The Fairy Diary Day 627 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Gibley has declared himself over his seasickness. He has also learned “the ropes,” as it were. Captain Goff is pleased with his progress and is doubly pleased that he can pull his own weight about the ship. 

Since the goblin could fill in for me on the watch with Dunfallon, I was free to take Conjil up to reconnoiter the islands ahead. However, the pixie came to me and asked permission to go in my place. The voice from his ring was insistent about going up for a look around. 

I put him off by telling him he could go up tomorrow. Last night, I had a sighting from the seers stone that I felt I had to look for. There was a high tower-like rock atop a mountain that looked to be a perfect spot for the Crack of Doom. 

So, with the Captain’s blessing and another cautionary word from Merlin, I took the dragon up. 

It was a perfect day for flying. From the deck of the ship it had been beautiful, but from above it was glorious. Conjil soared with exhilaration, yet remained responsive to my touch. 

We maintained a high altitude. I thought it best, given Merlin’s instruction. The islands we came over first were numerous. And may prove a problem to navigate through. And none of them possessed anything like the mountain from the seers stone. I turned back in frustration. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 479 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I passed the morning by myself up in the new repository for the Crack of Doom. I wanted to check on how the branches from the surrounding trees were faring after the stress to which the High Fairy and I had subjected them. I was very pleased. They all appear healthy and thriving. I took note of some spots, higher up, in which to station guards from the fairy troops and visited the Caretaker to give him the recommendations. 

Coming out of my meeting with him the High Fairy was just then returning. As Merlin was not with him we all the more eagerly gathered around him. 

His excellency had not seen the wizard but he did learn of his whereabouts. His major domo the owl delivered a note to him from Merlin. Merlin had gone to pay a visit with Gibley’s people, the goblin dragon handlers. From them he hopes to learn more about the other side and the enemy who inhabits it. 

The High Fairy talked to Gibley before he left Merlin’s castle. The little goblin had been very helpful with names of those he should contact. 

Dunfallon looked at me and said, “More waiting!”

I feel his frustration. 

Day One Thousand Seventy Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We wandered the rest of the day without striking Sy’s well. I could tell his frustration was mounting at his inability to locate it.

Finally Elijah signaled for a halt in an area we all judged fit for a camp.

Sy, however, continued to roam about, muttering he was sure it was near at hand. The next morning the Captain stumbled upon it. Actually he tripped and fell on his face.

The well had been filled in, packed with rocks. We gathered around it on our knees to remove them. Only to discover the water there had been befouled too. Unfit to drink.

Elijah took up his staff and stirred the water with its tip, drawing out all the impurities.

Day Nine Hundred Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Jezer had guessed right. Indeed, there were checkpoints where hitherto there had been none. But they were easily spotted and the terrain was such that we had no trouble screening our passage around them.

Reuben took the extra precaution of sending scouts forward to locate any lone sentinels positioned as lookouts. Thankfully there were none.

All these extra exertions were very taxing and slowed our progress as half the time we were headed away from our goal. This frustration we took in stride and made us the more thankful for Jezer’s thoughtfulness in supplying each of us with a water skin.

As we went along Elijah and I discussed with Reuben the things he should know about our mutual future.

Day Seven Hundred Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I saw him perched atop the fearsome beast winging between us and the moon and stars. Just like in the dream related to us by Mei.

Stan was searching, flying in a pattern to and fro across the sky.

On a sudden I sensed a presence at my elbow. Elijah had joined me.

He told me to pay him no heed for he had blinded him as to our location. And that he was only striking out randomly in his frustration. It seems the easy explanation of what has been happening to the various routes out of this valley.

We apprised the others upon rising. Mei was gratified to have the confirmation.

At Tomas’ recommendation we tried another northern route.

Day Seven Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Hour upon hour passed by. And not a peep from our captors. Nor did anyone look in on us. Not even to deliver a morsel of bread that has been our daily allotment.

We can only speculate that they have their hands full elsewhere. My thoughts went immediately to the return of the tanker trucks with combat units.

Tomas tried the door at one point. It was still locked. But no one outside reacted to the ruckus it raised.

This inspired the Captain to again rummage through the chamber for anything that could jimmy the door. As in every time before there was nothing that wasn’t bolted down. His efforts only raised his frustration.

Elijah remained calm and waited patiently.

Day Seven Hundred Twenty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We only assume that a day has passed us by, now that they are leaving us alone. We have each in turn been taken away from the others for interrogation which was in a place somewhere also away from the light of day.

I was first. I assumed that their search of our room had turned up nothing. They wanted to know who we were working for and how we were communicating with them. I told them I had no answers for them other than that we worked for and communicated only with the Spirit.

Their time with Tomas and the Captain was even shorter. But with Elijah they spent the better part of the day.

We sense their frustration.

Day Seven Hundred Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas had noticed my frustration yesterday. So he pulled me aside to explain a few realities.

The Supreme Commander is only supreme in matters pertaining to the army. He is the servant of one of the global factions and must answer to them. He has made a very risky decision in our regard, for each of us are wanted individuals by those same authorities.

For now, the Supreme Commander’s sense of debt towards us has dictated his stance. And Tomas is reasonably certain he will stand by his decision in the face of opposition.

Still there are factions in the army that would delight to see him fall and assume his place.

Elijah confirmed Tomas’ analysis with a wistful smile.

Day Four Hundred Forty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Today was a day of confusion and frustration. Though we could see our ship, that was all. We had arrived at our desired destination by the time the sun reached its zenith. There is no access into the city on this side.

We did gain the attention of those on watch by jumping up and down and other such similar antics. Tomas appeared at their call and we tried shouting to one another across the distance, to no avail. Elijah took his consequent pantomime to mean that the Captain was ashore and that we should enter the city by the main gate. A course of action I was all for, but one that Elijah rejected most vehemently.

We waited instead.