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    Fantasy

    The Priory of the Orange Tree

    by Shannon, Samantha
    “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon is an epic high fantasy novel set in a divided world where dragons and ancient threats loom. The story follows multiple protagonists, including Queen Sabran IX of Inys, who must produce an heir to secure her queendom, and Ead, a secret mage sworn to protect her. Meanwhile, in the East, dragonrider Tané grapples with loyalty and destiny as an ancient enemy, the Nameless One, stirs. The narrative weaves political intrigue, mythology, and feminist themes across continents, blending European and Asian-inspired lore. At 848 pages, it’s a standalone tale of magic, war, and resilience, praised for its intricate world-building and diverse characters.
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    The Priory of the Orange Tree

    Twenty-Nine

    by Shannon, Samantha

    The chap­ter opens with Tané, a drag­onrid­er, con­fined to her lux­u­ri­ous quar­ters at Salt Flower Cas­tle after con­fess­ing to her drag­on, Nay­i­math­un. Despite the opu­lence of her sur­round­ings, she is con­sumed by anx­i­ety, unable to eat or sleep. Nay­i­math­un has left to retrieve Sul­yard, a for­eign­er under divine pro­tec­tion, and secure the release of Susa from jail. Mean­while, the coastal set­tle­ment of Sidupi is under attack by pirates, divert­ing most drag­onrid­ers to assist the High Sea Guard. Tané’s iso­la­tion and dread are pal­pa­ble as she awaits Nayimathun’s return, her phys­i­cal dis­com­fort mir­ror­ing her emo­tion­al tur­moil.

    A sud­den earth­quake dis­rupts the night, injur­ing Tané’s ankle and aggra­vat­ing old wounds. Her atten­dants rush to aid her, but the dis­tur­bance height­ens her unease. The quake, a rare occur­rence in Sei­i­ki, adds to the sense of impend­ing chaos. As Tané attempts to rest, she is abrupt­ly awak­ened by six masked sol­diers from the land army, who demand she accom­pa­ny them to meet the Gov­er­nor of Ginu­ra. The governor’s unex­pect­ed sum­mons, typ­i­cal­ly reserved for high-rank­ing indi­vid­u­als, fills Tané with sus­pi­cion and fear, though she resolves to coop­er­ate, trust­ing Nay­i­math­un will inter­vene if nec­es­sary.

    Tané’s appre­hen­sion grows as she pre­pares to leave, secret­ly arm­ing her­self with a hid­den blade. The sol­diers’ insis­tence and the late-hour sum­mons sug­gest grave con­se­quences, pos­si­bly linked to her ear­li­er actions or the for­eign­er Roos. As she is escort­ed through the cas­tle, fel­low drag­onrid­ers Onren and Kan­pe­ru inter­vene, ques­tion­ing the sol­diers’ author­i­ty. Their pres­ence briefly bol­sters Tané’s con­fi­dence, but the sol­diers claim the Sea Gen­er­al has been informed, a state­ment met with skep­ti­cism. The ten­sion under­scores the pow­er dynam­ics between the drag­onrid­ers and the land army.

    The chap­ter clos­es with Tané’s qui­et plea to Onren to alert Nay­i­math­un if she does not return prompt­ly. Despite Onren’s reas­sur­ances that the sum­mons is like­ly triv­ial, Tané’s phys­i­cal pain and men­tal dis­tress hint at deep­er trou­ble. The unre­solved con­fronta­tion leaves the read­er antic­i­pat­ing the governor’s motives and Tané’s fate, while the under­ly­ing themes of loy­al­ty, author­i­ty, and impend­ing con­flict loom large. The chap­ter mas­ter­ful­ly blends per­son­al strug­gle with broad­er polit­i­cal intrigue, set­ting the stage for fur­ther upheaval.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What internal and external conflicts does Tané face in this chapter, and how do they affect her?

      Answer:
      Tané experiences multiple conflicts in this chapter. Internally, she struggles with guilt and anxiety after her confession to Nayimathun, which manifests in physical symptoms like shaking hands and an inability to eat or sleep. Externally, she faces political tension when summoned by the Governor of Ginura under suspicious circumstances, hinting at potential betrayal or exposure of her secrets. These conflicts compound her physical pain from injuries (sprained ankle, shoulder pain, and scar discomfort), leaving her vulnerable. The chapter highlights her psychological turmoil and the precariousness of her position despite her high status as a dragonrider.

      2. How does the earthquake serve as both a literal and symbolic event in the narrative?

      Answer:
      The earthquake physically disrupts Tané’s environment, knocking her off balance and exacerbating her injuries, mirroring the instability in her life. Symbolically, it represents the upheaval of her circumstances—her confession, the impending political confrontation, and the threat to her safety. The quake’s timing, just before the soldiers arrive, foreshadows further disruption and danger. Additionally, the rarity of earthquakes in Seiiki underscores the exceptional nature of the crises Tané faces, suggesting that her actions (or secrets) have triggered unnatural consequences.

      3. Analyze the significance of the soldiers’ arrival and Tané’s reaction. What does this reveal about power dynamics in Seiiki?

      Answer:
      The masked soldiers’ intrusion highlights the tension between military authority and the divine status of dragonriders. Their green tunics (land army) and abrupt summons challenge Tané’s autonomy, despite her rank in Clan Miduchi. Her initial compliance—masked by a performative defiance—reveals her fear of exposure, while her hidden blade shows preparedness for betrayal. The standoff with Onren and Kanperu underscores the respect dragonriders command, as even soldiers hesitate to oppose them. This scene critiques bureaucratic overreach and the fragility of Tané’s privilege when political forces intervene.

      4. How does the chapter use sensory details to convey Tané’s emotional state? Provide specific examples.

      Answer:
      The chapter immerses readers in Tané’s anxiety through vivid sensory imagery. Her trembling hands and inability to eat reflect nervous exhaustion. The “throbbing” pain in her scar acts as a visceral metaphor for guilt, likened to a “second heart.” The sweet-smelling mats and gold foil walls contrast sharply with her discomfort, emphasizing her alienation from luxury. The earthquake’s “thunder” and the attendants’ “confused shouts” externalize her inner chaos. These details create a palpable atmosphere of unease, anchoring her psychological struggle in physical experience.

      5. Why might the author have included Onren and Kanperu’s intervention? What narrative purpose does it serve?

      Answer:
      Onren and Kanperu’s arrival introduces solidarity and tension. Their support reinforces Tané’s value to the dragonrider community, contrasting with the soldiers’ hostility. Onren’s reassurance (“trivial matter”) and promise to contact Nayimathun offer hope, while Kanperu’s physical dominance intimidates the soldiers, showcasing dragonriders’ collective power. Their presence also delays Tané’s confrontation with the Governor, heightening suspense. This interaction underscores themes of loyalty versus authority and primes readers for the political conflict to come, where Tané’s fate may hinge on alliances.

    Quotes

    • 1. “At the heart of all this finery, she could not eat or sleep.”

      This quote captures Tané’s inner turmoil despite her outward privilege. It highlights the disconnect between her luxurious surroundings and her psychological distress, foreshadowing the coming crisis.

      2. “If she could only sleep, Nayimathun would be there when she woke up.”

      This poignant line reveals Tané’s desperate reliance on her dragon for comfort and stability. It underscores the sacred bond between rider and dragon while showing Tané’s vulnerability.

      3. “Her body felt untethered from the ground, and her mind gleamed with terrible possibilities”

      This vivid description illustrates Tané’s acute anxiety when summoned by the Governor. The physical and mental imagery powerfully conveys her sense of impending doom and guilty conscience.

      4. “Whatever happened, wherever she was taken, her dragon would come for her.”

      This statement represents both Tané’s faith in Nayimathun and the chapter’s central tension. It sets up the coming conflict while reinforcing the unbreakable rider-dragon bond that defines their world.

      5. “Lady Tané is god-chosen, yet you take her from this castle as though she were a thief.”

      Kanperu’s protest highlights the societal tension between Tané’s divine status and her potential fall from grace. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of power, justice, and sacred hierarchy.

    Quotes

    1. “At the heart of all this finery, she could not eat or sleep.”

    This quote captures Tané’s inner turmoil despite her outward privilege. It highlights the disconnect between her luxurious surroundings and her psychological distress, foreshadowing the coming crisis.

    2. “If she could only sleep, Nayimathun would be there when she woke up.”

    This poignant line reveals Tané’s desperate reliance on her dragon for comfort and stability. It underscores the sacred bond between rider and dragon while showing Tané’s vulnerability.

    3. “Her body felt untethered from the ground, and her mind gleamed with terrible possibilities”

    This vivid description illustrates Tané’s acute anxiety when summoned by the Governor. The physical and mental imagery powerfully conveys her sense of impending doom and guilty conscience.

    4. “Whatever happened, wherever she was taken, her dragon would come for her.”

    This statement represents both Tané’s faith in Nayimathun and the chapter’s central tension. It sets up the coming conflict while reinforcing the unbreakable rider-dragon bond that defines their world.

    5. “Lady Tané is god-chosen, yet you take her from this castle as though she were a thief.”

    Kanperu’s protest highlights the societal tension between Tané’s divine status and her potential fall from grace. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of power, justice, and sacred hierarchy.

    FAQs

    1. What internal and external conflicts does Tané face in this chapter, and how do they affect her?

    Answer:
    Tané experiences multiple conflicts in this chapter. Internally, she struggles with guilt and anxiety after her confession to Nayimathun, which manifests in physical symptoms like shaking hands and an inability to eat or sleep. Externally, she faces political tension when summoned by the Governor of Ginura under suspicious circumstances, hinting at potential betrayal or exposure of her secrets. These conflicts compound her physical pain from injuries (sprained ankle, shoulder pain, and scar discomfort), leaving her vulnerable. The chapter highlights her psychological turmoil and the precariousness of her position despite her high status as a dragonrider.

    2. How does the earthquake serve as both a literal and symbolic event in the narrative?

    Answer:
    The earthquake physically disrupts Tané’s environment, knocking her off balance and exacerbating her injuries, mirroring the instability in her life. Symbolically, it represents the upheaval of her circumstances—her confession, the impending political confrontation, and the threat to her safety. The quake’s timing, just before the soldiers arrive, foreshadows further disruption and danger. Additionally, the rarity of earthquakes in Seiiki underscores the exceptional nature of the crises Tané faces, suggesting that her actions (or secrets) have triggered unnatural consequences.

    3. Analyze the significance of the soldiers’ arrival and Tané’s reaction. What does this reveal about power dynamics in Seiiki?

    Answer:
    The masked soldiers’ intrusion highlights the tension between military authority and the divine status of dragonriders. Their green tunics (land army) and abrupt summons challenge Tané’s autonomy, despite her rank in Clan Miduchi. Her initial compliance—masked by a performative defiance—reveals her fear of exposure, while her hidden blade shows preparedness for betrayal. The standoff with Onren and Kanperu underscores the respect dragonriders command, as even soldiers hesitate to oppose them. This scene critiques bureaucratic overreach and the fragility of Tané’s privilege when political forces intervene.

    4. How does the chapter use sensory details to convey Tané’s emotional state? Provide specific examples.

    Answer:
    The chapter immerses readers in Tané’s anxiety through vivid sensory imagery. Her trembling hands and inability to eat reflect nervous exhaustion. The “throbbing” pain in her scar acts as a visceral metaphor for guilt, likened to a “second heart.” The sweet-smelling mats and gold foil walls contrast sharply with her discomfort, emphasizing her alienation from luxury. The earthquake’s “thunder” and the attendants’ “confused shouts” externalize her inner chaos. These details create a palpable atmosphere of unease, anchoring her psychological struggle in physical experience.

    5. Why might the author have included Onren and Kanperu’s intervention? What narrative purpose does it serve?

    Answer:
    Onren and Kanperu’s arrival introduces solidarity and tension. Their support reinforces Tané’s value to the dragonrider community, contrasting with the soldiers’ hostility. Onren’s reassurance (“trivial matter”) and promise to contact Nayimathun offer hope, while Kanperu’s physical dominance intimidates the soldiers, showcasing dragonriders’ collective power. Their presence also delays Tané’s confrontation with the Governor, heightening suspense. This interaction underscores themes of loyalty versus authority and primes readers for the political conflict to come, where Tané’s fate may hinge on alliances.

    Note