The Fairy Diary Day 617 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I was not looking forward to our meeting with the Dromadil king this morning. Noralei, Rumble, and Gibley went back down to join the Sprites in the work of freeing Nora from his prison. Dunfallon and I brought Emminie up with us for our meeting with the king.

I went in by myself to begin. And I announced that we had located the obstruction and right then as I was speaking it was being removed. The king clapped his hands at this news.

I then did what I could to cushion the blow that would come to him at the revelation of the agency of his deliverance. Still I did see him tense up under the force of my words. 

I went on to state that my friends and I would have failed without the timely arrival and help of the wee folk – the Sprites. I begged leave to bring their chieftain in and make his introduction.

The Dromadil king fell silent, and seemed to shrivel on his throne.

After the space of sixty wing beats, he looked up and nodded his consent. I called to Dunfallon and he escorted Emminie into the chamber. And then pixie to pixie, Dunfallon introduced the chief Sprite to the king. My friend continued on to extoll the strengths and virtues of these wee folk. And then surprised us all by imploring him to count the debt the Dromadilians owed to the burrows of Dunfallon’s pixiedom, to be deemed paid – through his acceptance of the Sprites.

The Dromadil king glared at the mention of his secret, now fully known. And all resistance towards the Sprites ceased.

Emminie for his part was gracious. He went on to say that he was honored to lend this help, and that it was a matter only of humble thanks for the king’s opening of his land to them in their late distress.

I felt relieved upon leaving the king’s chamber. 

But then looked up – and a rainbow was arching down into the fields outside the city. And I knew Merlin needed us.

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The Fairy Diary Day 531 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The High Fairy met us at the gates to the capital and arranged for our chambers in one of the wings of the palace. It is the wing closest to the prison where Tinadell is being held. We thanked him for his thoughtfulness. 

I asked his excellency what the reaction had been to the sudden reappearance of Tinadell after all this time. He replied it had been much as he had expected – shock followed by deep-seated anger. He will be brought before the Queen tomorrow and we will be allowed to make our case for leniency at that time. 

We thought it best then to be about our preparations. Noralei and Dunfallon were allowed to descend into the dungeon to visit the prisoner. I went around to the library to search out the records on his original banishment. 

There I was greeted by a grinning Rumble who had already collected the necessary documents and was putting them in order. 

But the biggest surprise was the presence of Merlin – flitting here and there – humming a tune and bidding me “good day.”

And with a twinkle in his eye, the wizard proclaimed, “We are going to win this.”

The Fairy Diary Day 131 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We passed by the first human outpost today. Dunfallon checked it out from the air and Rumble made  sure all was clear on the ground. While they saw to their tasks I talked with Noralei about her time at Merlin’s castle. And eventually circled around to her observations about the Will’o’the Wisp. 

She knew little more than the new prison she had helped fashion for him. It is larger inside than the outside confines – part of the spell Merlin cast over it. He is right at home for it contains a good deal of his swamp. And at times he sings like a contented song bird. Though she says she understands not a word. 

And I knew that Merlin must know that of which he sings. 

We moved into the outpost at the ‘all clear’ from the boys. 

And I was left to ponder.

The Fairy Diary Day 99 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Noralei joined Rumble, Dunfallon and me after a long night at her forge. She had returned to it immediately upon leaving the interview yesterday. And labored the night through. 

The prison she fashioned for Willie still looks like a lantern, but it has four compartments – rooms, if you will, rooms that are furnished. A rather ingenious design suggested by the High Fairy himself. So long as Willie behaves himself he won’t hurt himself or the things placed inside for his comfort. 

His excellency approved it on sight and then effected the transfer of the Wisp to his new domicile. 

When done the High Fairy astonished us all by announcing that we would be taking Willie with us on our mission. He then commanded the four of us to spend some time getting to know one another better before leaving Nonin-gal-dith.

The Fairy Diary Day 98 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The High Fairy required a meeting with Noralei before giving his consent to her addition to our number. My companions and I waited in his antechamber through what turned out to be a very long interview. 

Rumble knew Noralei and considered her an excellent choice (in fact he wished he had thought of her himself). And Dunfallon, upon introduction to her, was more than approving, he was downright bouncing with enthusiasm. 

At long last, when they emerged, the High Fairy announced that Noralei was now appointed one of our number. And was given her first assignment. 

She would return to her forge and fashion a proper prison for the Will’o’the Wisp.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seventy One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We took turns through the night watching the prison. No one reported signs of seeing anyone – no prisoners, no guards, no deliveries, (even by drone).

Those contraptions and birds were all that moved. And always passing overhead on their way to somewhere else. And if any bird dropped down to roost it was only momentary.

So, this morning Elijah rose and boldly went down into the road and walked into the prison. No one and nothing stopped us. From top to bottom it was empty.

Magwich was at a total loss. And could not understand why what he had seen with his own eyes proved to be false.

Elijah announced that we would return to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Reuben found us a nice perch on a building across from the army barracks that stands outside of the prison. The whole area including the army camp and the prison appeared deserted.

Few drones were flying around. Just enough that we decided it was safe to fly ours.

Inside the prison there was no sign of movement or activity.

On its return flight, we caught sight of someone else atop another building.

Quasimo took it down for a closer look. And there staring out at the prison was Magwich. Alone.

Reuben went to him and brought him back.

He was contrite. Especially when he reported that his comrades had been killed.

But then related that he had traced Mawuli here.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The skies above Jerusalem were abuzz with drone traffic, the majority of which appeared to be carrying goods of some sort. So, we judged it safe enough to launch our own.

Quasimo guided its flight handily. The views it sent back were crisp and clear. It seems that wherever it flew, it passed over mansion after mansion, betokening wealth unimaginable.

Reuben remarked that all of this construction was new. A logo, familiar to Quasimo, was affixed atop one of the largest palaces. He said it belongs to the richest merchant family in Babylon. Probably displaced here when the army of the East captured that city.

Elijah asked Reuben to lead us to the prison in which we had first met.

Day One Thousand Eighty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our transition was only to a more lofty prison. Upon arrival our guards hustled one and all up to the floor beneath the penthouse. Promises were made of an audience above, immediately upon the return of the Supreme Commander.

The demeanor of our captors has improved towards us. They are cowed by these surroundings and no doubt in awe that their very presence here is in large part due to us.

We were allowed to converse and even given freedom to move about. The view was negligible though, given the darkness of the hour, but come morning it was unobstructed in every direction.

Far away in the dock area I saw what could only be the Captain’s beloved ‘rust bucket.’

Day Nine Hundred Fifty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Thus we learned how the other groups had been spirited out of the prison. They had climbed into the emptied tanks of the tanker trucks and been driven out in broad daylight.

Our trio of rescuers reported that the first contingent of prisoners is now safely at the hiding place.

By mutual agreement the balance of Raj G’s group were taken out today, and the trio will return in two days to ferry the guards out.

Elijah and I are waiting to accompany them at that later date.

And we hope to redeem the time until then by pouring into the lives of the guards. They have so much to unlearn. It calls for the greatest patience – something Elijah has.