The Fairy Diary Day 399 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We settled on our next destination before we took one step on the Low-way of the dwarves. A note back from the High Fairy recommended that we make for Merlin’s castle by whatever means. (He could not confirm any news about the other dragon egg). Our guides preceded us at a respectful distance and kept their communication with us to the minimum. 

Dunfallon stayed close to Gibley and the hatchling. Our pixie proved to be a fount of information about dragons and their care from his time spent in Merlin’s library. So the goblin’s charge was well provided for from odds and ends found along our way. 

Gnoston received us into his village with the same warmth as before despite knowing about our banishment from the kingdom. So we had no qualms petitioning him to take over as our guide. And he has agreed graciously to accompany us to the stronghold city of the dwarves where Fliget is the regent. 

From there we will travel out to the canyonlands and from thence on to Merlin’s castle.

Advertisement

Day One Thousand One Hundred Twenty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As we stopped last night on the first leg of our trek, my thoughts circled our final destination. And I wondered if our friends had made it safely by their different routes to the hiding place.

Setting out this morning they again held my thoughts. Elijah must have been musing on the same theme, for he spontaneously began to intercede for our friends, by name. I joined in as we walked along.

Thereby, the time passed quickly, and it seemed, the miles put behind us mounted even faster.

We slowed as we came across signs of activity close to the well we had uncovered on our outbound journey.

We realized they were only tanker truck tracks upon gaining the well.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Twenty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Both Elijah and I agreed that today would be the day, and though we were prepared, we were not expecting deliverance in the quarter from which it came.

Tomas had returned and I confess my focus was totally on what he had to tell us.

He had neutralized the artillery quickly. Then he went beyond his assigned task and scouted the near elements of the army of the North.

As he described their configuration, a picture formed in my mind’s eye, and I saw Elijah and me easily trekking our way through to our destination.

Before I could even consider the “how” the Supreme Commander rolled in and asked if we could curse the army of the north for him.

Day One Thousand Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We passed into the territory that lead to the village at the edge of the wilderness that surrounds our destination. Only at the sight of that town did I realize that we had not encountered the patrolling drones that plagued us on that former occasion.

I remarked on their absence to Elijah. Even as I did so we both knew the answer. They were needed elsewhere for a bigger military operation.

So too with the village. It was deserted. And there, signs were evident of abandoned encampments at both ends of the town. Neither of which had been there the last time we were in the vicinity.

We stopped to rest in the town square, then took up our march.

Day One Thousand Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I went over our plans before our anticipated departure tomorrow. Not that we planned everything in minute detail. In our experience, collectively and individually, that would be counterproductive and would run the risk of missing the Spirit’s leading.

We did settle upon a direction.

At first I was all for heading north as I thought that the most likely place to begin our search for Tomas and Jezer after my talk with Quasimo yesterday.

Elijah dismissed that notion, not unkindly, but with an explanation that revealed he knew more than I did. His first pupils had been responsible for covering our crossing from that direction, our missing friends acted only to the south.

So, Damascus is our destination.

Day Eight Hundred Eighty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We hadn’t quite gotten to the hiding place when another drone zeroed in on ours. In an abundance of caution Elijah made the call to veer away from our destination. And we ended up back on the road that we had followed to Damascus.

Before we reached the next village along that route, Elijah called a halt to stand our ground.

He turned to me and asked, “Do you want to do it, or shall I?”

“You mean sacrifice my drone?”

He nodded, then added, “Unless you think keeping it more useful.”

I thought only an instant, and crashed my drone into the interloper.

I collected some crucial parts and we doubled back and arrived safely in the hiding place.

Day Eight Hundred Fifty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I took Elijah’s words to heart and pondered them during my quiet times. It required chasing away the images of our friends in dire straits. Something not easy to do, for I did not want to miss any opportunity to intercede for them in what I was sure was their current peril.

Elijah kept us on the move. Forward. For the only other way would be back to the scene of the attack upon us.

I took comfort from the fact that these rock formations hem us in on each side.

It was then that I realized that the Spirit had used the attack to channel us forward. In a way l feel it has helped to confirm our destination.

Day Eight Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Snow remained atop the mountain to our front, lasting well beyond that which has disappeared down here on the desert floor. We should arrive at its base in one more night march.

That occasion will mark the extent of the instructions given to us by Quasimo. Elijah intimates that he has a sense for our next immediate destination, but thus far has not divulged it to me, wanting instead that I confirm it independently.

I am asking, but no answer has been forthcoming. Neither between my first and second watch, nor after the second.

I was tired and nodded off.

Perhaps during tonight’s march. I pray for a revelation.

Before drifting off again my thoughts turned to our absent friends.

Day Seven Hundred Ninety Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I confess there were tears in my eyes at our parting this morning. Our hugs were marked by whispered prayers for one another. Our parting, though real and painful, we know to be temporary in the greater balance of things. Our shared hope buoys us all.

I watched them as they and their groups disappeared in the west.

I was cheered by my belief that they were ready, especially Tomas and the Captain.

We had the road to ourselves all day. Nothing and no one crossed our view – on the ground or in the sky.

We shed our heavier garments as it warmed, only to put them on again at the sinking of the sun.

Our next destination- the Capital.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A bone weary day, with lots of ground covered, despite some down time when Tomas brought word of an army patrol. We hid easily while they passed us by.

I am sure they were looking for sources of water and not for us or their enemy.

Later, down the trail we crossed a footbridge that spanned a narrow gorge. Water rushed within its course far below.

I assume the leader of the patrol took one look and gave up on this path. There’s just no getting a tanker truck close to this source. They’ll probably find an easier access to it somewhere else.

At day’s close, Elijah predicted that sometime tomorrow we will definitely arrive at our destination up ahead.