The Fairy Diary Day 411 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Between Dunfallon and myself the conviction is growing that something is in operation actively opposing our progress. In comparing his two perspectives- up high or at canyon level – the pixie declares that the two do not line up. 

And the rest of us on the canyon floor were puzzled by strange sights. When you stood in one spot and looked about – each direction appeared to be a mirror image of the same view. One departed from that spot in one direction and returned to the very same place from another direction. 

Since all our efforts appeared to be of no avail, when Dunfallon next rejoined us, I said until further notice we would be retracing our steps to the river and attempt another route altogether. 

It took some trial and error, but because of Rumble’s additions to his map we arrived back at the river safely.

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The Fairy Diary Day 410 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It has been a frustrating day. Rumble’s map contains very few details for this area, so we wandered into a canyon that seemed to be the main route only to discover it to have no outlet – just a blank wall at the end. 

Even from overhead navigating proved tricky. Dunfallon directed us away from an apparent blind canyon that turned out to be the route we wanted. Noralei saw from our perspective that an arch crossed the passage and not a cliff wall. 

We decided to stay put and let our pixie fly down the various branches at the canyon level to isolate the ‘true’ way. 

I was beginning to think we were up against some kind of enchantment, but there was no indication of the like from any of my three pendants. 

And in all this waiting our hatchling exhibited more wakefulness and required more attention to stop her from wandering away. 

Gibley thinks we need to find the home of his people the dragon handlers sooner than later.

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 143 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Our adventures of yesterday, had pushed us some distance off of the path that Caywyn had planned and placed us closer to one of the troll army camps than we would have liked. Hence a good deal of the day was spent in getting us back on track while trying not to be noticed. 

I sent Dunfallon over to the canyon early and he brought back word that the flood waters had receded. Caywyn greeted the news gladly and said that everything must now be clear all the way up to the capital. 

While the four of us followed the Captain back to the canyon rim I talked to him about what to expect when we got to the capital. Was there a protocol we needed to observe when asking for an audience with the one eyed king? 

Caywyn stopped and said, “What one eyed king? My cousin Nimrood has both his eyes.”

I did not know what to say.

The Fairy Diary Day 142 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The roar of the waters still rings in my ears. And I am so thankful that we are all safe. 

We were following the stream until we came to a fork in the path beside it. Caywyn directed us to the one that climbed upward away from the stream. 

I was talking with the Captain about their fort of last resort and he was very hesitant about answering. I was beginning to think better of my questions when my pendant tugged down at my neck. My thoughts turned abruptly to the scroll. I removed it from my quiver and there saw a single word from the High Fairy. 

“Beware!”

As I looked up a flight of black birds flew into view overhead from behind us. They circled our little band, then sped off. 

Moments later the rush of many waters reverberated up from the lower reaches of the canyon. 

Without a word Caywyn scooped all of us up and ran. 

Before we knew it the water was rising from the stream below and was swirling up the path behind us. Then a cloud burst overhead and dumped its torrents to join the rising flood. 

Through it all Caywyn remained steadfast and found dry land to place beneath our feet. 

We stayed put the rest of the day.

The Fairy Diary Day 140 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It was Caywyn’s turn to impress us today. As promised beforehand he had to leave us on our own while he went to take care of something. 

We continued on by following his instructions, keeping to the path by the stream. Thankfully there were no signs of trolls, nor of anything else to menace us.

Actually there was not much else for us to see down there, just the same path and the same stream. However the canyon changed as we went along. Its walls seemed to stretch taller and taller. 

This troubled Rumble. He consulted his map and there discovered that this path dead ended somewhere up ahead. 

And so it proved after we rounded the last corner and saw that we were in a box canyon with a blank cliff wall before us. 

It was then that Dunfallon remarked that Caywyn’s notes on his map showed the path continuing. We were wondering what this all meant when Noralei interrupted by pointing out the figure of a human high above us on the cliff face. 

Caywyn waved down to us, then threw his whole weight into switching a huge lever. And slowly the cliff before us opened. 

We settled in to wait for Caywyn to make his way back to us.

The Fairy Diary Day 138 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Our departure did not go unchallenged. Caywyn thought that by restricting any activity on the side from which we exited, we would not draw attention to ourselves. Instead a live troll was waiting for us when we emerged. Only the fact that he was more surprised than we were, saved us. 

The troll was slow to attack and misstepped when he did, falling headlong backwards, splitting his head wide open. 

Caywyn checked the vicinity and finding no further opposition, quickly led us away from the outpost. He kept us out of sight for the rest of the day following a stream in a canyon that he says is far from the main road and the camps of the troll army.

The Fairy Diary Day 133 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We are at a standstill. Dunfallon brought back the news that the outpost at our front is occupied – by humans. They are armed and vigilant and sent a flight of arrows after the pixie. (Though I presume all they saw was the eagle).

Rumble says they are similarly alert on the approaches from the ground. 

Because of the way it is situated – nestled in the hollow of a canyon – he could not scout the other side. 

We could fly up and over the cliffs to either side, but Dunfallon believes there are lookouts stationed along both sides. (From where I stand I do see one tower built on the right hand side).

My companions think we should try anyway. 

But I question if this might be the time. Would it be best to go in and introduce ourselves? And ask to be taken to their leader, Nimrood?

Day One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Sy and two of his people have joined us thanks to the skills of our intrepid Tomas. But they brought with them an even greater tale of deliverance.

One day behind us, they were also caught in the region of the earthquake. They had been spotted and pursued by an army patrol. Cornered in a dead end canyon they had given up all hope – when the earthquake struck. Before their eyes the ground split and swallowed their adversaries. Closing over them with a crash.

After a brief rest Sy and Tomas went down to our observation lookout.

They brought back the news that a truck had arrived with a huge crate strapped to its bed. And an automobile carrying Mawuli.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We passed into very familiar territory last night. By tomorrow we should be back in the hiding place.

Some things raised concerns and momentarily threw us off our stride. For instance, once we had to find another route when the normal one through a canyon had a collapsed wall. The debris had blocked off all access.

It had not been that way when Reuben last passed through.

And it was eerie to tiptoe around the abandoned army outposts that before had complicated movements in and out of the hiding place.

Tomas surmised that all army personnel have been collected into the valley of decision for the battle we all know is coming.

Thoughts about that coming event intruded my rest.