20. Father Inire’s Mirrors

Inside the Jungle Garden, Severian and Agia follow the path to the exit.  They hear the roar of a sabretooth tiger in the distance but Agia is unafraid.  She indicates that the garden’s path is likely a loop that will return them to the main hall of the Botanic Gardens.  Severian marvels at the apparent visual trickery of the garden, complete with a blue sky, tangled branches, and living creatures.

Severian is reminded of a story that Thecla told him during her imprisonment.  Agia is disinterested but Severian recites the anecdote aloud nonetheless.