Day Six Hundred Twenty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The sun arose unopposed by clouds. It grew warmer each passing minute.

We bid goodbye to our neighbor, thanking him for the cool draft of water his friendship had been to us.

But we had gotten no further than the crossroads when a squad of soldiers blocked our way. Their leader recognized Elijah and ordered his men to arrest him.

Elijah took one step towards them and they fell backward to the ground. Their leader raised a weapon and Elijah merely breathed in his direction.

He was incinerated before our eyes, the flames spreading to the others as they arose to oppose us.

The Captain led the way from there.

Finding the camp empty we pushed on in their wake.

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Day Six Hundred Eighteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Three days from today we will set out. We are no longer contending with each other for our future destiny. The Spirit has shown each one that to follow Elijah is to follow Him.

We must prepare. Each one in his own way.

Elijah visited his spot on the causeway.

The Captain traveled beyond the crossroads to reconnoiter the area towards the army camp.

I accompanied the Captain, only parting from him later to better cover the vicinity down by the river to search out crossings.

Tomas remained in the house and conversed with our neighbor.  It was from that source that he learned another name for Hamashiach – Yeshua. Our neighbor carries it from the memory of being left behind.

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 Six Hundred Thirteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas entertained us with tales of his adventures on the road before turning in. He found the conditions the same as reported by our neighbor. And no one bothered him.

We showed him the map to the other exile’s place and he recognized most of the landmarks therein. He was excited at the prospect of leading us there.

We intended to leave at first morning light and join the farmers in their daily movement to the city. However, come the dawn not only weren’t there any farmers and their produce heading to market, but the roads were clogged with columns of soldiers.

I pointed out the obvious conclusion – construction of the army camp must be complete.

We are waiting again.

Day Six Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another day of waiting. Still hopeful.

Our neighbor dropped in and with all gathered around to watch, he drew up a map for us. I noted down his running commentary as additional directions for our use.

He also presented Elijah with a letter of introduction to his friend, and fellow exile, on the other side of the city.

So, we will be well prepared to leave immediately after Tomas’ return.

The Captain made it his responsibility to insure that all is set right in the house. It fits his personality as one who’s a stickler for having everything ship-shape.

I was at the point of winding up this entry when Tomas, all smiles,  came walking through the front door.

Day Six Hundred Eleven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our neighbor returned in the wee hours. It was in the middle of the Captain’s last watch for the night.

He went out to greet him and learned he had indeed been to the other side of the city. In his travels he hadn’t crossed paths with Tomas. It is probably too much to expect that he would have, still we remain hopeful for our friend.

We invited our neighbor in and he gave us some valuable information. There was no military presence once he got through the city, not even any guards at crossroads.

When I explained our desire to relocate, he immediately offered the assistance of his fellow exile.

Now we just have to wait for Tomas’ return.

Day Six Hundred Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We kept a revolving watch through the night. No sign of our neighbor. The Captain even checked inside his house twice via the tunnel.

Foul play is a possibility, but the likelihood of that seems low. It is more likely that he is just visiting a fellow exile whom he mentioned also lives in the country on the other side of the city.

Although that possibility portends well in light of what we want to ask him, Tomas volunteered to actually go there and scout it out for us.

We gave him our blessing and set him on his way with the farmers going to market.

The three of us remaining behind alternated between the house and the peaceful causeway.

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 Six Hundred Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain and Tomas have kept to themselves since their ordeal. It’s clear to me that they were cowed by their experience. Our neighbor paid a call and they thanked him profusely.

After the ex-islander left, Elijah called us together for a talk. He had not planned on telling us, but something our neighbor had said, released him from his silence and indicated that it would be proper and right to reveal a truth about our friends’ future.

As calmly as only Elijah can, he told our friends that they will die martyrs’ deaths together.

Not surprised, Tomas told us that they each had a vision of the deaths of Elijah and myself.

And Elijah added, “Yes. In Jerusalem.”

Day Six Hundred Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We actually saw the squad of soldiers coming a minute before our neighbor’s signal. And like he thought they tackled his home first.

The Captain and Tomas had plenty of time to hide themselves in the tunnel.

When the soldiers finished banging around our neighbor’s home, they regrouped outside, conferred briefly, then entered our dwelling.

Elijah stood immovable in the middle of the great room. The soldiers ignored him, peppering me instead with their questions.

Because we are obviously foreigners, I believe they stayed longer than at our neighbor’s, scouring through our things.

At long last they departed, and when they did, they took the guards at the crossroads with them.

Our friends emerged, having spent the whole time praying.