The Fairy Diary Day 236 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The main topic (and debate) among us revolved around when we should depart on our mission. But first we had a fundamental disagreement to resolve. 

Dunfallon wants either Geog to accompany us to the coast on our prophesied path, or take the troll back with him to Dromadil in hopes of learning something about his brother Grimace. 

The discussion was heating up, when before I could relate my vision, Noralei stood and asked to speak for me. 

So while the pixie and the troll listened, she laid out the facets of my dream of a few days past. She looked at Dunfallon and stated simply that he had to be with the fairies to fulfill the vision.  And since a troll did not figure in my dream, Geog’s destiny must lay elsewhere. 

An icy silence followed. 

I was the first to speak and proposed that Dunfallon and Geog take the time to consider their next step. 

And I declared that tomorrow we leave for the coast. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 172 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin apologized for his curtness of yesterday and for the strain of being hurried along. He defended it as absolutely necessary. He said that time was short and instructed us along the way telling us we had to complete this mission as soon as possible for we were required to return to his castle for the next mission. 

When we came to another great oak he stopped, bowed his goodbye and disappeared after saying we had only to summon him and he will take us up immediately. 

Rumble and I were so busy talking to Merlin we hardly had said two words to Noralei. Dunfallon, however, had her all to himself and at times acted as her spokesman as we bombarded her with questions. 

Her adventures with Caywyn could fill another book. (I’ll just mention that they defeated another army of wolves and walking dead trolls.  And despatched messengers to go after the refugees beyond the human land borders on that side). 

We eagerly trudged on, for by Merlin’s account we should encounter the displaced farmers tomorrow.

The Fairy Diary Day 156 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

When we were prepared to leave on our new mission the realization dawned upon me that we needed to send word to Noralei that we would not be headed her way until much later. So, when the king presented us with his proclamation to take with us to his people, I broached the question to him. He graciously offered to send a messenger to inform her. 

Having settled my mind on that matter, Rumble and I took leave of our new friends and joined Dunfallon and the troll brothers out in the field. The pixie was delighted to be on the road again and was looking forward to new adventures. 

I can say that I had similar feelings though I admit they were somewhat dampened by the evidence of destruction everywhere we looked. 

Rumble and I announced that we intended to make our way slowly and devote some of our time to coax the fields back to health.

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 Ninety Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All the other members of our group concur, even those who feel their purpose on this mission has been fulfilled. This despite other factors that mitigate against our continued presence here in Babylon.

We had two such encounters yesterday on our outing. Elijah learned that an internment camp for world government soldiers was nearby and asked our guard to take us there.

The guard was reluctant and after more persuasion gave in. Afterwards he exuded an air of vindication having been forced to rescue us from assaults aimed at Elijah, “the great Disturber of the nations.”

Mawuli said it was much the same treatment meted out to the group led by his parents on their journey to the promised land.

Day One Thousand Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We continued to languish, albeit in comfortable surroundings, awaiting the return of the Supreme Commander. No explanation was given. Indeed many people came and went, but any conversation was strictly official and never about us in particular.

Among ourselves we speculated about the Captain’s ship. How he so desires to go down and visit her. And to inquire if any of the old crew were still shipping in her.

He entertains the possibility that his individual mission is somehow bound up in her presence here.

Late in the day we witnessed a clash along the outer defenses.  The attack was easily driven back.

Then we intimated the obvious reason behind the continued absence of the Supreme Commander.

Elijah remains serene.

Day One Thousand Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The way I saw it, we had two choices. We either had to swing farther east and retrace the route of our original escape, or go straight in and allow ourselves to be taken, we would hope, to the Supreme Commander.

Our concern for Mei naturally predisposed us to the first option. But Mei herself thought the latter to be the best overall option. And since her part in the mission had been fulfilled in the matter of Lung she was willing to separate from us and allow us to go in and make contact.

We turned to Elijah for any revelation he could share.

But what he had to say was rendered moot when an army unit surrounded us.

Day One Thousand Eighty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All we saw along the way were signs of the passage of the massive army. We were in its wake and evidently far from its point of contact with the world government’s forces.

I, for one, was glad of it. For I know that the day will come when I shall be face to face with the ultimate carnage. Sooner than it has ever been.

Sy and Elam alternated turns in the advance with Mawuli. The lad is indefatigable.

Mei is greatly buoyed in spirit by our brief sojourn with Lung and her old unit. She was talking with the Captain and asked what he hoped for from our mission.

As one could guess this raised the topic of Tomas.

Day One Thousand Seventy Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli wanted to know if the army’s retreat meant that we were to go back also.

Everyone else shared their impression that our mission had not concluded. Decidedly we will press on.

Today we saw that the retreating army was that of the world government. And Elijah spoke the word, “Babylon has fallen.”

That’s when Elam shared his revelation – the motorcade we had spotted yesterday must have been carrying Stan.

We also decided to stay put for the day. With so much going on before us it seemed the much safer course.

Mawuli and Sy did go out, however. They felt their way further to the east to look for gaps, then planned a swing back to the restored well.

Day One Thousand Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli’s appearance set us back another day as we struggled with conflicting views of its meaning. Half of our party were sure that no further members were necessary for our mission. In fact, they argued it may very well be detrimental.

I was confident in the message imparted to me in my dream. But no one else had a confirmation. Even Elijah – who merely proclaimed that the time for our departure was decidedly – “not yet.”

After our initial confusion at Elijah’s direction we took up again our active waiting stance.

We did not wait long.

The dry stream bed below the bridge babbled to life. But instead of water, a blood red liquid coursed down its cascades from somewhere above.