The Fairy Diary Day 409 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We are making our way, best we can, to the cavern outside of which Dunfallon discovered the dragon training staff. He reported that there are no direct paths to it. All of the canyons on this side run away from it. According to Rumble’s map we could follow the river to a canyon that runs directly to it – but it looks to be five times as long as going straight over the top of the mountainous plateau between here and there.

For his part, Gibley apologized that he could offer no help. The first time he was outside of his goblin home was on the inside of the bag held by the dark elves. 

In thinking over the problem I could not help but surmise that the other cavern spotted by our pixie might just be another entrance into the place we want to be. And despite its access looking to be the most difficult canyon to traverse we chose to challenge it. 

And if it proves a dead end we shall attempt going over the high plateau.  

The Fairy Diary Day 408 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Last night we arrived on the banks of the river. It was a wild sight. Immense and roaring. We moved back from it, the better to rest. 

The river looked even wilder in the morning light. We sat down to think through our options for getting over. We knew we fairies would be able to fly across, our only concerns were for Gibley and the hatchling. 

Dunfallon announced that while we talked it over, he was going aloft to look for narrower places to cross. So our pixie was not around when we heard a voice call out from the river. 

Noralei was the first to spot him – it was Nora the waterhorse. He skipped through the rolling torrents, hallooing all the way over to our side. 

It was a joyous reunion. 

Noralei explained our predicament to him, and he volunteered immediately to carry each of us across the raging river. I, for one, did not mind saving my wings the exertion. 

Nora was a little skittish about carrying the hatchling, but Noralei convinced him that when wrapped around its special staff she was as docile as a lamb. 

And after we explained what a lamb was to Nora, he took Gibley over first, so the hatchling could focus on him. 

By the end of their crossing the two – Nora and the hatchling – grew quite fond of one another. 

Dunfallon arrived back just in time to join us in thanking Nora and bidding him goodbye.

The Fairy Diary Day 407 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We stumbled across a cave entrance that had eluded Dunfallon’s notice from the air, so Gibley just had to check it out. While I stayed outside with a dozing hatchling, the goblin went in accompanied by Rumble and Noralei. 

They were not gone long, for it turned out to be inhabited by an animal of some kind – absent at the moment.

Gibley did find a few scraps to give to his dragon later. 

We were about to move on when Dunfallon dropped in to see us. As he slid off the back of his eagle we all saw that he was wielding a knobby stick and made to strike the hatchling with it. Before any of us could react, the hatchling was awake and threw itself at the stick. It was soon wrapped around it and making contented sounds. The pixie laughed and explained he had found this dragon training staff near the cave that was farthest from the river. 

Dunfallon had recognized it from his library research. And Gibley confirmed its use by his people. 

His hope soared that he may soon be back with them.

The Fairy Diary Day 406 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

With the new information from Gibley, Dunfallon increased the scope of his time aloft on his eagle. We have decided to help the goblin find his people, if they can be found. 

The pixie brought back the location of two possible cavern entrances to goblin lands. Rumble marked them on his map, and he, Noralei and Gibley will check them out as we get closer. 

Dunfallon also has begun to fly higher and has picked out that tower of a mountain that points the way to Merlin’s castle. Its heading he also shared with Rumble. 

However, both Rumble’s maps and the pixie’s observations reveal that a huge river lies between us and all those destinations. 

Hopefully we can find a way to get us all across safely.

The Fairy Diary Day 405 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

A message from the High Fairy brought us news about Merlin that was both good and bad. The other dragon egg has indeed hatched, but its hatchling has proven sickly and requires all the nursing skills he can muster.  Consequently the wizard will be tied up for the immediate future. 

We were so hoping that he would be free to come and relieve us. And perhaps carry Gibley and the hatchling back to his castle. 

I actually broached that topic to the goblin today, thinking he might welcome the wizard’s help. 

His answer surprised us all. 

In a manner it was a confession. He was not a member of the goblins from the Shaft. Rather – his was a special race of goblins whom he believes lives somewhere in the vastness of these canyonlands. Long ago he had been kidnapped by the dark elves and taken to their kingdom for the specific purpose of wrangling a dragon hatchling. His tribe of goblins were famous dragon handlers. 

The only thing is – Gibley was not. The dark elves soon discovered their error and imprisoned him with the goblins of the Shaft. Although accepted into their tribe back when we released them, he wants to make his way back to his people with this hatchling and reclaim his heritage. 

This revelation explained a lot. 

And it left us wondering if those dwarves outside Fliget’s city were sent by someone other than Artoxon.

The Fairy Diary Day 404 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Gibley has found it very difficult traveling out in the light of day. It has been a much bigger trial than he had expected, even though he supplied himself with goggles with very dark lenses. 

His charge, however, has taken quite well to the surface world. That is, whenever she is awake. I do believe she sleeps more than she did back in the land of the dwarves underground. 

Not that I am complaining. It does make it easier to control her. At least for now. 

And whenever Dunfallon returns to us, it is usually with some delicacy for her that he has sought out. Then the pixie confers with Rumble and his map – this gives him a heading for the next leg of our journey – and he flies off to be our eyes and ears again. 

It is easily the best way to traverse the mazes found here in the canyonlands.

The Fairy Diary Day 403 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I regret not going further than outside the other gate, but we were tired and wanted to rest up before venturing out into the canyonlands. My decision resulted in another attempt to wrest the hatchling from Gibley and us. I suspect that Artoxon set the plot in motion. And thankfully we believe neither Fliget nor Gnoston were involved. 

Both Dunfallon and I were awakened from a sound sleep to the sight of two burly dwarves creeping up to the swaddled hatchling. Our cries of protest awakened the others and we rallied around the dragon and its goblin. Rumble and Noralei beat them off with their drawn swords, forcing them to drop the sack into which they hoped to secure the hatchling. She bit the ankle of one of the dwarves before they both stumbled off. 

Our attackers did not enter the city, but made off for the canyonlands. So, we were a bit apprehensive when we exited the land of the dwarves and emerged into the first canyon. And like Rumble once said – a vast army could be hidden down here. 

Thus the very first thing, Dunfallon summoned his eagle and flew ahead as a precaution against being taken unawares.

The Fairy Diary Day 402 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It seems we were kept waiting forever outside the gate to the stronghold city. The guards would not let us pass due to the presence of Gibley’s hatchling. And our demands to see Fliget went unanswered. Finally Gnoston was able to convince them to allow him entry to seek an audience with his friend. 

In the meantime Rumble purchased a hooded cloak from a passing merchant, with which Gibley and Noralei swaddled the hatchling. (It was more to hide her from prying eyes than anything else). 

As his impatience grew, Dunfallon agitated about either taking to the side passages to enter the city or maybe even going up to the surface and be on our way. But I vetoed his first idea as dangerous and reminded him that the quickest and easiest way to the canyonlands was through the city. 

The pixie’s sulk was cut short by the appearance of our friend Fliget – and his explanation for our long wait. He had decided to order all his subjects to stay indoors or to move from the main thoroughfare in order to clear a route through the city for our party to pass through unseen. 

He added an apology that there would be no time consequently to renew our friendship. I told him I understood but later remarked to the others that I felt our friend was being forced to comply to the will of the long arm of Artoxon.

The Fairy Diary Day 401 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We have made good time along the Low-way to the stronghold. We should reach it on our next march. Our pace has been a good deal quicker since we have not had to skulk about as before when we were forced off onto the side passages. 

There is now more traffic in both directions. Of particular note are those obvious shipments from the dwarf mines. The hatchling perks up when they pass by. I think she can smell the gold inside the wooden boxes. At this point it is easy to restrain her curiosity. Dunfallon has become quite handy misdirecting her. 

I believe Gibley is somewhat jealous of our pixie’s way of gaining her obedience.

The Fairy Diary Day 400 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Gnoston was relieved to learn that there will be no more creeping dragons to worry his village. And to see this hatchling being removed from the kingdom was most welcome. He was curious however what our plans were for the beast. 

To this we confessed that we had no say-so over any decisions. And Gibley continues to protest that he has no designs to use his influence other than for the good of the creature. 

I am just thankful that neither dragon egg has fallen into the hands of our unknown enemy. And I entertain the possibility that the goblin will give over his control of this dragon to our friend Merlin. 

Upon reaching the point where the passage to Gilgorgon’s mountain joins the Low-way, we were surprised to see the great doors shut and barred from this side. The sight did not augur well for peace between the two kingdoms of dwarves. 

Such thoughts bore heavily on our minds while Gnoston procured a place of rest for us in the nearby camp of guards. 

We shall soon see our friend Fliget.