The Fairy Diary Day 261 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We are still in the deserted fishing village. All attempts to take either of the roads out of the town failed just beyond the last buildings. We encountered a barrier, much like the one described in the reports concerning the area around the black crystalline tower. 

So we concentrated on the village itself looking for clues or any explanations for this enchantment. 

Dunfallon and Noralei checked out the east end, while Rumble and I went down to the harbor quarter. Rumble continued on the road to the north with the intent to work his way back from there. 

I entered several of the buildings – both shops and homes – they were all neat and tidy. It was as if they were expectant of the soon return of their owners.

I turned my attention to the harbor. It was different there – the ones out by the harbor mouth – which we had passed on the way in – only had their masts showing (probably more than anything that sight is what had spooked the captain). But the ones tied up along the quay seemed gray and fuzzy. Upon closer examination I realized they were covered in hornets’ nests. 

But no hornets. 

That is when Nora happened by. He saw me too and came over to talk. I asked him if he had seen anything of interest in the bay. And at the same instant I added “were there any rivers or streams emptying into the bay?”

This tickled the water horse’s curiosity and he set out to explore. 

As we gathered this evening all our observations were similar and we all await eagerly to hear from Nora. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 258 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Finally Captain Dorgone has the ship on our desired heading. Northward, with following seas. (Thanks to Merlin, I do believe).  

The captain and Goff suspect that Hawk was the one who had tied down the rudder. Especially having learned what Noralei had observed about him on their shift.  She recognized the cord used on the rudder as unique to him and further suspects it has magical qualities. (Merlin is examining its remains). 

His disappearance though remains a mystery. Was he a hapless victim in the storm? Or having accomplished his designs had he escaped somehow? Rumble thinks he may well have been a dark elf. 

Dunfallon kept pestering the wizard for news about his friends up in Dromadil, especially the troll Geog. I pulled the pixie aside and promised we’d all confer together with Merlin some time later this evening after seeing to our important tasks. 

I know I am just as curious as he is.

The Fairy Diary Day 250 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Between the captain and ourselves we decided to stop our enlistment efforts after securing just two other crew members. Rumble, Noralei, Dunfallon and myself agreed to actively participate in the tasks of sailing the ship – under his instruction of course.

(Besides we have other skills that should prove helpful on our passage north).

We followed the fishing fleet out of the bay in the wee small hours of the morning. When it turned south, we turned north. 

The captain split the crew into two watches – Rumble and myself will report to the older elf, Goff, for the day shift – and Noralei and Dunfallon will serve with a much younger elf, (who wants to be called Hawk), on the night watch. 

It was a good day for sailing with favorable winds. Though they are pushing us northwards there is a good deal of westering which is needed to round the shore that is directly ahead. The land no one will name lies further west, then north. 

The Fairy Diary Day 148 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The capital is now just moments away. But we are cut off by the encircling siege lines thrown up by the troll army. Caywyn thinks we can access the secret underground entrance if we can make our way over to it, and if no troll troops have set up near by. 

We assured the Captain that we can come up with a means to cloak our approach, even with our huge new friends. 

He weighed in with two new caveats – we might not be able to enter ourselves without first notifying those inside of our intentions so the guards therein can be ordered to stand down. And he is sure that Geog and Grimace are too big for the tunnel. 

I proposed a solution to the first and had Dunfallon summon his eagle. And with the password from Caywyn sent them off to see Nimrood. 

Now we just need a solution for the second.

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 141 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We bivouacked in the cave entrance through the night and Dunfallon peppered the Captain with questions most of that time. Somehow the rest of us could ignore them and slumber peacefully. 

Still the two were none the worse for wear in the morning. The pixie was given the task and means of closing the opening on this side, while Caywyn left us to open the way at the end of our traverse. 

We would have been forced to struggle along with the one torch that Caywyn provided, but Noralei had a most ingenious lantern she had made for herself while with Merlin. It was as if it held a bit of the Wisp. 

Once we emerged Caywyn left us again to go up and close the gate on this end. 

It gave us much to discuss when we took up our march again to the capital. 

We were curious about the secret fort of last resort that we had passed through and wondered what lay beyond what little we had seen within.

The Fairy Diary Day 136 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Caywyn took us up to the tower on the cliff and there we looked into the territory beyond. Several camps of trolls were spread out surrounding the capital city in the distance. One of which guarded the exit at the end of the canyon in back of the outpost. 

The Captain pointed out columns of smoke along the main road to the capital that mark the smoldering ruins of other outposts. 

A sobering realization settled in upon us. Dunfallon though was the first to recover and with enthusiasm asked when we were  departing for the capital. 

After we all burst out laughing, I looked to Caywyn and together we said, “The day after tomorrow!”

The Fairy Diary Day 135 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Caywyn is a prince of a man. And not just in character. He is distantly related to the Nimrood family – and thus minor royalty and loyal to them. 

If I were to call on a human to represent my interests I could not do better than this Captain of the Guard from Azhnastria. 

And so say all of us. 

We passed the day under his tutelage. He explained the recent history of this human kingdom and how that colors the task before us of traveling to the capital. The troll army which devastated the area we have crossed so far has broken through into the plains beyond this outpost and is threatening Azhnastria. 

And there are whispers that they lie in wait for such as us.

The Fairy Diary Day 134 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I made the decision to go into the outpost alone. My friends remained outside and observed. 

I kept to the road and approached slowly, doing my best to be non threatening. (I left my bow and quiver with Rumble. Though I admit given my size I probably could not scare anyone).

Soon all eyes were on me. I could feel it. The guards at the gate allowed me to come right up to them. 

The one in charge knelt and asked me, “Would you happen to be the fairy named Meribabell?”

I barely squeaked out a “Yes,” so great was my surprise. 

And he added with a grin, “Then where are your companions?”

Such was my introduction to the Captain of Nimrood’s personal guard, Caywyn, and soon his introduction to all of us, as I brought my friends in at his invitation.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei and Mawuli brought us in to the hiding place with a minimum of difficulty. There was no quelling the celebration that greeted our safe return. Only the news about Tomas and the Captain dampened the spirits of some, those that knew and loved them.

At the first opportunity Reuben and Sy sought an audience to relay important intelligence. Both had just returned from Jerusalem. Stan is indeed there, gloating over his ‘complete victory.’ A conclusion he claims since he is the ‘last leader standing.’ And though triumphant the general feeling among his followers is an abiding hatred towards Elijah and his followers.

Because they realized we would soon be going there, they were begging the honor to accompany us.