31. The People of the Lake

Freed from servitude, Pia sleeps with Severian.  He recollects boarding the floating island and being reunited with Terminus Est.  

The next day, several boats approach the island carrying many lake people and their chieftain, Llibio. The chief welcomes Severian warmly before pulling him aside. Llibio describes the ongoing conflict between the shore people and the lake people.  

Severian asks about the nearby castle, which was built by the locals on the orders of a small foreigner.  After the building had been completed, the shore people began to lose their children and livestock.  Although they suspected the man in the castle, the shore people blamed the islanders and sought retribution.