Day One Thousand One Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We stopped short of the sacrificial high place yesterday. And still were undecided as to our next course of action. Elijah thought it best that we seclude ourselves for the day and seek direction as to our way forward.

This we did together, but only briefly, as we almost immediately were convinced that we should proceed in alternation.

So, one stood watch while the other two interceded.

There was little to see when the time for my vigil came around – just that towering column of smoke that has been billowing since we first witnessed it.

Then on my second watch a figure appeared and tended to the altar fire. I was certain that it was Moglen, up from Sy’s redoubt.

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Day Eight Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The nothingness of our surroundings continued right up until the afternoon. Then, a line crossing our road quite some distance ahead, joined it from the east. In distinction to our route it held a lot of activity, with many vehicles passing in both directions.

They were too small to make out at our remove. Only later could we identify the bulk of the traffic to be tanker trucks.

We halted for the night with this road in view, but taking pains that we were not.

We needed to decide our next course of action. Stick to the road or travel parallel out of sight.

Traffic continued without abatement. Most limited to our road ahead, very little on the western road.

Day Six Hundred Seventy Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Each one of us has stated his idea as to the best course of action going forward. And each idea has been vetted by the others in a full discussion. Mine has met with the most approval.

It’s based on a simple enough proposition. I pointed to the north and the ample presence of snow and ice on the mountain ranges in that direction and deduced that that offered the best possibility for water along the way..

But that being said we are all agreed to the need for waiting upon the Spirit’s leading and not our own understanding.

Elijah is concerned for what the army will do in this situation. He wants them where they need to be also.

Day Six Hundred Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We settled into the new camp with the intent to stay a while. Elijah cannot pass up any opportunity to build people up spiritually. I concurred.

We learned that though they have been branded deserters, they repudiate that label arguing that they had not enlisted but rather had been forced conscripts.

They feel thankful, however, for the experience. One after the other told me that they never would have encountered Yeshua otherwise.

To a man they desire to return to their villages. And have remained in this place while deciding their course of action.

It is clear that to do so, they shall have to return via the caravan trail.

Elijah wants them to collect their people and move west.

Day Six Hundred Forty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We all saw them last night. Lights in the sky over the high mountains.

I was making my way out to the meditation cave when I spotted them. I ran to tell the Captain, but he had already noticed them and stood there gaping.

Before we could go out to notify Elijah, he was by our side.

Our immediate concern was for Tomas. The Captain wanted to set out and retrace our steps.

Elijah dismissed his wishes out of hand and refused to let him depart. We did reach a compromise instead. We agreed to wait another day in our present position.

We won’t decide until then our course of action, whether or not to allow the Captain to return.

Day Six Hundred Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The heat radiating from the ground was slow in dissipating in the early part of our trek. Helped along no doubt by the stillness of the air. Not a breath of a breeze came our way.

And we are walking longer in darkness as the moon is rising well after midnight. The Captain says we will soon have moonless nights.

The sky has been clear of all objects except the heavenly ones. This puzzles Tomas and has lead to great unquiet. He wants to know for sure what happened. He wants to head south and see for himself.

I tried to dissuade him, but again Elijah surprised us and suggested that we allow him to pursue that course of action.

Day Five Hundred Fifty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Whereas we passed no vessels yesterday, today was markedly different.  I don’t think we had the ocean to ourselves a single minute. By the time we reach our next port of call, I will be surprised if we don’t have it all to ourselves.

Elijah commented upon my stated apprehensions of yesterday. He knew that that dark cloud on my visage would dissipate as soon as I entered the special place. And I admit the second the door closed behind me a great weight lifted.

So, why didn’t he recommend that course of action to begin with? The better to learn the lesson again?

He only smiles.

The Captain and Tomas were in better spirits today.

Was it just me?

Day Four Hundred Forty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Today was a day of confusion and frustration. Though we could see our ship, that was all. We had arrived at our desired destination by the time the sun reached its zenith. There is no access into the city on this side.

We did gain the attention of those on watch by jumping up and down and other such similar antics. Tomas appeared at their call and we tried shouting to one another across the distance, to no avail. Elijah took his consequent pantomime to mean that the Captain was ashore and that we should enter the city by the main gate. A course of action I was all for, but one that Elijah rejected most vehemently.

We waited instead.

Day Four Hundred Twenty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Before Elijah and I left camp this morning we settled in our minds and spirits what our course of action would be if refused entry into the city. I thought through some additional contingencies, chief of which was the possibility of our separation, which indeed was what they attempted to do.

We had checked the harbor for our ship prior to making our appearance at the open gate. Knowing that our ship had not arrived was key to our response to their dictum.

So when the guard of yesterday informed us that only Elijah would be allowed entry, we declined the offer and left.

However, we do plan to remain in the vicinity for the immediate future.

Be patient always.