Setting the Scene in Scott Lynch’s “A Year and a Day in Old Theradane”

[NOTE: DESPITE THE RECENT NEWS ABOUT SCOTT LYNCH AND ELIZABETH BEAR, I'M LEAVING THIS POSTING UP FOR ITS EDUCATIONAL CONTENT. HOWEVER, PLEASE KNOW THAT I BELIEVE THE WOMEN AND DO NOT IN ANY WAY ENDORSE OR CONDONE ABUSIVE WRITERS. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS STORY IN PARTICULAR, AND IT REALLY, REALLY UPSETS ME THAT HIS BEHAVIOR HAS NOW PERMANENTLY TARNISHED THAT FOR ME.]

Hi anyone who reads this! Sorry it's been so long since I've written anything up here. I have been busy busy. I thought I'd break the ice again with another of my close reading analysis pieces. I actually have 5 - 10 to post, but I'm not going to put them all up at once. This entry analyzes one of my favorite short stories ever, Scott Lynch's "A Year and a Day in Old Theradane," which was published in the Rogues anthology. It's my favorite thing that he has ever written, so he should expand this world and give me more! It beats the pants off Locke Lamora for me. Anyway, without further dillydallying, here it is...

“A Year and …