The Priory of the Orange Tree
Twenty-Two
by Shannon, SamanthaThe chapter depicts the somber yet opulent marriage ceremony of Queen Sabran the Ninth of Inys and Aubrecht Lievelyn, High Prince of Mentendon, held at midnight in the Great Sanctuary of Briar House. The setting is rich with symbolism: red stained-glass windows memorialize past bloodshed, and scoundrel trees with golden leaves frame the space. Sabran, adorned in a crimson gown and gold crown, hesitates momentarily at the entrance, observed by her confidante Ead and the calculating Seyton Combe. The ceremony unfolds under a gilded baldachin, with 600 witnesses, including the Sanctarian Order, in attendance.
Sabran’s emotional turmoil is palpable as she proceeds without her close friend Loth, who was sent away by Combe. The political undertones are evident—Igrain Crest, a key advisor, views the union as both a necessity and a compromise. Lievelyn enters in regal attire, his crimson cloak mirroring Sabran’s gown, and the two meet at the center. The Arch Sanctarian officiates, invoking the union’s sacred purpose to uphold Virtudom, though his reference to Cleolind as a “heretic” draws subtle disapproval from Ead and Chassar.
The ritual proceeds with the exchange of vows and rings, a moment charged with tension as Sabran’s hand trembles. Lievelyn offers a tentative smile, while Roslain, Sabran’s giver, watches anxiously. Sabran’s vow—to love, defend, and remain faithful—is delivered with measured resolve, though her pause hints at inner conflict. The ceremony’s gravity is underscored by its historical context: a marriage following closely after a burial, a first in Berethnet history.
As the chapter concludes, the focus shifts to the unspoken dynamics between the characters. Ead’s vigilant gaze captures Sabran’s vulnerability and the political machinations surrounding the union. The marriage, while a strategic alliance, is fraught with personal and political stakes, leaving Sabran at a crossroads between duty and desire. The scene closes with the couple’s hands joined, their futures irrevocably intertwined beneath the candlelit baldachin.
FAQs
1. What are the key symbolic elements of Sabran and Lievelyn’s wedding ceremony, and what do they represent?
Answer:
The wedding ceremony is rich with symbolism that reflects Inysian traditions and values. The ceremony takes place at midnight during a new moon, symbolizing that companionship is most needed in dark times—a particularly poignant choice given the recent death in the royal family. The Great Sanctuary’s red stained-glass windows memorialize those who died during the Grief of Ages, tying the marriage to Inys’s historical struggles. The scoundrel trees breaking through the floor represent resilience and continuity. Sabran and Lievelyn’s attire—crimson cloaks, gold adornments, and ostentatious gloves—emphasizes their royal status and the political significance of this union. The love-knot rings and vows (“defend you with my sword”) reinforce themes of loyalty and duty central to Inysian culture.2. How does Ead’s perspective as an outsider provide insight into the political tensions surrounding Sabran’s marriage?
Answer:
Ead, positioned as a candle-bearer, observes subtle details others might miss, offering a critical lens on the political machinations. She notes Seyton Combe’s “pinch of satisfaction,” linking Loth’s exile to his scheming for this marriage. She also interprets Igrain Crest’s stoicism as mixed feelings—approving of an heir but displeased with Lievelyn as the father. Ead’s exchange of glances with Chassar when the Arch Sanctarian calls Cleolind a “heretic” highlights her awareness of religious tensions. Her focus on Sabran’s hesitation and Roslain’s anxious presence underscores the personal sacrifices behind political alliances. Through Ead, we see how the ceremony is not just a union but a chess move in a broader power struggle.3. Analyze the significance of Sabran’s hesitation during the ceremony. What might it reveal about her character and the pressures she faces?
Answer:
Sabran’s pauses—stopping at the door, her rigid shoulders, the quake in her hand—reveal her internal conflict. As queen, she must prioritize duty over personal grief (the recent burial) and affection (Loth’s absence). Her hesitation humanizes her, showing the weight of her role: she must marry a near-stranger to secure an heir and stabilize the realm. The moment she looks to Roslain suggests she seeks reassurance from trusted companions, emphasizing her isolation despite the crowd. Her eventual composure (“drew herself up”) demonstrates her resilience, but the tension in her vows (“jaw tight”) implies unresolved emotions. This duality—strength masking vulnerability—defines her leadership under immense pressure.4. How does the chapter use religious imagery and rhetoric to frame the marriage’s political purpose?
Answer:
The Arch Sanctarian’s invocation of the Damsel and Saint frames the marriage as a holy duty to “preserve Virtudom,” tying it to Inys’s founding myth of Galian and Cleolind. By referencing the Knight of Fellowship, he emphasizes unity, though his labeling of Cleolind as a “heretic” subtly reinforces Inys’s religious supremacy. The sanctuary’s shield-like design and True Sword emblem militarize the ceremony, positioning the union as both spiritual and strategic. The vows (“defend you with my sword”) blur romantic and martial commitments, reflecting how Inys’s monarchy intertwines divine right and political power. This rhetoric sanctifies the marriage, justifying it as necessary for the realm’s survival.5. Compare the roles of Roslain and Seyton Combe in this chapter. How do they represent different facets of influence over Sabran?
Answer:
Roslain and Combe embody contrasting forces shaping Sabran’s actions. Roslain, as giver, offers emotional support (“pressed her arm”) and silent encouragement, representing personal loyalty. Her visible anxiety highlights her care for Sabran’s wellbeing over politics. In contrast, Combe’s “satisfaction” reveals his ruthless pragmatism; he engineered Loth’s removal to ensure this politically expedient marriage. While Roslain’s influence is intimate (seen in Sabran’s glance toward her), Combe’s is structural, manipulating events behind the scenes. Their juxtaposition underscores Sabran’s tension between personal desires and state obligations, with Roslain symbolizing heart and Combe symbolizing cold calculation.
Quotes
1. “It was customary for the vows to be taken at midnight, during the new moon, for it was in the darkest hours that companionship was needed most.”
This opening line establishes the symbolic weight of the marriage ceremony, framing it as a union born from necessity during troubled times. It foreshadows the political tensions surrounding Sabran’s marriage and the shadow of recent tragedy.
2. “Never in Berethnet history had a marriage come so soon after a burial.”
This stark observation highlights the unprecedented nature of Sabran’s rushed marriage, emphasizing both her personal grief and the political urgency driving this union. It underscores the chapter’s tension between tradition and crisis.
3. “He had sent Loth to his death for this night. Loth, who should be with Sabran.”
Ead’s bitter reflection reveals the political machinations behind the marriage and the personal cost to Sabran. This quote exposes the conflict between duty and personal relationships that permeates the chapter.
4. “Companionship is a great service, for Inys itself was built on the love between Galian, a knight of Inysca, and Cleolind, a heretic woman of Lasia.”
The Arch Sanctarian’s words during the ceremony encapsulate the foundational myth of Virtudom while revealing religious tensions (calling the Mother a “heretic”). This quote represents the ideological framework that both unites and divides the characters.
5. “I swear to love you with my soul, defend you with my sword, and give nobody else my favor. This I vow to you.”
Sabran’s marriage vow carries layered meaning - while formally binding her to Lievelyn, the hesitation preceding it and the sword imagery hint at her warrior spirit and the political nature of this union. The phrasing echoes knightly oaths, blending personal and political commitments.