The Fairy Diary Day 274 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We have strange things to report from this valley. The plant life baffles Rumble. Besides their sick appearance, they give off a palpable aura of distrust and malevolence. It is stifling to his senses. Any of his attempts to coax them to health is actively resisted. 

And Noralei and Grimace keep hearing things that neither Rumble nor I do. Something is moving out there beyond our sight. 

Then at last we were relieved at the return of Dunfallon only to have similar problems reported from his recent experiences. Contrary winds kept him and his mount on constant guard throughout their flights. He was quite shaken at having nearly fallen off of his eagle into a large crater immediately to our front. 

All these omens would seem to conclude we are closing on the enemy.

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The Fairy Diary Day 273 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I have come to the conclusion that there are no dark elves in this land – and this not just from our own experience thus far. Grimace tells us that he has not seen nor encountered one in his traverse of the entire country. 

That left us all wondering exactly who or what it is that opposes us – that has mounted the attacks against our lands. 

Then this valley took a turn to the east at the end of the mountain range to our right, and another valley opened before us – one that appears to cut through all the ranges we saw from the heights a few days ago. 

Straight ahead per Noralei’s compass lies the source which attracts the greater amount of the red ashes. And both my pendants which have been ‘silent’ since we passed beyond the barrier were quivering. 

We are impatient for Dunfallon’s return. 

The Fairy Diary Day 163 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Rather than pressing onwards along the main road in the effort to discover where the refugees departed it, we followed the troll brothers on a shortcut to that part of the second chain of hills that guards the valley of their homeland. 

It was a most pleasant walk through a picturesque landscape. Although there was one section near a swamp that conjured up unpleasant memories of the Will’o’the Wisp. I asked Geog if he had ever encountered such beings. He told me no, not in this swamp, but he added that often he has spotted flickering lights floating in the woods around his family’s place. He’d never gotten close to any and for sure, no one ever went missing on account of them.

This piqued Dunfallon’s interest but before he could act on it, Rumble took him aside to remind him what we have come here for.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

When Mawuli failed to return over night, all of us went down to look for him. Vermin which had joined the scavenger birds slunk away at our passage. We found him on the far side of the valley on the one spot of ground not soaked in blood.

He said not a word as the Captain gathered him into his arms.

Rather than return to the heights right away we skirted the edge of the valley until we made out the stone bridge far above. Mawuli was recovered enough to walk on his own and he aided Elijah and myself. After a short search we located the stream bed and took the path that paralleled it up to the heights.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are bone weary, but alert. Throughout the slaughter of yesterday, either Tomas and myself, or the Captain and Mr. Kagi stood by Elijah and helped him hold his arms aloft.

What before our eyes whirled in ceaseless motion, finally settled into the stillness of death behind the passage of something the likes of which I can only describe as a wave. Leastways until the clouds of carrion birds arrived. Rising and falling at their whim and gorging themselves.

Mawuli was the only one of our number who desired to descend into the valley for a closer look.

We all know he seeks Stan. He did so, against my advice. And despite the Captain claiming to have seen him flee.

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 Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli has been deeply effected by his ordeal. The windows to his soul are filled with a vacancy that hurts others to see. It is for the best that he was not sent back to his parents in the hiding place. For now.

Elijah has taken him aside to seek his healing.

Sy has taken stock of supplies here in the redoubt. We can easily hold up for a month, barring other circumstances.

Tomas and Reuben scouted further east, going well beyond the stone bridge. They encountered no opposition.

The mouth to the valley is heavily garrisoned. And a lot of traffic flowed back and forth in the direction of Babylon.

Before resting I looked in on Elijah  and Mawuli.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei and Jezer along with Lung and the former soldiers of the army of the East have left for the hiding place. We embraced and sent them out with our prayers.

Of interest was the noticeable thinning in numbers of the world government army on the vast plain below. All movement from there has been towards the conflicts raging out of sight in the direction of Babylon. No one has come up to inspect the redoubt nor inquire after the goings on here.

For now Reuben and Sy will remain. Elijah and I and the Captain and Tomas intend to be here when the armies clash in the valley. We wanted Mawuli to go with Mei, but he won’t budge.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Reuben is heart sick. Not only for the loss of his friend and the others, but perhaps more so because he failed to meet them and bring them up here to the heights.

We are thankful that Sy had the presence of mind to restrain Reuben when he wanted to run headlong down to the aid of his stricken comrades.

Elijah has Reuben with him now and is counseling him.

I will confer with Tomas. Reuben, upon his arrival two days ago reported that the Captain and Jezer had returned. So I will send Tomas out to intercept them. And Mei.

Thankfully all conflict remains far away from the distant valley below.

Time to prepare for the new moon tomorrow.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Eighty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah summoned Tomas and me to join him in a walk inside the hiding place. As we went he closely interrogated Tomas about what he had seen while away in the Galilee. Not about the high place and the altar, but about everything else.

Elijah wanted to know about Sy’s redoubt – were any troops stationed there?

Tomas proceeded to give us a rundown on the units there and then the best he could, he tallied everything else in the valley onwards.

I asked if he knew anything about the armies of the East and the North.

He told us that Sy had traveled further east and took a quick survey.

I realized Elijah was wondering why there was no fighting.