Day One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The number of Moglen’s men packing the crate multiplied today. So they quickly and easily attained the high place.

We observed the proceedings with Tomas from our position, while Reuben and Sy watched from theirs.

My hopes rose after the crate was opened and I saw the idol laying there in pieces. I thought it was broken. But as it turned out it was in pieces only for transport.

Moglen arrived and supervised its reassembly.

The monstrosity was set in place above the stone altar before the afternoon was consumed.

That was when a commotion erupted down in the redoubt. To our horror Magwich had arrived and launched an assault to free Mawuli. They were all cut down and killed.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah took Mawuli’s parents aside to encourage them. I could tell that their hopes were greatly shored up when I talked with them later in the day.

And I know my resolve has been strengthened likewise. It helps when you get the focus off yourself and onto Whom it belongs.

Keeping busy also helps. Especially doing those things that I can see are building up others and meeting their needs.

Mei and Meesa have aided me in this, adding to the list that Elijah gave me yesterday.

However, these chores were interrupted soon after. When delivering some requested items to Reuben’s conclave, he met me with the news that Magwich and two other former prison guards had left without permission.

Day Eight Hundred Sixteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I had been dwelling on the thought that Elijah was entertaining the idea of taking ship from this port, but perhaps that was just my nostalgia for our times at sea with our old friends Tomas and the Captain.

My hopes rose, when Quasimo’s route took us into this section, dense with warehouses bordering the docks. He has been most careful to keep us from unfriendly notice. But with the side effect of circuitous and slow progress.

When we settled in for the evening Quasimo presented several options for tomorrow. The best one in his estimation will take us east out of the megapolis, hence in an opposite direction from our desired destination.

We surprised him when we both concurred.

Day Four Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

At long last we found a way up off of the beach.

It was during one of our down times. Elijah sat facing the ocean while communing with the One. I found a rivulet that sank into the sand before reaching the sea and followed it back in hopes that it would lead to an opening in the cliff wall. Or perhaps even a valley that could carry us into the interior.

Instead its source was a pool at the foot of the rock wall, fed by a waterfall down its face.

And running parallel to it was a rickety stairway structure. I clambered to the top and there, sitting abandoned was a lovely villa.

I ran to fetch Elijah.

Day Four Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I too, caught sight of the ship that Elijah spotted yesterday. And I also believe it to be our former vessel.
It appears now to be holding station off the harbor, awaiting a pilot or permission to enter. On one hand it is reassuring, giving us more time to get to the city; and on the other (at least in me) engendering a concern that it may be gone before our arrival.
Our progress is much as before -stumbling along in starts and stops. Elijah and I now use the down time in different ways. He meditates. I continue the search for ways up.
Recently the presence of homes on the heights raises hopes that they are serviced by roads.

Day One Hundred Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

   Our hopes were raised this morning when the first six petitioners were admitted. When told “yes,” they appeared before the gate and waved the rest of their party forward.

However the next five were turned away. This set me thinking that there may be a daily quota in effect. Lyle must have read my thoughts for he spoke the idea out loud. The widow admitted that this idea had never occurred to her.

   But then as people continued to answer the call up to the gate, I thought why not just close down for the day.

   Still we kept advancing behind people who went up and back down again. Finally the day ended.  Tomorrow we will be first in line.