Day Eight Hundred Sixty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our observations of the last day and a half have brought up something very curious. The two main roads are often backed up at certain times as the vehicles are checked before entry. A third way into the city lies between them. A steady stream of people on foot depart the main roads on either side to join the path to this gateway.

So, to my mind without a vehicle ourselves, this looks to offer the best way in, leaving the only decision as to the morning or the evening busy times.

But Elijah hasn’t ruled out one of the vehicle only entries. In fact he rather prefers it.

In which case I think it calls for a closer look.

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Day Six Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another day of waiting. Still hopeful.

Our neighbor dropped in and with all gathered around to watch, he drew up a map for us. I noted down his running commentary as additional directions for our use.

He also presented Elijah with a letter of introduction to his friend, and fellow exile, on the other side of the city.

So, we will be well prepared to leave immediately after Tomas’ return.

The Captain made it his responsibility to insure that all is set right in the house. It fits his personality as one who’s a stickler for having everything ship-shape.

I was at the point of winding up this entry when Tomas, all smiles,  came walking through the front door.

Day Five Hundred Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We raised our next port of call mid-afternoon. It sits on a bay on the central island of another archipelago.

Neither the robotic warship nor any other ship of the global authority questioned our entry.

Our passenger kept to himself. Elijah tried to draw him out on two occasions to limited success. He thinks Mr. Kagi is cowed by fear of the future.

We’ve been welcomed cordially by the port authorities. Our wait will be minimal before unloading commences.

There have been some unlooked for developments. They report that the robotic warship had been here and will be returning. A packet had been left for us containing payment for the materials we had left at the tsunami stricken island.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were a long time getting into the harbor. And even a longer time finding a berth. Debris packed the waters beside the docks, human bodies making up a good proportion of said debris.

And just like the ship master it took some convincing to change the minds of the remaining port authorities to allow us entry. Then it seemed like an eon for them to assemble some dock workers to help. (Many had fled to high ground).

Our crew set about clearing a way in, and by the time the shore crew was ready, we had already accomplished that task.

I helped Tomas and P identify containers with medical supplies and offloaded those first.

Even some listed for elsewhere.

Day Five Hundred Forty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our hosts had much to explain. They made it a condition before our entry.

We sent G back to the ship with word that we would be spending the night ashore, and with the additional message to the Captain that Elijah and I would ship out with him come the end of the week.

The long and short of it is, the hospital has few patients left, all of them Hamashiachites, brave souls who tended the sick. Their entire community is tolerated only if they remain secluded for they are blamed for the coming of the plague.

First thing this morning Elijah entered the wards and raised the ill from their sickbeds.

We then gathered together to discuss the future.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have gained in elevation, and the temperature has dropped in consequence. So we have chosen to make a long march of it and switch over to traveling in the daytime.

Come sunrise there was no place to shelter anyway, so we had another reason to press onwards.

Past the meridian we arrived at a teeming metropolis. We experienced no problems at all upon entry. Apparently no control or restrictions are being exercised at this time over people’s comings and goings.

And we had no trouble either in finding an inn. A notable blessing, as we were exhausted and turned in immediately.

We awoke in the early evening as our bodies are still attuned to nocturnal activity.

But what now?

Day Four Hundred Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A tug chugged out early to the roads where we three vessels were waiting for entry. We were surprised to see that each vessel received two men from the tug. The mystery was cleared up come time to receive our own charges. One was a pilot, the other was a political officer representing the world government.

The latter made it very clear that we could not enter and conduct any business unless negotiated by someone bearing the mark.

The Captain countered that we were not desirous of entering for any purposes of commerce, but rather only delivering a shipment to the city’s governor from his sister city on the island.

This stymied the duo. They returned to port for instructions.

Day Four Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The only illumination during the night (besides our bonfire) were from the ships in harbor. The city itself lay dark and eerily silent.

The ship we identified as ours appeared to be docked towards the opposite side of the port. So, rising early we set out to march to that end. Our first sight of the landward side was disheartening. The city is so huge we despaired of reaching our goal before nightfall. In the distance a low causeway ran from the interior of the island up to the city. This proved to be a highway leading to the main gate of the city.

I wanted to attempt entry there, but Elijah decided we needed to stick to our plan.

Day Four Hundred Twenty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

First thing we descended to the city. All the gates were closed. We heard the sounds of activity within, but saw no one. We made our way around to see the harbor. Three ships floated there and two were tied up at docks, but none was ours.

Then we realized we had to check the opposite side. And when we did, we discovered another road from the north and an open gate.

The guard in command denied us entry, for in his words we may not conduct business without the mark. Elijah declared we were not merchants. This stymied him and said he would ask his commander. And sent us away.

We have to wait to see what comes next.