The Fairy Diary Day 561 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Thankfully our vigil was uneventful. Although the turmoil in my mind more than made up for it. I would have been happier to be with them on their search for Gibley. That way I would have seen the danger with my own eyes and not have to suffer through the multiple images from my wild imagination. 

I had something else to preoccupy my thoughts when a breeze commenced flowing from the vicinity of the rift. My sole thought then was that time was running out. I believed my agitation was picked up on by Conjil, bringing her to her feet, but when she moved to the tunnel opening I knew something else was afoot. 

In a rush, Merlin and Dunfallon emerged – followed by Cluyjil bearing Gibley and the strand end. As the wizard and the dragon grew back to their own stature, Merlin explained that the line had become too heavy for Gibley to pull along. 

Tinadell flew in at that instant and spoke to the problem – it was all on account of certain additions he had attached to the line as it paid out. 

All talk ceased with the freshening of the breeze rising in force to a stiff wind. 

I leapt on Conjil and announced that I would fly this end to Noralei down on the other side. Tinadell jumped on behind me. 

When we reached her, she was already prepared. She even had separated out the inner strands of her end all the better to splice it together with ours. 

Tinadell nodded his approval as he effected the reattachment of the two ends into one line. 

When the rest of our party arrived, the Master Weaver instructed them what to do while he and I flew back to his chamber to take up the slack and pull the completed line back up into position. 

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Day One Thousand Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The silence in the wilderness was highly unusual. Not even a breeze disturbed the air around us. And one had the sense that if there were any noise out there, at however great a distance, we would have plenty of time to prepare before we made visual contact.

Thus we heard the footsteps. But we weren’t prepared for what came.

By the sound we knew it could only be a single individual, making his way across the bedrock of the ground to our front.

We halted and waited, confident we would be hidden from view until whatever it was, was past us.

So, we did not see that it was Raj P until then. I bounded out to greet him.

Day Nine Hundred Eighty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A hush hung over us all morning. Not a breeze was stirring anywhere atop the table plateau. All our conversations had the same quality, carried on in undertones. In fact even my thoughts seemed muffled to me.

The anticipated return of the water couriers was no doubt responsible.

I discussed my suspicions with Elijah about who among us may be the tares. Surprisingly of the half dozen I have identified (and the Purser concurs) only one is in uniform.

We thought it wise to have Tomas descend to the camel pen to keep a lookout- for them, and for the return of the water couriers.

The day was far gone when the couriers came over the rim followed by Jezer.

Day Eight Hundred Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I swung around at the first puff of a breeze on the back of my neck. Floating on its variable current, snowflakes fluttered as though down from the moon. I stood enraptured, following the ephemeral choreography and brushing away accumulations from my eyes and beard.

The spell was broken when the moon hid behind the clouds, and I looked down to see my feet covered up to the ankles.

I turned back only to discover that Elijah had continued on, his form just visible in the swirl.

I had to run to catch up.

He chuckled as I rejoined him, saying, “The view is just as good forward.”

And added, “Enjoy, it’ll be gone by second watch.”

And it was.

Day Six Hundred Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The heat radiating from the ground was slow in dissipating in the early part of our trek. Helped along no doubt by the stillness of the air. Not a breath of a breeze came our way.

And we are walking longer in darkness as the moon is rising well after midnight. The Captain says we will soon have moonless nights.

The sky has been clear of all objects except the heavenly ones. This puzzles Tomas and has lead to great unquiet. He wants to know for sure what happened. He wants to head south and see for himself.

I tried to dissuade him, but again Elijah surprised us and suggested that we allow him to pursue that course of action.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The crew has switched to lighter summer attire, and Tomas has allowed the heavier work details to put off  those chores until the cooler parts of the day. Meanwhile the only breeze stirred comes off the bow of the ship.

Elijah spends time with Tomas and those in the crew he has known from before: renewing acquaintance, strengthening and encouraging their walk in the Spirit.

I made my daily report to the Captain. Routine. No changes from yesterday.

For his part, he apprised me of a change in course. Tonight he will order the ship to a northerly tack (to confuse potential pursuers), before resuming our easterly course.

There are possible clients along coastal areas that could signal for services.