The Fairy Diary Day 301 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

After a few difficult sections in which we had to climb down a rock face to access a bridge across a vast crevice and then up the rock face on the other side, our way improved. The floor beneath our feet was flat and level making for easy going. 

And time to think and ponder. The light from Willie’s cage was bright and even, but the shadows around us were constantly on the move. 

It was uneasy to sense that there was an evil still out there. Many of its agents we have encountered and overcome- but it itself remains hidden. 

What lies behind the image of the black bird? That evil spirit that animates our opposition. 

That line of thought was broken with the sound of a distant ocean drifting in from the passage ahead.

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The Fairy Diary Day 245 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Down from the mountains we passed onto the foothills. Our road now is surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Dunfallon, surprisingly, does not wander off to take in the sights and aromas of burgeoning blossoms. (He did pick a few wild flowers and presented them to Noralei – which she received graciously).

Here and there we passed elves superintending the work of the bees. They were friendly when they caught sight of us, but none set aside what they were doing to come talk. 

They did not need to as it turned out. Six elves appeared at the head of a bridge and surrounded us to hold up our passage. Word had come to them to expect travelers that fit our description. We confirmed our identity with Nililitil’s passport, and with that they allowed us to pass over. 

With one request- to join them for dinner at the Blue Daffodil, an inn just a bit down the road.

Day One Thousand Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli’s appearance set us back another day as we struggled with conflicting views of its meaning. Half of our party were sure that no further members were necessary for our mission. In fact, they argued it may very well be detrimental.

I was confident in the message imparted to me in my dream. But no one else had a confirmation. Even Elijah – who merely proclaimed that the time for our departure was decidedly – “not yet.”

After our initial confusion at Elijah’s direction we took up again our active waiting stance.

We did not wait long.

The dry stream bed below the bridge babbled to life. But instead of water, a blood red liquid coursed down its cascades from somewhere above.

Day Eight Hundred Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were exhausted by the time morning rolled along, having been awake and moving all day and night.

Our path was easy going, helped along by the glow of the moon while it was up.

Still, as we turned in for the daylight hours, my mind was overfull with the trek so far.

The events from the bridge to the rock formation run over and over in my thoughts, colored by my apprehension that a drone might overtake us before we found it. And the trek through the desert night carried its own unease as we were alert to find our next landmark. A well that should mark an end to this effortless pathway.

It helps to breathe and pray.

Day Eight Hundred Thirty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our roundabout route via the wadi to the spot beneath the bridge consumed the rest of the day. But we remained there over night not because of the coming on of night, but because of the drone that was sniffing at our heels.

It was still present this morning. By the pattern of its movements we could tell it was combing back and forth, scanning each wadi. At one point it stopped midair as though contemplating something under its gaze.

Both of our hearts leapt with the thought that Quasimo’s cousin was the object of its scrutiny. And we both sighed with relief when it continued on without perpetrating any deadly action.

Elijah lowered his staff and we moved on.

Day Eight Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The traffic noise from the road was strong all night and intensified this morning. From our remove we scanned the length of the road section in view for the best point of crossing.

We set out for our chosen spot, but were overtaken on the way by Quasimo’s cousin. She had been dispatched to us with a warning.

A drone had circled the encampment at sunup, disappeared southward, then returned and headed westward. Quasimo believes it will return again and then head northward. She relayed his compulsion that we be alerted to that possibility.

We thanked her, only to have our gratitude increased when she suggested we follow the wadi around to the right where it crosses under a  bridge.

Day Five Hundred Ninety #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

No one liked the look of the sky today as we set sail.  It was dark and menacing.

Mr. Kagi haunted the bridge, hovering over each and every decision made by either the Captain or Tomas. And almost precipitated an incident by his insistence that we ignore a directive from the warship to halt.

The Captain sensibly put him in his place.

Thus, we received aboard three more passengers- two guards and their charge, the Raj twin P. We are to deliver them with our cargo.

Thankfully P is not being held under close arrest. So Elijah and I will be allowed to meet with him as long as at least one guard is present.

We will take every opportunity.

Day Five Hundred Seventy Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was reluctant to rejoin life outside the special cabin.  Not because of a foreseen consequence to my person, but because of what the day held for our people and for one in particular.

And it was not out of a sense of duty that I went to the Raj twin P, but out of true concern and love to prepare him for coming events.

First I sought out the Captain on the bridge to tell him about the imminent arrival of a manned warship. Elijah was also on the bridge conversing with P. So I called them over.

And as predicted a warship entered the harbor before nightfall, carrying personnel to man the ships and with demands on us.

Day Five Hundred Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas broke into the ward room mid-breakfast to alert the Captain to the presence of a lone ship on the horizon. At once the Captain left for the bridge. Elijah and I followed behind.

The speck was a ship, but whether merchant or a tanker it was impossible to make out for certain, even with binoculars. But by all appearances it was blocking the channel to our next port.

Pirates are not unheard of in this region, so the Captain made a snap decision to change course and make for a port on the opposite side of the island we had been heading for.

Much to everyone’s relief, the speck did not pursue us. It remained steadfast on station.

Day Five Hundred Fifty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I cannot help thinking about our recent guests and their enchantment with those green clad islands, as we pass by visions of surpassing beauty found only in the islands of these climes. They would have asked to move in for a closer look, maybe even have begged to land.

I know I have had such longings. But I realize that we have a schedule to keep and more pressing matters to see to.

Elijah remained in the special cabin all day. I alternated between the bridge and the Purser’s office, lending a hand to Tomas or P as the need arose.

Again a whole day has passed and no ship sightings. It would be disconcerting if we didn’t know why.