Day One Thousand Seventeen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Since we had not arrived at the third relay point before halting last night, I asked Reuben to make a quick reconnaissance. What looked deceptively close higher up he had found to be much further away. Quasimo was at a loss for he does not remember it being more than one day’s journey distant from the second.

And a thornier problem had intruded.

Another outpost had been set up on the direct route.

He and Quasimo put their heads together and came up with another route.

And that is how we came to backtrack up the hill and down its other side. From there we have paralleled our intended path to keep hidden from the observation of the enemy’s outpost.

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Day One Thousand Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We set out immediately to answer Reuben’s call. Mei had caught us up on the problem (she did not return with us, but will guide the Purser and the last group out).

My heart was heavy at the news of a traitor among Reuben’s charges.

Providentially Quasimo had returned, so he accompanied us.  (He will see us and Reuben’s group through the dangers ahead). He kept quiet while Elijah and I discussed the options.

First thing on our arrival, Reuben insisted we hold off till this morning to allow tempers to cool. One man in particular is consumed with vengeance and was stoking the others’ indignation.

Our decision was unanimous. We’ll leave the traitor incarcerated when we move out tomorrow.

Day Eight Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were able to bring in Quasimo and his band divided into two smaller groups. They were welcomed by the others already here in the hiding place and given their own space.

Elijah and I accompanied Quasimo. He had much to tell us. Their group has suffered the loss of near half their number due to the direct action of the enemy. Yet neither he nor the remainder of his people are discouraged. Not one had wanted to turn back.

Both Elijah and I were amazed and overjoyed at the news. We hope that their example can steel our people here, as yet untouched by tragedy.

But another problem is looming. Meesa has gone out again and is now overdue.

Day Eight Hundred Seventy Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our series of meetings have started to bear fruit. Word comes through Meesa that many people are contacting her, to ask when they can leave.

This ground swell burgeoned throughout the day.

However, we still had the problem of meeting to coordinate our actions to reach our desired goal.

That’s when Jezer reappeared. And he had a solution.

Wherever he had been, he was in position to hear all about our efforts to contact Hamashiachites. He identified those who were the most effective in spreading the word. And now Meesa has a list and a method for pulling us all together.

But Jezer also brought the intelligence that the authorities will soon be clamping down on movement within the city.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As such things often work out when you give yourself to waiting, so the problem with Quasimo corrected itself. And in such a way that it gladdened both Elijah and myself.

Quasimo came to us this morning with the news that one of his cousins now believes. And he credited the joyful outcome to instructions received in a dream over night. He was given the very words to speak to the daughter of his mother’s brother.

This changed the complexion of our thinking too. We no longer feel the necessity to leave today. Rather Elijah considers it paramount that we spend the day with Quasimo and his cousin to prepare them for the task, and train them for the journey.

Day Seven Hundred Eighty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei introduced us to the members of her command, assembled from all the non-hunter camps she had spent time in the past few days. Her acquaintance with them dates back further than that. One might call them deserters from the army of the East, but she prefers to call them former comrades in arms.

Elijah thanked them and desired that they be allowed to return to their camps. Most did, but not before they put in place a rotating guard throughout the night.

The five of us conferred about our next move, but we concluded nothing until this morning.

Before anything else, Elijah decided that we have another problem to solve in regards to the city by the prairie.

Day Seven Hundred Forty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

When we reached Mei, Lung estimated that she had slipped deeper into the crevasse since his absence.

We could see the problem right off. Her wedged backpack was pulling her down, even as the crack opened more.

Tomas wasted no time and descended to her. An agony of minutes passed before he could free her from the dead weight. But as soon as he did, we pulled them both up.

We had no respite to savor the moment, for Mei urged us to depart immediately. That whole section of the glacier she felt was in danger of collapse.

So we ended up back with Elijah and the Captain today.

We had to restrain Lung from returning back down the mountain.

Day Six Hundred Eighty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The advance units of the army arrived at the point of the avalanche this morning, and passed by oblivious to the danger that had lain in wait for them.

We pressed on ourselves, resigned to the fact that we will be falling behind again, especially as the trail ahead was climbing.

With the gain in elevation this time another problem arose, snow was on the ground – not on the path – but standing off to the side – not melting, for it was very cold. We wrapped ourselves in our blankets and continued on.

I fell in with the Captain and we picked up our studies from the day before. It kept our minds off the cold.

Elijah stayed close and listened.

Day Six Hundred Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A different pair of guards were at the crossroads this morning. So we knew there had been a change during the night.

I was wondering what would come next and talking with the Captain and Tomas about their views when Elijah joined us.

He announced simply that the troops would soon be making an house to house search.

At that very moment our neighbor appeared out of thin air and said he had a way around that problem.

Recovering from our shock, he took us down to the cellar and over to his house via a subterranean passage.

He believes his will be searched first and can signal to us when our fugitives need to hold up in the tunnel.

Day Five Hundred Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another surprise has surfaced after the Captain broached the topic of the global transport service. The port authority here has not even heard of it, and were at a loss how to advise him what he should do next. They promised to look into the problem.

So we may be here well after the unloading is finished.

The Captain handed the payments to Tomas for research.

He was astonished to discover that the monies were due Mr. Kagi.

Tomas informed the Captain, who turned the funds over to our passenger with an explanation. Mr. Kagi was bowled over. And greatly amused. For he was sure it all would have been confiscated by Stan in his take over of the islands.