The Fairy Diary Day 682 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We passed into the pixie territory under lowering skies before midday. A storm appeared to be brewing ahead in the direction of our destination. We could not see Gilgorgon’s mountain as of yet, but the gathering blackness seemed to be settling over its general location.

My companions did not like the look of it. Nor did I.

About that same time the voice from Dunfallon’s ring was intoning an alarm urging us to be on the alert. And the pendants on my chest throbbed in unison.

I passed the word to our escort to be vigilant. And Dunfallon ordered his soldier less weapons to close ranks around the cages. Rumble reined in Cluyjil to a steady walk.

I felt a rush of air behind me and turned about in time to see a black bird swoop down from the sky and attempt to close its talons on one of the cages. It missed. I notched an arrow to my bow and let it fly after the retreating bird. It caught one of its wings and the bird spun to the ground, bursting into flame upon impact.

We halted and sent the escort back to retrieve the remains. They returned, bearing only the arrow, and reported that dust was all that remained of the bird.

Rumble interrogated the Caretaker afterwards, but he could give no answer to his questions, and protested that neither he nor the renegade queen had ever seen the like before.

The thing of it is, we had.

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The Fairy Diary Day 643 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I was just coming up for my watch when Captain Goff called for all hands. A black squall had appeared in the sky behind us and was rapidly gaining on the ship. He sent the dragon riders further aloft to weather the storm above it. 

Merlin tumbled up from below to join Rumble and me, making his appearance as three people. And consequently we soon had the sails in. 

And just in time. For the howl of the wind then overtook us. We fairies had to lash ourselves down for safety. 

Happily the squall was past almost as quickly as it had begun. The Captain and Merlin went about assessing the damage. Our prisoners were fine – complaining loudly about mistreatment. 

I found that the little dragon Clemjil was not as chipper as usual. In fact a better word to describe his condition would be seasick. We should have sent him aloft with the others. 

Rumble discovered a more serious problem. In the blow the Crack of Doom had shifted off of its moorings. We secured it the best we could while waiting for Dunfallon and Noralei on their dragons to catch up with us. Once they did the wizard directed them to lift the bell back into its proper position. 

All was again put to rights by the time the sun went down. And by its dying light we could just make out land in the dim distance. 

The Fairy Diary Day 258 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Finally Captain Dorgone has the ship on our desired heading. Northward, with following seas. (Thanks to Merlin, I do believe).  

The captain and Goff suspect that Hawk was the one who had tied down the rudder. Especially having learned what Noralei had observed about him on their shift.  She recognized the cord used on the rudder as unique to him and further suspects it has magical qualities. (Merlin is examining its remains). 

His disappearance though remains a mystery. Was he a hapless victim in the storm? Or having accomplished his designs had he escaped somehow? Rumble thinks he may well have been a dark elf. 

Dunfallon kept pestering the wizard for news about his friends up in Dromadil, especially the troll Geog. I pulled the pixie aside and promised we’d all confer together with Merlin some time later this evening after seeing to our important tasks. 

I know I am just as curious as he is.

The Fairy Diary Day 253 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

When Rumble and I began our watch this morning it was all very different. Not only had the storm passed behind us, but the land to our north had disappeared completely from that horizon. It is now more paramount than ever that we begin to round in that direction. The captain is doing all he can to claw our way up to the north, but it is clear we are being pushed much further to the west.

By midday the sky in every quarter was darkening – except our current location. 

It was eerie to be in bright sunshine and to see a band of black surrounding us. Dorgone and Goff have never seen the like before. Dorgone called up the other watch to aid during the coming blow. 

I feel I won’t be able to write for quite some time. 

The Fairy Diary Day 227 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The sentries thought at first the darkness was a gathering storm. But sounded the alarm when the approaching mass resolved itself into swirling flights of bats. 

The outer defenses let fly their volleys and took out the first wave. 

But still they came. 

Next those on the city walls launched flaming arrows – which was an excellent choice as it decimated the second wave and even thinned the ranks of the third. 

With Noralei standing ready to deploy her new barrier, if necessary, Rumble and I picked our targets and fired arrow after arrow, skewering multiple bats with each one. 

All the while my pendant was urging me to let loose its power. But I was fighting it – not wanting to expose my wings if I were to rise to allow it full effect. 

It was a groundless fear, for I finally surrendered to the impulse and mounted into the air above Laguayil. In one bright burst from the pendant the skies were cleared of the marauding bats. 

They tell me I collapsed afterwards.

The Fairy Diary Day 51 #TFDbyRWOz2

The Narrator breaks in:

I was wakened from a deep sleep by a dream that continued in my conscious state. 

Or perhaps I just thought I had awakened. 

In the dream I was cocooned in my bedroom one minute and in the next I was on a strange jumble of a mountain being blown against its craggy rocks by a whirlwind of rain. 

When lightning began flashing I turned my back and hugged the stones against the following crash of thunder. 

Time seemed to stand still with the storm rolling on interminably. 

I remember feeling soaked to the skin, but not cold. Though I should have been. 

Then at some point I realized that my surroundings were exactly like Meribabell had written about in his diary. And the next instant I was back in my room wet from sweat not rain.

Day Eight Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I still heard barking in the distance on the way and kept my attention directed to it. It appeared to gain on us, then passed off to our right. And was silent.

When I saw mounting clouds to the west, blocking out the stars, I guessed the reason behind the actions of the trailing animal. I called Elijah’s attention to the coming storm. He concurred that we needed to seek shelter.

But there was none. All we could do was watch and pray. And to our amazement the storm front veered to the south and passed by.

So another night march and still no well. Elijah remains unperturbed. We continue to keep rested each day, despite our rounds of watching.

Day Six Hundred Eighty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We could not communicate with one another save through gestures and signs. Their weapons did most of the pointing.

After a few tense moments they seemed satisfied that we were not on a mission from their enemies which we took to be the army in the pass.

Thankfully they did not force us out into the night, but neither would they let us depart this morning.

The Captain had a sense they were waiting for someone else with the authority to make that decision.

Tomas went outside briefly with one of them and brought back news that the storm had passed.

Both Elijah and I sought to redeem the time in prayer. We were allowed use of the sleeping quarters.

Day Six Hundred Eighty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We kept warm last night, having ignited wood left in a fire pit at the center of the chamber.

Tomas, as ever, made the most helpful discoveries. He rummaged around beyond the limit of the light from the fire and fell into an alcove that contained a gasoline generator. He was able to crank it up and we had lights.

We thus learned that this place was a whole lot bigger than we thought. Other tunnels branch off the chamber to sleeping quarters, ammunition stores, and food supplies.

So we ate well and rested while awaiting the storm to subside.

The Captain regularly went outside to check the storm. The last time he was ushered back in by two soldiers.

Day Six Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The darkness has returned again. It’s like the land wanted to roll over and go back to sleep.

Even the farmers were late getting on the road. But only a few traveled towards the army camp.

It got darker. Like a storm ready to break over our heads. You could smell it in the air.

Elijah took me with him into the city. Our friends remained behind – unhappy, but obedient.

Upon our arrival in the central square a mass meeting was underway. Rain was spitting.

Elijah interrupted.

I saw his image on the building wall as he announced to the world that he was sealing up the heavens.

The rain stopped. The sky cleared. And the Spirit whisked us away.