The Fairy Diary Day 616 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

This has certainly been a day for hearing voices. 

Upon reaching the passageway which Dunfallon was warned against entering yesterday, the voice from his ring declared that it was now safe. We three fairies having come in the boat with Dunfallon and Gibley took off to fly on ahead. 

Not long after a voice come out of the darkness in front of us, calling Noralei’s name. Then, to our great amazement who should rush into the light from my pendants but our friend, Nora the water horse. 

In his excitement he splashed all about, circling the boat – thoroughly drenching the pixie and the goblin. Then remained still while Noralei landed atop him. 

Through their excited chatter we learned that Nora had been trapped down here for quite some time. He had been exploring where a stream led and chanced upon a tributary that emerged from underground. He swam up against the flow and was fascinated by all he saw – until seeing some blue fairies. He went to talk with them, but they spurned him and chased him and sealed him up in this vast complex underground. 

And he was so glad that we came to rescue him. 

He beckoned us to follow him – down to what seemed another dead end.  But we all heard voices coming from the other side. Then, from high above our heads, a stream of tiny figures emerged from fissures – lead by Emminie. 

The Sprites swarmed everywhere while I met with their chief. Ever since they returned to their village they have been exploring what the Frost Fairies had left behind. Their trail led all the way to here (and perhaps beyond, for they are not yet finished). 

I asked him if they could break through these obstructions to free our friend. This they were glad to do – and added that they would have to be careful not to bring down the contents of the lake above. 

To this I wholeheartedly agreed and said the the Dromadil king would be very thankful. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 614 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon and I informed the Dromadil king that we have made it into the excavated expanse under his city. And that we require a boat before we venture further in our search for the blockage holding the water in. He replied that his boats that ply the lake are more than likely too big to take down there.

I told him that in that case we need only the materials with which Noralei and Dunfallon can construct one of the proper size for us, most likely down in the treasury itself. This pleased the king and he sent for his boat captain. Upon that worthy’s appearance, he also had a report for the king, but he heard us out first. He promised that his carpenter would supply the necessary materials. 

Then the boat captain informed the king that the level of the lake is slowly falling, and was first noticed to do so when the unseasonal snow and ice began to melt.

The king, Dunfallon and I were then struck by the new difficulties this situation presented. We would have to drain out the water currently below – perhaps through the very hole by which the water was entering from the lake.

It was clear we needed to know more about what is happening below in order to plan what needs to be done.

So, Dunfallon saw to the gathering of materials and brought them down to Noralei. And I joined with Rumble to fly into the nooks and crannies of the watery vastness under the city.

The Fairy Diary Day 88 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The pixie pathway took us near a bog this morning. It appeared to have a reviving effect on the Wisp. Though his glow is brighter he has not recovered his voice. He says not a word but only sighs. 

It is quite a pitiful sound. And is having an effect on my mood. 

That is until we arrived beside a lovely lake. The sight lifted my mood and my spirit. 

And I found myself not wanting to leave the peaceful scene. 

I called for Rumble when I realized what was transpiring and told him to seek out the source of the spell and remove its effect on us. 

It was another Wisp. A denizen of this locality. And possibly related to our prisoner. Rumble and Dunfallon chased it away. 

In that instant Willie recovered his voice and informed us of his displeasure. 

We shall need to take greater care in future.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our two young people talked freely, so freely that the Captain and I excused ourselves and left them to Elijah to chaperone. Feelings were expressed on both sides and each was gratified by those mutual yearnings. But as Tomas emphatically explained it, the times were such that any normal relationship was impossible.

So with the new day Tomas was again looking after every one’s well being. He lead us out by the road from the lake having ascertained its safety. We made good time and at the approach of any intruders, he had us well hidden.

Mei appears non-phased by it all. In fact, I sense a subtle change in her demeanor. She seeks to serve each of us.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

     We had to dodge a patrol last night that was coming towards our position. We used the situation to skirt around the compound in the opposite direction with our ultimate goal a track Tomas said we could use instead of the main road.

     We rested the remainder of the night safe from view.

     The track took us by a lake fed by mountain streams. On the far side two tanker trucks were backing in to fill up. A third waited its turn.

     At the sight of them Elijah called a halt. This applied to Tomas too.

    While the Captain kept watch, I thought it an appropriate time for our two young people to dispel the tension.

     So they did, quietly.

Day Seven Hundred Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Waited all day for an opportunity to talk to Tomas alone. I would have accompanied him on one of his jaunts, but didn’t want to leave Elijah and the Captain without my support. Lung has been outwardly calm, yet I can tell agitation is festering just below the surface. Every step is taking us further and further away from his unit. If only he would talk to Elijah again. Lung has been avoiding him ever since the glacier.

Thankfully, Tomas brought word of another path branching off this one. He is certain it will take Lung back down. If not to the lake, at least to the desert.

I also decided to put off my talk with Tomas until tomorrow.

Day Seven Hundred Forty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We finally relented, and allowed Lung to go back down the trail, accompanied by Tomas. They reported that the trail was washed out by the force of the water from the glacier.  And that a huge chunk of the glacier had cascaded down to a lower elevation.

Still, Lung desires to get back to his unit with this intelligence. And to see if any of the runoff has made its way down to the lake.

Elijah advised him to continue on with us until another way down can be found.

At the same time, Mei let it be known that she does not want to return.

This caught Lung completely by surprise.

We put further discussion aside and continued on.

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 Seven Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The lake has shrunken. Due to our distance from it, not because of the water taken out of it. Though I suppose, given time, that will have its effect too.

Three tanker trucks were visible, applying their pumps, upon our last view before we descended into a valley the other side of the foothills. Perhaps we will see it again when we climb into the next pass.

Our road parallels a river which carries scarcely a trickle. If it ever reached the lake below, I don’t think it could now.

It seems to me that Tomas is returning to check in more often than he used to. He converses with Elijah almost always. And sometimes the Captain.

Mei notices him.

Day Seven Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas led the way, as usual, around the lake and into the foothills. Our guests carried on behind us. Each fully armed and with heavy packs. They’ve been instructed to follow us until they reach the goal of their mission. Besides themselves, Elijah is the only one with that knowledge.

Their names are Lung and Mei. I really was bowled over to learn that Mei is not a man, but a woman. Both had been guards over Elijah, and Mei was always barking commands and gave no hint of her gender.

Elijah knew, of course, and was greatly amused at my discovery.

Our road is a good one. It has been surfaced for vehicles, and we are making good progress.