The Fairy Diary Day 575 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Crisp and cold air – and a warm dragon – the only way to travel. 

We were traveling along above pillowy clouds, when Willie commenced counting backwards a series of five tens. As he began the count for the final ten, a break in the clouds opened below us. And upon sighting a tiny village in the crook of a brook, Dunfallon brought us down. 

Before we could even dismount wee folk brandishing spears and swords, spilled out of the village and surrounded us. A calamity was averted by the timely arrival of Merlin who emerged from one of the tiny houses, growing in stature as he came. 

At his friendly greeting towards us the wee folk backed down and dropped their warlike stance. Then the wizard introduced us to Emminie the chief of the Sprites. And the little fellow – one wary eye cocked towards our dragon, welcomed us to their village. 

As our joy over finding Merlin mingled with our urgency, we (diplomatically, I hope) declined the wee folks offer of hospitality and took Merlin aside to talk. 

Dunfallon briefed the wizard on his need to accompany us to appear before the Faerie Queen on Noralei’s behalf. 

Merlin agreed. But revealed that he must first fulfill a promise to Emminie and his people. He went on to tell us that he had gone with them willingly when approached for his help. They were at their wits end over two problems. The first was the unseasonal cold – which he explained to them would eventually pass, and the second was a strange rumbling in the ground beneath their village. For this Merlin asked if we could take a side trip to see the trolls about their mining activity and whether it may be affecting the Sprite’s village. 

I am afraid we rushed him out of there with the briefest of farewells to Emminie and the Sprites. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 545 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We have made one circuit of the mountain so far at this level. Stretching out from it in every direction below – as far as one can see – is a solid blanket of clouds. Noralei is now certain that the goblins are nowhere up here on the mountain and suggests that we take up the search in the clouds and below them. 

I am beginning to think that something untoward has happened to Gibley and Glossom and whatever clan members are with them. 

So the three of us mounted Rayjil with the intent to leave this region of the mountain behind. But Rayjil did not respond to Noralei’s commands. She much rather preferred to gambol about the sky above the clouds. 

Finally she was able to get her to alight back on the mountain and Dunfallon slipped off and grabbed the dragon about one ear and whispered something. 

Rayjil perked up and as soon as the pixie was reseated, she took off and dived for the clouds below. 

Flying through these clouds was like unto swimming through a river of rainbows. And coming out of them the light was, of course, not as bright as above them. We made for the multitude of hills drawn up around the base of the mountain. And there found another abandoned goblin hunting camp. 

We settled in and talked through our options. 

The Fairy Diary Day 52 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We were at a loss as to what to do. The clouds had dissipated, yet the mountain goes on and on. And the paths up became more difficult. Dunfallon followed one after the other, only to encounter one dead end after another. 

Rumble and I tried to fly beyond the impasses but were buffeted by increasing winds and forced back. 

At the last I consulted my communications with the High Fairy and there was a new message from him – the single word “Descend.”

We did so. 

Our descent should have been rapid since Dunfallon knew the way and avoided all the false trails. But we were all awash with a sense of defeat and greatly disenheartened. 

I for one look forward to be down and off of these rocks.

The Fairy Diary Day 50 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We stopped just short of the clouds yesterday. They darkened into a thunderstorm and drove us to seek shelter. Thankfully our scout Dunfallon knew a perfect place for us to wait out the storm. A hollow space where a stone should have been, but was not. 

As the storm grew in intensity so did my sense that an evil magic was at play. 

It turned into a fitful night. Dunfallon was hard pressed to keep his goat calm. Rumble himself was constantly pacing. 

We ventured forth the next morning to begin our climb again, we discovered that it was not morning, but night had rolled in again. 

We had lost a day.

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 Eight Hundred Forty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We stared and stared at the western horizon as we chose our camp for the day. And I could not but help continue to inspect the sight each time when serving my watch.

The tiniest of bumps disturbed the line of the horizon. A mountain it was not. A hill maybe.

Elijah and I discussed it when exchanging places. He was certain it was what we were looking for. But suggested that we wait until it ‘grows’ in stature before turning in its direction.

At day’s end when we arose to resume our march, some low-lying clouds obscured the western horizon.

Elijah smiled at me and asked what I thought about fasting until our hill grows into a mountain.

Day Seven Hundred Thirty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

By the time we went into camp last night, the view of our surroundings was cut off by a thick fog. Or they may have been clouds, given our elevation.

This morning, whether it was clouds or fog, they had all dissipated under the gaze of the rising sun. And we could then see the lake winking at us far below.

The way ahead was more difficult, narrowing down to a mere track. Beside us water splashed down the rock bed of the ever present brook.

I looked ahead and could see Tomas stopped on a precipice. And guessed the destination our army companions.

Flashes of white behind Tomas drew my eye to a glacier on the next mountain peak.

Day Six Hundred Twenty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The sun arose unopposed by clouds. It grew warmer each passing minute.

We bid goodbye to our neighbor, thanking him for the cool draft of water his friendship had been to us.

But we had gotten no further than the crossroads when a squad of soldiers blocked our way. Their leader recognized Elijah and ordered his men to arrest him.

Elijah took one step towards them and they fell backward to the ground. Their leader raised a weapon and Elijah merely breathed in his direction.

He was incinerated before our eyes, the flames spreading to the others as they arose to oppose us.

The Captain led the way from there.

Finding the camp empty we pushed on in their wake.

Day Four Hundred Eighty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another hot, dusty day has left me longing for the rains of yesterday. Meager clouds scudded along overhead with not a hint of cooling relief.

But we discovered a stream which flows over a rocky bed and stopped to refresh ourselves. It felt wonderful to wash the dust off of our feet. We took to the road again with a renewed spring to our step.

Conversation circled around the continuing lack of people. We passed through a couple of intact villages. All signs point to a hurried abandonment by the inhabitants.

They appeared to have fled in the same direction we are heading.

Elijah thinks that we may overtake some of them before much longer.
We both hope so.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Clouds gave way to blue skies today. Opening to our view, the seas that stretch interminably before us.

In my downtime a thought flitted across my consciousness. It was so easy to imagine that we had sailed off the face of the earth. Is there any land left out there in that vastness we have not been to?

Elijah responded to my musings. He said our journey was far from over. If only because he does not sense a release from his charge. But he added that we should take full advantage of these times of peace to recharge and prepare. For a time is coming when we shall have no respite from the storm. With every hand against us.