Part 1: Chapter 1-6 Summary

"Shadow and Claw" is the combination of the first two books in "The Book of the New Sun" series. The story is about Severian, a torturer and his journey toward the city of Thrax to become an executioner. Severian has a larger destiny, although it is unknown to him.

The story begins with Severian, the man recalling the story of a night that happened in his youth. Severian is at a gate at a grave yard with several other boys that he lives with in his guild. They are torturer apprentices. They are breaking several house rules by being at the gate. When they manage to sneak in there is a commotion and the boys disperse to hide among the tombstones. While Severian is hiding he sees two men and a lovely woman named Thea digging a body out...