The Fairy Diary Day 635 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Another busy day as I acted as go between from Merlin to the others in our preparations. The wizard will remain in the tower to guard the bell and to monitor the enemy and to better see where he can aid us.

Dunfallon was told to split his forces. Some – mainly the halbards – to guard our prisoners.  (Thankfully the Frost Fairy troops were only a skeleton force). The remainder of his army, the swords and spears were posted around the tower. 

Hopefully we retain some measure of surprise. It is doubtful the renegade queen could know we have already arrived and have taken the island. Merlin took the precaution of “coloring” us all blue to promote that perception. I can still hear our pixie grumbling about that particular humiliation. 

Noralei in her concern for Nora tried to convince him to return to our world below, but he would not hear of leaving us in this time of peril. However, he did agree to remain out of sight as much as possible. And per Merlin’s instructions he was set to accompany Captain Goff as he and Rumble held off in the ship at some distance from the island to lend another layer to the deception. 

Gibley has the most important task. He will stay aloft with Conjil and most likely will have the first and most important contact with the other dragons. 

For now we wait. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 634 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It has been a day of action – unrelenting in our efforts to beat our way to the shores of the island. Even with the help of Gibley and Conjil towing, it was slow going. In the meantime Dunfallon drilled his army constantly. 

When at last we neared the shore, we were greeted by Nora who informed us that Noralei had landed to scout around. 

Merlin ordered Captain Goff to anchor the ship, and the rest of us helped Dunfallon land his troops. The wizard held the dragon and Gibley in reserve against the expected arrival of the other two dragons. 

Before we left the beach, Noralei returned with a captive – the Caretaker. She had surprised and subdued him not long after going ashore. She easily avoided the patrols of Frost Fairies ringing his chamber at the base of the tower in the mountain. (In many ways it reminded her of the repository back in the Faerie Kingdom). Noralei wrung from the Caretaker the intelligence that his queen was not there but with the dragons and the army of Frost Fairies in the field. Then handed him over to Nora who transported him over to the ship where the captain shackled him. 

The next task before us then, was to secure the bell. So, Dunfallon set his troops in motion and Rumble, Noralei, and l marched behind in the rear guard ready for anything. 

We came up against the first outpost but its blue defenders had disappeared. And as we swung our column towards the tower we caught sight of our adversaries in full flight. 

Our pixie had not yet pressed onward with his soldierless weapons and we three fairies took to the air and harassed the Frost Fairies from above. Then the resolve of our enemy broke and they sued for quarter and laid down their arms. 

(Later, we learned that many of them had witnessed the slaughter of their fellows back at the village of the Sprites – and did not want to experience a similar defeat). 

In exploring the tower we found the young dragon Clemjil under lock and key. Noralei with Dunfallon’s help was instrumental on reaching through his distrust and once under the attention of Conjil, he settled down. 

With the tower and the Crack of Doom in our hands, we set about preparations to meet the return of the former queen and the dragons. 

The Fairy Diary Day 633 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

 I saw some strange scribblings on this page of my diary, in the space upon which I would have written yesterday. Perhaps Merlin was noting down his thoughts for a spell.

All have been working tirelessly. I  have had no time, nor inclination to note down our experiences all day yesterday. Nor even until late today.

I do not know if I can remember everything. 

We were then, and we still are in a fever to reach the island, the only land in view. And we must get there before the dragons return from our world. (We assume they are our missing dragons – Cluyjil and Rayjil).

But who knows what the former queen and her Caretaker have done to them. Will we have to fight them? And how will Conjil react to them if they do? She is currently recovering from her exertions in keeping us afloat. Gibley and Dunfallon traded off times seeing to her care.

Noralei talked Nora into transporting her on ahead to the island. As always he went willingly and I watched as he frolicked over the swells pushing against us. It took all the skills of Captain Goff to keep us moving forward after them.

Merlin is confident we will arrive at the island in time, and he is hard at work concealing our ship from the eyes on the island. He constantly moves from his cabin to his place on the prow, then back again. I try not to intrude nor throw off his concentration.

Thankfully Captain Goff keeps me on the move too. Rumble and I are the only ones fully engaged in sailing the ship, with Gibley or Dunfallon filling in as necessary.

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. 

Day Five Hundred Eighty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I wandered around the port today trying to converse with people. I noted a higher than usual distrust toward strangers.

In a couple of instances Elijah was able to penetrate their defenses and gain an understanding of their predicament.

After the time of the Glorious Appearing a great many people  on this island disappeared. (We know what happened. They don’t.) Those left moved into the vacant properties and businesses, and are plagued by the notion that the rightful owners could return at any time.

We tried to explain the truth, but that made them all the more fearful.

All this was forgotten upon our return to ship at the sight of a warship tied up next to us.

Day Five Hundred Seventy Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Hans, our new sailor guest, wanted the Captain to take the ship out immediately. He believed the port, and the entire island to be surrounded by warships. For emphasis he pointed to the glowing fires in the distance.

But we knew his fears in that regard to be unfounded. Yes there were fires, but they were not due to any ships offshore. Besides I felt there would be little incentive to destroy such a magnificent facility if it could be had by other means.

He settled down with the advent of a new day, when all was revealed to be as before.

Elijah met with the Captain and told him it was safe to enter.

The anchor was ordered up.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The atmosphere on this island is distinctly unfriendly. The Captain is puzzled by this and he admits to a battle within himself to not be hostile in return.

The cleanup on shore goes on around the clock. So perhaps the attitude could be ascribed to exhaustion and a seemingly unending undertaking.

But Elijah and I made a couple more forays and brought back another explanation.

The prevailing talk points to their deep sense of guilt over their lukewarmness towards the cult of Stan. (Some attribute it to their abandonment of the past, but they are a minuscule minority).

Because they will do anything to appease Stan, we predict things will get uglier.

The Captain concurs. We need to leave – soon.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

This island is a lot bigger than we thought. It took nearly twenty four hours to come around to the other side. And we were slowed considerably by the necessity of avoiding debris bobbing on the waters.

We concluded that the tsunami must have hit this side, and this was confirmed by the master of the vessel in the channel, when he came over to warn us.

Our Captain explained to him our desire to lend any help we could. But he was reticent to our entering the port.

At this juncture Elijah declared that the danger of any more tsunamis was past. The ship master was nonplussed at his outburst, but raised no further objection.

The vision proved true.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We arrived in port in the heat of the day, the harbor completely empty. Before we tied up, however, we were sent packing. And warned to remain at sea until the danger of a tsunami had passed.

An earthquake had struck the island yesterday, centered on their opposite coast. The lone ship we had seen was out there to warn other ships.

When we attained a safe distance, the Captain called us together for a conference.

The Captain felt it necessary that we switch back to the other port, arguing that some of the cargo consigned there may well meet some crucial needs. We all concurred.

And Elijah advised that we remain off the other coast yet one more day.

Day Five Hundred Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas broke into the ward room mid-breakfast to alert the Captain to the presence of a lone ship on the horizon. At once the Captain left for the bridge. Elijah and I followed behind.

The speck was a ship, but whether merchant or a tanker it was impossible to make out for certain, even with binoculars. But by all appearances it was blocking the channel to our next port.

Pirates are not unheard of in this region, so the Captain made a snap decision to change course and make for a port on the opposite side of the island we had been heading for.

Much to everyone’s relief, the speck did not pursue us. It remained steadfast on station.