The Fairy Diary Day 654 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Sitting beside Noralei on the wagon this morning was quite a change from yesterday. Navril’s elves rigidly kept their distance, so the mood continued to be one of optimism among Dunfallon’s “army.” I had had the opportunity to discuss my fears of a hidden enemy within, and he has taken it upon himself to vett everyone under his command. 

So, I had every reason to bask in the sunshine filling the air around us. When some humming arose again in the cage with her former majesty. Noralei began a tune of her own as a counter to her attempt to lull us into a stupor. 

Disgusted at being foiled, the renegade queen began calling us names. One epitaph, aimed at me, I did not recognize. It seemed particularly vicious. At that point Merlin broke in to command her silence and took me aside to explain to me the gist of her jibes. 

She had called me a halfling, half human and half fairy – and totally abominable. 

Indeed an insult. (I write that even though I do have friends that are human). 

I did not have any time to dwell on the slur, for Dunfallon and Conjil returned at that instant. 

Although his mission had been successful – the dwarves will meet us on their border on this road – the pixie was more excited to report on a sighting while on the way back. A force of elves was cutting through the forest from the road we had left to the one we are currently traveling. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 648 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

On the other side of the mountains we passed into a good long stretch under the canopies of the sprawling forest. There was very little value to our flights on the dragon – at least for detecting ambushes. Still we sent Dunfallon up for an occasional look around. 

I kept Clemjil company as he explored the surroundings as the wagon and the others proceeded down the road. Actually I kept him out of trouble, as his curiosity unchecked would have landed us all in a sticky situation. I am so thankful that unlike the other dragons he does not have an igniter stone in his throat. 

Still he is a good natured dragon and eager to please. He is quick to follow my commands and is heedful of my admonitions. 

I believe we will need to keep him on a shorter leash once we come out on the plain and start passing by farms and villages. It would not do to upset the inhabitants. 

The presence of Navril and his elves should go a long way to stave off any problems in that regard. Though at first his elves were hesitant in the company of the dragons, they are now quite accepting and less fearful. 

There are times when I wonder about the future of our dragon friends. 

The Fairy Diary Day 361 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Corbet is a brawny youth, pleasant if a bit simple. We had to ask him to slow his pace on the downward slopes, as he liked to gallop ahead, and I feared we would be apt to miss signs of our pixie friend if we rushed along too fast. Besides it excited Dunfallon’s mountain goat too much. And we certainly did not want to lose control of it. 

We came to the end of the forest and entered into the broad area of rolling hills. After that we all settled into a comfortable stride. Rumble kept by Corbet and engaged him in conversation. Noralei and I each took a flank. That way we were sure not to miss a thing. 

I kept an eye peeled for any dragons or black birds passing overhead. And wondered how Merlin was faring in his search after the dragon. While in the mountain I could not help but notice that the strain persists between the wizard and Gilgorgon over the issue of the dragon egg. The dwarf king still refuses to turn it over to Merlin. 

We shall decide in the morning our next steps as we enter the lands of the pixies.

The Fairy Diary Day 160 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The black birds are back. Several of them. They were waiting for us roosting in the trees above the path that leads into the forest covering the first hill range. 

This time I allowed Dunfallon to summon his eagle and charge the cluster. But I cautioned him to simply scatter them and return immediately. 

The doughty pixie did so – with the desired effect. 

Then the debate began amongst ourselves – should we continue on this path or find another. Geog said we had at least a half dozen from which to choose. At that news, Dunfallon of course wanted to check them all out. 

Rumble and I thought the main path best, believing the birds presence a ploy to keep us away from it. 

In the end we all agreed to follow the lead of my pendant. And since it sensed no danger in the main path we continued on.

The Fairy Diary Day 108 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The way ahead is changing – from heavy forest to more open land. A clear indication that we are nearing the last fairy village and the border with the human lands. 

Since we started this morning we have seen no other travelers – neither behind us nor in front. 

I am beginning to wonder if there will be any one left in the fairy frontier town. I think we will not split up this time – but will go through together. Perhaps even stay the night. I think my companions would like that very much. 

I had just come to that conclusion when I saw a flight of black birds off in the distance. It reminded me about my dream and that encounter a moon ago.  I started forward again when I saw that they were headed away from us. Still it gave me pause knowing our adversary was out there. Did he know where we were?

The Fairy Diary Day 30 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We have indeed entered the forest. But our direction has altered off the straight heading. Evidently our quarry decided to skirt around the mountain instead of climbing over it. 

Rumble thinks that we are past the danger of falling into the clutches of any trolls. Dunfallon is not so sure. But then again he seems more concerned with the sound of hammer blows echoing down from somewhere above. 

Their tone, I admit, is unsettling. And if those wielding the hammers are indeed dwarves, they will be more of a challenge to get by than the trolls. 

My confidence is waning – especially as the High Fairy remains silent.

The Fairy Diary Day 22 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It has been a long tiring day of travel. We had a pixie escort for the first half of the day. They left us when the forest gave way to a broad spreading plain and turned aside to help their brethren who inhabit and farm the area. 

Our goal lies straight across the plain to the rolling hills that ring a lone mountain peak. There another pixie band awaits our arrival. They had sent word to their woodland cousins of strange sightings thereabouts. 

Rumbletwist proves to be a marvelous companion. So full of stories that make our burdens light. And very knowledgeable – there is very little we have come across that he does not know the name for or how to use it or avoid it, if necessary. 

But most surprising of all he has deferred to my judgement for all decisions – making me in effect – leader. 

Day Five Hundred Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I don’t like this forest we are traversing. Not at all. At times the path disappears completely. Jordan warned us about its vastness. And gave it a name, calling it a jungle.

It’s noisy in the extreme, except when it isn’t. Elijah says the small animals are the noisy ones, but when you hear them, all is well. But when they’re quiet, you should be concerned, for it means that some larger animals are hunting them.

I hesitated and decided not to ask but he injected into my pause that it most likely is a lion or some other fierce predator.

I got to say that after that I pulled back from the lead position and kept pace with Elijah.

Day Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have dropped down back into the tree line on this side of the ridge, and thankfully the uneasiness has not returned.

Our path has leveled off and is widening with every mile passed. Ahead we see a vast valley pushing the forest to the sidelines. Lyle wasted no time in launching his drone for a better view of what lies beyond the horizon. I put mine up, but just to keep an eye on our immediate location.

We halted when Lyle’s drone sent back visuals of a village at the end of the valley we are traversing.

Lyle maneuvered it through all the streets in sight, and nothing. Not a single soul.

Night came on, but no lights below.

Day Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We both hated to leave the lake area, but we have to believe there will be more like it in our future.

The path ahead cuts through old growth forest. Tall firs on every side. And filled with silence. It gives us ample time to think. Not so much about what lies ahead, but rather about that which lies behind. At least that is all I am thinking about. Despite how often Lyle quizzes me about what I see in our future.

I see it. I just don’t want to talk about it, not now anyway.

But I know that won’t be the end of it. One thing would lead to another and another. And now is not the time.