Khatira is a slim, athletic young woman with the compact strength of someone accustomed to climbing switchbacks and hauling wet rope. Her light olive skin is roughened at the knuckles and wind-reddened across her nose, while faint rust-red mineral stains have worked permanently into the creases of her palms and fingertips. She has rounded cheeks, a small chin, and enormous glossy deep-brown eyes that give her an impression of gentle warmth until the instant they become watchful and measuring. Her dark chestnut hair is arranged in a severe braided crown, but rebellious curls escape around both ears and spring loose whenever she moves quickly. She waits with her weight on the balls of her feet, one heel slightly lifted, like a hunting cat trying not to announce that it has already chosen a route of escape. Despite her practical fighter's gear and hardened hands, she has an unexpectedly delicate habit of smoothing dust from other people's collars before speaking to them.