The Fairy Diary Day 648 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

On the other side of the mountains we passed into a good long stretch under the canopies of the sprawling forest. There was very little value to our flights on the dragon – at least for detecting ambushes. Still we sent Dunfallon up for an occasional look around. 

I kept Clemjil company as he explored the surroundings as the wagon and the others proceeded down the road. Actually I kept him out of trouble, as his curiosity unchecked would have landed us all in a sticky situation. I am so thankful that unlike the other dragons he does not have an igniter stone in his throat. 

Still he is a good natured dragon and eager to please. He is quick to follow my commands and is heedful of my admonitions. 

I believe we will need to keep him on a shorter leash once we come out on the plain and start passing by farms and villages. It would not do to upset the inhabitants. 

The presence of Navril and his elves should go a long way to stave off any problems in that regard. Though at first his elves were hesitant in the company of the dragons, they are now quite accepting and less fearful. 

There are times when I wonder about the future of our dragon friends. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 647 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I traded off with Dunfallon taking Cluyjil up to look out for ambushes ahead on the road. I remember thinking on my first stint what a motley collection we must seem – the dragon Rayjil pulling the wagon under Noralei’s direction – Merlin seated up front with her – little Clemjil, walking along with them – the floating presence of Dunfallon’s army flanking both sides of the wagon, (most heavily grouped around the box containing the bell) – Navril’s forces split in two, (he was in the lead with one half and the other brought up the rear).

Anyone considering challenging us would have to be mad.

In my estimation we had the road to ourselves through the mountains. Though I could see some movement ahead coming across the plains, and headed towards us. Most likely merchants on their way to Corbelin.

During those times when Dunfallon’s turn on Cluyjil came around, I sat atop the box containing the Crack of Doom. It gave me a better view than when riding forward with Noralei and the wizard. Though I did trade places with Merlin on those occasions when he wanted to consult his seers stone.

It was on one of those occasions that I heard humming coming from the inside of the renegade queen’s cage. Noralei had created cloth covers for the cages, to keep them away from the prying eyes of passersby.  I lifted one edge of the cover and the queen stopped her humming, stared at me and stuck out her tongue. I dropped the cover back in place.

The look on my face drew a chuckle from Noralei and she told me that I needed to ignore her – and to guard myself from any incantations.

The Fairy Diary Day 572 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

After a night of rest in the open we were again on the way to Dromadil. There were signs around us while on the ground of a great thaw ongoing in the area – with patches of snow and ice scattered here and there. I was thankful to have the warmth of a dragon available to us.  

There came a point in our flight when we could see that we were passing into an area over which the cold had not yet loosened its grip. And it was not in the mountains. Willie broke his silence to call our attention to a path far below. Dunfallon took us down for a closer look. 

There in the snow we could track the passage of a man wielding a staff. The tracks pointed in the general direction of Dromadil. So, we again took wing – but instead of flying direct to our destination we kept these tracks in view in hopes of discovering where and if the tracks had turned off – believing them to be our friend’s. 

We were eventually rewarded when Willie sighted signs of a great disturbance in the snow. Dunfallon again had Cluyjil take us down. The path there had been trampled much and what we supposed to be Merlin’s tracks went in but not did not come out. 

We agreed he must have been surrounded and then carried off. And no trail of the attackers led away from that spot either. 

With Dromadil clearly in view I decided that we press into the pixie city and make our inquiries there. 

The Fairy Diary Day 245 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Down from the mountains we passed onto the foothills. Our road now is surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Dunfallon, surprisingly, does not wander off to take in the sights and aromas of burgeoning blossoms. (He did pick a few wild flowers and presented them to Noralei – which she received graciously).

Here and there we passed elves superintending the work of the bees. They were friendly when they caught sight of us, but none set aside what they were doing to come talk. 

They did not need to as it turned out. Six elves appeared at the head of a bridge and surrounded us to hold up our passage. Word had come to them to expect travelers that fit our description. We confirmed our identity with Nililitil’s passport, and with that they allowed us to pass over. 

With one request- to join them for dinner at the Blue Daffodil, an inn just a bit down the road.

The Fairy Diary Day 241 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The river now lies behind us and the mountains are rising to meet us. The farmlands are giving way to woodlands and there are fewer elves about. No doubt most of them are archers and were called up long ago. 

For the first time we had to show Nililitil’s passport. A barrier had been placed athwart the road and guarded by the largest elves I have ever seen. The passport proved its worth. They ushered us through and bid us all speed. 

Rumble commented afterwards that they seemed on edge, constantly scanning the skies towards the north. 

Just after that experience, we had a message from the High Fairy. He has arrived in Dromadil. The Laguayilian armies are arriving and Merlin is already there. The Faerie Queen’s forces will be there soon. He was optimistic and reported that all was quiet across the lake. 

Even so I cannot shake a growing sense of forboding. 

That and Rumble thought he saw black birds flitting around in the woods.

The Fairy Diary Day 239 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We have passed several elvish villages so far. Each one has been most helpful, even without the need for showing our passport. This close to Laguayil, word has preceded us. 

I do note that there are not many young elves about, but that makes sense. They have no doubt been called to the capital to join Nililitil’s forces there. And though those remaining put on a brave face, I do detect an undercurrent of worry among them. 

Dunfallon is much like his old self, striking up lively conversations with Rumble and Noralei in turn. 

However, he mostly avoids me. It concerns me somewhat. I sense he wants to ask me something – but is afraid he won’t like my answer. 

I will bide my time. Perhaps I will open up to him myself. All depends on the timing. 

The ocean has dropped from view as we descended from the high plains and is now completely blocked by the coastal mountains. 

Our progress will no doubt slow considerably there and perhaps the time will be right. 

The Fairy Diary Day 159 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The ends of the fields are in sight. The plain ahead gives way to hills, and mountains rise behind them. Geog and Grimace say that their home lies in a high valley behind the second chain of hills. 

But we are left to wonder how close we are to the refugees. Surely they did not press as far as the territories held by the trolls and pixies. 

When I conjectured that possibility Geog rejected it as not necessarily so and argued that they could have avoided any contact with his people and done so easily. It all depends on how deep was the fear that drove them. They might possibly have passed through the mountain passes to the land beyond. 

I sincerely hope not given the state of their fields.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We returned to familiar ground today. Territory that Elijah and I remembered from our journey down to Babylon. From my calculation we were only two or three days from Sy’s redoubt in the mountains.

We described Sy’s fortress to Reuben and he said that he had come across a place of that description on his way through the Galilee region. In fact, he had stopped to spend the night, having been invited to do so by another man whom he took to be someone who belonged there.

Elijah asked our friend to describe this individual.

After he did, Elijah and I looked at one another. His description matched our nemesis Moglen.

I asked Reuben if Moglen had inquired about us.

Day One Thousand Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah called for a halt today. On the face of it, there was no compelling reason due to any overt threats, but we obeyed without question.

Perhaps it was because of our current surroundings. Except for the absence of water, we were in a depression that shielded us from the constant wind, descending from the mountains at our back.

Or maybe Elijah just saw our need. One which was so close under our noses that we were blinded to its impact.

So, it was with gratitude that we each were able to take time to draw apart. To intercede for those behind in the hiding place, and then for those whom we yet seek, the focus for our united mission.

Day Nine Hundred Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another late night despite our best efforts to have everyone turn in early. At least we were ready to leave at first light for we kept busy all the while we talked.

As we moved out the Purser took a head count. The six I had identified were missing. And stranger still Jezer later told me he had recognized someone last night, but now they were nowhere to be seen.

Jezer had had other important news to share. And Elijah and I were overjoyed when we heard it. Sy, acting upon our request had gone in search of the Purser’s group but found instead the one led by Jordan. They are now safely with him  in the mountains above Galilee.