The Tragedy of Ravan the Great

Chapter One: The Hopeless Negotiation

It was late afternoon on Dêldia 23, 364 when Earl Rajashekar of Rivas arrived at port in Tariq, Alaric, a country that was at the time mostly inhabited by humans. The voyage from his home country of fire elementals, Arderé, was a long one, and he was relieved to obtain a decent night's sleep for once. Hours before noon the following day, the earl made haste in a coach to a lavish restaurant and scowled at the dirty Tariquans who had failed to disperse overnight. Fortunately, the restaurant wasn't located too far from his luxurious inn — he had made sure of that. The earl was one for convenience. He made eye-contact with no one when he entered the restaurant with his two footmen and was pleased to be led to his table right away. The last thing he needed that day was to be kept waiting.

Earl Rajashekar knew immediately that this day would turn out well for him when he spotted his future business partners already seated at their table on the patio where they could enjoy the bright spring suns. His tastefully colorful attire blended well with the stained-glass décor of the restaurant, however he could still be easily spotted in a crowd due to his height and meaty build, and his companions noticed him right away. They stood to greet him as he approached.

"Good morning, gentlemen!" said the earl, charmed. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

"Nonsense," said one man who offered his hand to shake. "We were only just seated. I'm Ossad of Tariq. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Rajashekar shook his hand. "Likewise, sir."

"This is Abel of Tariq, the new diamond mine owner I mentioned in our correspondence."

Abel offered his hand to the earl. "Honored to meet you, sir. I'm eager to do business with you."

"Indeed, I share your enthusiasm, sir." Rajashekar shook Abel's hand and then took his seat at the table. His partners followed suit. "I'm hungry to learn just how profitable Alaric will prove with its vast coal and diamond mines to my numerous trade ships. Now, I'm told you simply discovered this diamond mine on your property?"

"That's exactly right, sir," Abel confirmed.

"Well isn't that just a delightful godsend? I would be foolish not to do business with a man on whom Fortune Herself smiles so bright."

"My sentiments exactly," said Ossad. "I believe my ports will add convenience to this partnership."

The men were served food and drink as they continued to discuss opening new trade routes, possible schedules, the pay, and where to hire the employees to make everything happen. Rajashekar learned how such business was conducted on Alaric and he shared how it was done on Arderé. Thus, they discussed how their partnership would work accordingly. While in the middle of their lively meal, a large CRASH resounded from down the street, followed quickly by gasps and screams.

"Is Tariq always this chaotic?" Rajashekar casually asked his business partners with a bite of his fruit.

"It's always busy," said Ossad. "But no, not so erratic."

The men gazed down the street and soon spotted a woman with bright orange hair sprinting down the road trailed by a small troop of officers. Just before she reached the restaurant, one of the officers managed to snatch her by the arm, but she proceeded to fight back with vicious desperation that moved them both directly beside where the businessmen sat. Once she managed to break free, she fell backward onto the table. Food flew up into the air and drink spilled all over the gentlemen. While his partners spewed profanities, Rajashekar remained coldly silent and sipped his goblet of wine.

One officer yanked the woman off the table to drag her back out into the dusty street where they briefly frisked her and forced her on her knees. Meanwhile, Ossad demanded a new table and the earl watched what took place among the officers and the woman with the hope of obtaining an explanation.