Kontinese Common Char Sunset The Docks, Zeltiva 3rd of Summer, 521 A.V It had been a month since she'd last been here yet the sounds of the waves and smell of the sea stayed the same. It was relaxing. Spring had come and gone just like that, and summer had begun to step it's foot into the door. Warmer days on a higher level, which also meant cooler nights, maybe even a breeze. She'd come down here to calm herself. Finding herself in her own head more often than less lately. A trip down to the docks to watch the sunset deemed the perfect remedy. She was supposed to take a trip up towards the forests today but procrastination took hold, so she walked around the city all day with a bow as a decoration. That's what started it. She'd been hard on herself lately to actually do the things that she said she wanted to do. So long she'd been stuck in the mindset of an animal. Everything held on routine. Being told when to eat, sleep, always answering yes to even the most degrading of task only to spare a even more violent assault. A sigh left and a smile almost crept upon her face. The sun felt good, she was relaxed. Home. There were a few others here at the docks, some for the same reason as she, others for their own personal businesses. It was still the first few days of the season, so the more rowdy and loud types were to be around as expected. As long as they kept their distance and shenanigans' to a controlled minimum, most of everyone didn't seem to mind. She lay on the wooden planks back flat upon them. Her legs dangled from the edge looking up into the yellow-red-purple sky. Her hair bright from being washed she closed her eyes, taking in her surrounding. There were side conversations between others so things were heard. Still though she couldn't let it go un-addressed when she picked up on a conversation. "I don't know why the Wave Guard even bothers to be around anymore." " They try and keep everyone safe though mate." "Ehh Yea, but you can't keep EVERYBODY safe mate. Ya just can't." "Well what do you propose mate?" "I say we stop protectin them slaves." "Ha! Ye sound foolish." "No I be serious as can. I mean looka East street. Full of poor petchers that can't make a life for themselves either because they don't have the skill, or they are too petchin scared to come outside because they thing a slavers around the corner." "Mate." "What? Their pests they are. They bring nothing to the community. Brining down value mate. Now I say we get like Sunberth, just more organized. Make a profit on them. Ha we can even send them up into the Pass use them as scapegoats for whatever's up there so we can expand. The Miza would flow in. I hear there's a ship just off the shallow waters past the docked ships. They don't dock because of the guard, but anyone that can get in contact with them could get a slave I hear. Shyke even if we can't make coin off them it wouldn't hurt to have someone to boss around and do chores. Heh do me too. Because I said so at that. I own em. " The man's friend didn't respond, disappointed in his friends opinion but never the less wouldn't object or go against the situation. -Hurt him Before she'd realized it her bow was drawn and arrow coming out from behind her like a magic trick. The string taught bow curving with a stretching nose as if asserting it's presence. Both men drunk, the quieter one quickly scurried off and away. The boaster seemed unfazed by her action. He stood tall and thick-skinned. He loomed over her, back at an angle to get a clear shot of his chest. -Let it go Just as the voice had said it, she wanted to do it but hesitated. She'd never taken a life before. She wanted to, especially those that took so many seasons from her. So many experiences that she'd never get back. The man grimaced. "You dare draw your weapon on me? See this is what I'm talking about. The guard is giving you shykes too much confidence. Stopping you from realizing who you should be respecting." Loxcia didn't see it coming. She didn't even feel it, she'd been hit harder by weaker people. This was nothing. Still she was a average height, light small-framed woman and he a giant of a man, human. Always petching human. The strike knocked her well off balance. Her finger slipping and the arrow launching out and into the water. She managed to roll out of the man's grasps, bringing her bow around whipping him in the face before trying to reload an arrow. She was too slow. The man already back in her face. Her shirt collar yoked up, feet leaving the ground. There was a heavy smell of beer and whatever he ate on his breath. He leaned in closely almost touching her cheek with his hair crusted lips. Hot air brushed across her skin making it crawl. She thrashed about to no avail. She imagined she resembled a child throwing a tantrum. "This is what's wrong with Zeltiva. Scum like you." As to have been wishing her a farewell, he tossed her off the docks supplies and all with. There had been a plethora of other people there so she assumed he didn't want the attention of witnesses and possibly the guard. Still rage fueled her body. What did he mean with his words? Everybody deserved the right to life and freedom. If she had the strength, the skill to fight. Rescuing her items from the tide, she waddled to the shore. She could only be upset with herself. She started the fight and lost. Not entirely. Head perking up to the memory of his words. "Rumor had it that there was a slave ship just beyond the shallow waters" She wondered if this was true. To think that there was another ship out there with people, victims of theft. The item being their freedom. She would do something about it. Somebody would. Decision made, she sat on the beach enjoying the scenery and waiting. When the sun finished going down, she make her attempt. She was tired. tired of being treated as a second class citizen. To be classified as "lesser than" and for it to be seen as a normal part of life. No. She would make a way for those stripped of their lives, their innocence, their freedom. Someone had to care, and it would be her. |