The Fairy Diary Day 219 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Out of abundance of hospitality our captors only questioned us until they were satisfied that we had nothing to do with the flooding of their city. (Well, not intentionally). Then, they fed us and gave us a room for the night. With two guards at the door and two more at the window. 

Their questions today were all about our mission or as they expressed it – just what are you doing here in our land?

Navril, the elf who restrained Dunfallon yesterday took us into the elf council where the leader Nililitil presided and introduced us. 

Thankfully they know Merlin – favorably so – which is a plus in our favor. As for the High Fairy and the Faerie Kingdom they know little, nor do they care to know more. 

But when we mentioned the dark elves and the far away black crystalline structure they were all ears. What we had described was something from their long ago history, something that no longer exists to their knowledge. 

With that Nililitil brought us up to the highest spot in their city. And there pointed us to the spot on the horizon where we knew the crystalline structure should have been. But wasn’t. 

We were at a loss for words.

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The Fairy Diary Day 217 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Before we set out we listened to Rumble as he gave a rundown on the peoples that inhabit this city now in view. When he mentioned it was inhabited and belonged to elves, Noralei drew back with concern. 

Dunfallon was quick to allay her apprehension and pointed out from his studies he knew that they were directly opposed to the dark elves and had been involved in bringing about their downfall. In some quarters he explained they were known as elves of the light. 

At that point my pendant seemed to gain weight, tugging at my neck, and I added without careful thought that we must exercise caution in our approach for who knows if such is still the reality.

My friends just stared at me until I regained my composure and assured them my words were not definitive. It was just my normal caution coming out. 

My whole train of thought was interrupted when we came upon the spot where our stream emptied into a broad river. A river whose destination lay in the city ahead. 

We decided to travel parallel to the river’s path rather than on it.

The Fairy Diary Day 216 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon is still heartsick today over his fears that his beloved eagle is trapped within Merlin’s castle. (His mood was such that I almost sent him back on his own). 

Rumble engaged him in a heart to heart talk. Dunfallon shared with me the gist of it later – he knows we must soldier on per the High Fairy’s orders and must trust others like his excellency and the fairy troops to do their part, just as they are trusting us to do ours.

That was about the time that Noralei reported back with word that we are coming to the end of this jungle and that a city is now in sight ahead. 

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei writes:

Today was beyond dark. To me. The sunny blue skies open to everyone else were closed behind the shutters of my denial.

I can still hear the sounds of celebration around the city – voices raised in laughter and exultation. Happy throngs weaved about the streets calling to their fellows, congratulating one another for their triumph over their foes.

Then they began to lavish gifts on one another, declaring their independence from any and all restrictions.

I kept well away from them all.

I would almost despair if I did not have faith in the promises. There was a time before when these feelings would have crushed the very life from me.

I tell myself it will all be over soon.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Had we entertained beforehand the thought of going to Damascus, we would have changed our minds when the city came into view. It was a city no longer. What was left was little bigger than a village. A village broken down and smoldering.

I had a flash of concern for our people in the hiding place. And wondered if what befell Damascus had spread its impact that far afield.

Elijah spoke up and put my mind at ease with his assurances.

Tomas, soon after, diverted us onto another path and what was left of Damascus slipped from our view.

I wish I had talked once more with Tomas before he and the Captain took the lead and departed this life.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I understood Elijah’s decision. It was a nod to the concern held by the majority within the hiding place. Though I was willing to go along, I felt that a latitude should be granted to those who will operate the drones to utilize them when and where necessity dictates.

I insisted that he and I go out with Quasimo on a test run. We chose to take a peek at Damascus.

We put some distance between us and the hiding place before launching.

Though the city was small in the viewfinder, a stream of activity was clearly discernible going in and out – unmistakably tanker trucks.

On the way back, Elijah asked if we could take a look at Jerusalem tomorrow.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Eighteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The events of the day blurred the moment artillery shells crashed down into the city.

The day began with the decision to somehow displace the powder from critical areas throughout the megapolis. Tomas had made lists and sent out units with the assignment.

The fact that Tomas had guessed correctly was confirmed by the falling artillery shells on those specific targets.

Thankfully they had been able to clear all of the targeted areas, except one. Otherwise the resultant conflagration would have been much wider spread. As it was, ironically, it impacted most severely the loyalists of the world government. Little effort was expended on their behalf.

Elijah and I waited for Tomas’s return to inform him we had our sign.

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 Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It’s just the three of us now. But with Tomas constantly on the move, for all practical purposes, it is just Elijah and myself. And because the guards outnumber us every way we turn, I can’t help but feel a prisoner even though we can go anywhere we please.

Paramount to me is the timing for our departure. Elijah is less concerned. He is preoccupied with being ready to counter whatever designs Moglen and Stan have in store for us.

He thinks that as soon as they have the situation in hand as regards the army of the North, they will again turn their focus on this city.

Strange, it propels me to pray for those who aren’t with us.

Day One Thousand Forty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Few pedestrians were walking the roads. Almost none were headed away from the city like we were. Any we saw were fleeing the countryside. They cast suspicious glances our way in passing.

Our only occasional companions outward bound were the army convoys. Thankfully they ignored us.

We paid particular attention to the tanker trucks lumbering by. Those inward bound. None were driven by our old comrade Elam.

I found another shady spot for us to pass the most grueling part of the day.

A couple of city bound groups stumbled upon us in turn. They collected themselves, all the while averting their gazes, and walked on without a word.

None of them seemed to like the look of Elijah’s staff.