Day One Thousand Two Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We’re still sorting through the incidents of yesterday. We possess the redoubt. All its defenders are no more. Even Moglen is gone. Caught nearby the altar when fire from heaven descended at the command of Elijah.

What that all means for the future puzzles us. Does it mean Stan gains the advantage?

I can’t think so. But Jezer and a few others are fearful of unlooked for consequences entailed by his ‘sacrifice’ instead of Mawuli’s.

Tomas and the Captain are struggling with the full impact of their actions.

Elijah will talk to them after he finishes conferring with Jezer. Mei and Jezer want to leave immediately for the hiding place, but Elijah has a different opinion.

I believe we’re staying.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Conjecture is all we have as to the why of Mawuli’s departure. His parents, the Purser and Mary, had no inkling that he would do such a thing. Though they did note that he has grown quite independent.

It is my considered opinion that he would not have acted without first consulting the Spirit. But why he had not sought the wisdom of others for a confirmation has me puzzled.

As for myself I feel an overpowering desire to go up to Jerusalem to look for him.

Elijah, however, remains noncommittal. He will not budge an inch until summoned to do so.

Magwich has come to us today with the Raj twins and we allowed them to make the attempt.

Day Nine Hundred Ninety #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We expect to reach the desert crossroads tomorrow. Jezer looks forward to linking up with his friend Reuben, as are we. He remained there with a tanker truck while Jezer had accompanied Mawuli and the other water couriers.

Tomas was gone from us all day, off on the advance with Mawuli, and has chosen this place for tonight’s encampment. We had asked him to be on the lookout for any outliers. He reports none.

Elijah holds the opinion that the angels have intervened in that matter.

In our evening conference we discussed ways and means of transporting from the crossroads to the hiding place. The Purser is none too keen on riding inside an emptied tanker truck.

Nor are we.

Day Nine Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Having covered the happenings in our lives (and the hand of the Spirit in those events) throughout the remainder of the day yesterday, we began the discussion of our mutual futures after breakfast.

Sy holds the decided opinion that all the Hamashiachites should come here to this stronghold in the wilderness. And he listed all the benefits, chief of which is their access through Elam to water from under the very noses of our adversaries.

Elijah listened, offering no interruption.

When Sy closed his case with a nod to Elijah for having touted this location to him in the first place, Elijah agreed to allow him to remain, but only if he learned how to escape to the hiding place.

Day Seven Hundred Twenty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Two caravans passed by us today, and unlike the first, these in their turn tried to interest us in their wares. The Captain was drawn to the fruit they were hawking, but balked at the price. After haggling he passed.

Elijah congratulated him afterwards. And pointed to a hazy speck on the horizon. He said we would find a city at the edge of the desert. No doubt fruit would be cheaper at its source.

We kept on in order – Tomas far to the front, the Captain walking and conversing with Elijah, and I brought up the rear, thinking about many things.

Did that satellite crash accidentally or was it shot down?

Neither Tomas nor the Captain offered an opinion.

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.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We had difficulty leaving.  In fact we made it out by the skin of our teeth.

It all began when the Captain paid a call on the port authorities. He wanted to settle a few things.  There was no cargo for us to carry from here. That was understandable. But for those items due elsewhere, the Captain wanted some compensation for the owners. They wouldn’t hear of it.  They are of the opinion that the world government will take care of it. As they believe it will “take care” of us.

This sent a chill through the Captain.

They threw up roadblock after roadblock, but he got us out.

In our wake we saw a robotic warship enter their harbor.

Day Four Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I have come to the same conclusion. Stan is here to extend and widen the reach of the world government.

But we disagree on what to do next. I believe his appearance was the answer to our “when to leave” question. Now.

Elijah clings to the notion that we still have a responsibility. What that is exactly, remains a mystery.

In my considered opinion, all followers of Hamashiach are safely out of his reach.

A case in point, the former owners of this inn were believers that left. The current possessors, we have learned, simply took over.

All the remaining denizens in this town are ripe to receive the “mark” for his promises.

What is left to do?

Day Three Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was of the opinion that we depart right away, lest the authorities change their minds and forbid our leaving. Of course, the Captain would not hear of departing until he had a first mate. But Elijah quietly stepped forward with both an idea and a plan.

In talking with Tomas, Elijah had learned a lot about the young man – not only has he studied at this country’s maritime academy, but has also worked on ships in his father’s merchant fleet.

The Captain was familiar with the family shipping firm and expressed his wish to meet the young gentleman.

Elijah went ashore and brought back an amenable Tomas to meet the Captain.  

Our ship now has a new first mate.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and the Captain came to a compromise of sorts. Records on the grain ship indicate that it was also headed for our next port of call. So Captain and crew are exercising salvage rights and now have it in tow while a skeleton crew tries to get it operational again.

The locusts aside, the Captain is of the opinion that there may be a substantial amount of grain beneath the weight of their carcasses.

Elijah is confident that this action will prove out to everyone’s benefit. He has one caution, however. He recommends that we only partake of the locusts in immediate contact with the grain, and avoid completely those found near human flesh.

We will see to it.