At last, reaching Trax, Severian becomes a local lictor—that is, a штатний executioner—though he doesn’t stay in that role for long. Breaking his executioner’s duty again, he released a woman he was supposed to kill, and therefore he too is forced to flee. His path continues farther north, where the forces of Autarch are fiercely fighting the Ascians’ invaders.
Nebula Award — Nominee, 1982 // Novel
Hugo Award — Nominee, 1983 // Novel
Locus Award — Winner, 1983 // Novel