Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei and Mawuli brought us in to the hiding place with a minimum of difficulty. There was no quelling the celebration that greeted our safe return. Only the news about Tomas and the Captain dampened the spirits of some, those that knew and loved them.

At the first opportunity Reuben and Sy sought an audience to relay important intelligence. Both had just returned from Jerusalem. Stan is indeed there, gloating over his ‘complete victory.’ A conclusion he claims since he is the ‘last leader standing.’ And though triumphant the general feeling among his followers is an abiding hatred towards Elijah and his followers.

Because they realized we would soon be going there, they were begging the honor to accompany us.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas called early for Mei to take her to meet with Lung. Quasimo’s cousin asked to go along to support her and to perhaps bring another perspective to share with her former comrade.

Elijah and I went out at the same time and accompanied them into the megapolis where they dropped us off before continuing on. Tomas had arranged another audience with the Supreme Commander for us. First to thank him again for his kindnesses, but to also reveal to him the end of days rushing towards us all. And his specific end should he continue on his course.

He heard us out with respect, but it seemed to me, his attitude was quite unconcerned and unmoved by my descriptions.

Day One Thousand Ninety #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Finally word came down that our long-awaited audience would come to pass today. So we were notified and given leave to prepare ourselves. That is, we were each expected to see to our ablutions. And more than just our dusty feet.

The guards who were to accompany us were not exempted. (If anything they needed it the more, or so was the considered judgement of our own Mei).

I volunteered first, then held Elijah’s staff as he saw to himself.

Not long after we had finished we were ushered up to the penthouse and seated in a reception area. And again waited.

Soon the double doors swung open and in walked the Supreme Commander and at his elbow, our Tomas.

Day One Thousand Eighty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our transition was only to a more lofty prison. Upon arrival our guards hustled one and all up to the floor beneath the penthouse. Promises were made of an audience above, immediately upon the return of the Supreme Commander.

The demeanor of our captors has improved towards us. They are cowed by these surroundings and no doubt in awe that their very presence here is in large part due to us.

We were allowed to converse and even given freedom to move about. The view was negligible though, given the darkness of the hour, but come morning it was unobstructed in every direction.

Far away in the dock area I saw what could only be the Captain’s beloved ‘rust bucket.’

Day One Thousand Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah avoided meeting with the recovered townspeople, who were begging for an audience. Instead he kept council with Reuben, going over future plans.

I met with them in his place. They reiterated their desire to accompany us, and would submit to anyone in order to do so.

In pondering their request it seemed to me that Reuben would be the obvious choice, and I was curious as to why they had not mentioned him. I could not but conclude they were not sincere in saying they would follow “anyone.”

Elijah and I talked with Reuben about them before catching a ride back with Jezer and Tomas. Though thankful, he explained they were from different tribes, a circumstance difficult to surmount.

Day Eight Hundred Sixty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We did not make any progress towards Damascus today. We encamped on the outskirts of a larger town last night – the capital for this district, as we soon discovered. For we decided to begin the day’s journey by strolling through rather than around it.

The telltale posters of Stan hung everywhere with extra added touches of adornment.

We were no sooner in its central square than we were surrounded by a convergence of celebratory citizens that clogged all the exits.

We were a captive audience.

When the officials spoke we learned that they were collected to celebrate the anniversary of the world government coming to their rescue in the drought.

When it broke up, the day was too far gone.

Day Five Hundred Eighty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We took on some cargo unexpectedly.  Actually we had carried it here. The owner, one of the refugees from Stan’s tropical island requested passage and transport of his belongings.

The port authority granted him permission. And shortly after loading was completed we were cleared to leave.

The Captain didn’t waste any time taking us out.

We felt all eyes trained on us as we passed the warship. To our relief they remained in place.

Two other ships departed at the same time. But they soon split from us to take a northerly course.

We were all alone as we headed south.

Our passenger, Mr. Kagi, asked for an audience with the Captain. He proposes we make a run for it.

Day Three Hundred Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Land, the very coastline, has dropped from view. The sea fills the horizon in every direction. We stay in where it is warm. Any time we’ve gone out, everyone avoids us.

It all hearkens back to when they picked us up. It wasn’t enough to witness the leveling of the city, but to have two men walking on water to the ship was over the top. They were paralyzed with fear. If it wasn’t for the insistence of the Purser who recognized us, no one would have lowered a line to haul us up.

He is the only one who will talk to us. He has arranged an audience with the Captain for early tomorrow.

Will he acquiesce to us?