Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

This last leg of our journey has sapped our strength and taxed our comprehension. Every where we turned our way was blocked. We had exhausted, it seems, all the approaches to the hiding place from the west and down towards Damascus.

Finally we gave up going in that direction and doubled back around to the north. There, at last, we found a way clear that was headed in the right direction.

The night had ended long before and we were tired. But we wanted to struggle on after a brief rest. (Besides, the path was more of a track – better traversed in daylight).

So, with Tomas in the lead and Elijah right behind we gained the hiding place by day’s end.

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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 Eight Hundred Ninety Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I utilized my time to build my drone. Jezer has amassed an impressive array of options to add to it if I so desire. A monitor which I can strap to my wrist should prove quite useful.

But I hesitate to add any armament. Jezer’s contributions in that department are staggering.

I shall ask what Elijah thinks on that score.

Jezer did not turn up any leads on his swing through the north. He’ll try to the south tomorrow.

Meesa has offered to go out also. But was met with opposition immediately from the people she coordinates. They feel she is too valuable to chance losing.

I need to ask Elijah to teach them about where to place their trust.

Day Seven Hundred Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei made the sighting. She was watching the skies, but was drawn to flashes on the ridge line far to the east of us. When I looked I thought it was the water survey party we passed a few days ago.

So it was good that we were all set to leave. Tomas had covered the tracks of Jordan’s group per the plan and had selected another path away from the area.

On Elijah’s order we torched the pile of debris and stepped out again for points north on a trail that must have been used by those fleeing from that direction.

Tomas stayed with the group to help us over the tricky parts.

We should have a solid lead.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas did find another path. We have taken it and left behind the busy road and its dangers. It is pointed due north and looks to keep true to that orientation.

Early on I remarked to Elijah that the terrain we were passing through looked familiar. He replied that there was a good reason for my recognition of our surroundings. And stated that we were on the approaches to the place in the north we had visited by the power of the Spirit many months ago.

The memory of that time flooded me with peace. We had been there less than a span of a day, yet it was unforgettable.

And I’ll never forget Jordan’s astonishment at our sudden return.

Day Seven Hundred Thirty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We kept on the move all night, and only stopped (or dropped) when exhaustion overtook us.

Our discussions along the way had not yet resolved the two different options that divide our company. Tomas and the Captain were for seeking out the help of the Supreme Commander. Elijah and I thought we should not go back the way we came, but rather continue north.

The decision was taken away from us at the appearance on the road of a tanker truck. Its support troops had us surrounded before we had a chance to react.

Though clearly harmless they kept us with them to their destination, the dam at the end of the lake.

Thus we landed back where we began.

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 Six Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We hadn’t realized it. We’d been traveling for over an hour without any contact of any kind along the road. Soldier or peasant.

The Captain spoke up first. He had a feeling that he could not shake off. An oppressive sense of impending danger.

Our surroundings had changed subtly. From open country to something else that none of us could describe.

After the Captain shared his apprehensions he suddenly blurted out the thought that perhaps Tomas was being held by the great army to our north.

Elijah stood there and smiled at him, then he turned to me and said that the time had come to turn our steps towards the center of the valley to seek our friend Tomas.

Day Six Hundred Seventy Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Each one of us has stated his idea as to the best course of action going forward. And each idea has been vetted by the others in a full discussion. Mine has met with the most approval.

It’s based on a simple enough proposition. I pointed to the north and the ample presence of snow and ice on the mountain ranges in that direction and deduced that that offered the best possibility for water along the way..

But that being said we are all agreed to the need for waiting upon the Spirit’s leading and not our own understanding.

Elijah is concerned for what the army will do in this situation. He wants them where they need to be also.

Day Six Hundred Seventy Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Of course I had lots of questions for Elijah. But he would not answer any of them. He said we needed to save our breath.

We headed north on the far side of the river course and walked all night. I kept my peace and my questions to myself.

We took a roundabout route to the place he had stashed the Captain and Tomas.

With the new day came a new excuse about answering my questions. Elijah thought it best to wait until we rejoined our friends.  He didn’t want to retell it over and over.

They had seen the aerial display as it happened and asked my burning question – why not destroy the army too?

His answer – “Not yet.”