Day One Thousand Two Hundred Eleven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have not budged from this location. There is a growing sense among us that some big change is close at hand. Even the far off battlefield fell silent when we first stirred at sunrise. And eerily has remained so all day.

Tomas has been in and out of camp constantly, I do believe, traveling further afield in each instance. I suppose it serves a dual purpose – our protection, and his sanity.

The Captain struck up another conversation with me. This time at last directly addressing the question he skirted around yesterday.

We all know we shall fall before the return of Hamashiach. He was curious if I knew who would perish first, Elijah and me, or him and Tomas.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was disappointed. Instead of being back in the hiding place and resting, we were trudging up and over hills avoiding the major pathways.

As we neared the Damascus-Jerusalem road, my attitude improved for I recovered my bearings. And soon after Quasimo took the lead as he was more familiar with these approaches to our destination.

Elijah held me back and picked up our conversation of the other day. He shared that his dreams about the end have returned and are stronger than ever. He confessed that he does not dwell on them but finds that as the time draws closer, he did not want to let the opportunity pass to thank me for my constant help and companionship.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A day of rest was decreed for the hiding place. The rumble of so many people noticeably lessened. A sigh of contentment passed like a wave throughout the whole cavern.

Elijah disappeared somewhere. Not in the set apart place. (I checked).

In my search I crossed paths with Tomas, and he wanted to talk.

So, as not to disturb anyone, we took our conversation outside. There Tomas poured out his concerns for Mr Kagi. They coincided with mine in every instance except one. And that consideration I had not even imagined. Tomas thinks that Mr Kagi may be in mortal danger, since the Supreme Commander no longer lives to shield him from certain elements of the army of the East.

Day One Thousand Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We continued to languish, albeit in comfortable surroundings, awaiting the return of the Supreme Commander. No explanation was given. Indeed many people came and went, but any conversation was strictly official and never about us in particular.

Among ourselves we speculated about the Captain’s ship. How he so desires to go down and visit her. And to inquire if any of the old crew were still shipping in her.

He entertains the possibility that his individual mission is somehow bound up in her presence here.

Late in the day we witnessed a clash along the outer defenses.  The attack was easily driven back.

Then we intimated the obvious reason behind the continued absence of the Supreme Commander.

Elijah remains serene.

Day One Thousand Sixty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

From our observations of yesterday we formed a good notion of how we can cross the great plain ahead and follow in the wake of the army of the world government. We shall have to continue in the hills a bit longer in order to swing beyond the limits of the patrols sent out from the forces left behind.

Sy seconded the plan, for he knows of several wells along that arc that may provide water.

He accompanied Mawuli in the forward advance while we kept up the best we could.

I walked with Mei and we fell into a conversation about former times. The topic – her former position in the army of the East and where Lung might be.

Day Nine Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

How draining it can be to expend oneself all day in the instruction of another. Or in this case more than one “another.” But seldom is anything more rewarding, especially when you sense their hunger for illumination.

All this as a partial explanation for my late rising this morning.

I went in search of Elijah and found him huddled with Reuben and Magwich. It took a moment to catch the gist of their conversation.

Magwich was panicked about the imminent arrival of the commander of the military camp surrounding us. And Reuben sought to encourage him that all would work out.

I volunteered to accompany Magwich as his “model” prisoner.

All ended well, as it was merely a courtesy call.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We learned the reason behind Quasimo’s choice of yesterday.

The ‘goat track’ kept on through the expanse, meandering from wadi to wadi. Well out of sight of the road. Though we were still aware of its presence by the rumble from the tanker trucks.

Elijah and I were delighted to pass the heat of the day by a well, situated beside the pastoral path. The water was fresh and sweet to the taste.

In the space of our short time there, we were joined briefly by shepherds stopping to water their flocks.

Quasimo knew one of the shepherds and from their conversation we could tell each was pleased with what the other had to say.

Afterwards, Quasimo took us home.

Day Seven Hundred Seventy Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Yesterday was a refreshing day of rest for all of us. We each drew apart at times for communion with the Spirit.

Both Tomas and Mei desired to venture on to see what lay beyond our line of sight, but we prevailed upon them to just wait.

This morning, therefore, we were more than ready to depart. So, we let loose the young people to tumble down the mountain ahead of us.

More switchbacks eased our descent and we remained bundled up against a bracing cold. And thankfully no sign of Stan’s presence, brooding or otherwise, disturbed our peace.

The Captain and I lagged behind and filled our time with conversation on many topics. But  at their center was Jerusalem.

Day Seven Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lung parted from our little band this morning. He made one last attempt to persuade Mei to return with him. But she was adamant about remaining with us.

Lung accepted her decision at the last, and even offered to report that she had perished back at the glacier.

I, however, suggested he merely report that they had been separated and that he had no knowledge where she was.

I believe he understood the gist of my comment, and hope to trust in his discretion. Though I have a nagging doubt where Lung is concerned.

Mei spent the day with the Captain. He had a lot to share about Tomas.

I went out with our young friend for a long conversation.

Day Seven Hundred Forty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lung was continually on the lookout for another way down. Elijah assigned the Captain to stay by his side and save him from any rash action.

This has been made easier by the loss of both soldiers’ weapons back on the glacier. I judge we would not have been able to do so otherwise.

Elijah has kept Mei to himself all day. They have remained aloof, keeping their conversation only to themselves. Though I know for sure what they are discussing by her attention to Tomas each time he returns from his scouting.

I believe it will fall to me to talk to Tomas. Certain things he will have to do in the future require that he forgo others now.