19. Guasacht

Despondent, Severian wanders in the wilderness.  He finds a rusty sword and sharpens it while thinking of Miles, Dorcas, and Thecla.  

Aimless and hungry, Severian encounters several dead pack animals and prepares to eat from their carcasses.  A mounted man approaches and asks Severian to identify himself.  Severian indicates that he is not a soldier and has no company.  The man, Guasacht, recruits Severian to his mercenary unit.