Chapter 2: Aura
As Aura stood in front of the mirror she gazed steadily at the young woman looking back at her. Soft amber curls drifted down the young woman's sturdy shoulders. A small shapely nose was set in between a pair of jade green eyes. Many freckles dotted the woman's sun darkened face. Aura sighed, though many called her beautiful she often wondered how true their statements were. Her older sister, Iliyone , was definitely pretty than she. Iliyone's long, wavy black hair and crystal blue eyes were her most prominent features, but unlike Aura her skin was a fine white, like porcelain, due to the fact that she did not labor out on the docks as her younger brother and sister did. Iliyone had always been sickly, due to some unfortunate events in her early childhood, but that sickness had not once marred her beauty. Aura scowled, she wished she had the flawless skin of her sister. Her own skin was rough and dark, due to the many hours she spent on the docks unloading nets of fish.
Aura?! Are you coming? Father's boat will be coming in any minute now! The voice of her older brother Will called from downstairs. Will was only a year older than Aura, and many people mistook the pair for twins, because Will bore a close resemblance to his sister.
Quickly Aura donned on some worn trousers. Hold on a minute, Will! She called. Grabbing her leather sandals she slipped them on a rushed down the wooden stairs.
Will was waiting with a look of impatience on his face, which was as dark, if not darker than Aura's. Auburn curls hung over his fore head and threatened to cover his emerald eyes. The impatience that showed in his face was also revealed in his voice. You know how Father is when we're late! Hurry up! Grabbing his favorite cap Will sprung out the door, not bothering to hold it open for Aura.
Snorting at Will's ungentlemanly behavior Aura slammed the door behind her. Her father was always furious when the pair appeared behind schedule and Will was the one who always carried the blame. With a glance back at her family's beloved cottage Aura turned and ran to catch up with Will, whose stride was much longer. It took them only a short time to arrive at the docks. Familiar sailors and vendors smiled at the breathless pair and waved their greetings. Aura smiled and waved back, but Will was intent on reaching their father and his boat. A plump, cheery looking woman called out. Slow down Will! Your father ain't been spotted yet. Though he was supposed to come in a few minutes ago, it seems e's a bit be'ind schedule today! The woman gave them a black toothed grin.
Thanks Mrs. Brydenbar... Aura returned the old woman's smile with her own pearly teeth.
Anytime Miss Aura!

After a wait of ten minutes Aura finally spotted her father's fishing vessel. It was one of the smaller crafts in the harbor, but what it lacked in size it made up in speed. One billowing white sail propelled the little ship along. Look Will! There's Father! Seizing her brother's muscular arm Aura waved wildly towards the ship.
Will lacked her enthusiasm. Calm down Aura! Save all that energy for unloading fish. Giving her a dry smile he prepared the ropes to tie the ship in.
Aura wrinkled her nose. She hated fish. She lived and breathed fish. She was sick of fish. Every day she arrived home with her trousers adorned with silver and blue scales. The smell clung to her each night, filling her nostrils with the unpleasant scent. Will... Why hasn't father ever gotten a real job?
Grunting Will uncoiled the rope. What do you mean by a real job?
Well, like a merchant or a lawyer. Their daughters live in large manors and eat all sorts of delicate foods!
And their daughters are paler than Iliyone, with hardly any muscle at all!
Well at least they don't smell like fish! Aura retorted.
Will gave a small laugh. Father would rather die than leave his trade, you know that. Fishing is in his blood, just as it was in Grandfather's.
What about you?
A small frown appeared on her brother's face. Nay, I fear I have grown sick of fishing... I'd fancy being Mr. Hunmark's apprentice.
Aura gave a leap of surprise. She had no idea her brother was interested in becoming a blacksmith. But, you never said anything!
You know what Father would say, Young man! The only thing you need in life is a trustworthy boat and a strong net!' He's insistent that I follow in his footsteps! Will glanced at his father's approaching vessel. Let's talk about this later Aura, Father is almost within hearing distance.
Aura gazed admirably at the man she called her father. He was carefully guiding his vessel towards the dock, taking every care not to damage his precious ship, dubbed Fionna's Rose. Muscles bulged out, covered by dark weathered skin, the tattered sleeveless white shirt her father wore offered no protection from the prevailing winds. It was soaked with salt water, but her father didn't seem to mind. He was grinning broadly at the bulging nets of fish, gleaming silver in the pure sunlight. Aura groaned, although an exceptionally large catch meant more money, it also meant more work.
Got a right good catch today! Nets are so full they're about to burst! Her father called out joyfully as he helped Will anchor the boat with thick ropes. Several of Fionna's Rose's crew members hopped onto the dock as well, lugging the nets along with them.
Aura smiled, despite the fact a large catch meant she had to work all day. I'm glad you returned safely Father.
The weathered man stared incredulously at her. Of course I'm safe laddie! I couldn't be otherwise.
Did you see anything interesting? Stuffing her hands in her roomy trouser pockets Aura rocked back on her heels, her father always had something interesting to tell.
Aye, aside from several whales and dolphin pods the crew and I caught sight of what we thought to be a sea-serpent! Her father grinned at her and ruffled her hair, something Aura always hated. But you can never tell.
Her father had seen sea-serpents before. Among his more interesting sightings were mermaids and watersprites. Once he even claimed to have seen a siren, one of the mermaids who sat on a rock and sang to lure sailors to their deaths. Aura knew her father made these things up, but she always enjoyed listening to his wild tales. Eying the nets with distaste Aura started towards them. The longer she waited the later it would be when she arrived home. The nets had already been untied and the dead fish were waiting to be sorted by size and species. Aura hated the way their mouths gaped open and how their sightless eyes stared at her through the fine glaze of death. The bodies were wet and slippery, scales slid of onto her trousers every time she tossed a fish into a certain pile, from which Will loaded them into the specific crates. It was a tedious task, and Aura was inclined to daydream as she automatically sorted the dead fish. Her mind would drift of to the stories her mother used to tell her. Stories about princesses and princes, who married and lived happily ever after. She often dreamed she was the princess in each story and always cried out in joy when the happy couple kissed. Now her mother judged her to old for fairy tales, and refused to tell them. But Aura had a book full of those stories, and she still read it often.

The sun was retiring as Aura, Will, and their father traveled up the small path to their sea-side cottage. It was a small house, barely fitting five people, but the family managed. It was all Aura's father could afford, with the meager income associated with fishing. Still, Aura loved the little cottage dearly, and wouldn't have traded it for a palace.
The smell of freshly baked bread and fish met their noses as the trio strode through the door. Aura groaned inwardly, fish was her least favorite meal.
You three wash up for dinner! Iliyone's high voice called from the cramped kitchen. Mother's outside gathering some vegetables.
I hope it isn't carrots! Will muttered under his breath. Aura suppressed a snicker, Will hated carrots.
I'll change real quick! Aura called back, looking down at her scaly trousers. Treading up the small wooden stairs to the attic room she shared with Iliyone, Aura shed her fish reeking clothes and donned a light yellow sundress, which she would've never worn to the docks. Upon arriving downstairs she found her family already eating, Will making faces at the carrots.
Had a good haul today m'love! Aura's father was relating today's catch to Fionna, her mother. 'Bout burst the nets right through!
Fionna smiled. I'm glad your catch was a good one, Tiren. Will! Eat your carrots! Her smile vanished as she turned to scowl at her only son. The landlord stopped by today... there seems to have been a bit of trouble with the last payment.
Tiren stopped chewing his fish immediately, his face turning to stone. What about it?
Fionna's jet black hair was falling into her face, she looked tired to Aura. It seems that he never received it. He says he wants it payed in two weeks or else.
Throwing down his fork Tiren stood up, muttering soft curses. But I handed it to his manservant! The servant said he'd make sure Mr. Konen got it!
Apparently the servant has cheated you. Though when I suggested this to Mr. Konen he laughed and accused me of trying to get out of the payments.
This time Tiren's curse wasn't soft. Iliyone jumped with fright and Will stopped scowling at his carrots, even Aura stared at her father in amazement. Finally Tiren muttered. Excuse me, I'll be in my room. Striding across the room he disappeared into a adequate sized bedroom, slamming the door.
Aura was troubled even further when her mother threw down her fork and knife and burst into sudden tears. It would be a restless night.