Day Nine Hundred Twenty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our meeting concluded, Raj P took over the consolation of his brother and folded him into his group.

With the new day we set about implementing our decisions.

We assigned to Jezer the task of running down what has happened to Raj G’s people. And Quasimo stepped up to help him in that quest. (I believe Jezer has opened up to be more amenable to taking someone with him).

Sensing the hour and the day at hand, Elijah and I took Tomas and the Captain aside to enlist their aid in finding the other parties that long ago (and far away) set out for their calling in Jerusalem. Their present whereabouts is a complete mystery to all but the Spirit.

Advertisement

Day Nine Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Jezer had us well hidden within the city. And it was his turn to order us to stay put as he went about our inquiries. We rested in the fact that it was with good reason.

Elijah is now convinced that Raj P’s twin brother G should have arrived with his group in the vicinity long ago. Jezer was equally certain that he could not have failed to hear of their presence if such a sizable group of strangers were out there. But he did no more than state that belief and then obediently acquiesced to follow up Elijah’s hunch.

At day’s end, Jezer returned. So far, all his queries confirmed his assessment. But admittedly he hasn’t exhausted his contacts.

Day Seven Hundred Seventeen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The five of us talked through the night. Our joy grew as the Spirit’s loving superintendence of our lives was revealed in the recounting of our journeys to this point in time.

G has brought his charges safely through beehives of global authority soldiers all intent on their capture. In fact, their presence in this remote place is the most recent example of their hairbreadth escapes.

G was greatly encouraged by our accounts – the only exception being the mystery surrounding the fate of his twin brother P, who, last we knew, was in the hands of the authorities at the gateway to the east.

Each of us, however holds out hope, knowing that what has sustained us also sustains him.

Day Five Hundred Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All day the ship has been a veritable hive of activity. We took on a full complement of cargo, for there is a great backlog of containers that ships bearing the mark have refused.

It was also a long day for goodbyes.

Elijah and I each conducted three of our guests to the sign of the fish, and brought back a local to lead more groups. The Raj twin G accompanied the last group to leave after a tearful parting from his brother.

The Captain shared with Elijah the dilemma of the other ship’s captain. He has a pressing need for a first mate and is resisting those with the mark the local authorities are promoting.

Our Captain suggested me.

Day Five Hundred Forty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah had lots to sort out today, all on account of dreams. The dreams of crew members (including the Raj twin G) and the dreams of our guests.

Those experienced by the crew showed them joining the pilgrimage on land. And those of our guests revealed their continuing with the ship. Elijah has met with each one to hear their story. The fact that the number of individuals from each group is the same – six – strongly inclines him to accede to their leading. He wants to be sure.

And as I feared P is upset by all the talk of his brother parting from him. He talks about casting his lot in with him too.

That Elijah refuses to accept.

Day Five Hundred Twenty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Raj twins are fascinated with the workings of the ship. They followed me about everywhere, from the depths to the heights.

The one, whom we call G, was particularly enamoured of those things that are done routinely for the maintenance of the ship, as a result, most likely, from his experiences in the shipyard.

His brother P expressed more interest in what Tomas does when functioning as Purser.

This would be fine by me, for I have not felt right about taking it on this time around. As long as the other parties involved agree – Tomas, the Captain, but especially Elijah.

For now, Elijah feels we are beyond the reach of the global government. And hopes to stay ahead.

Day Four Hundred Eleven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Purser took us into their commodious tent where we shared a meal, then turned in for the night.

First thing in the morning he and Elijah went off to a meeting with the many leaders of the settlement, while I stayed with Mary and the children. I caught them up on our adventures and they filled me in on theirs.

Only a couple of days after our parting they had met and joined a large party from the north. This group rejoiced greatly over the message her husband shared with them, and made him their leader upon learning its source was Elijah.

Retha proudly informed me that her brother is famous among them for his prowess with the sling.