The Fairy Diary Day 402 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It seems we were kept waiting forever outside the gate to the stronghold city. The guards would not let us pass due to the presence of Gibley’s hatchling. And our demands to see Fliget went unanswered. Finally Gnoston was able to convince them to allow him entry to seek an audience with his friend. 

In the meantime Rumble purchased a hooded cloak from a passing merchant, with which Gibley and Noralei swaddled the hatchling. (It was more to hide her from prying eyes than anything else). 

As his impatience grew, Dunfallon agitated about either taking to the side passages to enter the city or maybe even going up to the surface and be on our way. But I vetoed his first idea as dangerous and reminded him that the quickest and easiest way to the canyonlands was through the city. 

The pixie’s sulk was cut short by the appearance of our friend Fliget – and his explanation for our long wait. He had decided to order all his subjects to stay indoors or to move from the main thoroughfare in order to clear a route through the city for our party to pass through unseen. 

He added an apology that there would be no time consequently to renew our friendship. I told him I understood but later remarked to the others that I felt our friend was being forced to comply to the will of the long arm of Artoxon.

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The Fairy Diary Day 115 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Roseberry and I had a contest of wills over my pendants this morning. He was unsuccessful in his attempts to wrest them from me. 

I came away from the encounter with his, but returned them as a sign of my good faith. 

I think it only embarrassed and angered him more. 

Rumble thinks him a bit daft. And sang a little ditty couched in those terms after Roseberry had left. 

We had no word from Noralei. And though I held a concern for her treatment at our captor’s hands, I was certain she could stand her ground. I consider her more than a match to the greedy little merchant. 

Much later, I received a reply from the High Fairy. He simply wrote – “You know whom you have to call.”

Day Five Hundred Ninety Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Both the Captain and Tomas were thankful for their deliverance, and the Captain contrite about his attitude of yesterday.

They had been swept up by a patrol when a merchant raised a hue and cry after our friends tried to make a purchase without the mark.

Thankfully such a fervor has not spread out to this area. Yet.

For now the two are content to stay put and consider their options.

Just after noon the darkness returned. I thought it providential in that it would hide us from any pursuers. Elijah, however, considers it a finger pointed directly at us. But he says that without any concern.

Certainly we see no one walking about in the murk.

We’ll know tomorrow.

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.

Day One Hundred Seventy One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was about to write down that nothing happened today. Or, as a subnote, little that I was aware of. For it is unusual not to record anything.

But then Lyle returned.

He was alone. It was not what I had expected. This morning he left with Flowers into the third district to meet the merchant’s parents.

They had reached the street on which they reside, when ahead on the stair before their house they spied Stan waiting.

Flowers made an abrupt about face and evaporated from sight.

Lyle continued on and confronted Stan. But Stan would have none of that and dismissed him when Lyle had no mark to show when asked.

I think the gates are closing forever.