14. The Widow’s House

As Severian descends the mountainside, he marvels at the strata of rock and its layers of bones, buildings, and detritus.  Severian pauses to view a mosaic embedded in the cliff face before reaching a stand of trees along the valley floor. 

Entering the forest, Severian encounters a half-obedient dog and locates its homestead.  Cautious, Severian calls a greeting from the edge of the woods.  A woman and a boy appear at the doorway.  She invites Severian inside, where an old man sits beside a fire.

The woman indicates that her husband, Becan, will soon be home.  Her son asks Severian whether he had encountered his sister, Severa.  The woman slaps the boy, who cowers in fear.  Severian suspects that Severa must be hidden in the home’s loft for fear of his visit.