The Fairy Diary Day 113 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I was more than surprised at the identity of the one in charge of the defenses on this frontier. While the others stayed back in our thicket, Rumble took me into the town and there introduced me to Roseberry. 

I already knew him of course from my few days on the fairy council in Nonin-gal-dith. And Rumble knew that I knew him. Still it was all rather a shock. 

There he was in the flashy finery of the commander of fairy troops. 

I could not contain myself and could tell he was insulted when I asked him on whose authority had he acted in coming here. 

He claimed he had acted because the authorities were doing nothing – a course that he roundly condemned. He saw the need and called to his standard those who agreed. And he had found willing recruits from all the towns along the border. 

When it came our turn to answer questions, we informed him of our mission. But instead of thanking us and sending us on our way – he denied us passage. And ordered the rest of our party brought in. 

Only then did I understand the mixed messages of danger my pendant was broadcasting to me the day long.

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The Fairy Diary Day 112 (later) #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

According to Dunfallon something new has been added to the defenses in the air above.  He did not notice it at first. Not on the ground anyways. But once aloft in pursuit of the black birds, their movements made a broad arcing turn, though to his viewpoint all were moving in a straight line. It was then he realized the nature of the enchantment. Anything that enters the space above the border turns back on itself and returns from whence it came. 

And when he rejoined us today Rumble confirmed the same situation on the ground. He cannot wait to introduce us to the architect of the defenses along this section of the border. 

I am intrigued. And hesitant. For I feel more than ever we need to be off. 

The Fairy Diary Day 109 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Another day has gone by and we were the only ones on the road again. The last fairy town is in sight as we settle for the night. We should reach it tomorrow. 

It looks much larger than I thought it would be. And bits of wall can be discerned, stretching across the horizon. 

I wondered if it was a new addition. The defenses didn’t look to be normal for a frontier town that faces human territory. 

Or so I commented to Rumble. He set me aright. 

What I took for walls he says are barracks set up for fairy troops. He guesses that a whole army has been moved down from the capital. 

Considering this, soldiers may be all that we will find there. They may have forced all in the town to relocate.

The Fairy Diary Day 24 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon reports that we should arrive at our destination tomorrow. Rumble gets more excited with each landmark that the little fellow points out. And there have been a lot of those. I can easily imagine that he knows every blade of grass upon this whole plain and would know if any were out of place. 

He should prove very valuable when we set up the defenses for his people in the rolling hills. 

I am anxious even though the strange darkness has not returned. Or rather precisely because it has not returned. 

I wrote to the High Fairy but so far he has not replied. I shall keep him informed with my impressions. He seems to think they are worth something.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas had stopped in to check on us this morning and to look into some problems with the power in our villa. (At the behest of the leader of our guard detail – the Supreme Commander is doing all he can do to keep us “happy”). We did not have long to confer, for almost immediately he was called away to the desalination plants.

Within the hour word filtered back that the installation had been attacked, but there was no damage. The defenses put in place beforehand by Tomas had thwarted it.

Elijah and I were glad to hear that our friend was safe too. Yet the thought came that this incident would only reinforce the Supreme Commander’s belief about us.

Day One Thousand Eighty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We haven’t budged from where we were captured yesterday. Our captors haven’t been too harsh beyond the first encounter. The bruises on Sy’s and the Captain’s heads notwithstanding. Despite our protestations that we are not spies, nor hold any animus against them, we are kept corralled together and forced to be quiet under the constant vigil of three guards.

The leader of the unit has no time for us and is intent on setting his defenses. So we have no one with which to plead our case to be taken to the Supreme Commander.

At least they are not curious about Mei’s presence with us. And they have not confiscated Elijah’s staff. Evidently they assume he needs it to walk.

Day One Thousand Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Off to our right today we saw elements of the army of the East. They were hard at work digging in and setting defenses for the main army which must be within Babylon, now visible to our front.

Sy brought back word from Mawuli that forces were on their way for a similar purpose in this area, and advised we skirt this development by swinging even further east.

We lost no time in complying, finding ourselves nearing the river Elijah and I had followed to the megapolis many months ago.

Thus we found it necessary to regroup and move as a single unit around the increasing number of patrols.

I suggested that we make our way down to the river.

Day Five Hundred Eighty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I wandered around the port today trying to converse with people. I noted a higher than usual distrust toward strangers.

In a couple of instances Elijah was able to penetrate their defenses and gain an understanding of their predicament.

After the time of the Glorious Appearing a great many people  on this island disappeared. (We know what happened. They don’t.) Those left moved into the vacant properties and businesses, and are plagued by the notion that the rightful owners could return at any time.

We tried to explain the truth, but that made them all the more fearful.

All this was forgotten upon our return to ship at the sight of a warship tied up next to us.