Day Nine Hundred Thirteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I kept the drone up the first half of the day. Then Elijah ordered it down. Still it told us what we needed to know.

Our friend Jezer was being held in the last police station we checked. Obviously they did not attach much importance to him for he was lightly guarded.

We maintained our position and observed the comings and goings. And formulated our plan of rescue.

We marched in and claimed him as a runaway slave. Elijah misdirected their attention by offering a sum well below what they were asking.  And they never noticed that both of us lacked the mark. Instead they were willing to haggle.

And accepted Elijah’s offer when he raised it to their liking.

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Day Seven Hundred Twenty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

There is a body of water at the back of the city, a lake that has shrunken due to the drought. The river that feeds it is running low, and at the other end stands a dam that impedes outflow.

This source of water is most precious to the inhabitants and it is what they intend to protect and preserve at all costs. So we conclude after observing the comings and goings of the local militia all day, and in particular their concentration in the vicinity of the dam.

Over on that side of the city Tomas was a witness to their opposition to some tanker trucks he recognized.

Though they retreated we are sure they will return in force.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have gained in elevation, and the temperature has dropped in consequence. So we have chosen to make a long march of it and switch over to traveling in the daytime.

Come sunrise there was no place to shelter anyway, so we had another reason to press onwards.

Past the meridian we arrived at a teeming metropolis. We experienced no problems at all upon entry. Apparently no control or restrictions are being exercised at this time over people’s comings and goings.

And we had no trouble either in finding an inn. A notable blessing, as we were exhausted and turned in immediately.

We awoke in the early evening as our bodies are still attuned to nocturnal activity.

But what now?

Day Three Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was all for starting off immediately now we know the route we are to take. But Elijah settled me down and explained we still had some waiting to do. He needs to settle the “when” question to his satisfaction. He can’t help but feel that we have something yet to accomplish here. Together.

He did allow one concession.  We changed inns – from the one along the river to another near our future path.

Our new abode has a quiet and peaceful courtyard. Perfect for contemplation. Elijah claimed it for his use. I took up my station outside to watch the comings and goings.

Thoughts came and went too.

About the Purser and his family. And the Captain and Tomas.