Niriko’s Tale

by A. Melchor and N. Kolm

Niriko raced through the packed streets around the docks. One of the good things of living near the port was that she was lulled to sleep by the sound of the sea. One of the bad things was that she lived the furthest from the dock district's school and, after performing some chores for her father in the very early morning, she had to hurry to get her utensils and run back to get in on time.

So she skipped through the crowds of people that slowly began to fill the streets. She was used to dodge or shove people out of the way and thus made good time as she always did.

She went trough the gates and crossed the courtyard as the wind itself. The docks district school was not large by any means, counting with only three classrooms, one for the boys, another for the girls and one for the common classes.

Seeing that she did make it on time again, she slowed down a bit and allowed herself to walk the last few steps to the school, keeping an eye out for her friends.

"Niriko!" Her friend Zintzi waved over a group of girls. Boys were playing ball in the inner courtyard. "You are so lucky! All the teachers are late today!"

"Ah, but I was not so late. Not much later than usual." she said as she headed over to the girls, grinning broadly.

As always, Niriko had a pang of doubting as she approached her classmates. Her skin and hair color clashing almost violently with those of a normal Solernian girl. She dismissed the feeling as usual and joined the little group. Zintzi was the tallest, and her calm demeanor made her look like an adult sometimes.

"So, any idea why the teachers are late?" Niriko asked after all 'hi's had been exchanged.

"Yari says they are all in a meeting." Zintzi pointed at one of the girls.

"I saw old Sprucehead." The girl referred to one of their teacher's nicknames. "He was walking quickly, and I think all the teachers are in a meeting at the palace."

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