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. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 252 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Rumble and I got called up in the middle of the night in order to help that watch with a severe change in the weather. The wind had freshened finally, but was blowing head on to us. 

Dorgone and his two elf sailors taught us how to tack the ship. We soon had the ship obeying our will and running westerly. 

Once the new course was established Rumble and I turned in below. 

Come our shift in the morning, we found the ship’s heading still the same. Though the captain was content that we are gaining to the west, at the same time we are being pushed further to the south. 

Thus things continued throughout the day. And before the approach of night, dark clouds were massing over the land to the north. Rumble and I went below with the knowledge that we again may be called up in the night.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli had slipped away from Sy and Reuben only two days out from the redoubt. He eluded their attempts to retrieve him and followed after us. (He promises to apologize to them at their next encounter).

Mawuli asked after the rest of our party, and when he learned what they were doing, he went out to join them.

The Captain came in shortly after, thankful for the respite.

In the morning I delivered some food and water to Tomas and Mawuli. I was gladdened to find Tomas fast asleep while Mawuli kept the watch on the troops below.

The Captain traded places with me throughout the day. Come my evening turn, Mawuli was quite agitated.

The boy had spotted Stan.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

During each of our turns on watch through the night, we observed the army passing by in the plain. And they ceased to throw out units to their flanks.

In the light of day we finally could ascertain that these troops belonged to the world government. Most looked fresh and ready for action, but there were a few that appeared wasted, just limping along. And those were prodded forward mercilessly. Prisoners.

The units left behind in ambush waited unmoving all day. We could see them for we knew where to look, but invisible, we were sure, to anyone below.

Their trap looks to be a failure. The end of the retreating army came in view with no one in pursuit.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seventy One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We took turns through the night watching the prison. No one reported signs of seeing anyone – no prisoners, no guards, no deliveries, (even by drone).

Those contraptions and birds were all that moved. And always passing overhead on their way to somewhere else. And if any bird dropped down to roost it was only momentary.

So, this morning Elijah rose and boldly went down into the road and walked into the prison. No one and nothing stopped us. From top to bottom it was empty.

Magwich was at a total loss. And could not understand why what he had seen with his own eyes proved to be false.

Elijah announced that we would return to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Just as Elijah had forced us on day and night, so now that we have reached the village at the edge of the wasteland, he has forced us into a prolonged rest.

The village is still deserted, yet strangely, any vestige of the sentry camps at either end have all been removed.

We had our pick of accommodations in the inn off the square. Reuben took the first watch and the one after that. To me the heaviness of desolation hangs over the place. Reuben felt this keenly too, a fact he confessed to me when I relieved him. And the reason he took the two shifts. I think he dreads the thought of closing his eyes in this place.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Thirty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I fell to talking with Reuben when we exchanged positions at the watch turnover. It started normally enough, but turned rather serious when he told me that he and Elijah had answers to our two questions – what are we going to do, and when.

I wasn’t prepared for the answer to the first question (nor the second for that matter).

According to them we will stay and destroy the idol. Or to clarify- we all are staying but only I have been selected to destroy Stan’s idol.

The second question, however, hinges upon whether or not I have the same leading.

So I knew what I’d be doing during the next watch. I joined Elijah to seek that very confirmation.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We stopped short of the sacrificial high place yesterday. And still were undecided as to our next course of action. Elijah thought it best that we seclude ourselves for the day and seek direction as to our way forward.

This we did together, but only briefly, as we almost immediately were convinced that we should proceed in alternation.

So, one stood watch while the other two interceded.

There was little to see when the time for my vigil came around – just that towering column of smoke that has been billowing since we first witnessed it.

Then on my second watch a figure appeared and tended to the altar fire. I was certain that it was Moglen, up from Sy’s redoubt.

Day Eight Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The visions continued. And were more and more upsetting. One by one the people who have been closest to us on our pilgrimage appeared to my mind’s eye, and then slipped from view into a roiling darkness. And my heart was wrung by a great sadness.

Then those images were blotted out by a blizzard of crimson snow. A phenomenon that proved real upon the opening of my eyes.

I ran towards Elijah then on watch, up on the rock outcropping. We met on the rock shelf as he was descending.

We took what shelter was afforded by the outcropping.

And there we conferred.

Elijah reported that it had only just started. And inquired if I had anything to share.

Day Eight Hundred Forty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are one night’s march along the corridor of this valley, and the ‘hill’ at the far end has indeed “grown.” We are more confident than ever we are adhering to the path laid out for us by Quasimo. Hence today we have brought our fast to a close.

I had much to ruminate about in my times on watch. Over night it was much colder than ever before. Elijah thinks we may see snow in the next day or so. I can believe it.

The barking has ceased to dog our steps. Whatever they were must have continued on north. Silence instead muffled our ears – then and now.

Two more night marches should bring us out of the desert.