The Fairy Diary Day 630 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We arrived at what we believe to be the passage through this endless barrier of islands and shallow water. All indications – the voice from Dunfallon’s ring – my pendants- and the seers stone – agreed that this is the way we are to go. 

This time Gibley took Conjil up and scouted ahead. Upon his return the goblin pronounced the middle of the channel adequate for the passage of our vessel. He also reported a strange reflection on the face of the water – a series of rungs on a ladder that continued up the expanse of the sky. 

Merlin sprang up at this news and called for Conjil to be harnessed to the ship. And said simply, “We are going up!”

Gibley and Noralei saw to that task. And Dunfallon went to check on his “army.”

I do believe that Conjil divined what was expected of her, and submitted readily. 

Captain Goff pointed the ship into the channel with the help of Rumble and me. Gibley atop Conjil went over the side and they swam to the front. And like the time before with the wagons, the wizard waved his staff and the dragon and the ship slipped from the water and rose into the sky on the ethereal ladder which we could then see was a flow of water cascading down from above. 

A cry came from behind us, “Wait ! Take me too!”

It was Nora the water horse. And Merlin with Noralei’s help roped him along side. 

We passed through some rain, then a cloud, and then an absolute deluge before surfacing upon another vast ocean.

Advertisement

The Fairy Diary Day 560 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

While Noralei and Rayjil stood guard over our end, Cluyjil and I went in search of Dunfallon and his dragon. We found them on a cliff shelf a short way from the rift. Or rather, that is where Conjil was waiting – his focus on the opening of the small tunnel.

I called in and our pixie soon emerged. He had gone in to investigate after hearing noises within and has concluded it was a false alarm. 

I was filling him in about my adventure at the tunnel on the other side when Merlin materialized between the two dragons. This startled them to rise on their haunches but their alarm subsided when they recognized the wizard who often offered them treats. And he did so, while telling us the news that the thread had stopped unspooling. He had come fully expecting to see Gibley standing with us. 

Before Dunfallon could run back into the tunnel to look for his friend, Merlin told him there was a better way. With a wave of his staff over Cluyjil and himself, the wizard and his dragon were transformed down to sizes matching the pixie’s. 

While Conjil and I took up guard at the entrance, the threesome entered to look for Gibley. 

The Fairy Diary Day 426 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It was slow going in the clinging darkness – only dispelled by the glow atop Merlin’s staff and from that of my pendants. Rumble was more familiar with these passages than either Merlin or me, having traveled them many times with Dunfallon in search of amusement. But he confessed to be confused at some of the odd turnings. 

After he stumbled where clearly he should not have, we realized we were up against a most dangerous spell – most likely one peculiar to dwarves. While the wizard took the measure of our surroundings, Rumble and I stood and watched. 

We were thus engaged admiring the craftsmanship of the dwarves in the carvings when our serenity was broken by the silhouette of a mountain goat – seemingly bounding upon the ceiling of the passageway. 

It was our friend Gabhe and the first words out of his mouth were, “Where’s Dunf?”

He was saddened to hear that the pixie was not with us. But quickly recovered – addressed himself to Merlin and said, “My turn to help you.”

With his encouragement we joined him on the ceiling and the world turned upside down or rather it proved that we were the ones who had been on the ceiling and were now turned right side up. 

And following the lead of Gabhe we made our way down to the great hall of Gilgorgon. 

The Fairy Diary Day 425 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin landed with Rumble and me on the top of Gilgorgon’s mountain.  We found the lookout loft unguarded, but there was no need for one as the access into the interior from there was locked down. 

I thought for sure that the wizard was going to render the stone door into dust with his staff, but he had me step forward instead and take out the pendant that he had given me long ago – the one by which I summon him. He instructed me to hold it up to the rays of the afternoon sun until it glowed. When its light grew steady he said to illuminate the door. And a keyhole appeared. 

I could see that it could receive the shape and size of the pendant. So at Merlin’s nod I inserted the pendant and the door moved aside. 

To our curious faces Merlin explained that Gilgorgon had commissioned him long ago to set up this lock and ones like it for his defenses. 

All was silent as we moved into the topmost post of Gilgorgon’s kingdom. Again there were no guards. 

It was not unexpected. But also was one more sign of the desperation of the dwarves of Gilgorgon’s kingdom.  

The Fairy Diary Day 374 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It seems that our surroundings became more ornate the further we traveled in this passage. So, it was strange to come upon a scene of devastation and destruction. 

Dunfallon took it as proof that the dragon had gained entry to the mountain via this access. I was not convinced- but before I could utter a word, Rumble spoke up and said what I was thinking and reminded the pixie that the dark elves and Gilgorgon’s dwarves had clashed repeatedly back when the first egg was stolen. And most probably at this very spot. 

I pointed to a couple of places where I was sure Merlin had struck the ground with his staff. Even the ceiling above them showed signs of fiery blasts. 

Shortly after with the end of the passage in sight, Noralei made a definitive discovery- two jagged pieces that could only be dragon scales. 

Passing through the high doors that we had originally seen so long ago, we held to the hope that the monster was long gone. But we feared what it may have left in its wake.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

None of us closed our eyes last night. We were too alive to the moment.
The silence of the night early gave way to the sounds of hasty preparation. While the first rays of light revealed rank upon rank of the opposing armies stretched out in endless lines.

The blood trickling down the rocky stream bed under the stone bridge was only the harbinger of what was to come, down in the valley.

Elijah stood to his feet and raised his staff over his head and intoned judgement on both armies.

Then across each rank and down each line, blood sprouted like a crimson bloom above each individual, a veritable fountain as they fell.
Like grapes in a wine press.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah with his staff and Mawuli with his sling made short work of the wild dogs. Dispatching fully half of them before the remainder scampered away in a panic.

Things returned to normal after that. The new normal anyway.

As a plus the incident seemed to restore Mawuli’s equilibrium.

And the cold snap ended. Another welcome circumstance.

But it all changed again in the middle of my morning watch. Out on the perimeter the wild dogs reappeared. Everyone responded to my alarm. Thus, we all saw them stop in their tracks, turn and flee.

None of us had time to ponder this as immediately the ground shook and the terrain around us undulated like the waves of an unruly sea.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Eighty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I stirred early and discovered that Elijah was already up. He looked at me without a word pacing about looking up at the heavens.

I opened my mouth to speak only to have him shush me.

Then he stood stock still, raised his staff and swung it in an arc from horizon to horizon.

Fifteen points of light sprang to life marking the staff’s passage against the sky. They glowed brilliantly then extinguished.

We awakened our three brothers for breakfast and a conference.

Our decision was swift and unanimous. We will forsake our direct heading and make our way around the area of the hiding place and approach from the Damascus side.

We tasked Reuben with finding the best way.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seventy Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

After our comrades recovered from the suddenness of our return, we decided not to venture beyond our thicket – but pressed further back into its wild undergrowth. And there passed the night.

Come the morning we were surprised when Quasimo discovered a huge water reservoir nearby. Reuben recognized the structure and led us around to the other side where he knew of a path that could take us east.

We eschewed the side where the tanker trucks were adding their loads to the reservoir. Even then someone must have spotted us for a warplane dropped down from a great height and lined up on our position.

Elijah raised his staff and the jet tumbled from the sky – but not before firing.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The wisdom of the directions only became clear after the events unfolded. I received confirmation of the instructions as related by Reuben (and reiterated by Elijah), but they gave me great difficulty, for they required me to break the covenant struck between Elijah and me – to never separate.

But I set my mind to obey and we did.

When Moglen left the high place, I crossed over to it while Elijah and Reuben distracted the drone.

I crushed the idol with any rocks that came to hand and tossed the pieces into the fire.

After giving the drone a chance to record the proceedings, Elijah brought it down with his raised staff.

Swiftly I rejoined my friends and we departed.