Day Nine Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah kept his restriction in place. No one was to go out to look for Jezer but myself and Elijah. Even Quasimo was instructed to stay inside. No drone flying for him.

I had reclaimed that responsibility on this instance.

Before going out, Elijah settled the question over who would be in overall command in his absence. He appointed Meesa to be the servant of the people.

All the other potential candidates lent her their support. As I knew they would.

Once outside, I launched the drone and set about the task of locating our friend with the phony mark. Elijah promised that we would not return without him.

It was soon apparent it might be longer than anyone thought.

Advertisement

Day Nine Hundred Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A sand storm seemed imminent throughout the morning, so I grounded the drone. And we hunkered down ourselves and did what we could to prepare for the coming blast.

Therefore we did not see the storm front veer away. Nor did we notice the approach of a lone figure crossing the sands to our position.

So we almost had a tragic incident when Jezer appeared in our midst, bearing his phony mark. He did not know he was among friends and those whom he first encountered tried to send him away, or worse.

I was first on the scene before anything untoward could happen. And hauled the more irate off of him.

Elijah dusted him off and made the introductions.

Day Eight Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I thought Jezer merely unscrupulous in his business dealings. Clearly his attempts to sell to people not bearing the mark (Elijah and me) would make him guilty in the eyes of the authorities. At the time I guessed that his view was just a matter of – no witnesses – no crime.

But that he bore a phony mark didn’t change my estimation of his character. And that was at the crux of my apprehensions to being in the same city as him.

As ever Elijah is unconcerned. He points out that we have no idea how we will be treated much less whether or not we will be allowed to enter the city.

He just knows that we must go there.