Experience with Merimei
Elma does not immediately react, her eyes still filled with suspicion. Gradually she returns to her imposing, yet neutral stance. “You mean to tell me I’ve been oblivious of my enemy’s downfall for two centuries?”
“It’s not that surprising, given how well you’ve hidden yourself from the world.” Wim gestures to the forest around them. “I’ve actually been on a mission for the new governing alliance to find the leaders who escaped the Eastern Capital and spread the news. We only recently received information that pointed us to look for you around here.”
“Wait, how are you even still alive?” Shell cuts in. “You and your friend came to the village hundreds of years ago. Even the longest living people in Merimei have never passed 130!”
“I am not alive, at least not by your definition.” Elma’s gaze softens slightly as she looks up at the canopy above. “I gave up my body shortly after Morrik passed away and took on the shape of this forest. What you see now is a form I’ve lead you to believe is in front of you. You might not be able to see through it with your closed and naive mind, boy, but I imagine this traveller could.”
Wim seems to concentrate for a moment and then her eyes light up. “Would you look at that. I’ve definitely seen similar tricks, but usually I can identify them more easily. You must have been doing this for some time.”
Seeing this, Shell looks up to the tall woman’s form and tries to imagine she isn’t there. The woman’s features almost appear to go blurry for a moment, but as soon as he blinks, the form appears perfectly clear once more.
Seeing her assumption proven correct, Elma turns back to face Wim. “Why were you sent to tell me of the fall of the Eastern Capital? Does this new party of leaders seek something from me?”
“My first task was to determine whether you were still alive. If you were, they had hoped to add your power and wisdom to their ranks. Given what you have just told us however, I imagine you won’t be able to accompany me back to meet with them.” Wim pauses to allow for Elma to affirm this statement. With no clear objection, she continues, “In this case, I’ve been instructed to let you know that you can lower your guard now. In fact, three of the original leaders who overthrew the Eastern Capital specifically wrote in their wills to have someone find you to notify you of this. It seems they knew you would find a way to keep up the resistance, whether offensively or defensively, and they wanted to see you at peace.”
Shell sees the woman raise a hand to her face, and for the briefest moment he thinks he sees a flash of a warm smile on her lips. As she speaks, her tone has noticeably softened, “Nosy fools. They had no reason to believe I would still be around after all this time.” Once again, the woman’s voice is replaced by the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves. As Shell listens, he realizes that the voice no longer seems to be coming from the figure in front of him, but from all around. The voice then speaks up once more, “I’ve done a horrible thing to the people of Merimei. Perhaps it’s time I loosen my grip and hope that Morrik is satisfied with my efforts.”
Though he had been struggling to keep up with many parts in the conversation so far, this last remark catches Shell’s attention. “Wait, are you saying the people of Merimei won’t be cursed anymore?”
“Have you not spent most of your life balking at the ‘curse’, boy?” Elma shoots him a piercing look. “Well, whether you did it out of rebellion or otherwise, you were correct. There has never been a curse on the people of Merimei. All I did was issue the initial warning and ensure that it keeps circulating throughout the generations. Over the years, it became ingrained in the village’s culture to the point I lost control over it.”
Shell’s eyes snap towards Wim for a moment, then in the direction of the village beyond the forest, then back to Elma… or where Elma had been. Shell could no longer see the tall woman anywhere. As he looks back at Wim, the voice returns, this time like a wind whistling between the trees, “You are free to do as you wish. Merimei shall no longer be troubled by this old woman’s stubbornness.”
The forest suddenly seems very still, as if the flora and fauna alike have stopped to let out a quiet sigh of relief. As Shell looks back to Wim, she is walking towards him. “Seems I’ve accomplished my mission. Shall I accompany you back to town?”
“No, I don’t think so.” At first, Shell is surprised by his own reflexive answer. Then after a moment of consideration he continues, “I don’t think this will change anything. As she said, she lost control over the rumour a long time ago. Even if I told Granny and the others in the village that the curse doesn’t exist, even if they believed me, I doubt anything would come of it. I’m the exception when it comes to being content with living the way they do.”
“Seems like you still need some time away then.” Wim extends a hand, inviting Shell to continue down the path leading out of the forest. “How about heading to a bigger city? I’ll need to report back on the situation, so we can keep travelling together for a bit, if that works for you. Perhaps you’ll find your way back down this trail later on.”
“Well, I’ve packed myself up to leave so I might as well. I would appreciate having your guidance… No more surprise detours though!”
