The Fairy Diary Day 231 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Our sadness lifted the instant Dunfallon landed with his eagle, accompanied by an ambassador from the Dromadil pixies. They were rushed immediately into the Laguayil council chamber where Nililitil received them with much pomp and ceremony. 

While the ambassador negotiated with the Laguayilian leader, Dunfallon filled us in about his latest adventures. 

He looked hard and long for these pixies, and at last uncovered them in burrows beside a lake that sits across from the former land of the dark elves. He was received as a great curiosity at first but when he explained that he was there on the behalf of the elves of light he was almost expelled bodily. 

On a whim our pixie scavenged the area and discovered the presence of the infamous black plants. 

After disposing them, even Dunfallon, as well as the Dromadilians were horrified to see the black crystalline structure across the lake from their burrow. 

From that moment it was easy to convince these other pixies the need to reach out to their former allies. 

And as if that wasn’t enough to rejoice about – before their ambassador had been selected to return with him – who should show up in the burrow of the Dromadilians but our missing wizard. 

And with a twinkle in his eye, our pixie informed us that Merlin will soon be with us here in Laguayil – once he has helped stave off an imminent attack. 

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Reuben was ebullient to be in touch with Tomas after his epic search for him. The feeling was mutual since they had much in common to discuss as they went along.

It was from their discussion that we learned about a side effect to my destruction of Stan’s idol.

The alliance between the armies of the East and North had been forged while the Supreme Commander was still alive. When the government forces left their fortifications to mount an attack on them, the leader of the Northern army suspected he had been betrayed and slew the Supreme Commander. When the government forces retreated for no apparent reason, the triumphant leader concluded it was from his action.

But we know differently.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seventeen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A fine powder coated everything out of doors in the city. No one could identify it. So the unease of yesterday returned.

Elijah and I were kept quartered close to the Supreme Commander’s command center. Tomas stopped in and out throughout the day and gave us updates. He had been tasked to analyze the powder. Was it by design from the enemy?

He had a breakthrough come afternoon. The material in combination with another compound is highly combustible when water is present.

It made little sense until someone else realized the attack may be directed at the river coming into the city or the tanks fed by the desalination plants.

Thus the army must decide whether to evacuate or not.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Thirteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We did not see Tomas  the rest of the day yesterday. Because of the good report we did not think it odd. But when he did not show this morning, we wondered if another attack was underway.

We asked to go into the city and were denied. The first time ever.

When Elijah asked to go down to the harbor and the desalination plants, our guards granted the request.

To our surprise the docks were empty of ships. A few were out in the harbor – warships.

We expected to see Tomas at the desalination plants, but were again disappointed.

Sensing that he needed our intercession, we sought out a place to be in the presence of the One who sees.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our guards kept us back and away from the perimeter while a special unit toiled away removing the bodies left in the wake of yesterday’s attack.

I was wondering if the true inspiration behind the incident could be laid at the machinations of our bête noir, Moglen, when Elijah interrupted my train of thought with an apology and an explanation.

He also had sighted Moglen yesterday and not told me. He had gone over to the holding pens (his apology was for that action, having traveled somewhere without me). Its inhabitants proved to be deranged, beyond all reach, completely unsalvageable. And he can state with certainty that Moglen was indeed responsible for the opposition that arose from there – and more.

Day One Thousand Ninety Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli walked into a bit of trouble today. He was off on his own exploring and looking into what else had transpired during the attack. Without a guard.

He came across a burial detail, (some of the injured had died) the members of which confronted him for trespassing where he shouldn’t. They became outwardly hostile when they realized who he was, or rather who his associates were.

They hold us directly responsible for the attack. and made it clear that we weren’t wanted.

I believe the situation would have escalated into violence, if Tomas had not interfered.

(Elijah had dispatched him on the errand).

There is a subtle change in the air. Going forward we shall be walking a tightrope.

Day One Thousand Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We continued to languish, albeit in comfortable surroundings, awaiting the return of the Supreme Commander. No explanation was given. Indeed many people came and went, but any conversation was strictly official and never about us in particular.

Among ourselves we speculated about the Captain’s ship. How he so desires to go down and visit her. And to inquire if any of the old crew were still shipping in her.

He entertains the possibility that his individual mission is somehow bound up in her presence here.

Late in the day we witnessed a clash along the outer defenses.  The attack was easily driven back.

Then we intimated the obvious reason behind the continued absence of the Supreme Commander.

Elijah remains serene.

Day Eight Hundred Fifty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I took Elijah’s words to heart and pondered them during my quiet times. It required chasing away the images of our friends in dire straits. Something not easy to do, for I did not want to miss any opportunity to intercede for them in what I was sure was their current peril.

Elijah kept us on the move. Forward. For the only other way would be back to the scene of the attack upon us.

I took comfort from the fact that these rock formations hem us in on each side.

It was then that I realized that the Spirit had used the attack to channel us forward. In a way l feel it has helped to confirm our destination.

Day Eight Hundred Forty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

More barking. And not just one or two. The thought that a pack may be trying to work up the courage to attack caused us to greet the morning with thankfulness.

We stood down in a valley between two ranges of dunes. We were pleased to see that our hill had gained in stature, in great part due by comparison, I am sure, to our position within this sort of valley.

Elijah pointed down its length and said, “Tomorrow we shall turn the corner.”

On my watch I resolved to rein in my excitement at the new step ahead of us. I knew if I were to fail, it would only eat away at me and sleep would be impossible.

Day Eight Hundred Thirty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Despite our times on and off watch through the night and then the daylight hours, Elijah and I continued to gain strength. Partaking of the well water liberally, helped tremendously.

I was on the last watch before our departure when the jackals returned. I nudged Elijah awake.

As it was still light, we had a better view of these animals than last time.

They were horribly deformed, as well as emaciated. Their obvious hunger was spurring them to the attack.

Elijah cracked the lead one on the head with his staff. Its skull fractured in pieces and its body fell in a heap. The other jackal turned and fled.

We set out as planned, remaining on guard against its return.