Day Six Hundred Thirty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The caravan route has been easy to follow. And we have moved quickly upon it. When in the few instances it disappeared, Tomas unerringly led us to where it reappeared again.

There are magnificent mountains to the south of us, and no matter how far we progress, they remain stationary. We wonder if the army would be found on the march in that sphere.

Elijah has fallen into a new habit.  He rises hours before us each morning. Then lingers behind, joining us on the route later in the day at lunch.

I brought up the idea of night travel. Something Elijah and I have done in the past. But the others want to keep to daylight hours for now.

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Day Six Hundred Fourteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The passage of columns of soldiers continued unabated throughout the night. And shows no sign of let up today.

At least they ignore us, passing onwards in the disinterested manner of soldiers under orders, orders that have nothing to say about us.

Our neighbor came to lunch and passed the afternoon with us. At his invitation we dined at his house, spending a pleasant evening with him. He told us about our future host, one of the wealthiest men among the exiles. He was successful in extracting all of it before being forced out.

Elijah then surprised him with the question- “Is he not the uncle of Mr. Kagi?”

Our host stammered in the affirmative and even I was impressed.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have retaken our place beside the lake from which we caught some trout, so long ago, the trout that Elijah seasoned with the hazelnuts which were discovered by Clarissa.

Elijah thought it good to take one more day to prepare before launching into the city on our next quest.

So, after a lunch of fresh trout (without hazelnuts) we climbed up out of the valley that cradles the lake in order to get a closer look at the city.

We had to go a considerable distance to rise above the tree line and gain an unobstructed view.

Its wall appears intact, though the skyline beyond is not what I remember. Hit by the fire from heaven?