Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Besides Reuben and Sy, all the leaders asked to accompany us to Jerusalem – Elam, the Raj twins, Quasimo and his cousin, Jordan, Jezer, Meesa, Lung, Mr. Kagi, the Purser and Mary, and Mawuli.

Only Mei did not.

I took her aside and surprised her with a request. I knew that I had to lay down my writing chores and asked her to assume those responsibilities.

At first she demurred, proclaiming inadequacy. At that point Elijah stepped in and placed his hand upon her head.

As he spoke over her I saw the strength of the Spirit descend.

Then we told her she would accompany us.

And after bidding our friends farewell, the Spirit bore the three of us to Jerusalem.

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Day One Thousand Two Hundred One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei and Jezer along with Lung and the former soldiers of the army of the East have left for the hiding place. We embraced and sent them out with our prayers.

Of interest was the noticeable thinning in numbers of the world government army on the vast plain below. All movement from there has been towards the conflicts raging out of sight in the direction of Babylon. No one has come up to inspect the redoubt nor inquire after the goings on here.

For now Reuben and Sy will remain. Elijah and I and the Captain and Tomas intend to be here when the armies clash in the valley. We wanted Mawuli to go with Mei, but he won’t budge.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Everything has turned out for the best.  Though right in the midst of events, I confess, I had my doubts. I thought I was witnessing a repeat of when we lost Magwich and his group.

Tomas did not lead Mei and her group up here. I call it Mei’s group because she lead the assault. Supported by Lung and the others – Tomas, the Captain, Jezer and several former soldiers, she overwhelmed all in her path. Watching the resistance of their adversaries melt away before their onslaught was amazing.

They soon had Mawuli by their side. Mei gave him his sling and he stoned his tormentors.

Elijah stood out in plain view and called down fire to consume the high place.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

In our meeting of yesterday the Supreme Commander revealed to us news of the conflict raging far to the north, as the forces out of that fastness have been engaged by those of the world government. He was content to sit out and let them weaken one another, all the better to step in later and destroy them both.

We welcomed this news but for another reason, and advised Quasimo’s cousin and Mei that now would be the best time for them to depart on their journey.

They agreed and Tomas concurred and together we escorted them to point outside of Babylon to the west.

As we were parting, Lung appeared and committed to accompany the women on their journey.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas called early for Mei to take her to meet with Lung. Quasimo’s cousin asked to go along to support her and to perhaps bring another perspective to share with her former comrade.

Elijah and I went out at the same time and accompanied them into the megapolis where they dropped us off before continuing on. Tomas had arranged another audience with the Supreme Commander for us. First to thank him again for his kindnesses, but to also reveal to him the end of days rushing towards us all. And his specific end should he continue on his course.

He heard us out with respect, but it seemed to me, his attitude was quite unconcerned and unmoved by my descriptions.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Each of us has divined our path going forward. Elam and Sy shall accompany the Captain on the ship. Mei, despite a curiosity to see the world from a ship at sea has opted to go with Quasimo’s cousin via the land route. But first she desires to have one more talk with her comrade Lung and has asked for Tomas’s help.

Mawuli, however, desires to go with Elijah and me. And we have not yet given him an answer. (Which will be a “no”).  Elijah wants him to hear the word from the Spirit.

Tomas yet remains the problem. He knows he must go but is intent on persuading the Supreme Commander to step down and go with him.

Day One Thousand Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The way I saw it, we had two choices. We either had to swing farther east and retrace the route of our original escape, or go straight in and allow ourselves to be taken, we would hope, to the Supreme Commander.

Our concern for Mei naturally predisposed us to the first option. But Mei herself thought the latter to be the best overall option. And since her part in the mission had been fulfilled in the matter of Lung she was willing to separate from us and allow us to go in and make contact.

We turned to Elijah for any revelation he could share.

But what he had to say was rendered moot when an army unit surrounded us.

Day One Thousand Eighty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

All we saw along the way were signs of the passage of the massive army. We were in its wake and evidently far from its point of contact with the world government’s forces.

I, for one, was glad of it. For I know that the day will come when I shall be face to face with the ultimate carnage. Sooner than it has ever been.

Sy and Elam alternated turns in the advance with Mawuli. The lad is indefatigable.

Mei is greatly buoyed in spirit by our brief sojourn with Lung and her old unit. She was talking with the Captain and asked what he hoped for from our mission.

As one could guess this raised the topic of Tomas.

Day One Thousand Eighty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We took a day of rest yesterday as Lung set out with his unit and the tanker truck. It was a strategic decision.

Despite our entreaties Lung turned down our offer of refuge for him and his men back in the hiding place. And we understood when he explained with passion his need to obey. Not just within the hierarchy of the army of the East, but also that of the higher calling that keeps him there. Come what may.

We are confident he will be with us again.

Sy and Mawuli led us out into the wide expanse. Thankfully it was devoid of any army presence.

The Captain is certain the army of the East is coalescing around Babylon.

Day One Thousand Seventy Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei hobnobbed with the rest of the unit as they buttoned up their operation and prepared to return to the army of the East. We discussed our returning with them, but Lung advised against that course of action. He was certain Mei would be tried for desertion and executed.

That meant we had to find another way to get to the Supreme Commander and another of our mission’s goals. At the least we had a better idea as to where to look.

Elam gleaned more details about Stan’s wound from the tanker truck driver. It was a severe head wound by all accounts. No one thinks he can survive.

When told, Elijah merely nodded and added, “But he will recover.”