She was sitting on the edge of the clear platform, swinging her legs and listening to the gentle sounds of her realm. The Selkic girl sprawled out beside her was stirring, groaning as she tried to sit up.
Good. Raem would wake soon. She needed the caravanner to be awake too, or else she'd have no chance.
She was worried. Too many memories had been lost to him. This girl didn't need to be another of his victims. She was wound too irreplaceably into the thread of her world. So many people knew and loved this strangely flawless, battle-worn Selkie, despite their better judgement.
She smiled to herself, feeling pride flicker as she recognised her handiwork. It had taken a while for her spell to come to fruition, but the caravanner was as youthful and perfect as when she'd started her quest.
Please wake up, caravanner. I need you to wake up.
The Selkie sat up, gasping as she clutched her Queen's Heel to her chest.
How on earth did a girl in weak armour and with a weak weapon get here? I'm surprised she's not torn to shreds. I thought I had chosen a caravanner with power?
But she smiled when she saw the Selkie's eyes open and stare at her calmly. Perhaps her power didn't rely on armour or weapons so much…It had been twenty years, after all.
"You aren't scared, caravanner?"
"Why would I be? But…Where's the giant crater worm? And were you the one who called out to me?"
"The Meteor Parasite is where you left it, in Mount Vellenge. I did not call to you; ah if only I had. You are far unluckier than that."
"Why?"
The girl was sitting on the platform beside her, legs crossed in that nonchalant Selkic way. After watching this girl for twenty-odd years, she felt a strong affection for her chosen one. From the way she always grinned at people and unnerved them, to the way she talked to herself while trekking for myrrh on her own. And the other girl would talk back sometimes. After all, it couldn't hurt, and hadn't.
"Excuse me, but why am I unlucky?"
"Oh!"
She frowned (not that the Selkie could see it), before moving closer. "Well, you aren't meant to be here. You still have memories to spin. You are nowhere near ready. Are you?"
"Ready for what?!" the caravanner asked loudly, anger flickering for a moment.
"For Raem."
"Oh…Wait, who?"
"Listen to me for a second, caravanner. Please, you must hear my story before you go on any further! But we must be quick about it, before Raem awakes."
After hearing the story, her chosen one paused for thought.
"So you are the Queen of Memories, the one from the story?"
"Correct."
"And…You made me immortal?"
Was that a trace of bitterness?
"Yes, I did. I knew you could do this, no matter how long it took. But I could not have you fall prey to the ravages of time."
"What about my friends? They all look the same. No one I know has aged! Even my little brother and sister haven't aged!"
Definitely angry now. But she couldn't understand why. Wasn't it one of the dreams of mortals to lose that status?
"I wanted you to live, surrounded by your loved ones. So that your memories were too bright for Raem."
"But I should be settling down by now! I shouldn't be in this caravan twenty years later! I wanted to have a family of my own after I left the caravan. You took that from me!"
"When you defeat him, I will restore everything to normal. I swear!"
This seemed to placate the Selkie, who got up and walked around the platform.
"So this is…"
"We are near Raem. Don't worry about where you are, other than that detail. Wait, while I take you to him. It will take a while, so rest. You'll need it."
Oh crystal caravanner. I don't even know your name, but I'm entrusting you with the future of your world…