Market Activities and Family Dynamics

A place where the royal family resides, known for its magnificence, though the narrator has never seen it.

A group of people possessing wealth and privileges, often associated with the royal court.

The narrator's brother.

The narrator's sister, known for her skill in embroidery and her sharp mind.

The narrator's stolen goods or earnings.

A type of hair color characteristic of those living in Stilts, indicating the stress and hardship they experience.

The place where the narrator and their family live, likely marked by hardship and poverty.

A decorative flag with three red stars on a yellow background, representing the narrator's family members and leaving room for more.

A state of deep sleep, characterized by instant falling asleep and prolonged sleep duration. It is contrasted with the speaker's difficulty falling asleep.

A form of communication used in military settings, typically for conveying routine updates, news, or personal messages between soldiers.

A term used to describe the persistent worry or anxiety that arises from the absence of news about loved ones, particularly in dangerous situations.

A military unit or group responsible for providing medical support to troops in the field.

A term used to describe the ability to endure tough situations or challenges, often derived from experience and resilience.

The act of redeploying or assigning a unit to a new task or mission.

A place or area where a military conflict takes place, often characterized by its proximity to water.

A term used to describe the practice of using a specific form of communication that is typically authorized and restricted in military settings.

The black market, a network of underground sellers and buyers, often dealing in illegal goods and services.

A person involved in the illegal transportation of goods, especially those operating within the underground network.

An individual who buys and sells stolen goods, often acting as a middleman between thieves and buyers.

A person who transports goods across the country, often for the underground network, providing a vital link in their operations.

A small merchant who sells a wide variety of goods, often including illegal items, operating outside the official market.

A foreigner, someone who originates from a different country, often considered an outsider.

A person with illegal weapons and actions, often operating outside the law.

An individual with unauthorized weaponry, typically firearms, suggesting a hidden danger and illegal activities.

The king's box is where he sits during the First Friday Feats, a public spectacle, and it is elevated from the general audience.

The narrator feels resentment towards the Silvers, who represent the wealthy and privileged, because they have never experienced hardship, while the narrator's family has endured poverty and war.

Iron guards are tasked with managing the crowd and are responsible for enforcing the rules during the First Friday Feats, a public spectacle.

First Friday Feats are public events held every first Friday of the month, and they typically involve performances or spectacles, often involving the king, the nobles, and the general public.

The narrator is serving the king despite feeling sickened by his actions, highlighting a conflict within the narrator, who feels compelled to serve despite moral reservations.

A hard-wearing material made by combining heated diamond with other substances. It's incredibly strong; even bombs can't penetrate it.

A grand city built during the summer months, known for its opulence and impressive structures. It's abandoned before autumn.

The outermost barrier of Summerton, made of diamond-glass. It's designed to keep people out and prevent intrusion.

A group of guards responsible for protecting Summerton and its inhabitants.

A paved road leading to Summerton, transitioning from cracked asphalt to smooth white stone.

A gate of shimmering glass, so bright it blinds anyone who tries to look through it

The narrator is overwhelmed by guilt and despair after injuring her sister, Gisa, and feels responsible for the pain she has caused.

The narrator's family lives in a place called Stilts, characterized by poverty and hardship. The narrator has a strong sense of belonging to this community.

The narrator's actions, driven by a desperate need to protect her sister, resulted in Gisa being injured by a security officer. The narrator feels a strong sense of responsibility and failure for this event.

The narrator feels compelled to run away to escape the consequences of her actions, particularly the guilt and despair. She runs until she can no longer feel the emotional pain.

The narrator finds herself outside of the Stilts, on a road where she sees an inn filled with travelers and workers. She sees an opportunity to pickpocket them, but she is deeply affected by the fact that these people are unaware of the dangers and struggles of the Stilts.

The narrator's choice to steal from the travelers at the inn, a practice she previously engaged in with her brother, Kilorn, contrasts starkly with her feelings of guilt and regret.

The narrator feels responsible for the pain and suffering in her life and the lives of those she loves. She carries a crushing weight of guilt over her actions.

This passage highlights the narrator's struggle to cope with the overwhelming feelings of guilt and regret that she's experiencing. These emotions have led her to run away, seeking escape from the pain she has caused.