The Fairy Diary Day 193 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The heat in this wasteland clings to us. Even through the night. I do believe it to be as big of an obstacle as any other we could come up against. 

I asked to take a look at Rumble’s map. And there we saw a haze floating in the area indicated immediately to our front with here and there some bright red spots. There are no apparent easy ways around it. And another check with Noralei’s compass shows we need to continue on our present course. 

I asked Dunfallon to check out those red patches. He returned in short order with a fantastic report of a swirling mass of fire. And more disturbing, as he closed on it, it moved towards him. 

He thinks that with the aid of Merlin’s map we should have no problem navigating through these new obstacles.

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Day Eight Hundred Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I twisted my ankle on our transit last night. Elijah caught me before I hit the ground. Otherwise the injury would have been more serious.

As I sat there he rubbed his hands together creating heat from the friction. Then seized the point of the swelling. I could sense warmth radiating from there throughout my body.

In moments I was able to stand. He loaned me his staff as a precaution against further missteps.

We called an end to our night walk early for we came upon a well at a crossroads.

We drank our fill and found a place nearby to rest and pass the day.

Given the crossroads we had another decision to make, hopefully not under duress.

Day Eight Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our guide has switched roles today, looking to Elijah and myself as guides into the Truth. He hung upon every lesson as Elijah taught from the surroundings. The plants heavy with grain, the water nourishing their roots, and the very light of the sun’s rays helping us to see these things.

Time seemed to stand still as we kept on our way. Before we knew it we were beyond the fields and into unreclaimed desert. The dryness added discomfort to the heat.

We began a swing to the north following the contour of a bowl-like depression, the end of which meant a steep climb up to a new elevation and a view of the megapolis- minus its tallest building.

Day Six Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As soon as we had things sorted out yesterday we parted notwithstanding the daylight and the heat. The ex-soldiers headed back the caravan track in search of a northern branch that will return them to their villages.

We continued west to answer our call.

We pushed on after nightfall and put as much distance between ourselves and our last camp as possible.

A wind storm lent a helping hand. It blew in from the north and crossed the track behind us on its way southward, obliterating all signs of our passage. We all pray that our recent companions were not swept up in it.

I called a halt only a couple hours into the new day.

Elijah required rest.

Day Six Hundred Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are on our way again. We had set out in the heat of the afternoon. At the insistence of Elijah.

Tomas has recovered. I will not say completely, but I will say he is very willing, and hardly requires any assistance. At those points when he does the Captain is first by his side to help.

I stayed close by Elijah and we conversed. He had many things to share with me, revelations that have come to him in dreams. Many things concerning me. My spirit quivered within me as he spoke. Some things I have known, but for others, and for one in particular, I will need to seek confirmation.

Perhaps during this night’s trek I will hear.

Day Six Hundred Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The heat radiating from the ground was slow in dissipating in the early part of our trek. Helped along no doubt by the stillness of the air. Not a breath of a breeze came our way.

And we are walking longer in darkness as the moon is rising well after midnight. The Captain says we will soon have moonless nights.

The sky has been clear of all objects except the heavenly ones. This puzzles Tomas and has lead to great unquiet. He wants to know for sure what happened. He wants to head south and see for himself.

I tried to dissuade him, but again Elijah surprised us and suggested that we allow him to pursue that course of action.

Day Six Hundred Thirty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Though we could see our way by the light of the stars, our progress was slow. By a great measure our pace improved with the rising of the moon.

It was otherworldly to watch my companions’ shadows ascending and descending the contours of the land as I followed in their wake. Our silhouettes only recognizable half the time.

We were all still energetic with the coming of day, so we pressed on. Only stopping when the heat drained our resolve.

The Captain did well, so we no longer harbor apprehensions about his ability to keep up. And I marvel at Elijah’s constitution. I do believe he could easily outdistance us all.

Turned in without a morsel, but not really fasting.

Day Six Hundred Thirty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas says that the silver object in the sky yesterday was a war plane intent on attacking us. He hasn’t seen one since before the time of the troubles began.

This didn’t move or concern Elijah in any way. He merely added that there were others up there looking for us.

The Captain fell ill in the afternoon. We called a halt to tend to him. I believe the heat has something to do with it.

He soon recovered, but we remained at rest.

We made our decision, and with the setting of the sun we arose and set out again. We shall now travel at night until we pass this desert.

Elijah still fasts, but I yet do not.

Day Six Hundred Thirty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

From day to day the heat has been mounting. I do not know if it is a function of going deeper into the desert, or the accumulation of days since Elijah sealed the heavens, commanding this drought.

Tomas located another well, so we have resupplied handsomely. There was a nearby shallow pool whose shrunken border gave clear evidence of the effectiveness of the drought.

At the evening meal (Elijah still abstains), I broached the subject of night travel again. And again the consensus was against me. At least for now.

As to the topic of fasting, I have the desire on my part, but not a clear cut permission to do so.

Grappling with these decisions makes for long nights.

Day Four Hundred Eighty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

No stream today. No rain. No breeze. No shade anywhere. The very ground beneath our feet radiated heat. I felt we were marching our way to the sun.

So providential to have a full water skin.

Elijah and I discussed walking by night instead, but first we would need to find a place to stay out of the glare.

We took turns pouring water over ourselves, to benefit from some coolness by its evaporation.

At long last the shadows lengthened and we came upon a place suitable enough in which to weather tomorrow’s furnace.

We’d hardly exchanged any conversation all day. We rested and talked. And decided it best to press on, not wanting to lose a night’s march.