Bran was delighted to walk through the town. He strolled arm in arm with Isabella, taking in all of the patisseries, apothecaries, and seamstress shops. He visited the main village every Sunday morning when he set up a produce stand in the town market. It was a pastime he always enjoyed.

It was comforting to feel like he was part of something larger than himself. The sense of anonymity that came with the hustle and bustle was liberating. He was just another face in the crowd, no better or worse than anyone else, no impossible expectations he had to meet.

The ground shifted as they walked through the finer streets; transforming from loose dirt into polished stone. Bran immediately noticed the change in store fronts. They were now selling silks and velvets that were emblazoned with intricate embroidery work. Everyone’s clothing was so fine, no holes or patches or stains in sight. The smell of perfume and foreign spices pepperd the air. He stopped for a moment and closed his eyes, trying to take everything in; to commit this moment to memory.

In no time, they were outside an immaculate courtyard. Bran hesitated before he stepped through a marble archway.

“The auction house is over there!” Isabella pointed. She dragged him towards a wooden building where a grizzled man stood outside.

“Getcha paddles for the auction here, then step inside!” the man called out.

Bran obeyed and walked through the wooden door, only to realize Isabella wasn’t following him.

“Sorry lassy, but no women allowed,” the man spat.

Isabella bristled and held up a small velvet bag. “Good sir,” she said with barely contained annoyance. “I can assure you that I have plenty of coins with me to purchase texts. I was allowed in this building less than a fortnight ago.”

“Aye, but that was for the jewelry auction. It’s different shoppin’ for women's stuff,” the grubby man scoffed.

As they continued to bicker, Bran could feel heat rising up the back of his neck, but decided not to get involved. Isabella was cunning and intelligent, and could handle herself just fine. Also, Bran knew better than to draw extra attention to himself. Unfortunately, that changed when the man roughly grabbed Isabella by the wrist.

“Excuse me, sir, but what seems to be the problem here?” Bran cut in.

The man glared at him, then Isabella. “This troublemaker is tryin’ to sneak into the building when I’ve told her no women are allowed for book auctions.”

Bran guffawed. “Are you seriously suggesting that she be denied certain areas of life solely based on her sex? That one should not be permitted to certain spheres due to something so arbitrary?” He felt his pulse quickening as he stepped closer to the buffoon that was harassing his friend.

Bran was slender, but he hoped that his considerable height would be intimidating. The offending man was dirty and squat, but was made of a considerable weight. Bran had never learned how to fight properly, and wanted to avoid a tussle at all costs. .

“Arbitrary!” The grimy man repeated in an offended tone. “I think it’s time for you to back down, son.”

“I will not, you horrid man! An uneducated public is a grievous sin. Someone shouldn’t be denied access to something because some thug made a poor judgement call!”

“Judgement call! Ha!” He poked Bran in the sternum with a greasy finger before continuing. “It’s decreed, boy. Women are fine to stand outside, but there’ll be no buying of books for ‘em by the word of the law. It’d be encouragin’ witchcraft and such.”

Bran thought for a moment. “Maybe she’s not allowed to purchase books, but there’s no reason she shouldn’t be permitted into the building.” Bran bowled deeply towards Isabella and took her by the hand. “As a nobleman, I invited this fine young lady to accompany me and I should enjoy her company at this event very much. I demand she be permitted, or…. I shall be forced to take this matter to your superiors!”

“Fine,” the man spat. “This isn’t worth my time. Take her and go inside.”

To have Isabella admitted with no buying power felt like a small victory, but it was one Bran took nonetheless. He realized how foolish it had been to make a scene, but he didn’t care. Someone needed to do something. He turned his head from side to side to ensure he hadn’t been recognized and thanked the heavens no one in his step family was well read.

Once they had both sat down, Bran leaned towards Isabella and whispered, “I’m so sorry about how he treated you. Let me know when you see something you want and I’ll bid on it for you.”

“Don’t apologize. I should be thanking you for defending the honor of a simple lady like myself,” she mock swooned. They snickered quietly to themselves throughout the event.

After the auction concluded, Bran wandered around the village, basking in the feeling of anonymity.

He was completely oblivious to the fact he’d caught someone’s attention.