The Priory of the Orange Tree
Three
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Tané, a young apprentice in Seiiki, awakening on Choosing Day—the pivotal moment that will determine her future in the High Sea Guard. Restless and anxious, she reflects on her reckless decision to hide an outsider in Orisima, a act that could jeopardize her and her friend Susa’s lives. As she prepares for the ceremony, the weight of her choices and the day’s significance weigh heavily on her. The vivid descriptions of the South House and its surroundings underscore the gravity of leaving behind the only home she’s known since childhood.
Tané and her fellow apprentices embark on a procession through Cape Hisan, greeted by townspeople who honor their potential to become “god-chosen.” Her thoughts, however, remain consumed by the outsider she and Susa smuggled into Orisima, fearing the consequences if their actions are discovered. The plan to report the trespasser anonymously after the ceremony reveals Tané’s internal conflict between self-preservation and guilt. The threat of the red sickness and its repercussions loom large, adding tension to her already fraught state of mind.
Upon arriving at the Grand Temple of the Cape, Tané confronts her rival, Turosa, whose taunts highlight the competitive nature of their training. The temple’s grandeur, with its dragon statues and blue-glass lanterns, symbolizes the sacredness of the Choosing Day ritual. Tané’s interactions with Ishari, her longtime roommate, reveal a bittersweet awareness that their paths may diverge forever after the ceremony. The ritual ablutions at the fountain of Kwiriki, the first dragon rider, emphasize the spiritual and cultural significance of the event.
The chapter closes with Tané’s lingering unease, compounded by Ishari’s questioning about noises in their room the previous night—a subtle hint that Tané’s secret actions may not remain hidden. The tension between her aspirations, loyalty to Susa, and fear of exposure creates a compelling emotional undercurrent. The stage is set for the ceremony, where Tané’s fate—and the consequences of her choices—will be decided.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Choosing Day for Tané and the other apprentices, and what risks has Tané taken that could jeopardize her future?
Answer:
Choosing Day is the pivotal moment when apprentices of the High Sea Guard discover whether they will be chosen to ride dragons—the highest honor in Seiiki society. Tané has awaited this day since childhood, as it represents the culmination of her training at the South House. However, she has risked everything by breaking seclusion to help an outsider (an Inysh man) and involving her friend Susa in hiding him in Orisima. This act violates strict laws and could result in severe punishment, including execution, especially if the outsider carries the red sickness. Tané’s actions demonstrate both her compassion and her recklessness, as they threaten her lifelong dream (pages 23-25).2. Analyze the relationship dynamics between Tané and Turosa. How does their rivalry reflect the competitive nature of their society?
Answer:
Tané and Turosa are fierce rivals, each representing the top apprentices of their respective Houses (South and North). Their interactions reveal the cutthroat competition among trainees vying for limited positions as dragonriders. Turosa’s sarcastic remark about Tané potentially being sent to Feather Island (a less prestigious posting) underscores his attempt to undermine her confidence. Tané’s calm retort shows her resilience but also hints at the underlying tension—both know only a few will be chosen. This rivalry mirrors Seiiki’s meritocratic yet high-stakes society, where status is earned through combat skill and adherence to tradition (pages 25-26).3. How does the author use sensory details to establish the setting and Tané’s emotional state in this chapter?
Answer:
The chapter opens with vivid imagery—dawn “cracking like a heron’s egg” and light “prowling” into the room—to create a tense, anticipatory mood. Tané’s restlessness is mirrored in the oppressive heat (“like stepping into a kiln”) and the scent of heartwood, which usually calms her but fails to do so today. The Grand Temple’s blue-glass lanterns, resembling fishing floats, juxtapose beauty with cold formality, reflecting the gravity of the ceremony. These details immerse the reader in Seiiki’s world while amplifying Tané’s anxiety about her future and guilt over her secret actions (pages 23-26).4. What role does Susa play in Tané’s story, and what does their friendship reveal about Tané’s character?
Answer:
Susa is Tané’s loyal confidante, willing to risk her life to hide the outsider in Orisima despite the consequences. Their friendship highlights Tané’s moral complexity: she is disciplined enough to excel in her training but compassionate enough to break rules for a stranger. Susa’s unconditional support (“she would do anything for Tané”) also underscores the theme of sacrifice in the narrative. However, Tané’s dependence on Susa exposes her vulnerability, as she relies on others to mitigate the fallout of her impulsive decisions (pages 24-25).5. Why is the Grand Temple’s architecture significant, and how does it connect to Seiiki’s cultural values?
Answer:
The temple, rebuilt in stone after being burned during the Great Sorrow, symbolizes resilience and reverence for history. Its colossal dragon statues and the fountain of Kwiriki (the first dragon to bond with a human) emphasize the sacred role of dragons in Seiiki’s identity. The salt-water ablution ritual—where Tané washes her hands and tastes the “clean” water—reflects purification and tradition. These elements collectively showcase a society that honors its past, upholds strict rituals, and centers its spiritual and military power around dragons (pages 25-26).
Quotes
1. “Dawn cracked like a heron’s egg over Seiiki. Pale light prowled into the room. The shutters had been opened for the first time in eight days.”
This vivid opening metaphor sets the tone for Tané’s pivotal “Choosing Day,” marking both a literal and symbolic transition. The imagery of fragile new beginnings (“heron’s egg”) contrasts with the weight of her secret actions during seclusion.
2. “She would never wake in this room again. Choosing Day had come. The day she had awaited since she was a child—and risked, like a fool, when she decided to break seclusion.”
This quote encapsulates the central tension between Tané’s lifelong dream and her risky choice to help an outsider. The juxtaposition of anticipation and regret highlights the chapter’s theme of consequential decisions.
3. “If the trespasser did have the red sickness, it would be trapped in Orisima… He would be put to the sword to contain any risk.”
This reveals the high-stakes consequences of Tané’s moral dilemma—both for the outsider and herself. The clinical description of potential execution underscores Seiiki’s rigid societal rules that conflict with her compassion.
4. “May the great Kwiriki smile on you today, Tané… What a shame it would be if an apprentice of your standing were to be sent to Feather Island.”
Turosa’s backhanded blessing illustrates the competitive undercurrent among apprentices. This exchange foreshadows the social tensions surrounding the selection process while revealing Tané’s dignified restraint.
5. “She thought I heard the screens in our room opening last night… Did you leave the room at all?”
Ishari’s questioning creates suspense about whether Tané’s secret will be discovered. This fragmentary ending quote leaves the consequences of her actions unresolved, driving narrative tension into the next chapter.