate. This quote powerfully conveys her shattered expectations and the existential crisis caused by her inability to fulfill her dynastic duty.
4. “I will be the last Berethnet. I am the destroyer of my house.”
This self-condemnation shows Sabran’s overwhelming guilt and despair. The quote captures her distorted perception of responsibility for the dynasty’s end, reflecting both personal grief and political ramifications.
5. “I asked Niclays Roos to make me an elixir, something that would preserve my youth, so I would never have to get with child.”
This shocking admission reveals Sabran’s previous attempts to avoid motherhood, adding complexity to her character. The quote provides crucial backstory while intensifying the irony of her current barren state.