10. Lead

Retrieving Terminus Est from the devastated home, Severian returns to the Duck’s Nest Inn with the innkeeper.  Finding Dorcas asleep in her room, Severian sits in the dark and drinks from a bottle of wine.

Dorcas wakes and informs Severian that she has been sick.  She notices Severian skittish around the flame at her bedside.  Severian questions Dorcas about their encounter by the riverside and her melancholy silence.  In reply, Dorcas tells Severian that she regurgitated lead shot.  She offers to show Severian the stones but, dubious, he declines.