The Tragedy of Ravan the Great

Chapter Three: The Escape Attempt

It was a while before Braelyn was instructed to head to the market on another Auroday, during which time she always made sure she looked her absolute best on this specific day of the week. She dressed up on other weekdays as well so to avoid suspicions, but on Aurodays she made sure to pay special attention to her hair. Few Arderians had hair as brightly orange as hers and she felt it was her best asset to attracting the count — or any other noble for that matter. On both of the Aurodays she was sent to the market during the past two months, she failed to catch the count's attention. It seemed that her hair wasn't bright enough to make her stand out in a brightly-dressed crowd. So on the Auroday she was sent to the market in the month of Sueño, she tried something different. She dressed in gold jewels, and black and dark green silk to stand out against the multicolored Rivans, and while she packed some fruit into the carriage, she heard the announcement over the commotion of the streets.

"Make way for the Count of Rivas!"

Braelyn didn't hesitate to casually maneuver her way through the townsfolk, the carriages, and the oxen to the front of the crowd. She knelt with everyone else and let her perfume-spritzed orange curls droop with the gold pearls she had pinned in them. Hopefully this would make her more noticeable to the count. And she was right. When the young nobleman passed her by on his litter, he instructed his servants to stop and he set his gaze on Braelyn.

"Young miss!" the count called. "You have lovely, fiery hair. I am Count Fedar, tell me your name."

"Braelyn, my Lord," she replied.

"Lovely name, too," said the count. "Who employs you?"

"My son and I serve under Earl Rajashekar of Rivas, my Lord."

"How exquisite," said the count. "I am throwing a glorious banquet next week, I would love for you to serve among my beautiful staff at Flameborne Court. Come with me, I'll send the earl notice."

"Very well, my Lord," Braelyn replied. "I only have one humble request: would you be so gracious as to send for my son as well? I worry about him awfully when I'm away. The earl's sons are... unkind to him."

"I shall include your request in my correspondence."

"You are very generous, my Lord. I shall endeavor to serve my best at your banquet."

Braelyn did well hiding her excitement as she calmly obeyed the count and joined his caravan. She walked beside the black and violet litter while Count Fedar continued his shopping, which apparently was being conducted for the banquet he had mentioned. They approached a merchant selling folds of colorful fabric which caught the count's eye.

"What lovely material," he said. "These would look quite dignified hanging from gold rings above the banquet tables! I'll take a roll of silk in every color you have!"

"If I may, my Lord," said Braelyn as she approached the merchant. "The taffeta may provide a more elegant appearance above your tables. See how the light from the suns shines through the fabric casting color upon everything beneath it."

The count was impressed. "You are absolutely right! I'll take a roll of taffeta in every color."

"Very well, my Lord," said the merchant.

Braelyn returned to her spot beside the litter without another word until the count addressed her.

"Excellent advice, Braelyn. I would love to hear more of your ideas for the remainder of today's errands."

"As you wish, my Lord."

After Count Fedar finished the shopping he had originally left home to conduct, during which Braelyn offered any services she could, she returned with the count to Flameborne Court and was shown her new, more grandiose room. However, she was unmoved by the lavish surroundings of onyx chandeliers, gunmetal-trimmed furniture, and violet tapestries of the mansion as her mind was claimed hostage in her struggle to wait patiently for Ravan to be delivered to her.