The Priory of the Orange Tree
by Samantha Shannon
Contents
Sixty-Nine
Overview
Ead and Tané strategize before the final battle, with Ead offering Tané the chance to wield Ascalon and theorizing how to weaken Kalyba. Niclays Roos is rescued from the Abyss carrying a sterren blade meant to kill Ead on Kalyba's orders, but he confesses the plot instead, refusing to betray Jannart's memory for a false resurrection. He reveals a critical weakness in the Nameless One's armor—the twentieth chest scale damaged by Cleolind—then learns that Truyde utt Zeedeur is dead, leaving him shattered but resolved to do good.
Summary
The chapter opens with Tané longing for Seiiki and worrying about Nayimathun's fate. Ead visits Tané's cabin to discuss strategy for the coming battle against the Nameless One. Ead offers Tané the honor of wielding Ascalon, reasoning that Tané's long exposure to sterren through the rising jewel may make the sword more responsive to her. Tané reluctantly agrees to take the opportunity if it arises. Ead also theorizes that using the jewels will summon Kalyba, and that forcing Kalyba to repeatedly change shape may drain her star rot and weaken her.
Aboard the Reconciliation, Ead and Sabran share an intimate night together, acknowledging that their duties—Sabran to her throne and Ead to the Priory—will always keep them apart, yet promising to find a way. They are interrupted by news that the crew has rescued a man from the Abyss in a rowing boat: Niclays Roos, missing his left arm and carrying deep hatred for Sabran.
Niclays confronts Sabran with years of bitter resentment over his seven-year exile. He reveals internally that Kalyba sent him to assassinate Ead with a sterren blade and steal the white jewel, promising him riches and the resurrection of his dead lover Jannart in return. Tané bursts in and warns Sabran not to trust Niclays, recognizing him from Komoridu. However, Niclays chooses to confess. He lays the sterren blade on the table and reveals Kalyba's plot, explaining that seeing Kalyba wear Jannart's face disgusted him—Jannart chose his death, and resurrecting him would dishonor his memory.
Niclays frames his confession as a spiritual alchemy: his grief and suffering constituted the putrefaction of his soul, and now he must rise toward a "white sun" by doing good. He offers crucial intelligence: the Nameless One's twentieth chest scale was damaged by Cleolind Onjenyu and remains a vulnerability in his armor. He also expresses his desire to be a better person for Truyde utt Zeedeur, Jannart's granddaughter.
Ead then reveals that Truyde is dead—she plotted with Triam Sulyard for East-West reunion, and Igrain Crest exploited her scheme to assassinate Aubrecht Lievelyn. Truyde died in the Dearn Tower. Niclays is devastated. Sabran tells him that High Princess Ermuna has invited him to return to Mentendon, and he accepts bitterly, asking only to be left alone with his grief after providing his knowledge.
Who Appears
- Niclays RoosExiled alchemist rescued from the Abyss; sent by Kalyba to kill Ead but confesses, revealing the Nameless One's weakness.
- Ead (Eadaz uq-Nāra)Priory mage and Sabran's lover; strategizes with Tané, interrogates Niclays, and learns she was Kalyba's assassination target.
- SabranQueen of Inys aboard the Reconciliation; confronts Niclays and reveals Truyde's fate; shares an intimate night with Ead.
- TanéDragonrider offered Ascalon by Ead; bursts in to warn against Niclays, whom she recognizes from Komoridu.
- KalybaThe Witch of Inysca who sent Niclays with a sterren blade to assassinate Ead; discussed as a shapeshifting threat.
- Jannart utt ZeedeurNiclays's deceased lover whose memory drives Niclays to reject Kalyba's false promise of resurrection.
- Truyde utt ZeedeurJannart's granddaughter, revealed to have died in the Dearn Tower; her death devastates Niclays.