Day Seven Hundred Ninety Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We encamped in the dark last night upon the instruction of our talented scout. Tomas was quick to promise that we would thank him in the morning.

And so with the dawn we did. The ground he had chosen was on a rise with a stunning view of our road ahead. It continued to skirt the hilly country at the edge of the prairie, running towards the southeast, our desired direction.

And Elijah and I had ample time to admire the view to the east as we waited to take up our position at the end of the column. There the towering mountains we had come through glowed in the beams of the sun on its rise.

So did we.

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Day Two Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Found my walled courtyard easily enough. It is nestled among still standing buildings in the otherwise leveled East End. Having landmarks to go by prevented me from wasting the whole day looking for it.

Which was a good thing. Beforehand I had decided to allow myself just the barest minimum of time there. As it was, I was enabled to stay longer. What I learned I shared with Elijah and he in turn was able to warn everyone before we scatter to the four winds.

Day Two Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our journey from the oasis was nothing like our trek there. We stood side by side and set our faces towards the city. Elijah raised his staff and the next minute we were in the vineyard on the outskirts.

The once great city is gone – except for the east end where a few buildings still stand.

We see movement in the field, our next stop.

Day One Hundred Seventy Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle sent me on an errand at the rising of the sun. I made a tour of the encampment to invite his leaders to a meeting, while he crossed into the east end to look for Flowers.

I was able to delegate others to  spread the invitation, so by the time of our gathering there was a boost to the turnout. Lyle was a few minutes late and without Flowers. But he did bring with him a dozen people from the east end who want to move out here to the fields. All welcomed the newcomers and pledged their support.

Lyle settled everyone in and began to speak. He announced that the time is at hand and shared our vision.

Day One Hundred Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A man by the name of Flowers came to see me today. He may be what we have been hoping for. He is one of the men connected with the market in the east end, and has asked us to aid him by bringing over his parents from the west end.

The parents, we are assured, are free of the mark. Flowers who has the mark, now wishes he hadn’t. He does not care what happens to himself, so long as his parents reach freedom from  what he sees as a growing oppression.

I brought his case to Lyle with an additional caution. Flowers does not know how much longer those without the mark will be free to move about.

Day One Hundred Sixty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle and the others were all occupied in the fields today. The latter crops are ready for harvest, those that remain standing after the driving rains.

I was excused for the day. I went back into the east end at the prompting of an impulse or impression, say what you will.

The once crowded streets and thoroughfares are now less so. I passed by the marketplaces where there was much activity. At least at present they do not require the mark for any transaction. I wonder if Moglen is aware of this. Or is it a stratagem on their part?

I stopped by my walled courtyard. The vision returned.

This may be the time. I went in search of Lyle.

Day One Hundred Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The meeting with Lyle’s leaders this morning was rancorous – only because the dissidents though few in number, made all the noise. The two involved in the east end market came to the meeting having already taken on the mark. They were eager to go on record that nothing untoward had happened to them because of it. They touted it as merely a census like measure which will carry little downside consequences. They gained some adherents, but when the majority opposed them, they backed down.

Then the clamor renewed, but this time from those who wanted to fight, or at least stay and defend their property.

At the last, Lyle told all that he was moving back out to the encampment.

Day One Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The movement back into the east end is under way. After reconsideration, only two thirds of the work force will return. The rest will remain behind and prepare for the latter harvest.

Lyle plans to contact Moglen and ask if he can meet with the representative of the world authority. He believes it to be only logical at this stage. For my part, I doubt that Stan has the courage to meet with us.

I helped the widow and her son back into their home. Grazie lent a hand, and though she knows she is welcome to stay, she has volunteered to remain behind in the field.

Later I had the urge to check the first district.

It was closed.

Day One Hundred Fifty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Moglen is forbidding any contact between the citizens of his second district and the markets of the east end.

We expect that the other western districts will soon follow example.

Going forward, Lyle is expecting renewed problems with leaders wanting to take on the mark. I don’t think things will get critical until we can no longer supply our own needs.

Lyle does not want to share the vision with everyone just yet. And I agree. Timing is everything and between us we should know the proper time. I have cautioned Grazie along the same lines. She will not tell the vision to anyone.

Tomorrow the people of the east end will move from the encampment back into their residences.

Day One Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The gates to the west remain open, but no one from the east end, save Lyle pass through them.

People from the west are coming to our markets here. So Lyle is vindicated in the eyes of his leaders. The two former dissenting members are quite pleased.

How long this will last, I have my doubts. But I won’t hold my breath.

They allowed Lyle to meet with Kip. He reports he is in good spirits, though very much bored. Kip asked after Grazie and again stipulated that she stand fast and not return. As to his own case, he senses that Moglen doesn’t know what to do and is awaiting instruction.

I long for time in my walled courtyard.