Day Four Hundred Sixty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The fasting and the time apart proved effective for me. I can truthfully say that my mind did not wander once.

Towards the end of my watch I sighted a light in the darkness in front of us. Tomas answered my call, and after observing it himself, judged it to be on land.

Based on that knowledge the Captain ordered the ship to hold up offshore until morning. And had the watch tripled.

The source of the light proved to be a village. We warily watched as one of their boats came out to us.

As it turned out the Captain was acquainted with the person in charge. And he soon agreed to transport some of their tin and bauxite.

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Day Three Hundred Forty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are still being held offshore, awaiting someone’s decision to allow us to enter the harbor.

All appears peaceful in the vicinity of the grain ship’s anchorage, but that is most likely due to the rather large security presence surrounding her.

The pilot has been tight-lipped and taciturn, and when spoken to, changes the subject when questioned about conditions in the city.

Elijah broke through when he asked after the pilot’s family and how long the famine has endured. This reduced the man to tears and it all came tumbling out.

Food has been scarce in the area since the descent from the north of a great plague of locusts. The survivors have taken to consuming the dead invaders.

Day Three Hundred Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are content for now to rest where we are. The seaport bustles with ships coming and going at all hours.  Our vessel is still dockside taking on cargo. We will join her four days from now, and should be offshore on the city’s last day.

Stan intends to keep us here.

He has changed the guard, and even added more to their number.

Elijah thinks Stan has noted our reluctance to harm anyone, and therefore more and more is assigning younger guards to us.

I think they are still puzzled about how Elam and I escaped their custody.  And I wonder if that woman forfeited her life in consequence.

They have no idea of the power of the Spirit.