Banished for the sin of mercy, Severian, one of the ancient guild of Torturers, flees from exile. In a mountain wilderness he meets the Alzabo, in whom those eaten seem to live on, adopts as son only to lose him in battle, discharges an old debt...
For centuries the Seleighe have kept imprisoned a nameless, monstrous God.
But the seal is failing, and Veresan of the Summer Fire must travel far beyond
his own land to prevent...