Day One Thousand Forty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Though we took to the trails upon the hillsides, we kept to those which held a view of the road, for we wanted to confirm the warnings of our erstwhile ‘defender.’

We did not discover what he was talking about until this morning.

There was a rather large encampment straddling the road. And as we sat watching we indeed saw army convoys being let through and civilians being turned back. Which made us wonder if the tanker trucks were operating any longer beyond this point.

Elijah and I then decided to turn our faces to the hills, as we had little reason to keep the road in view.

Before we did, I noticed a patrol set out in our direction.

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Day Nine Hundred Ninety #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We expect to reach the desert crossroads tomorrow. Jezer looks forward to linking up with his friend Reuben, as are we. He remained there with a tanker truck while Jezer had accompanied Mawuli and the other water couriers.

Tomas was gone from us all day, off on the advance with Mawuli, and has chosen this place for tonight’s encampment. We had asked him to be on the lookout for any outliers. He reports none.

Elijah holds the opinion that the angels have intervened in that matter.

In our evening conference we discussed ways and means of transporting from the crossroads to the hiding place. The Purser is none too keen on riding inside an emptied tanker truck.

Nor are we.

Day Nine Hundred Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The last leg of our journey was exceedingly difficult. Mawuli led us into a narrow canyon that from a distance appeared to split a massive table plateau.

We left the camel with some others in a pen situated at the widest spot, and continued on.

Our path dead ended where the two walls met. We then made a switchback that climbed the face of the canyon wall.

Tomas and Mawuli had to boost, first Elijah, then me, up and over the last obstacle at the top.

As we walked the slope to the higher end of the plateau, our friend the Purser, ran down to greet us.

Arm in arm he lead us to his encampment and his wife Mary.

Day Eight Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The traffic noise from the road was strong all night and intensified this morning. From our remove we scanned the length of the road section in view for the best point of crossing.

We set out for our chosen spot, but were overtaken on the way by Quasimo’s cousin. She had been dispatched to us with a warning.

A drone had circled the encampment at sunup, disappeared southward, then returned and headed westward. Quasimo believes it will return again and then head northward. She relayed his compulsion that we be alerted to that possibility.

We thanked her, only to have our gratitude increased when she suggested we follow the wadi around to the right where it crosses under a  bridge.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Half the encampment saw us off this morning. I believe more would have done so, but the flocks needed tending.

We let it be known our intent to strike out in a northerly direction from the camp, and Quasimo supplied us with knowledge of the wells along that route, plus signs to look for in the desert beyond.

Our parting was brief but warm. The sentiment of all I am sure. I even admit to a lump in my throat as we turned our feet northward.

Since the wadis all ran east west, our route took us up and down the sections in between. This slowed us down, and it was time to turn in before we reached the road.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

And so it came to pass. We were standing in the same spot where Elijah exhorted and taught the gathered followers of Hamashiach. But this time we were talking to Jordan, our friend, from far to the south and so long ago.

He had come down to meet us and conduct us up the last snowy reaches to this way station encampment.

I congratulated him for I knew that his presence here could only be due to the influence of the Spirit. And he thanked me and then added that he was so glad, for he had been told by the Spirit to expect us.

I made the introductions to the other members of our troop.

Mei was decidedly impressed.

Day Six Hundred Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We thought those flying lights had given up, but they had only moved back their appearance by a couple of hours. They were unhurried in their movements, making wide, lazy turns over one particular area, closer to us than last night, but far enough away not to raise our concern.

However, what was markedly closer was that campfire out in front of us which we assume marks an encampment. They must not have moved at all yesterday.

We were about to turn in for the day, when Tomas discovered a source of water. He had been watching a flock of birds when of a sudden they left the sky. They led him to a pool fed by a small stream.

Day Four Hundred Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Well, perhaps Elijah meant instead that we would catch up with the settlement of all the Hamashiachites. For that indeed was what we made out from the edge of the salt flat yesterday.

It was a welcome change to walk on firmer ground and without that incessant crunching noise.

The settlement grew enormously upon our approach. It seems much more had been hidden from our sight as it extends around to the east behind a rock formation that juts out onto the plain.

A crowd greeted us when we entered the encampment. Elijah immediately pushed on further into the maze of tents, leaving me here.

Hold on, as I am writing this, Elijah has returned with the Purser in tow.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our escorts (I will not say captors) have treated us respectfully. We are under no restraints of a physical nature. We could walk off at a whim if we so desired, and in any direction, but always with six or seven in our wake.

Six of them indeed did shadow us as Elijah followed a sudden urge to retreat back across the bridge. He desired to check out his old haunt under that end.

Our “companions” seemed surprised that this hidden place existed. They are an unimaginative lot, not at all curious.

Elijah settled in to contemplate. I took the hint and went topside with my threesome. Their leader met us and requested our presence back here at their encampment.

Day One Hundred Eighty Six morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

– How I dislike writing things down. ‘Enough’ is so much better suited for this. But now with him in the hands of Moglen and Stan it falls to me to keep the chronicle going.

– I came back into the encampment after a quick trip down to the desert. I found the narrow track with little problem. Flowers should be well on the way.

Grazie informed me about ‘Enough’s seizure and insisted on going with me to the city. There at the gate, we were turned away with no comment.

I was successful in restoring calm to the camp.

How I pity Moglen should he try to coerce my friend.