The Fairy Diary Day 641 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

In his turn to drop down on the ship with his dragon, Dunfallon came over to tell me that the voice from his ring was alerting him to danger ahead. And so it proved when we arrived at the edge where the channel flows down to our world. 

It was so much more daunting looking down from this height to where we have to go than when we were coming up. Merlin gave us permission to move the harness attachment from the bow back to the stern so that Gibley and Conjil could control somewhat our rate of descent through the deluge. 

We heard the roar of the cataracts well before we reached the downspout. Noralei dropped down to report in her turn that the way was clear ahead – so we summoned Gibley down with Conjil and after harnessing her to the ship we ventured into the water course. All was fine at the start, but things soon had us shaken – for the ship began to swing side to side. With Merlin’s help we threw a rope to Dunfallon and together the pixie and the goblin on their dragons stabilized the ship. 

It was quite a ride to the bottom. Nora was the only one to thoroughly enjoy it. 

Thankfully after a brief turn at the pumps we were again on our way. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 259 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Last night Dunfallon  monopolized all the questions in our meeting with Merlin. (None of us minded, as they were all questions to which we wanted answers too).

All is well in Dromadil. Relations among the pixies, fairies, and elves of the light are for the most part harmonious. Geog is well and is called upon by each group in turn when his great strength is needed for a task. There was nothing to report about Grimace, nor any other trolls in the thrall of the enemy. 

The wizard did have some encouraging news. For some reason, the Dromadil pixies have been able to penetrate the enchanted barrier beyond the crystalline tower. They are hoping to locate the enemy soon. 

In closing the meeting Merlin announced his imminent departure. 

The day on ship passed without incident. We are closing quickly upon the land of the dark elves. Barring any new adverse situation we should make landfall sometime tomorrow. 

In the afternoon Merlin gathered us to bid us goodbye. And to relay to us the results of his examination of the rope used to immobilize the rudder – he is certain that it was made from the ugly black plant and thus from the land of the dark elves. He has seen similar cordage inside the crystalline tower.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Getting past the city wall was no problem at all. We bypassed it all together.

From our vantage point yesterday Elijah picked out our landing point on this side of the wall. He didn’t tell me the reason behind his choice until we got here.

It all harkens back to the time we were separated when seeking a way out of the city. Elijah had gone back from the wall in search of rope. He had informed me that he had fallen into the control of our nemesis.  It was she who supplied us with rope, proving herself a friend instead.

What he didn’t tell me was that she knew who we both were. She knew I am named Enoch.

Day Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We cleared the first foothill yesterday, but didn’t get much farther than that. The city for the most part is blocked from sight, only the tallest buildings poke their heads up enough to be seen.

There was another reason for our lack of headway. Lyle shared an account of his adventures with me. They were pretty hair-raising. I’ll suggest to him that he share his journal too.

But I will relate that he had a run in with that woman he feared. She had him cornered at one point, and fortunately as it turns out, placed him right in the midst of what he went to find – all that rope.

And it directly led to the recovery of Rufus.

Day Fifty AM #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

I thought I had outpaced them all. The lulls were coming with greater frequency, and I took full advantage. Or so I thought.

Last night I held up in one of the last high rises. Turns out it was the headquarters for all the Intruders I’ve been dodging. And I met their master. She tells me I’ve been a lot of trouble.

What she added next surprised me. She told me that she was sending me on my way. With two fine lengths of rope.

She was warned in a dream not to harm me nor my friend. She knows Enough but not by that name.  And since I did not know any other, she refused to fill me in.

Day Forty Nine AM #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

Found again the same warehouse that was so helpful before. Looked high and low, and found what I needed way up high indeed. The top floor may at one time have been a rope walk for the manufacture of that commodity. The only thing is the rope lengths are all too short. Rope ends? Or left overs? Definitely not long enough to lower our things over the wall. I can knot them together in series, but will the results be strong enough?

I will take them with me. And make my way back to Enough and the Wall, though slowly, for I intend to look elsewhere along the way.

Day Forty Seven AM #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

Never thought I’d say I was suffering from loneliness.  I am. I just have to keep my mind on what I’m doing and my goal.

Came across a small hardware store and I went in immediately to check for rope. Very little left on the shelves open to the public. So I next took a run through the stock room. All picked over as well.

Exited the building just as an Intruder passed by. I froze. And watched it disappear. In the general direction that I am heading.

This is going to be tricky.

Day Forty Six PM #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

No sign of Lyle. He probably won’t be back today.

I continued a grid search of the area for rope. Nothing. But I am edging ever nearer to the section where we last sighted an intruder. I am taking it slower and slower. Can’t be too cautious.

Clarissa stays close. And she appears perfectly content, without a care in the world. I take it as a good sign.

Spend some time watching the automated processes every time the one gate opens. I realize that a live person will eventually put in an appearance to properly maintain the mechanisms out here. There is only so much machines can do. It would increase the odds of discovery. Pray Lyle gets back soon.

Day Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We’ve staked out a point on the wall from which to lower ourselves and our supplies. But the only thing not in our supplies currently is a rope.

More than one would be best, but I would settle for just one.

It would seem that whomever set up the defenses at this end of the city was careful to  remove every trace of a rope, or a line or anything else that could help us get down.

So Lyle and I decided that the best course of action for us would be to split up. He will head back into the city in quest of climbing equipment. I will remain in this area and continue looking for other ways out.