The Fairy Diary Day 29 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We have gained in elevation, drawing closer to the lone mountain with every hill we pass. 

Ahead we can see woodlands that hug the hills closest to the snowy peak. We should pass into the forest sometime tomorrow – if the tracks continue in that direction. 

Already Rumble cautions a detour here and there to avoid areas in which he has smelt the stench of trolls. Fortunately we have not run up against any. Or maybe more fortunately they have not spotted us. 

Dunfallon has gotten over his uneasiness about potential encounters with trolls. Mainly because Rumble has built up my abilities to protect our party from any and all opponents. 

I just hope I do not disappoint. 

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Day One Thousand Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Off and on we caught views of the megapolis from the lower elevation of the riverbed upon which we have been traveling. Not much has changed from the memory I carry of Babylon when we skirted around it on our escape out of the citadel. The skyscraper that came down on that occasion has not been replaced. A great void in the skyline marks its absence.

Our forward progress ground to a halt where the water filled the riverbed from bank to bank, forcing us up and out into the open.

It was more water than we have seen in an age.

And its level appeared to be rising as we watched.

Elijah decided we must make for the road.

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 Eighty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The advance units of the army arrived at the point of the avalanche this morning, and passed by oblivious to the danger that had lain in wait for them.

We pressed on ourselves, resigned to the fact that we will be falling behind again, especially as the trail ahead was climbing.

With the gain in elevation this time another problem arose, snow was on the ground – not on the path – but standing off to the side – not melting, for it was very cold. We wrapped ourselves in our blankets and continued on.

I fell in with the Captain and we picked up our studies from the day before. It kept our minds off the cold.

Elijah stayed close and listened.

Day Six Hundred Seventy Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The army on the plain is prepping to move. Their first units were already on the road north per Tomas who observed them during his early morning watch. They must have come to the same conclusion as myself.

I don’t know how I feel about that.

We set out immediately. Elijah intends to shadow their movement from a higher elevation. And possibly stay ahead of the main body.

I believe our trails are harder than those down below. Certainly they have more up and down sections and even switchbacks. I’m beginning to wonder if maintaining a lead is even possible.

The Captain fears that circumstances have dictated our actions more than the Spirit.

I believe, however, He works through them.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have gained in elevation, and the temperature has dropped in consequence. So we have chosen to make a long march of it and switch over to traveling in the daytime.

Come sunrise there was no place to shelter anyway, so we had another reason to press onwards.

Past the meridian we arrived at a teeming metropolis. We experienced no problems at all upon entry. Apparently no control or restrictions are being exercised at this time over people’s comings and goings.

And we had no trouble either in finding an inn. A notable blessing, as we were exhausted and turned in immediately.

We awoke in the early evening as our bodies are still attuned to nocturnal activity.

But what now?

Day Two Hundred Twenty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Purser will continue to lead the followers of Hamashiach on this continent. We said farewell to him and his family. I will miss them, but most of all, Mawuli.

I was struck with curiosity as they approached the river to cross, keeping an eye on Elijah to see if he’d intervene. But the river, though wide, was very shallow at that point and no action on his part was necessary.

We stayed until the rear guard was across. And Mawuli and I exchanged our last goodbyes from opposite banks.

Elijah turned his face eastward. I followed suit and we set out.

The road runs straight with little change in elevation – the highs brought low and the lows filled in.