Day Eight Hundred Twenty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Already we have seen the harvest of much fruit in the tribal encampment – both in the numbers of people and in the maturity so evident in the life of Quasimo.

Elijah marvels at the advances he is making in grasping the gist of all he is teaching. And he is cheered by the fact that he puts it immediately into practice.

There is no doubt in our minds that we can safely leave him to his task tomorrow, and set off to our calling.

We shall assemble with him and his fledglings later this evening for last minute essential instructions, and for a time of corporate prayer. And for a time of leave taking. A prospect both glad and sad.

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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 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 Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Pressure is mounting on two fronts.

Moglen is the undisputed leader now in the second district. It is even whispered that he may rise to rule the entire west end. We expect an ultimatum soon.

And Lyle faces opposition from two of his leaders. They were denied access to a west end market unless they bear the mark. They proposed that they take it on to represent the east end in these matters. I advised Lyle to counter their notion with the suggestion that they maintain their market here. Let the west end come to us, we set no restrictions.

Grazie worked diligently in our fields today. I worry about the return of her depression once the harvest is finished.

Day One Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Kip has not talked to Moglen since he heard that his former colleague agreed to receive the mark. He is in the dark as to his reasons for accepting the city’s detente with the world government. Therefore we don’t know how that will complicate matters when we help his daughter Grazie to come over. Kip and Lyle feel the obligation to talk to him.

I do not.

I have a bad feeling about all this. Especially since Moglen did not reply to an invitation from all three of us yesterday.

I gave it a lot of thought today out in the vineyard. With their harvest in, practically no one was in the western fields. Grazie may no longer be allowed out.

Day One Hundred Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The harvest in the west is done. Ours is still days away from completion.

Kip said that the west end leaders will likely approach us when they are finished with an offer to use their machines. He is certain that it will come with an innocuous “price,” but its true cost will be hidden.

Lyle concurs, but he added that some of his leaders are longing to have their own.

I then proposed to pay a visit to the gates into the west to see if they have reopened. To which Lyle re-iterated that without him I must refuse any important discussions with Grazie, if we perchance meet.

I agreed and went.

All for nought, as it turned out.

Day One Hundred Forty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle had to battle his leaders over their objections to Kip staying with us. They have taken his assurances, so Kip has joined our work in the fields.

He says he is never going back.

Working side by side, we were able to continue probing into his knowledge of conditions in the west end. And I gave him a description of Grazie. This jarred him. He then told us that this sounds like Moglen’s eldest daughter Terresta.  He added that she is known to work in the western fields.

I turned to observe that area and was surprised to see many machines at work in their harvest.

Kip confirmed that they are gifts from the world government to obedient signatories.

Day One Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The whole east end is camped outside. The first day of the harvest is in, with many more days ahead of us. The leaders tell Lyle that the harvest will be a very great one this year.

For my part, the physical exertion was welcome. It relieved my mind of troublesome thoughts. Though my gaze wandered from time to time over to the western fields. There is a noticeable increase in the number of their laborers. But I saw no one look up from their work, nor look over our way.

Comparing their numbers to the size of their fields, I don’t see how they can get it all in.

Lyle wants me to check the west end gateways tomorrow.

Day One Hundred Thirty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The decision has been made. Tomorrow we will all repair to the fields and there camp through the harvest. Today was given over to preparations to that end.

Last night the lights from the west end seemed even brighter than the evening before. They especially lit up all the approaches to their gateways. What do they have to fear from our small quarter? From us?

I guess we fear them too. Not knowing what their intent is toward us.

Lyle becomes more concerned with each passing day that Kip and Moglen may be lost to us. Could they indeed be swayed?

Later I sought the grace and peace that flows in my walled courtyard, sensing there may be no return.

Day One Hundred Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lights shone out of the west end last night.  Not the light from fire, candle, or oil lamp, but the bright glow powered by electricity.

It’s a clear message. Stan has delivered on his promise to the west end leaders. Or would it be more correct to say that the world government has exerted its power?

Anyway, it does not extend here. The electrical circuits for the east end have not been connected. Already this morning, Lyle has heard complaints through the leaders from their people, wondering why they have not been included.

Sore trials lay ahead. Camping outside the walls for the harvest is looking more preferable. Yet Lyle would still like to hear from Kip and Moglen first.