Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

There were signs of a recent occupation when we reached the village at the edge of the wilderness. But we didn’t realize just how much until we set out this morning.

One entire building was filled up with dead bodies, our attention drawn to it by a swarm of buzzing flies. A makeshift hospital I assumed, but Mr. Kagi called that into question when he observed that all of them wore the uniform of the army of the North. A detail that bore a more sinister connotation.

While Tomas and the Captain ranged ahead, picking a way for us off of the beaten path, Elijah walked with Mawuli.

Mr. Kagi and I marveled at the depth of the lad’s understanding.

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Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were hesitant this morning about whether we should push on or not.  The battlefield to the south had fallen silent,  and no victorious troops (which we assumed were the armies of the East and North) had moved up into the positions vacated by the world government.

Mawuli removed every reason that we thought could hold us there when he simply stated that we must move on, and do so immediately. Every member of our party simultaneously felt impressed with the same instruction.

So in short order we decamped.

Along the way Mr. Kagi had a revelation and asked me a question- why were there no warplanes?

I then told him what had happened up near the reservoir above Jerusalem.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We passed some tense hours awaiting the return of the Captain and Mawuli. (Which I sought to relieve by intercession). We were aware that their task might require a full day’s travel to accomplish. But as we were sure that they were aware of the advance of the army of the North too, our hope was that they would exercise the ultimate in caution.

Both, thankfully, did return safely – and with a fresh supply of water – from a situation that was even more harrowing than we had imagined.

Like we had surmised, they were aware of the northern army. And reached the well without being detected. But they were nearly trapped there when the army of the East rolled through.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mr. Kagi has taken over a couple of my watches at the lookout point with Tomas. Between them they discussed a couple of ideas, the results of which he brought to Elijah and me.

The well to which Sy once led us, is still viable and not too far distant. So, we thought it prudent to send the Captain and Mawuli ahead to replenish our supply of water.

No sooner had they departed when Tomas brought news of movement off on the horizon.

Mr. Kagi is certain they are the advance units of the army of the North. He finds that circumstance puzzling for the plan he was privy to, granted the advance position to the army of the East.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah has released his disciples. They shall return to the hiding place and take with them a message to our people there.

The message – to prepare for the end by banding together to pray for us. Especially on the ninth day from today. If they travel night and day they should arrive well before then.

Mawuli caught them on the way out and asked them to assure his parents that he was alive and well.

For now we will stay right where we are. Elijah wants to insure that the armies of the East and North drive the forces of the world government back into the plain below the the site of Sy’s redoubt.

We shall shadow them from above.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Eighteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We no longer have a reason to go onward to Babylon. For the Spirit has delivered Mr. Kagi to us. Leastways as it seems to our understanding.

But we had much discussion on this point after Mr. Kagi and Elijah’s disciples filled us in on the situation there.

According to Mr. Kagi the coalition of the armies of the East and North will need to act soon while they have the supplies and the strength.

The desalination plants in Babylon have been reduced to rubble. Though possessing a huge reserve they want to advance and capture their enemy’s before theirs is consumed.

Elijah’s disciples believe that the time is imminent and they desire to depart before their armies flood in.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas called everyone to his lookout point at midday. The sounds of conflict had reignited and movement could be seen on the horizon in the direction of Babylon.

It was soon apparent that we were observing a retreat. But a retreat of which army? The coalition of the armies of the North and East? Or that of the world government?

Whichever the case, the Captain estimated that this movement was not a rout, but rather a strategic repositioning. Units were breaking off and taking up positions on the high ground to each side.

I had a moment of consternation when I realized that our position might be desirable for their purposes.

But by evening they were well short of us.

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.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Reuben was ebullient to be in touch with Tomas after his epic search for him. The feeling was mutual since they had much in common to discuss as they went along.

It was from their discussion that we learned about a side effect to my destruction of Stan’s idol.

The alliance between the armies of the East and North had been forged while the Supreme Commander was still alive. When the government forces left their fortifications to mount an attack on them, the leader of the Northern army suspected he had been betrayed and slew the Supreme Commander. When the government forces retreated for no apparent reason, the triumphant leader concluded it was from his action.

But we know differently.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Here at day’s end and I’m still recovering from yesterday’s surprise appearance of our young friend. Elijah kept our greetings brief, enforcing a strict regimen of silence and driving us onward by his example. Continuing through the night.

Our pace only slackened with the dawn of the new day, yet we kept onward. At one point it was as if we entered a space of our own reality in which nothing else and no one else existed. Only then did Elijah allow us to converse.

Everything came tumbling out as we pressed Tomas for information.

Most startling was the news that the Supreme Commander is dead. And the army of the East has allied with the army of the North.