18. The Destruction of the Altar

Leaving the shop, the woman introduces herself to Severian as Agia.  She advises Severian that they must travel to the Botanic Gardens to retrieve his required weapon for the duel, an avern.  They hail a carriage.

Agia tells Severian that he is likely to die in combat.  Severian agrees and relays a myth from the Wonders of Urth and Sky in which the Archangel Gabriel, encountering a dying angel, realizes that he too may be mortal.