26. Above the Jungle

Agia flies Severian and the Autarch over a lush forest.  They land atop a stone ziggurat that stands among the trees.  Severian is hauled indoors and confronts Vodalus and Thea.

Vodalus appears not to recognize Severian.  Agia names Severian as her price for serving Vodalus.  Hethor stands nearby and fondles Agia.  Severian tries to break free of his captors, but Agia strikes him in the face with a bladed weapon.

Severian is imprisoned in an ancient cell and slowly recovers from his wounds.  After several days, he is visited by a medicine man.  The physician performs a blood transfusion, indicates that the Autarch is yet alive, and describes the reason for his allegiance to Vodalus.