Day Eight Hundred Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

This time Elijah wasn’t the only one to notice. When the young woman overtook and passed us by on the road, I saw that she bore a mark, and I could tell it was very much like that of Jezer. Phony.

For her part when she looked back at us, shock registered in her face. And I knew that her surprise was due to the absence of the mark on either of us.

She stopped in her tracks, not knowing what to do.

Elijah rushed forward to reassure her. The fact that she was alone on the road, I believe, made her even more apprehensive, so I held back.

Elijah was able to calm her.

It was a propitious meeting.

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Day Eight Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I thought Jezer merely unscrupulous in his business dealings. Clearly his attempts to sell to people not bearing the mark (Elijah and me) would make him guilty in the eyes of the authorities. At the time I guessed that his view was just a matter of – no witnesses – no crime.

But that he bore a phony mark didn’t change my estimation of his character. And that was at the crux of my apprehensions to being in the same city as him.

As ever Elijah is unconcerned. He points out that we have no idea how we will be treated much less whether or not we will be allowed to enter the city.

He just knows that we must go there.

Day Six Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We hadn’t realized it. We’d been traveling for over an hour without any contact of any kind along the road. Soldier or peasant.

The Captain spoke up first. He had a feeling that he could not shake off. An oppressive sense of impending danger.

Our surroundings had changed subtly. From open country to something else that none of us could describe.

After the Captain shared his apprehensions he suddenly blurted out the thought that perhaps Tomas was being held by the great army to our north.

Elijah stood there and smiled at him, then he turned to me and said that the time had come to turn our steps towards the center of the valley to seek our friend Tomas.

Day Six Hundred Thirty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Though we could see our way by the light of the stars, our progress was slow. By a great measure our pace improved with the rising of the moon.

It was otherworldly to watch my companions’ shadows ascending and descending the contours of the land as I followed in their wake. Our silhouettes only recognizable half the time.

We were all still energetic with the coming of day, so we pressed on. Only stopping when the heat drained our resolve.

The Captain did well, so we no longer harbor apprehensions about his ability to keep up. And I marvel at Elijah’s constitution. I do believe he could easily outdistance us all.

Turned in without a morsel, but not really fasting.

Day Five Hundred Fifty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Whereas we passed no vessels yesterday, today was markedly different.  I don’t think we had the ocean to ourselves a single minute. By the time we reach our next port of call, I will be surprised if we don’t have it all to ourselves.

Elijah commented upon my stated apprehensions of yesterday. He knew that that dark cloud on my visage would dissipate as soon as I entered the special place. And I admit the second the door closed behind me a great weight lifted.

So, why didn’t he recommend that course of action to begin with? The better to learn the lesson again?

He only smiles.

The Captain and Tomas were in better spirits today.

Was it just me?

Day Four Hundred Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our apprehensions for Elijah and Tomas were laid to rest upon their return in the dog watch before eight bells. Tomas brought back some information that went a long way to assuage the Captain’s anger.

They had climbed to the top of the tallest building in the city. From that vantage point they could see the robotic warship. Two other vessels were in its company. They appear to be blocking our exit.

At the other end of spectrum Elijah is pleased to report that Emil has safely set up camp in the interior, which he confessed was according to his plan.

Two vessels entered the harbor today. Tomas confirms they are the ones he saw.

We left before they docked.