Day Six Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As the night came on, we saw the light from that campfire still in the same place. It occasioned a lively debate.

The Captain, backed by Tomas’ judgement, wanted to find a way around it. To that end Tomas volunteered to run in advance of us to reconnoiter.

Elijah and I, however, held a different opinion. We wanted to continue on and catch up to these people – all based upon the revelations that Elijah has received, and the confirmation that I’ve been convinced to accept.

What I had to say on this matter resonated with our friends, and they at last acquiesced.

At the end of this night’s trek, we estimate the camp to be only one  more night away.

Advertisement

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 Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A different pair of guards were at the crossroads this morning. So we knew there had been a change during the night.

I was wondering what would come next and talking with the Captain and Tomas about their views when Elijah joined us.

He announced simply that the troops would soon be making an house to house search.

At that very moment our neighbor appeared out of thin air and said he had a way around that problem.

Recovering from our shock, he took us down to the cellar and over to his house via a subterranean passage.

He believes his will be searched first and can signal to us when our fugitives need to hold up in the tunnel.

Day Six Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The normal rhythms of life returned this morning. Nothing stirred yesterday as the darkness never lifted, but settled seamlessly into the night.

We were watchful all day. All the traffic, such as it was, flowed cityward. We saw the same people and carts plod back at end of day.

We were about to breathe a collective sigh of relief when a small body of troops strode past our house. They continued down the road, but left a pair of guards at the nearby crossroads.

I went out to talk with the guards, but our neighbor reached them first. They rebuffed his curiosity, slamming him to the ground.

I helped our neighbor to his feet and supported him to his home.

Day Four Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The only illumination during the night (besides our bonfire) were from the ships in harbor. The city itself lay dark and eerily silent.

The ship we identified as ours appeared to be docked towards the opposite side of the port. So, rising early we set out to march to that end. Our first sight of the landward side was disheartening. The city is so huge we despaired of reaching our goal before nightfall. In the distance a low causeway ran from the interior of the island up to the city. This proved to be a highway leading to the main gate of the city.

I wanted to attempt entry there, but Elijah decided we needed to stick to our plan.

Day Three Hundred Eighty Seven evening #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enoch writes:

I had expected the children to be stirring well before the adults, but the mountain at our back has kept us in its shadow, lengthening the night.

With our late start, our walk which began under the heat of the sun, ended long after it had gone down. Elijah and the Purser ran out to greet us. The children love their papa.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The night was tremulous, but not uncomfortable as the climate is tropical.

At the hour of dawn it became darker still. I detected a swirling motion in the clouds but then realized it was actually a massive swarm of insects being flung far and wide overwhelming the horizon. I traced its source to a fissure in the mountain dome, and there directed Elijah’s attention.

Elijah simply said, “It is time.” And pounded the butt of his staff on the rocky ground.

The fissure gaped open and a chained monstrosity issued forth.

“Could this be Abaddon?” was my single thought.

Stan charged by oblivious to us and placed a collar around its neck.

Elijah struck the ground again releasing its bonds.

Day Three Hundred late morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah writes:

Spent the night watching the activity swirling around the administration building. A curious sight. I suspected Enoch and Elam are no longer their guests. I waylaid one of the guards and made him talk. He confirmed it.

Returned to our last quarters. Still an empty ruin.

Decided to continue on to the seaport.

Hope to find them there.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We did not return to the home of Sy’s parents last night.  We did not want to chance jeopardizing them.

Instead we passed a quiet night in the square. No one disturbed us.

Come the morning we had a little incident. A raving maniac rushed Elijah, but fell at his feet when Elijah turned and stared him down. The poor fellow has been tagging along after us ever since.

We took up a position in front of the administration building, and waited. A crowd soon gathered when word circulated that a former madman sat docilely with us.

Then, Elijah stood forth and announced, “In thirty days this city will be destroyed!”

The crowd drew back and we left through them.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Last night was quiet and peaceful from one end to the other. Elijah must have made a lasting impression.

Sy’s father put in a request to him. He would like us to get a message to his son. Elijah refused as we are not headed that way. But he added that the only reason for returning – part way at least – would be to point them in the right direction. That ended the discussion.

We left for the administration building. It was as though we walked in a bubble, for everyone on the streets avoided us. And it was the same at the administration building. They declined to let us in until we bear the mark.

We’ll try another tack tomorrow.