The Fairy Diary Day 591 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We saw them coming from our refuge, high within the repository and rushed down to open the gate to Dunfallon and Navril. The pixie was extremely unhappy not to see Noralei with us. But he mellowed out as the seriousness of the situation dawned upon him. 

Navril wanted to know what he could do to help. Rumble took him on a tour of the repository and together they took stock of the remaining materials. Surprisingly they found a huge cache of weapons – more than likely overlooked by whoever emptied everything else. 

Dunfallon and I talked over our options. Like yesterday I found myself counseling caution and patience – as usual a difficult proposition for my pixie friend. 

We were debating the virtues of waiting versus striking out on a search for Merlin. When who should appear in our midst but the wizard himself. I began to explain about the state in which we had discovered the repository, when he stopped me and told me that he already knew – as Noralei and Gibley had caught up with him and told him everything. 

Dunfallon then sidestepped to look behind the wizard as though he expected to find Noralei and the goblin there. Merlin placed a hand on his shoulder and said that they would be along a bit later. Gibley had returned to the canyonlands to leave Clemjil and the dragon egg where they could be better cared for. 

Then, Merlin said that what he really wanted to know was what had happened to the High Fairy. 

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Day One Thousand Eighty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We took a day of rest yesterday as Lung set out with his unit and the tanker truck. It was a strategic decision.

Despite our entreaties Lung turned down our offer of refuge for him and his men back in the hiding place. And we understood when he explained with passion his need to obey. Not just within the hierarchy of the army of the East, but also that of the higher calling that keeps him there. Come what may.

We are confident he will be with us again.

Sy and Mawuli led us out into the wide expanse. Thankfully it was devoid of any army presence.

The Captain is certain the army of the East is coalescing around Babylon.

Day One Thousand Thirty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

With Meesa directing our movements we looked into all the nooks and crannies in Damascus in which Jezer could be seeking refuge.

I was a bit mechanical, I admit, and somewhat distracted. I had had an unsettling dream over night. And my thoughts ran on two separate tracks. One, upon what we were doing. And the other on the details of my dream.

In my dream, I was dreaming. It was night, and the dark enfolded me. And into the dream came the sound of dripping. A sound that crescendoed into a raging torrent. With the coming of the light, I could see it was a rising tide of blood.

But I could not see from whence the blood came.

Day One Thousand Twenty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I’ve gained some perspective since yesterday. I am still focused on finding Tomas and Jezer. The difference comes with the realization that timing is everything. And I am now surrendered to our agreed upon schedule in that matter.

It has freed me up in this sense – l look forward to what comes my way today, that will prepare me and make me the person I need to be.

So I sought what I could do here in our refuge, and conferred with Mei. She was short handed as Meesa was out running an errand with the Purser. So she welcomed my assistance, and my company. She was particularly keen to hear more about our recent adventures.

She misses Tomas too.

Day One Thousand Twenty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Quasimo directed our steps with expertise the rest of the way to the hiding place. The few outposts are known and hence easily circumvented.

But that is not to say there were no incidents.

The patrols hereabouts kept no discernible schedule.

Reuben’s sweep in our advance prevented our stumbling upon them unprepared in all but one instance.

It was during a tricky descent. Most of our party were confined to ropes, but there was a specially rigged chair for Elijah. At a critical time we held him still, so that his presence wouldn’t be noticed by a passing patrol near the bottom.

It’s a miracle they never looked up.

Soon after, we were celebrated by Mei in our happy refuge.

Day One Thousand Six #DiaryoftheEndofheWorld

No worries now about how to get back to the hiding place. And all our unanswered questions of late have been answered.

One I intuited the second Mawuli returned from his reconnaissance, barely an half hour after leaving – for he had in tow that worthy individual Quasimo and our treasured Mei.

The drone was theirs. And it had led them to us. But they had not been sure until they had sighted the tanker truck a few days ago.

I think all of us breathed a sigh of relief.

Mei, true to form, has already set in motion the creation of relay points along a route planned for our travel back to our refuge.

Additional help should be here tomorrow.

Day Nine Hundred Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Meesa and Mei surprised us by entering the refuge in the wee hours of the morning. And it was very propitious for all concerned.

They brought intelligence about a movement of soldiers in the area of our planned transit. She counseled holding off our starting time to allow them to pass through ahead of us.

This we did. And we also broke up into smaller groups taking advantage of these unexpected extra guides.

Elijah and I called Tomas and the Captain in, to once again go over our route, in light of a few tweaks suggested by Meesa.

We held back while Meesa set off with the first group. Then in measured intervals Tomas – Mei – and the Captain.

Lastly us.

Day Nine Hundred Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Meesa has reunited us with our friends – Mei, Tomas, the Captain and Raj P. Much to our joy and theirs. The trail she came across when north of Damascus led her at the last to their refuge here in the desert.

The group is almost four times bigger than everyone now in the hiding place. This simple fact has caused us to settle in to talk about how we can get them all into safety.

Of course it took awhile to get around to the topic at hand for we had so much else to discuss to satisfy each other’s curiosity.

Finally Elijah called us all to order. And while we discussed our options, Quasimo kept watch with the drone.

Day Six Hundred Seventeen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas hammered away all morning at Elijah with reasons why we should travel to the other side of the city and seek refuge with Mr. Kagi’s uncle.

After Elijah dealt with each argument in turn, Tomas proposed going by himself. This idea in particular upset the Captain greatly. Tomas reminded him that nothing can happen to either of them apart from one another, if they are to believe the prophecy spoken over them.

The Captain countered by agreeing with him in that instance but was at pains to point out that other outcomes equally undesirable were also possible.

“Like Tomas,” I interjected, “being scooped up as an army conscript. What would we do then?”

Waiting can test the best friendships.