“Calvera’s night market, huh?” Blair’s voice held a note of apprehension.
Odelliana’s eyes shone with an almost feverish excitement. “I’ve always dreamt of going there! It would be an amazing experience.”
Blair, however, couldn’t help but hesitate. “It’s important to remember that the market only opens after the sun sets, and it becomes incredibly crowded during those hours. It might be quite difficult to move around freely with so many people.”
The Calvera night market was a monthly event held in Anatolia, transforming it into a bustling extravaganza. It attracted a massive influx of people from all corners of the region. With lax security measures, hawkers and peddlers hawked their wares with an almost overwhelming enthusiasm, creating a vibrant yet chaotic atmosphere. The sheer volume of people guaranteed a certain level of disturbances and accidents.
For an average person, navigating the market wouldn’t be a significant challenge. But Odelliana wasn’t like most people. Even a minor accident, something that others would brush off without a thought, could be a major setback for her. Due to her mobility limitations, getting up on her own in the case of a fall would be a significant obstacle.
“But Blair,” Odelliana insisted, her voice still bright with anticipation, “it’s a completely new experience! I’ve heard that you can find literally anything there. They have all sorts of fascinating items, and with so many people, it’s bound to be a fun and lively atmosphere.”
Her enthusiasm was undeniably contagious, and Blair found himself letting out a deep sigh, running a hand over his forehead. “…Alright, fine. We can go to the market, but we absolutely must leave by midnight. The crowds get even more unruly and difficult to manage after that hour.”
“That sounds perfectly acceptable to me!” Odelliana exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her face.
“Just to be on the safe side,” Blair continued, “I’ll ask the lord to grant us a safe passage through the market. It’s crucial that we pay extra attention to our surroundings and be very cautious in such a crowded environment.”
Odelliana simply nodded, a determined glint shining in her eyes.
The thought of having an escort leeching onto them during the market visit was less than ideal for her. However, refusing an escort might mean getting shut out entirely. It was a nuisance for sure, but with the sheer number of people flooding the market, losing them wouldn’t be particularly difficult.
“May your visit be filled with joy, Odelliana,” Blair said, his voice sincere.
Odelliana remained silent, her gaze fixed on a distant point.
Blair pressed on, his voice softening further. “I’ll do everything I can to ensure you have happy memories here.”
His words, laced with such genuine care, threatened to bring tears to her eyes. But the knowledge of the potential betrayal festered within her, turning his kindness sour. This trip, fueled by the hope of creating joyful memories for her sister, now loomed as a week-long descent into a terrible nightmare, no matter the outcome.
A choked apology formed in her throat, the guilt suffocating. Odelliana couldn’t bring herself to utter it, the weight of her secret plan a crushing burden. She turned away from his warm gaze, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the burden of her secret.
***
The Calvera night market was a sensory overload. Nestled in the city’s fringes, far from the manicured elegance of the noble district, it lacked the polish Blair was accustomed to. Unlike the inner circle, where cobblestone streets gleamed and not a single stray paper dared to mar the serenity, the outskirts were a cacophony of sights and smells.
Here, children with bare feet chased each other through dusty alleys, and weathered faces peeked out from windows propped open against the stifling heat. Haphazardly built structures, a patchwork of mudbrick and weathered wood, huddled together in an organic chaos. The air hung heavy, thick with the pungent aroma of livestock and cooking fires.
Unlike the meticulously patrolled streets of the inner district, there were no guards here, no sanitation crews to whisk away refuse. In place of gleaming carriages drawn by sleek steeds, rickety carts pulled by skeletal horses navigated the uneven terrain, overflowing with goods and weary passengers.
Blair, peering out the carriage window, couldn’t hide his dejection. Yet, it wasn’t disdain that flickered in his eyes, but a flicker of empathy, a pang of sorrow for the harsh realities of commoner life. This, he likely realized, was a common scene wherever the masses resided, a far cry from the polished facade of the capital. Here, in the unvarnished heart of the city, life was a relentless struggle for survival.
The carriage lurched to a halt, jolting Blair from his thoughts. “We’ve arrived,” he announced, his voice laced with a hint of trepidation.
He carefully helped Odelliana down, his touch gentle as he steadied her. The ever-present guards mirrored their movements, dismounting and following close behind.
The scene before them was a cacophony of commerce. Every inch of the marketplace teemed with people – hawkers hawking their wares, eager customers bartering with gusto, and curious onlookers weaving through the throng. The air vibrated with a relentless energy, a symphony of voices raised in passionate negotiation. It was a whirlwind of activity, a stark contrast to the decorum of the noble district.
