11. The Hand of the Past

Despite Severian’s evasions, Dorcas insists on describing her experience in the markets of Thrax.  She explains that she recognized a chair and other furniture from an abandoned district of Nessus.  Triggered by the sight, Dorcas regains certain memories of her past.  

Dorcas identifies the lead shot in her stomach as ballast for sinking the dead in the Lake of Birds and insinuates that the Claw of the Conciliator resurrected her.  Severian is skeptical and argues that Dorcas was merely asleep.

At her request, Severian shows Dorcas the Claw but refuses to hand it to her for fear that she may destroy it.  Dorcas validates this concern, angered that the Claw twisted time to recall her from death.  She recalls her husband and young child, lost.