I enjoyed this, although I have to admit that I enjoyed it more as it went on. I was going to say that Le Guin's writing is always best for me when it prioritises clarity, but then that's the case with every writer as far as I'm concerned so it's not especially noteworthy. I do think, though, that the opening pages of "Winter's King" do not perhaps have the same level of clarity as the rest of the story. Perhaps that's intentional, a way to underline the instability of the king after he's been attacked, but it didn't grab me. I'm glad I kept reading though (not exactly a chore with a short story) because the end drags the rest of the story up by main strength. Had it been less affecting, this would have stayed three stars for me.