Day Eight Hundred Eighteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

No one pursued us. Quasimo was sure they halted at the property limit and will await their master’s return to report the matter.

By the new day we were beyond the palaces, only the hovels of field hands dotted the landscape of green growth.

Knowing we were nearing the river, our guide paused. We needed to decide between two bridges. For one we would have to take the next path north. If we were to opt for the other, we would continue on to the river on our current path, then turn south for a good distance.

Both Elijah and I opted for straight ahead. And when we reached the river we each took a hand and walked him across.

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Day Eight Hundred Seventeen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Watching the ships in the harbor last night mesmerized me. Their lights traced ever-moving, intricate patterns.

And at the same time they spoke of the affluence and commercial power we saw reflected in our surroundings today.

Quasimo took us through this area of garden-like estates, or palaces (for lack of a better word). We saw no one except at a distance, gardeners at work or servants of some kind.

Quasimo had us stop for a simple meal at one whose owner he knew. The master was away and the servants knew not to refuse him.

All was well until the time of our leaving. One of the servants noticed that Quasimo no longer bore the mark.

We ran.

Day Eight Hundred Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The haze lifted sometime overnight. And we had an unobstructed view in every direction. In the distance to the south lay the harbor that services the megapolis, choked with merchant vessels.

And signs of much activity. Commerce was in full swing, with people going about the business of business in stark contrast to the continued stillness in this central locale.

Palaces were the norm in that quarter, spread out in both directions.

We had no curiosity to head in that direction. Unless, of course, the way out of Babylon lies in that direction. But my desire is for a more direct route to Jerusalem – somewhere to the east and north of here.

We’ll have to see what obstacles there are.