Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion

This is our discussion of the short story....

"The Bound Man" by Mary Robinette Kowal

From the anthology Epic: Legends of Fantasy edited by John Joseph Adams. See the Epic: Legends of Fantasy anthology discussion hub for more info on the anthology and pointers to discussion of its other stories.

"The Bound Man" was originally published in Twenty Epics and reprinted in Women in Practical Armor.

I want that armor. The story started out strong but when it comes to portal fantasy and time travel it was just okay. and the ending felt a bit abrupt. so did she get her daughter again or not?

This story was... hmm. I was perplexed by what kind of society would produce a Li Reiko. Matriarchal, quite advanced in magic and science, but still uses swords? And she has little enough regard for life that she casually beats and tries to kill her companion a couple times?

Good question. Maybe the author thinks swords are 1) compulsory for fantasy (despite the advanced magic and tech) and 2) makes the MC looks great and imposing rather than only using bare hands