The Fairy Diary Day 665 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Last night Dunfallon was later than any of us wanted him to be. Though we should have expected it. He tried to use the excuse that it was hard to locate us in the dark – I shook my head at that comment, for we had our beacon fire going well before sundown. 

Finally he admitted that time just got away from him. He had fully intended to leave earlier, but then Nailbiter and others brought out some rumors that had been circulating among pixies and the nearby fairies. Some fairies in Nonin-gal-dith wanted their queen back. And were boasting that they would take matters into their own hands. 

This brought about a debate among us – avoid Nonin-gal-dith and go straight on to the capital, or keep to our original plan. 

With the morning we decided on keeping to the plan.  Rumble said there were certain documents we needed to collect from the High Fairy’s residence and both Noralei and Dunfallon thought that if there were inimical factions they needed to be exposed and/or convinced that their support for the disgraced ruler is misplaced. 

So, we pressed onwards to Nonin-gal-dith. 

Our decision proved the proper one. 

There were many more troops manning the daisy ring defenses than formerly, but they sped us through. Merlin had convinced Tinadell to send a strong escort to remain by our side as long as necessary. 

Noralei’s sister was prepared to receive all of us – pixie, fairies, and dragons. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 613 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon pulled me aside to talk before we left for the treasury this morning. He was greatly upset. Noralei had shown him the small bag of coins she had selected for her payment yesterday. All of them had been minted by a former chieftain of the pixies from his territory, not by the Dromadilians. So, he is nagged by the suspicion that the great wealth of his friend is ill-gotten. 

To my mind the fact that the king tried to maneuver Dunfallon away from the treasury tended to lend a little more weight to our suspicions. And then there is that ancient history about the bad blood between the Dromadilians and the Laguayilians over that disputed treasure. 

Still, I advised my friend to await further developments. There just may be a completely innocent explanation. 

I believe he took my advice to heart for he turned his energy to the task at hand back in the treasury. Lining up his soldier-less weapons in an arc around us, we followed Gibley’s lead as he investigated the movement of air on the side of one of the stones in the center of the wall. After trying to pry it forward with one of Dunfallon’s spear soldiers, Rumble discovered that it yielded to a push instead. 

Our pixie piled through with his “army,” taking up defensive positions on the other side. And we came in right behind them. 

We found that we could only walk so far. Rumble, Noralei and I took to flight and by the light from my pendants we surveyed the vast area ahead. It was clear that we needed to bring a boat down so that we could all search for a blockage that was holding this body of water in place. It needed to be drained to remove the threat to the surrounding structures below the burrow city of Dromadil. 

Dunfallon and I went up to report our findings to the king. 

The Fairy Diary Day 610 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dibla declined to accompany us to Dromadil. (Most likely he did not relish the thought of riding a dragon). But he did offer an ancient map dating back to the time of their excavations up there. Though not as good as those Rumble has, it should suffice. 

On the map the dwarf called my attention to the stream with a village in the crook of its elbow and I recognized it as the village of the Sprites. He cautioned us that there are more than likely many differences since then. Though he added that up in the area of Dromadil there should not be as many. And he took the time to note a couple passages that the pixies would have most likely sealed off. Gibley’s eyes lit up at this and he stated that he thinks he knows where one of them might be. 

So, as soon as Dunfallon said goodbye to Gabhe, his mountain goat, having just finished a friendly game of nine pins, we bid farewell to Gilgorgon, thanking him for his hospitality and willingness to help. 

We were back in Dromadil by the afternoon. And met Rumble at the inn where Conjil was welcomed back into its stable. 

Rumble had not been idle. While Noralei did wonders with the dungeon cells (so comfortable that she spent the nights there herself), he had familiarized himself with the area and its trouble spots. He eagerly accepted Dibla’s map and went off to study it. 

Dunfallon, Gibley and I discussed how to go about broaching to the Dromadil king the need to ask the Sprites for their help. Then Gibley went off to visit Noralei and to look into a possible entry point into the dwarfish excavation. 

When we were alone I took Dunfallon into the stable and there discussed with him what we could do to forestall the summoning of Conjil away from us. 

The Fairy Diary Day 571 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We heard not a peep from within Willie’s cage as it floated along with us. A steady glow emanated from within, which hinted to me of a more contented disposition. But perhaps a better indication of a change in the Wisp was his effect on Cluyjil – that is, there was none – no uneasiness, no distrust, no aversion to this strange object tethered to his saddle and the stranger creature within. 

We made one stop on the way to Dromadil. I know that I originally turned down Dunfallon’s desire to enlist Gilgorgon and the dwarves in the cause for Noralei and her dragon – but now I thought better of it. 

Gilgorgon’s mountain was on the way and there were other good reasons to stop. 

Herblas ushered us into the presence of the king of the dwarves who received us gladly. Dunfallon stated Noralei’s case and successfully elicited his support on her behalf.

And I asked after Merlin and learned that the wizard had stopped by – probably when he was on the way to Laguayil. I then asked that if he should come through here before we caught up with him to please have him hurry back to Nonin-gal-dith. 

Then we asked to be excused to go on our way – (I know, such a hard thing to resist dwarfish hospitality). But we knew if we did not get off right away we would be held up for a day or two. 

Dunfallon’s only regret was not having the opportunity to have a few words with his mountain goat Gabhe. 

And I am happy to record that Willie  was civil, even cordial while there. I hope he can be the same with the pixies of Dromadil. 

The Fairy Diary Day 538 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon returned from a quick trip to visit his fellow pixies. We had been so busy these last few days that we had not realized that he had slipped away. Helping me with my cottage had prompted his action. But after only a short time, he tells me, his curiosity was satisfied (that is, he got bored) and he was happy to return. 

When I informed him that he had missed the return of Noralei and Rayjil, he immediately wanted to go see them. I told him that he should wait and accompany Rumble and me to the Fairy Council before whom she and Tinadell would be appearing. 

When we arrived the meeting was already underway. I was shocked that it had begun before the scheduled time. In fact the gallery was packed and we had to stand at the back. 

Noralei and Tinadell were standing together before the council. Which struck me as strange until I saw that the High Fairy was seated on the council dais with the other members. 

The complaints against each of them being read, his excellency rose and presented the decrees of their sovereign regarding each. There was not much to add after that. The other council members were clearly cowed by these pronouncements from the Faerie Queen. And they in turn ordered that Noralei and Tinadell would be allowed to go about their business. 

The three of us (led by Dunfallon) met them outside the council chambers. There Noralei informed us that his excellency desires to meet with all of us at his residence this evening to discuss some important developments. 

The Fairy Diary Day 494 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The meeting went long – all night long. I am afraid that I was in great part responsible – for the discussions revolved around my insistence that Noralei be included on the team. 

Both Merlin and the High Fairy thought it best to limit membership to one each from the fairies – the dwarves – the pixies – the goblins and the elves. Hence they argued that with me on the team already, Noralei could not be. 

Merlin wanted to consider the decision concluded for he said we needed to address more pressing needs. He tried to move the discussion on to what we need to acquire before they send us to the other side – but I would not allow it. And Dunfallon came alongside to support my position. 

Together we made the arguments that supported the inclusion of our friend. In reaction to which Gibley spoke up and offered to allow her to take his place. 

Since we could not come to an agreement on this point, I proposed we put it off, especially in light of what steps our leaders say we need to do to prepare for our mission. 

The wizard and his excellency agreed to this and we adjourned to shake off the onus of this day’s work. 

The Fairy Diary Day 362 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We parted company with Corbet today just before we passed into the territory of the pixies. The young man was very apprehensive at the prospect of falling prey to their pranks. 

(He’s heard too many stories about encounters his people have had with pixies that downright scare him. And probably our mention of the name of the pixie we will be visiting – Nailbiter – has only deepened his fears).

We bid him goodbye as he set off to find his way around the pixie lands. Rumble had enjoyed their talks together, so he was saddened to see him go. 

First things first, we wanted to check out Dunfallon’s favorite spot which he once had shown us. From memory Noralei lead us into the cozy little hollow. 

There we found some signs of recent occupation – but as to whether or not they were those of our pixie none could say for certain. 

With the day far spent by that time, we decided to pass the night here.

The Fairy Diary Day 337 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

At long last Dunfallon returned – with great news. He and the Laguayilian troops led by our friend Navril, ambushed the three dark elves carrying the dragon egg. It was a costly success, for that dark elf warrior maimed or killed nearly half their party. Dunfallon and his eagle prevented Navril from being decapitated by distracting that warrior as he swung his ax and in a mighty riposte Navril actually did the deed on him with one stroke of his sword. (There is some concern that a bit of his blood fell on the shell of the dragon egg and was absorbed). The egg is on the way to the care and keeping of the High Fairy. 

A band of Dromadil pixies had arrived late for the battle, but continued here with them, all as volunteers for the assault on the dark elf stronghold. Dunfallon wants his fellow pixies with him as they poke around looking for the hidden entrance into the dark elf stronghold. They descended to our junction single file and followed down the narrow passage to the next junction above the stronghold gate. 

Navril’s elves filed in after them but had to stoop while they remained in these smaller confines. 

Thus we thought it best that they set up their camp down in the Low-way. 

About that time we noticed that Willie was missing from his cage.

The Fairy Diary Day 300 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Noralei told us that we have passed the last landmark that she remembers from her first foray. There where the passage had swollen into a huge cavern were many structures fashioned from wood brought from above. 

It was impressive, but unidentifiable as to origin. Dunfallon said the scale is all wrong for pixies, and added that goblins would not have added the decorative touches that exist throughout. 

Rumble put forth a guess that it just might be fairy made. 

Intriguing. 

We discussed whether or not it might be the place to stop the next wave of dark elves. 

We decided instead to press on.

The Fairy Diary Day 299 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The goblin king and the leaders of the Dromadil pixies are content with the groundwork that Dunfallon laid in talks with them. The goblins will stay where they are. The pixies were never intent on moving back to their ancestral home, but will maintain a small presence on the level with their great burrow. They are more interested in the area on the surface around the shaft (Rumble helped in that regard and took some steps to bring back the plant life).

I was relieved for that released us to continue as planned. 

As Noralei had ventured the furthest into the main passage, we gladly gave over the lead to her. And Dunfallon was happy to be by her side, holding Willie in his cage to help light the way. 

(Hawk was turned over to the pixies – he’ll be safer with them rather than with the goblins).