Day Nine Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The boot of our oppressor has ever so slightly been lifted off of our necks. It gives us hope that we will soon have more freedom of action. And eases my suspicion that knowledge of our identities had been rediscovered.

Elijah found a place apart and held up there all day. While I kept in contact off and on with the leaders to discuss future plans. But really there was little we felt we could do until we hear from Reuben, the guard who is working on our behalf.

Later we heard the most shocking news from him. The Hamashiachite followers of Raj G in the other dungeons of this prison have all disappeared.

Hence the severe crackdown of yesterday.

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Day Nine Hundred Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are in another wilderness. And are breathing easier, as the police presence has dropped to nil. However, there has been a corresponding rise in drone activity. But with that an increase in their regularity and hence, their predictability.

We had conversed with some villagers on the edge of this wilderness, and they shared with us their belief that a large group of people is held up somewhere within this wilderness.

One even offered to accompany us, claiming complete knowledge of the wilderness, including an almost certain sense of where they may be.

Elijah thanked him but politely declined.

We were no sooner out of sight of the village, when we discovered he was following us.

Elijah scared him away.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The skies were clear above the megapolis for most of the day. Only the occasional drone could be seen making the rounds on its patrol. Quasimo opined that the warplanes were no doubt back to their job of running sorties against the army of the East.

I asked him if he had knowledge about the conflict.

He replied that any contacts between these forces were minor by Stan’s design. And only used as a means to draw the army of the East where he wanted it.

We ended our day near the point of our parting from Tomas and the Captain, and Mei and Raj P – where the road to the west crossed the northern approach to the towerless city.

Day Eight Hundred Thirteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I am naturally suspicious. So it took awhile for me to warm to Quasimo. Elijah had no such qualms. He kept him nearby all of yesterday and together they planned for our exit.

It was necessary to remain in the audience chamber for, per his knowledge, everywhere else was under surveillance. There, I finally took some time with him this morning to get to know him better.

His family was taken up in the glorious appearance. He was left behind and bitter. And sought the kind of employment that landed him in the inner circles of the world government.

He was blinded, but now he sees.

As we set out, he turned and asked for the removal of the mark.

Day Seven Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas led the way, as usual, around the lake and into the foothills. Our guests carried on behind us. Each fully armed and with heavy packs. They’ve been instructed to follow us until they reach the goal of their mission. Besides themselves, Elijah is the only one with that knowledge.

Their names are Lung and Mei. I really was bowled over to learn that Mei is not a man, but a woman. Both had been guards over Elijah, and Mei was always barking commands and gave no hint of her gender.

Elijah knew, of course, and was greatly amused at my discovery.

Our road is a good one. It has been surfaced for vehicles, and we are making good progress.

Day Seven Hundred Eighteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All aspects of our situation are providential in the extreme. A day later and we would have missed G and his charges altogether.

One of the men with him had been one of those raised up from a sickbed by Elijah in that hospital in the seaport so long ago. He is from this area and had lead them to the safety of the compound. And he lead the way towards our next destination somewhere off to the north.

Without his help and his knowledge of the surrounding territory we would have completely missed the unmarked path that branches off the main trail where we now stand after our trek down from the mountains.

We made our goodbyes and parted.

Day Seven Hundred Thirteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our track southward took us well away from a view of the pass, so we surmised as we set out again this morning that the bulk of the army must have passed by the point at which we left it.

It is hard letting go of past responsibilities and moving on to the next. Especially when that next one is not clear. But as Elijah is fond of expressing we are alive to the ultimate end, and even though such knowledge is valuable for weighing various opportunities as they present themselves, the Word of the Spirit is the final arbiter.

Struck by this the Captain read to me from the history of a man called Paul, a friend of Yeshua.

Day Six Hundred Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas returned via the left fork, imparting to us the knowledge that the two paths rejoin further along. And he suggested we take the left fork as it was more level and by far more easygoing than the one to the right.

He too holds the well being of Elijah in high regard.

And come the evening we did choose that path.

Once beyond where the two paths conjoined we again came to another fork. We took the left hand one, because from where we stood the right hand branch traipsed away to the north, and the left appeared to aim, at least for now, towards the space between those two mountain peaks.

We’ll be switching back to days soon.

Day Six Hundred Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our time here is drawing to a close. We all feel it. The Captain wants it sooner rather than later, before the path westward is closed off by the completion of the army base.

Tomas, however wants to explore other ways first.  Perhaps to go through the city and head westward on the other side.

I thought the idea commendable but wondered if there might be an easier way to turn up the information.

I asked Elijah about going to our neighbor to sound him out on his knowledge of the lay of the land. Certainly he has proven trustworthy.

Elijah was open to the idea, but cautioned to make no promises.

We called next door and found him gone.

Day Four Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have moved again. The area of the river has proven a disappointment. No shop under the sign of the fish has yielded any followers of Hamashiach, though we have one lead that has taken us further into the metropolis.

It took longer to find a place to stay, as this new area is central and quite populous. So many people chase the same vacancies. However, we were able to ask questions as we went about that business.

The bigger crowds were thronging the temple-like structures similar to the one we were in five days ago. I learned they have all been recently converted and are now places to honor the supreme leader.

With that knowledge we avoid them.