The Sailor and the Konti [Nathan]

[Avina]

42nd Day of Autumn Avina walked along the harbour - it was one of her favourite places to be. She could hear the sea birds, squawking, and squabbling over morsels of food. But best of all, she could feel the sea, and the distant ocean calling like a melody. She liked watching the people that disembarked here too. Mura was a city of Konti, a city of women, and few others walked it's ivory streets. But here, in the harbour, peoples from all across Mizahar came and went. Peddling fine wares, garbed in foreign dress. She had seen many different races. From the hardiest humans, to the beautiful Vantha. She had seen the mysterious Akalak, and a Jamoura once. She had heard of others - the proud Drykas, and the mysterious Symenestra. Her father had been a human from Lhavit... and that was all she knew. She leaned on some railings, and began to watch the sailors heaving their barrels. She tilted her head, gazing into their souls. She could watch other people all day, but when a sailor noticed her staring and put up a hand accompanied by a smile, she turned away awkwardly. Lecherous folk, her mother had called them, staring at the Konti and thinking disgusting thoughts, wanting what they couldn't have. Avina shook her head. She disagreed entirely. Her mother had a bitter, cynical view of the world. One that Avina was careful not to follow.