The Priory of the Orange Tree
Twenty-Four
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter opens with Ead awaiting word from Chassar about her extended stay in Inys, while the court grows fond of Prince Aubrecht Lievelyn. Sabran, the queen, begins attending masques and plays with her consort, displaying rare moments of joy and affection. However, her frustration mounts when she fails to conceive an heir, leading to volatile outbursts. Ead remains a constant presence, observing Sabran’s struggles with both the pressures of motherhood and the financial burdens of defending Mentendon from wyrms, which strain the royal coffers.
Sabran’s impatience and despair become more pronounced as she distances herself from Lievelyn, staying up late with her ladies instead. Ead, privy to the queen’s intimate fears and secrets, notes her conflicting desires for pregnancy and dread of its consequences. The atmosphere in Briar House grows tense with rumors, including speculation about Ead’s sudden rise to favor as a Lady of the Bedchamber. Despite the court’s gossip, Ead remains focused on her duties, though she cherishes her rare moments of solitude.
During one such morning walk, Ead reflects on the legacy of past queens like Glorian Shieldheart, who defied adversity to protect Inys. Her thoughts are interrupted by an encounter with Lievelyn in the hothouse, where she discreetly gathers saffron for Sabran. The prince, curious and kind, joins her in searching for lavender to aid the queen’s sleep. Their conversation hints at the shared burden of court life, though Ead remains guarded despite Lievelyn’s apparent sincerity.
The chapter closes with Ead and Lievelyn walking together at dawn, their interaction underscoring the quiet tensions and unspoken alliances within the court. Ead’s loyalty to Sabran is evident, but her actions—such as collecting medicinal herbs—reveal a deeper, more personal commitment to the queen’s well-being. The juxtaposition of Sabran’s public struggles and Ead’s private resolve highlights the complex dynamics of power, duty, and personal connection in the royal household.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter portray Sabran’s emotional state regarding her inability to conceive, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
The chapter reveals Sabran’s complex emotional turmoil regarding her infertility through multiple incidents. Her rage upon discovering menstrual blood shows her frustration at being unable to control this aspect of her queenship, despite her usual expectation that “the world had a duty to provide what she wanted” (p. 258). Her contradictory behavior—alternately craving pregnancy symbols (like cherries) yet avoiding intimacy with Lievelyn—demonstrates deep-seated fear beneath her royal entitlement. The text notes she both “hoped for a pregnancy and feared it more than anything” (p. 259), highlighting the psychological burden of her dynastic duty. This duality paints Sabran as a flawed but sympathetic figure, trapped between personal vulnerability and public expectations.2. Analyze the significance of Ead’s role as both observer and participant in court life. How does her perspective shape our understanding of the events?
Answer:
Ead serves as a crucial narrative lens, offering intimate access to Sabran’s private struggles while maintaining critical distance as an outsider. Her position as a “baseborn convert” (p. 259) turned Lady of the Bedchamber grants her unique privileges—she knows Sabran’s secrets (like the thigh scar and hereditary sorrow) and financial worries about Mentendon’s defense. Yet her refusal to indulge Sabran’s whims (like the cherry craving) contrasts with the sycophantic courtiers, revealing truths others avoid. Her observation that Briar House has become “more of a cage” (p. 259) underscores the chapter’s theme of constrained power. Ead’s dual role exposes the tensions between public image and private reality in royal life.3. What symbolic meaning might the statue of Glorian the Third hold in relation to Sabran’s current struggles?
Answer:
The statue of Glorian Shieldheart—depicted pregnant and armored, leading troops during the Grief of Ages—serves as both inspiration and burden for Sabran. Glorian’s legendary actions (betrothing her unborn child and bringing the baby to battle) represent the ultimate sacrifice of motherhood for duty, a standard Sabran fears she cannot meet. The imagery of being “full to bursting with child” (p. 260) contrasts starkly with Sabran’s barrenness, intensifying her sense of inadequacy. Ead’s reflection that this legacy rests on Sabran’s shoulders frames the queen’s distress as part of a historical pattern, suggesting the weight of matrilineal expectations in Inysh monarchy. The statue embodies the impossible ideal Sabran measures herself against.4. How does the chapter develop the theme of political versus personal tensions through Lievelyn and Ead’s interaction?
Answer:
The encounter between Ead and Lievelyn in the hothouse subtly reveals the strain between political alliances and genuine connection. Lievelyn’s admission that Inysh court whispers bother him more than Brygstad’s hints at his discomfort as a foreign consort (p. 261). Their conversation about lavender for Sabran’s night terrors shows shared concern for her wellbeing, yet Ead’s initial wariness (“her instinct was to be wary of his interest”) reflects court intrigue. The prince’s unexpected kindness—guiding her to the Apothecary Garden and requesting to join her—suggests a desire for authentic companionship amid the performative nature of court life. This moment humanizes both characters beyond their political roles.
Quotes
1. “She would call for her fools and laugh at their capers. She would bid the maids of honor dance for her. Sometimes she would take her companion by the hand, and they would smile at each other as if there were nobody else in the world.”
This quote captures the rare moments of joy and intimacy between Queen Sabran and her prince consort, contrasting with the political pressures surrounding their marriage. It shows a vulnerable, human side to the queen amidst her royal duties.
2. “Sabran was a queen, born with the expectation that the world had a duty to provide what she wanted, when she wanted it—but she could not command her own womb to bear fruit.”
A powerful statement about the limitations of royal power and the personal struggles Sabran faces. The quote highlights the tension between her position of authority and her inability to control her own fertility, a key source of conflict in the chapter.
3. “Ead was privy to this sort of knowledge now. Intimate, secret knowledge. She knew Sabran would sometimes lie in bed for hours, held there by a sorrow that ran in her bloodline.”
This reveals Ead’s growing closeness to the queen and the burden of royal lineage. The “sorrow that ran in her bloodline” suggests deeper historical and familial traumas that weigh on Sabran, expanding our understanding of her character.
4. “Glorian had come to power on the day Fýredel slew her parents… On the day her daughter was born, she had taken the babe onto the battlefield to show her armies that there was hope. Ead could not decide if that was madness or mettle.”
This historical anecdote about Queen Glorian provides crucial context for understanding Sabran’s legacy and the extreme pressures facing Berethnet queens. The final line’s ambiguity (“madness or mettle”) reflects the complex moral calculus of leadership.
5. “There were other stories like hers. Other queens who had made great sacrifices for Inys. These were the women whose legacy Sabran Berethnet carried on her shoulders.”
This quote underscores the central theme of inherited duty and the weight of history. It positions Sabran within a lineage of sacrificial queens, explaining much of her behavior and anxiety throughout the chapter.