The Fairy Diary Day 245 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Down from the mountains we passed onto the foothills. Our road now is surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Dunfallon, surprisingly, does not wander off to take in the sights and aromas of burgeoning blossoms. (He did pick a few wild flowers and presented them to Noralei – which she received graciously).

Here and there we passed elves superintending the work of the bees. They were friendly when they caught sight of us, but none set aside what they were doing to come talk. 

They did not need to as it turned out. Six elves appeared at the head of a bridge and surrounded us to hold up our passage. Word had come to them to expect travelers that fit our description. We confirmed our identity with Nililitil’s passport, and with that they allowed us to pass over. 

With one request- to join them for dinner at the Blue Daffodil, an inn just a bit down the road.

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Day One Hundred Fifty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

One more day should do it, and the early harvest will be in. There’ll be a short respite before the late crops will be ready. I see gratitude on every face.

Lyle spent the day in the vineyard with Grazie. At last, he believes, she is free of the guilt for her part in Kip’s predicament. Kip wanted her to know that he is right where he needs to be, and will do all he can to bring the Light to others.

I had accompanied them to the vineyard, but the sight of the desert beyond did not have the  same hold over me. I took my leave and sought solace in the walled courtyard.

There the visions came again.

Day One Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All the “I”s are dotted and “T”s crossed on the paperwork for Kip. Lyle remained behind to accompany him.

I left early from the second district to make a run out to the fields and vineyards to look for Grazie.

Only a few people were at work in the western fields, while ours were a beehive of activity.

I took my time and scanned each individual. I waved at a likely candidate and was rewarded by a salute in return.

Grazie was overwhelmed with thankfulness to encounter me. This marked her last day in the vineyards. At her request she accompanied me to our encampment.

Lyle arrived alone. Kip was refused exit due to a protest from Moglen.

Day One Hundred Forty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle returned without Kip this morning, so we had lots to talk about on the way out to the vineyard. The gates closed while they were in Kip’s district, so they had to spend the night. And though Lyle was free to leave, Kip could not. However, he is confident that after completing some paperwork he will be allowed to depart.

Lyle reported that an offer for use of the machines was indeed made. As a condition we must all first receive a mark issued by the world government, a permit to do business with them.

We are both suspicious.

At the agreed time, Grazie joined us. She, like Kip, wants to leave the west end. And asked our help.

Day One Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I decided to try something else today. Instead of heading back into the city, I asked permission to work in the vineyards. I hoped to give Grazie an opportunity to contact me there. The same restrictions are in place.

Lyle took a reluctant Kip with him to check the gates in the city.

I am always inspired by my view of the desert from my work station in the vineyard. At one point I was so engrossed as to be unaware of Grazie’s presence.

She is indeed Moglen’s daughter. As for her “different” names, she gives no reason, other than it’s personal.

And she has agreed to meet with Lyle and myself tomorrow.

Now if only Lyle and Kip return.

Day One Hundred Thirty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was curious about Lyle’s reading of his distant encounter with the waving west ender yesterday. He had the distinct impression that he was mistaken for someone else, for the individual waved a couple of times, then stopped and withdrew.

I decided to make another attempt at contact. Our crews were returning when I passed through the fields on the way out to the vineyards.

The west end fields were deserted more than usual. Hope dwindled as I approached the vineyards.

I was hesitant to leave, so I remained to meditate on past visions of the desert.

Turning to go, I nearly ran into a woman. She put a note in my hand, smiled and left.

She wants to meet.

Day One Hundred Thirty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

While Lyle spent the day on second avenue, I reported to the fields.

We completed our tasks well before the noon meal. Rather than return to the east end right away, I ventured further out to explore the area for future reference.

The fields gave way to gentle hillsides sloping down to the desert level. Here I passed workers that were returning from the vineyards that covered the hillsides.

The foreman of one of these crews cautioned me against crossing the boundary into the west end controlled vineyards.

Finally I stood at the edge of the flatland and stared out over the desert.

When I turned to go, someone waved to me from the west end vineyards.

I waved back.