Day One Thousand Two Hundred Eleven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have not budged from this location. There is a growing sense among us that some big change is close at hand. Even the far off battlefield fell silent when we first stirred at sunrise. And eerily has remained so all day.

Tomas has been in and out of camp constantly, I do believe, traveling further afield in each instance. I suppose it serves a dual purpose – our protection, and his sanity.

The Captain struck up another conversation with me. This time at last directly addressing the question he skirted around yesterday.

We all know we shall fall before the return of Hamashiach. He was curious if I knew who would perish first, Elijah and me, or him and Tomas.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Thirty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I fell to talking with Reuben when we exchanged positions at the watch turnover. It started normally enough, but turned rather serious when he told me that he and Elijah had answers to our two questions – what are we going to do, and when.

I wasn’t prepared for the answer to the first question (nor the second for that matter).

According to them we will stay and destroy the idol. Or to clarify- we all are staying but only I have been selected to destroy Stan’s idol.

The second question, however, hinges upon whether or not I have the same leading.

So I knew what I’d be doing during the next watch. I joined Elijah to seek that very confirmation.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

When viewed yesterday, the high place seemed only to be a day’s journey more, but the actuality turned out otherwise.

We got a peek at it every so often as the path weaved to and fro. It is unmistakable that the idol of Stan has been replaced. And it is now even larger than the one we destroyed days ago.

I am sure that it is clearly visible to his troops far below in the valley.

We saw no movement in its vicinity, but we knew something was going on.

A wisp of smoke commenced at noon, and thickened into a column by day’s end.

The uppermost question now is – what will we do when we arrive on the scene?

Day One Thousand Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah saw what he wanted to see when we were out in the debris fields yesterday. It was not the state of the scraps or lack of them that concerned my friend, rather it was the state of the people toiling, or wanting to toil on behalf of those rebuilding in the other quarters of Damascus.

He believes it would be very unwise to take any of them back to the hiding place with us.

With the exception of the lone host with whom we have been staying in the quarter I concurred.

Now with that question decided, is there anything else to hold us here?

And the thought comes to me- only if Jezer is somewhere near at hand.

Day Nine Hundred Fifty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I must confess that upon first hearing the news, I misunderstood the import of what Reuben was telling us. I immediately thought that our fellow believers had been annihilated. Only upon his second explanation did I comprehend that they had been spirited away. They knew not where.

When we were able to report this to Elijah this morning, he broke out into the most satisfied expression. And asked if we knew who or what was responsible.

We all shook our heads.

Then a look of astonishment overspread his face, and he simply said, “Jezer!”

In my mind’s eye I saw our friend, but I also saw Elam.

But the question in everyone’s thoughts at that moment was what about us.

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.

Day Seven Hundred Ninety Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Settling into camp last night had been a ragged affair. Hardly unexpected given we were a large group trying to do something together for the first time.

The five of us, plus P, met early in the morning to talk about better co-ordinating our movements. Thus we were able to lumber off with the minimum of aggravation, taking up the same marching order as yesterday.

We agreed to maintain the same order when we halted.

The one question we did not resolve right away was Tomas’s position in the column. Both Mei and the Captain wanted his help with their groups.

At the last I decided that he needed to be out front where he does best, scouting ahead.

Day Seven Hundred Sixty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

That question has been foremost in all our minds, from the minute we stepped foot in the confines of this way station. Jordan, ever since his arrival here, has always felt that he would be the last to leave. But now after the event of our arrival, has changed his mind.

And Elijah agrees.

So, Jordan has announced his departure for tomorrow. We will stay.

Though at first, the Captain and Tomas considered leaving with Jordan’s group, that was opposed by none other than Mei.

Her decision stems from a dream she experienced over the last two nights. In each instance all of us – just our group, were outside under the moon and stars. And a dark shadow passed overhead.

Day Six Hundred Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We arrived in an area at a lower elevation – and less cold. The advance units of the army had disappeared further down the pass and the main body had marched into view.

They moved more swiftly than before. At the double quick.

At first I wondered how long they could maintain that pace, but then I was struck by perhaps a more important question – why.

Tomas chimed in with the thought that they may have discovered evidence of their enemy’s presence back in that defile.

Our discussion on this topic was interrupted by the Captain who brought the news that we were not alone on the trail.  He had found tracks on our path that merged onto it from above.

Day Six Hundred Seventy Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I passed the day dodging patrols searching for us. Patrols set upon us by the innkeeper who recognized Elijah as the “troublemaker.”

Before he came back for me, Elijah hid the Captain and Tomas away somewhere in the mountains. And they are waiting for us there now.

When we will rejoin them is the question. For we are being held here at the direction of the Spirit for His purposes.

In our wanderings we noticed that the army’s tanker trucks are hard at work siphoning up any water that is left in the river. The whole process shouldn’t take much longer.

I wonder what the town will do once the army leaves and they’ve taken all they wanted.