The bazaar?

Empress Victoria had intended to stay in the city of Varinthar for only a few hours — just long enough to examine the local archive. She was traveling incognito, meaning without the entire cumbersome retinue that such occasions usually demanded. Had she come officially, a simple visit would have turned into days-long festivities. Respecting her own time, she preferred to avoid that. Only to end up standing in the middle of the bazaar.

She stood out. In a burgundy-and-gold dress, green corset and cloak, she unmistakably looked like a sorceress — perhaps even an archmage. Though surely no one for even a moment considered that the Empress Victoria de Montfort herself might grace the Varinthar bazaar with her presence.

Still, the atmosphere of the market rather pleased the sorceress. Every now and then one must descend among the common folk to be reminded just how primitive they are compared to the ruling class. Besides (though she knew it was a very low form of entertainment), she was enormously amused by one of the vendors — a certain Meltzer. What made her laugh the most was his presentation of a 10th-century goblin sword as an elven blade from the 3rd century. She even began loudly commenting on the nonsense pouring from his stall.

“And here, ladies and gentlemen — an elixir! Drink it and you’ll never have to eat again!” the excited shopkeeper shouted.

In reality it’s just an emetic potion, Victoria remarked telepathically (so she wouldn’t have to use her vocal cords to speak with the rabble).

“And here — a cure for impotence!”

That’s just a sleeping draught.

Gradually she was apparently becoming something of a folk hero, defending customers from the dishonest merchant.

“And this here is a ring of mind control. You can dominate anyone with it.”

It’s an ordinary trinket.

“Oh, since the fine lady is so clever, perhaps you’d allow us to test it on you?”

The sorceress had absolutely no desire to test anything. What she did want was to kill Meltzer for daring to call her “lady” in that tone — but the pressure of the crowd and her absolute certainty that a peddler like him could never possess anything as advanced as a true mind-control ring won out.