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. 

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Reuben was ebullient to be in touch with Tomas after his epic search for him. The feeling was mutual since they had much in common to discuss as they went along.

It was from their discussion that we learned about a side effect to my destruction of Stan’s idol.

The alliance between the armies of the East and North had been forged while the Supreme Commander was still alive. When the government forces left their fortifications to mount an attack on them, the leader of the Northern army suspected he had been betrayed and slew the Supreme Commander. When the government forces retreated for no apparent reason, the triumphant leader concluded it was from his action.

But we know differently.

Day One Thousand Eighty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We haven’t budged from where we were captured yesterday. Our captors haven’t been too harsh beyond the first encounter. The bruises on Sy’s and the Captain’s heads notwithstanding. Despite our protestations that we are not spies, nor hold any animus against them, we are kept corralled together and forced to be quiet under the constant vigil of three guards.

The leader of the unit has no time for us and is intent on setting his defenses. So we have no one with which to plead our case to be taken to the Supreme Commander.

At least they are not curious about Mei’s presence with us. And they have not confiscated Elijah’s staff. Evidently they assume he needs it to walk.

Day Eight Hundred Seventy Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah offered no word of explanation for his actions of yesterday. Of course I knew he would’t. I learned of his ‘heroics’ from the widows via Meesa. Their captors succumbed to a heavy slumber upon his entrance. A similar condition marked all of their guards, they noted, as he led them out of the building.

But our leader did want to talk about our imminent departure. And we will not have to plan a lot of things as to organization. For the local authorities, wanting to be quit of us, will be forcing everyone out.

The best we can do is to try to be ready. And Jezer is already hard at work on that front.

I am assisting him.

Day Eight Hundred Sixty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I find myself warming to our erstwhile friend Jezer. I begin to think that he only acts the scoundrel to acquire what others need. With only minimum thought to himself.

And I also understand better the reason for our call to Damascus.

There are scatterings of Hamashiachites throughout the city. Late comers to belief after the Great Appearance. Living lives in fear and persecution when found out. And sorely in need of a leader.

And Elijah shall fill that need, willingly and most gladly. I shall help, of course. But unlike with other groups we have gathered in the past, we shall lead them ourselves to Jerusalem, and not hand them over to others to direct.

And time is short.

Day Seven Hundred Eighty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I watched as the Leader assembled his men and led them forth out of the hunter village. Their demeanors grim and dark with malevolence.

We fell to prayer and interceded for our host village, and Tomas and Mei.

They weren’t gone more than quarter hour when in burst a troop of men led by Mei. These men rounded up our guards and freed us.

Mei had us on the way back to our hosts and was interrupted in the middle of her explanation by the rattle of gunfire ahead.

She ran on ahead with her men and became the hammer that finished off the hunters against the anvil of Tomas and his soldiers.

Mei had been busy yesterday.

Day Seven Hundred Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I arrived at the hunters’ village just fine, and were even allowed in without fuss. And no ceremony. Not that we were expecting any deference; in fact just the opposite.

I chalk it up to the Leader being absent and they didn’t quite know what to do.

When told he had gone to the city, we replied that we would wait.

He did not return until this morning.

It was a long night, but we sat patiently under the gaze of an image of Stan.

Upon entering his face was lit with a glow of triumph. Before we could say a word he turned to his guard and barked an order, and the Captain was brought in, bound.

Day Seven Hundred Seventy Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our final decision to pick a village and enter it, was taken out of our hands. A boy and his dog spotted Tomas and raised the alarm. We gathered together before contingents from three neighboring villages surrounded us.

Though armed they seemed more curious than threatening. That is, until their leader showed up.

He was more suspicious and demanded to know why we were sneaking around.

Mei was able to explain that we had business in the city.

Her statement brought a sniff of incredulity from him. It was plain to see we were not merchants.

Then Elijah stood (he had been seated), and the contingents vied with one another to take us into their village, despite the leader’s protests.

Day Seven Hundred Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

With the way open behind us, we were again called upon to press forward into the pass. The Captain and I had ended our fasts, but Elijah was continuing with his.

Other units pulled into the area and filled it up as we vacated it.

All was calm and peaceful and nothing but the silence of the mountains greeted our ears along the way.

The soldiers marching with us were noticeably ill at ease. And their leader called an end to our advance much earlier than I would have thought.

We later learned that this had been at the instigation of the Supreme Commander whose vehicle had caught up with the advance unit, also bearing Tomas, our very excited friend.

Day Seven Hundred Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The leader of the army’s advance units took it upon himself to place us out front. Obviously he sees us as a shield and intends to wield us as such.

Of course, we actually are his shield and for the army at large wherever they place us or wherever we would choose to place ourselves.

I scanned the mountains on the right and the Captain those to the left. Elijah just forged on ahead.

This first day nothing out of the ordinary happened. At its end we set up camp and sent back word for the rest of the army that it was safe to advance.

The message was acknowledged and an additional communication was handed to Elijah from Tomas.