27. Toward Thrax

Dorcas and Severian travel north to Thrax, followed behind by a dejected Jolenta.  The three make camp by a river and watch flyers pass overhead.  Dorcas and Severian discuss snakes before coupling.

While Dorcas and Jolenta sleep, Severian stokes the fire and thinks about the notules and the black creature sent for him in the Antechamber.  Dozing, Severian is overrun by memories, his own and Thecla’s.