The Fairy Diary Day 610 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dibla declined to accompany us to Dromadil. (Most likely he did not relish the thought of riding a dragon). But he did offer an ancient map dating back to the time of their excavations up there. Though not as good as those Rumble has, it should suffice. 

On the map the dwarf called my attention to the stream with a village in the crook of its elbow and I recognized it as the village of the Sprites. He cautioned us that there are more than likely many differences since then. Though he added that up in the area of Dromadil there should not be as many. And he took the time to note a couple passages that the pixies would have most likely sealed off. Gibley’s eyes lit up at this and he stated that he thinks he knows where one of them might be. 

So, as soon as Dunfallon said goodbye to Gabhe, his mountain goat, having just finished a friendly game of nine pins, we bid farewell to Gilgorgon, thanking him for his hospitality and willingness to help. 

We were back in Dromadil by the afternoon. And met Rumble at the inn where Conjil was welcomed back into its stable. 

Rumble had not been idle. While Noralei did wonders with the dungeon cells (so comfortable that she spent the nights there herself), he had familiarized himself with the area and its trouble spots. He eagerly accepted Dibla’s map and went off to study it. 

Dunfallon, Gibley and I discussed how to go about broaching to the Dromadil king the need to ask the Sprites for their help. Then Gibley went off to visit Noralei and to look into a possible entry point into the dwarfish excavation. 

When we were alone I took Dunfallon into the stable and there discussed with him what we could do to forestall the summoning of Conjil away from us. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 607 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We settled on all our arrangements last night. Since Dunfallon and I wanted to take Conjil to retrieve Willie it had to be with Gibley. Noralei and Rumble were to remain behind with the wagons. 

After we had presented our plan to the Dromadil king he heartily endorsed it. And was even more elated when he learned about Noralei’s skills. With the promise of a good reward, she accepted his offer to refit his dungeon cells while waiting. 

I do believe that Conjil was most happy to be on the wing again and unencumbered by the wagons. When Gilgorgon’s mountain came in view I noticed our pixie cast a longing glance in its direction, but to his credit it did not linger long. 

It’s strange to admit to a similar longing once we landed near Willie’s domain. Being so close to Nonin-gal-dith and not stopping in left me with pangs of longing. Something that I had not experienced in quite some time. I had more time to reflect on this while Gibley and I waited for Dunfallon to return with word that we were welcome within the Wisp’s sanctuary. 

As for Gibley he was struck by the beauty – and the melancholy of the place. And he was eager to see more once we were called in.  

Willie was glowing quite healthily and looked quite contented with himself upon first view. But then surprised us completely when he said, “I’m not going!”

This before we even asked him. 

The Fairy Diary Day 570 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Late last night (or early this morning) the seers stone found Merlin in the territory of the Dromadil pixies. In fact their city was in his line of sight. However, upon rising this morning and checking again – the wizard had dropped from its view. 

I was frantically searching the stone for any sign of him when Dunfallon came in. And before I could find the words for my distress, he declared to me that we must release Willie from his cage in the dungeon and take him with us. 

To say I was taken aback is putting it mildly. 

I said, “No,” without hesitation. 

But Dunfallon persisted. He agreed that the Wisp had been wholly untrustworthy in our late experience with him. But he sees a world of a difference in him now. And in questioning the owl, the change in Willie was noticed about the time he and Noralei and the others defeated the Dark One. So, he hypothesized that just like in Tinadell’s case – once the enemy was vanquished – all those in his thrall were freed. 

Only then did I tell Dunfallon that Merlin had disappeared from the view of the seers stone and that we must depart immediately for Dromadil to pick up his trail. 

All the more then did the pixie insist that we take Willie with us (even in the face of his former promise).

Seeing that he was unmovable on this, I relented – but only after exacting a condition that the Will’o’the Wisp remain in his cage. 

Dunfallon himself, tethered the floating cage to Cluyjil’s saddle and we were off to Dromadil. 

The Fairy Diary Day 485 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

When I saw Dunfallon this morning he was ascending the stairs from the dungeon. Before I could say a word, he headed off my rebuke by assuring me he was all prepared to depart and now even more so as he had grilled Willie as to why he was here. The pixie is confident that the Wisp is powerless to effect any trouble for us – despite his screeching nonstop that our world will soon be his master’s. 

Gibley turned Rayjil over to Rumble’s care after tearfully bidding her goodbye. In the midst of this a message came in on my scroll from the High Fairy. He reports all well back at the repository but does put in a request for some fire plants to keep there for Cluyjil. 

I took his request to Merlin. And he decided that we would see to it after our return from the dwarf kingdoms – unless a critical situation developed in which case we appointed Rumble to take care of it. 

I informed Rumble of this arrangement, telling him if we had not returned in three days, to see to it that the fire plants were transported to the High Fairy. Before I left him my friend pressed a present into my hand – for Dunfallon. It was a cloak of invisibility – pixie size. With the help of the owl he had fashioned one from part of his old cloak. I could only guess why he gave it to me and not to the pixie himself.

At long last feeling all was in order the wizard transported Dunfallon, Gibley, and myself to Gilgorgon’s mountain. 

Day Nine Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our movements have become greatly restricted, even within this commodious dungeon. The number of guards has dropped, but whereas before there were none to interfere with our secretive activities, now even our mundane ones come under scrutiny.

We can barely speak a string of a dozen words before being silenced by a nearby guard.

Thankfully that changed when a certain guard reported for his shift. He was the one responsible for the note in our food from Raj G’s people.

In the guise of giving a reprimand he offered his services and we accepted.

First, he brought news of the well being of members of their group separated in other dungeons. Next he will bring them a word from us.

Day Nine Hundred Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our fellow prisoners swarmed around Elijah. I recognized many from the hospital of the coastal town we visited so long ago. I talked with two who remembered me. They were very solicitous to know any news about Raj G. How they were gladdened to hear my report.

It was a late night, that culminated with a unanimous vote – Elijah was chosen to make all the decisions going forward. He acceded to their request but only until he can affect their release from this prison and see them safely to the hiding place.

As we sought to implement better communications today, we were stopped cold in our efforts by the sudden influx of guards into the dungeon that they call home.

Day Nine Hundred Forty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

There was a note hidden along with our food last night. It was addressed to Elijah. They identified themselves as followers of Hamashiach, formerly led by Raj G. And they are excited at the prospect of meeting him.

This news set us rejoicing that we had been brought to the same prison.

(And the thought occurred to me that the guard must have known about the message. He would have to have been blind otherwise).

All morning we anticipated the arrival of the guards sent to move us. And our elation continued despite the rather rough handling we experienced when they came in and chained us together.

The chains remained in place as we were led into the grim dungeon.