A person of Neshiyah
Eliana Erez, teacher
Teacher
Eliana Erez
Teacher, about 103 years old. Born in Neshiyah, like everyone.
Eliana Erez is a small, bent woman of ninety-nine who still walks the river path every afternoon, her gray hair pinned loosely, chalk dust permanent on her sleeves. She teaches arithmetic to the children with a patient, unhurried voice, but her eyes wander to the window when the fog shifts. Her habit is to ask a question twice, once for the answer and once to see if the answer changes. She believes the fog is the edge of the world and the fields need working, and she believes it the way she believed the valley fever that stole three days from her was a test of patience. The town sees her as its oldest listener, someone who settles arguments by sitting quietly until the shouting wears out. She wants to know who made the river, and whether they meant it kindly. After the fight with Maayan, she brought her bread the next morning, and no one mentioned it again.
Temperament
Curious to a fault; quick to believe what they are told; even-tempered; always in company; given to sitting by the river.
What people say
Eliana Erez believes what everyone believes: the fog is the edge of the world, and the fields need working whether it is true or not.
What the record shows
- day 48 Eliana Erez, the teacher, died at 103, of old age. In their last days people said they were asleep.
- day 35 Eliana Erez sat by the Lethe doing nothing and came back quietly sure that this place was made on purpose by someone who is not against us.
- day 30 Eliana the teacher fell ill with the valley fever and lost three days to it.
- day 19 Eliana and Maayan came to blows at the square over nothing much.
- day 18 A guard on the south path sent Eliana home with wet boots and a reminder that the Council prefers people to mind their trade.
Eliana Erez died on day 48.