The Fairy Diary Day 163 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Rather than pressing onwards along the main road in the effort to discover where the refugees departed it, we followed the troll brothers on a shortcut to that part of the second chain of hills that guards the valley of their homeland. 

It was a most pleasant walk through a picturesque landscape. Although there was one section near a swamp that conjured up unpleasant memories of the Will’o’the Wisp. I asked Geog if he had ever encountered such beings. He told me no, not in this swamp, but he added that often he has spotted flickering lights floating in the woods around his family’s place. He’d never gotten close to any and for sure, no one ever went missing on account of them.

This piqued Dunfallon’s interest but before he could act on it, Rumble took him aside to remind him what we have come here for.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Word about our intended mission spread throughout the hiding place and we soon had more volunteers than necessary, or, frankly, desirable.

Elijah and I had already selected two to accompany us – Quasimo and Reuben. So the others were all disappointed. I did encourage each one to commit to the all important labor of intercession, and received encouragement myself when they answered in the affirmative.

We made our way North. Knowing that our expedition would take up a few days we kept an easy pace. Especially climbing out by the remaining path in that direction.

We stayed well away from the main road, observing the traffic thereon – mostly tanker trucks.

Reuben found us a nice sheltered spot to pass the night.

Day One Thousand Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It has become evident that the army patrol from the checkpoint is not on a routine sweep. Otherwise they would have turned back with the onset of night.

I can only think that since we sometimes have them in view, they must likewise see us, despite our conscious efforts to shield our movements.

Thankfully they show no signs of gaining on us. Elijah quickened his pace during those times when we were blocked from view. With the result that the time between sightings lengthened.

And in one of these blind troughs we headed away from our destination, and we hoped from our pursuers too.

That’s when we ran into the man who had accosted us down on the main road.

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.