The Fairy Diary Day 677 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Tinadell passed sentence upon the renegade queen and the Caretaker yesterday. They will be imprisoned forever and not executed. Where they are to be imprisoned has not yet been decided. (Hence, he was mum about asking for my answer).

Merlin had advised the king against placing them in the dungeons of the capital – too many sympathizers among the populace. Nor had he recommended the repository. There were simply too many things that a powerful fairy such as her former majesty could bend to her will. 

Instead the wizard had contacted Gilgorgon to ask if the dwarves would be willing to imprison them for us. Rumble was dispatched on Conjil to inquire after their answer. 

Before Rumble left, I asked him if he had heard any possible challenges to my becoming High Fairy. My friend gave me a blank stare and asked if I were crazy. I quipped back that craziness would indeed disqualify me – but in the next breath I assured him I was not mad. It was somewhat comforting that Rumble had not heard anything – for of all my friends he is the most likely to have noticed anything awry. 

After the evening meal I asked for a private audience with the king, and received one. There before him, I declared my intention to accept his offer. He was most appreciative and told me that it did much to relieve his mind about the future of the kingdom. 

I was relieved too, but then later I wondered if I should have mentioned Merlin’s premonition. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 612 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Noralei fashioned two devices to place over Conjil’s ears to shield them from the sound of the Crack of Doom. The dragon did not fuss as expected but submitted to Dunfallon as he put them in place.  

Then we appeared before the Dromadil king with our decision this morning. He was overjoyed at our willingness to attempt to find our way down beneath the city to seek out the source of the problem. He handed us over to the captain of his treasury guard to escort us down. 

The king had one request – that Dunfallon remain with him to act as a liaison between him and us. But I told him that it would be impossible as he would be commanding a small unit of his “army” as a precaution if we uncovered any Frost Fairies lurking in the depths. 

The pixie king reluctantly agreed. And as a consolation I promised to keep him informed. As an afterthought the king instructed his captain to allow Noralei the selection of one item from the treasury in payment for a job well done on his dungeons. 

Once inside the treasury Rumble and Gibley led us to a corner behind which they suspected the former opening to the dwarf excavation lay. There were a lot of things to move out of the way. So under the watchful eye of the captain of the guard and his second in command we – plus the remainder of the guards – began to move the treasure stored there back away from that wall. (We were not allowed to use any spells, lest we make any of it “disappear “).

The task consumed the rest of our day. And we were able to give it a good look over before calling an end to the day’s exertions. 

I could see why the Sprites would be a good fit for this job. But I think among the five of us we should be able to get beyond that wall. 

The Fairy Diary Day 606 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We met and talked things through but with no results. None of us felt sure about getting involved with this request without first knowing more. It was helpful when Merlin replied to my recent message and reconfirmed that he had indeed given his approval to the Dromadil king. 

Thus we received our first hint as to what it is all about. It is something that the Dromadilians are anxious to keep secret.  Small imperfections have been discovered deep under the foundations of the city, especially in and around the area of his palace. 

Dunfallon and I met again with the pixie king and took Gibley in with us. We told him that he needed to be more forthright with us before we would agree to any further involvement. 

He reluctantly called for his architect to take us down to the lower levels where the dungeons and his treasury are located. There, water was oozing from the base of the walls through the tiniest of crevices. 

It was easy to understand the king’s reticence in this matter. And when we saw that Gibley (whom we brought along for the occasion) was too big for the job, we decided between us that the Will’o’the Wisp might be able to fix the problem- if he will agree to help. 

On the way back up to the Dromadil audience chamber, I could not but think that the Sprites could have easily done the job. 

But then, there are those prejudices. 

The Fairy Diary Day 484 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The surprise on Rumble’s face upon our arrival at Merlin’s castle amused me. I knew it was all due to the presence of Willie with us. Gibley, however, was upset to see the Wisp, a little fearful based on past experiences with him. 

We gave the charge of the imp over to the wizard’s major domo, the owl. Willie shrunk back from the sight of the bird of prey and hid away in one of the private chambers fashioned by Noralei within the cage. The owl took it and him down into the dungeons of the castle. 

Merlin sent us all away to our comfy chambers for a night of rest and assembled us in his study at first light. 

Rumble had no problems accepting his exclusion from the mission. He always did have a healthy knack for fitting in where he was needed. And he could see that he has an important task helping the owl look after Willie and tending to Rayjil’s needs. 

Merlin and I had to spend more time convincing Gibley to accompany us without his dragon. The wizard calmed his fears and promised to remain by his side throughout our trip. 

Once we settled the important issues, we turned our efforts towards our preparations. 

Day Nine Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The boot of our oppressor has ever so slightly been lifted off of our necks. It gives us hope that we will soon have more freedom of action. And eases my suspicion that knowledge of our identities had been rediscovered.

Elijah found a place apart and held up there all day. While I kept in contact off and on with the leaders to discuss future plans. But really there was little we felt we could do until we hear from Reuben, the guard who is working on our behalf.

Later we heard the most shocking news from him. The Hamashiachite followers of Raj G in the other dungeons of this prison have all disappeared.

Hence the severe crackdown of yesterday.

Rebel Treasure forty eighth post

PASSAGE – DEEPER UNDER THE CAVERN
Riley flashes the miner’s light down the passageway, illuminating a series of side passages.

RILEY
Eeenie, meenie, minee…

A shout floats out of the smallest passage right next to him.

RILEY (CONT’D)
Uhn, uhn. It’s Ben’s turn to climb down the dirty rat hole.

There comes a BANGING of rock on metal and the sound of VOICES. Riley sighs and climbs up and into the tube-like tunnel.

STONE DUNGEON
Sadusky huddles with some of his men out of sight of the main door and the only light.

AGENT DAWES
There’s nothing in that direction but a long tunnel and a dead end.

SADUSKY
Damn! What’s keeping Howie and Stewart?

AGENT DAWES
Maybe it’s good news.

Agent Howie emerges out of the shadows and into their circle.

AGENT HOWIE
We found something.

DUNGEON OFFSHOOT
Sadusky and his men trail behind Agent Howie.

AGENT HOWIE
We were just at the point of turning back, then all of a sudden these lights turned on. So Stewart went on ahead and I came back for you.

The tunnel widens and forms a chamber with an exit of the tube tunnel at the other end.

RILEY
Agent Sadusky, am I glad to see you!

SADUSKY
How’d you get here? No, that’s not important. Can you get us out of here?

AGENT STEWART
(from around the corner)
We’ve almost got this grill loose.

SADUSKY
And I suppose Mr. Gates is with you?

RILEY
Sort of. I’ll take you to him.

FORT AREA
Guards hem Ben and Abigail together in the central area, while Rance and his soldiers fan out to check all the nooks and crannies of the fort.

Up on the tower above the guard house, one of two soldiers examines the Gatling gun.

SOLDIER ONE
Hey, this thing is loaded!

SOLDIER TWO
That’s not what we’re looking for.

SOLDIER ONE
What are we looking for?

SOLDIER TWO
Some kind of wheel or valve or something.

SOLDIER ONE
What’s it do?

Down below, a third soldier comes running from the other guard house.

SOLDIER THREE
I think I found it!

[next pt 49]