The Fairy Diary Day 478 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It is always difficult to wait upon others when you want to launch out into action yourself. So I understood what my pixie friend was going through. Though I did keep an eye upon him all day, and gave him various tasks with which to occupy himself. 

Noralei forged a ring and affixed the crystal into its setting. Then she pocketed it while rejoining Dunfallon in further testing for the other crystals. The largest one proved to have an interesting property. Each time Cluyjil breathed on it the light emanating from its interior lasted longer. And the more it was exposed to him the brighter it glowed. There was a definite accumulative effect. 

I began to think that we may have chosen the wrong crystal to mount on the ring. But Noralei guessed my line of thought and chided me for it. She said if somehow we can charge it to last for days – that will free both dragons to send with the assault team to the other side. 

At that thought I could not gainsay her. 

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Day Six Hundred Sixteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

From an early hour, Elijah was wrestling with the decision of what to do next. None of us could help him, for each of us had a different and conflicting answer. He listened readily enough, but shook his head at each suggestion.

But probably most surprising of all has been his decision to reverse himself about going to Mr. Kagi’s uncle on the other side of the city. Both the Captain and Tomas reacted as though Elijah had lost his senses. The Captain’s ire in particular has been awakened.

I stepped forward as peacemaker and pointed out that we do not yet need to take any action and that it is in our best interest not to at this time.

Day Three Hundred Sixty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A tragedy transpired over night. We only know the aftermath at present. Who knows if anyone aboard knows the whole story. For certain, no one knows the reason for it except the victim, if indeed he is a victim. Whichever is the case, he is beyond our reach.

In the first watch of the new day, the guard who kept to their cabin, left it, ran to the rail and leapt over it. There were three witnesses to his action – the officer of the deck and a hand from the engine room up on a break.

And Elijah. He saw the guard’s action. And confirms that the other witnesses were present to see it too.

Elijah thinks he lost hope.

Day Three Hundred Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The message of Elijah is spurring some action on the waterfront. People are lining up seeking passage away from the city.

I was among them, and had just secured a place for us on a container ship departing in six days, when the soldiers showed up. They waded into the crowd and began dispersing it right and left.

Elam saw his opportunity. He collected the remnants and led them apart and offered to take them all out another way.

I was successful in keeping the soldiers occupied elsewhere. Stan had joined those guarding the piers and sent the extra to “look after me.”

I asked him where he planned to be in seven days.

His look told me “not here.”

Day One Hundred Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Both Lyle and I sense that the future is crashing in on us. I, at least, want to stop and take stock. Lyle is all for charging in and removing Kip and Grazie from their situations.

And that is the question, is it time for action or time to wait?

Circumstances made the decision for us.

Some of the east end leaders came to Lyle demanding that he make a deal for the machines. So he was tied up meeting with them and for the most part he was successful in dissuading them from that folly.

It was afternoon before we met with Kip. Good news. He’s on track appointing a successor. Our remaining concern is how to help Grazie.

Day One Hundred Forty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The first district gate was wide open when we arrived mid-morning. Kip was not waiting for us outside. We found him inside, seated in the square.

Lyle had wanted to come alone and leave me with the harvest crews in the field. There is some wisdom to such a course of action, but I could not acquiesce. Still he made me state my case before relenting. I brought up two points: one, Kip was expecting both of us, and two, Grazie, if there, was expecting me.

As it turns out, Kip was alone, and he has never heard of anyone named Grazie. But he did share the same warning, beware his fellow leaders, especially Moglen. He returned with us.