3. Through Dust

Severian evaluates whether to travel north towards the dangers of the warfront or to move south and risk capture as deserters.  Arm in arm, the revived soldier and Severian turn north.

The companions pause along the road to drink from a stream.  Severian asks the soldier for a razor to shave, and the man understands the request.

On the road, Severian interacts with several passersby.  He invents a lie to describe his relationship to the silent soldier.  The pair encounter two military encampments but are turned away from both.