7. The Assassins

As Severian retreats to the mine’s entrance, he reflects on courage and cowardice.  He recalls a conversation with Master Gurloes, who struggled with his duty to torture certain prisoners by sexual abuse.  

Severian exits the mouth of the cave and climbs down the cliff face towards the river.  As he descends, several flaming crossbow bolts impact nearby. Severian drops into the water below, floats downstream, and emerges behind his assailants.

Severian confronts two men and a woman, whom he recognizes as Agia.  As he draws Terminus Est, Severian realizes that the letter he received at the inn was a trap laid by Agia and that Thecla did not survive her imprisonment.  Severian slays one of the men and fends off an attack from Agia.  A man-ape joins the fight and kills the second man.