Part 2: Chapter 1-6 Summary

Severian and Jonas make their way to the village of Saltus where Severian makes money by being the town's executioner. Jonas has become his friend and assists him with the executions. The town is having a festival, and Severian has three people he has to behead. One is a woman that supposedly killed her son and husband, and one of the men is being put to death for his affiliation with Vodalus. Upon hearing the mention of Vodalus' name Severian remembers the night he saved Vodalus' life and feels a loyalty to him.

The servant of Vodalus had been locked away in his home for many days with the windows and doors boarded up and no food. The man's name is Barnoch and he is dragged out of the house looking part dead and screaming that Vodalus will come...