Chapter 31 Summary

Fra Murta tells Severo that Palinor's descriptions of Aclar sound horrible. In Aclar, people are free to choose their own religion, and sometimes one town will have several different types of churches. Palinor says that people in Aclar abide by the law for reasons of the world, and disorder usually only results from sports or the outcome of a game. Palinor is proud that in Aclar, people form their own consciousnesses.

Fra Murta believes these descriptions are enough to torture or burn Palinor, but Severo reminds him Palinor is providing descriptions of Aclar, not statements of his beliefs. Fra Murta says Palinor has threatened him, saying that the revenge would be terrible if his countrymen ever discover what has happened to Palinor. Severo replies that is not much of an immediate threat.

Severo and the keeper of books examine the library's largest world...