Day One Thousand Two Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli had slipped away from Sy and Reuben only two days out from the redoubt. He eluded their attempts to retrieve him and followed after us. (He promises to apologize to them at their next encounter).

Mawuli asked after the rest of our party, and when he learned what they were doing, he went out to join them.

The Captain came in shortly after, thankful for the respite.

In the morning I delivered some food and water to Tomas and Mawuli. I was gladdened to find Tomas fast asleep while Mawuli kept the watch on the troops below.

The Captain traded places with me throughout the day. Come my evening turn, Mawuli was quite agitated.

The boy had spotted Stan.

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Day Six Hundred Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tracks continued to precede us on the trail. Another set joined the first at the juncture of the path with a mountain stream. This second set came up from below.

We slowed our pace by tacit agreement. I believe none of us wanted an encounter up here in the mountains.

We all felt relief on that score when the path forked and the pair of tracks took the upward bound route. We will stay the course and keep in view of the pass below.

We are left curious though. Tomas told us that the upward branch was marked with signs of warnings about radiation – like those in the hills up from the town on the plain.

Elijah alone remains unconcerned.

Day Five Hundred Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

One plus about this jungle – we do pass other travelers, and thankfully none of them are officers of the global government. They are either merchants or peasants traveling to or from the metropolis.

Elijah queries each one upon encounter about Hamashiach. But so far all have hurried on, expressing no curiosity by asking any questions in return.

One merchant even became belligerent, and would have struck Elijah except that he clearly saw that Elijah’s staff was bigger than his.

With a snarl he continued on towards the metropolis.

I am sure he fully intends to report the encounter to the authorities.

But we should be through this jungle and well on our way before anyone can get up a pursuit.

Day Five Hundred Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mixed blessings today. We are rejoicing over our new friend. We caught up finally with the lone Hamashiachite. We call him Jordan because neither Elijah nor myself can pronounce his name. But he does like the sound of it, and he thinks it appropriate – for he feels it matches his new beginning.

He became a follower of Hamashiach in the days after the Glorious Appearing. He’s had no one to instruct him, so he is ecstatic to have discovered us. I assured him that he has not been alone- that the Spirit has obviously been at work in him.

On the downside for today – our encounter earlier called our presence to the attention of the authorities.

We are laying low.

Day Three Hundred Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Given Elijah’s time in this city, as long as he showed interest in who was coming in and not considering a departure by their gates, he was ignored. But now that he or rather “we” are planning our exit, everyone asks questions about us. When are we going – and where and for what reason? In his second such encounter he learned they do not have a kind regard for the followers of Hamashiach.

The Purser tells us this is not typical to his experience in the past. But it makes sense to me. Without the stabilizing force of the Spirit to the city, those remaining are suspicious of those who “abandoned” them.

We shall depart as soon as we can.

Day Two Hundred Evening #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enough writes:

We were unimpeded all the way back to the camp. The gates of the second district and that of the city to the fields stood wide open, their guards in position, but slumped to the ground in sleep.

Great was the surprise of our friend Lyle when we burst in upon his evening quiet time. We exchanged accounts of our doings. And I heard at last from Grazie about her encounter with her father Moglen.

He is a broken, confused and remorseful man. She offered him her forgiveness. It is why she sought him out.

Then she told us it was time.