Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We found the redoubt empty and in disarray. It had been abandoned in a hurry. Whether it was to join the battle or to flee we didn’t know.

Mawuli and Tomas opted to keep vigil. Through the whole night.

But I took over at midnight and sent them in for a much deserved rest.

Actually there was nothing to watch or guard against. Save wild animals. And none put in an appearance.

Elijah led us out in the early morning. He wants to reach the village at the edge of the wilderness by tonight.

No matter how late.

Along the way the Captain shared a premonition. He doesn’t think he and Tomas will arrive at the hiding place with us.

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Day One Thousand Two Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli had slipped away from Sy and Reuben only two days out from the redoubt. He eluded their attempts to retrieve him and followed after us. (He promises to apologize to them at their next encounter).

Mawuli asked after the rest of our party, and when he learned what they were doing, he went out to join them.

The Captain came in shortly after, thankful for the respite.

In the morning I delivered some food and water to Tomas and Mawuli. I was gladdened to find Tomas fast asleep while Mawuli kept the watch on the troops below.

The Captain traded places with me throughout the day. Come my evening turn, Mawuli was quite agitated.

The boy had spotted Stan.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

What we had long expected came to pass today. An army unit, perhaps a relief column, appeared on the road leading up to the redoubt.

Elijah decided it was time to leave. And time for us to part company.

Sy and Reuben with their men set out for the heights. From there they will trace their way back to the hiding place. On Elijah’s order Mawuli was placed in their hands. And they had to bodily restrain him.

Elijah and I took to the road that goes over the stone bridge, accompanied by Tomas and the Captain.

I have a strong feeling that we shall continue on to Babylon. Poor Mr. Kagi has been much in my thoughts of late.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another change to our prospects. Sy and I did find some more foodstuffs, untouched under an opening clogged with rubble. Sy says it dates back to his former occupancy of the redoubt.

This development may not, however, influence Elijah’s decision. He still thinks most should be sent back – especially Mawuli.

We had more time to contemplate the situation on the way past the stone bridge. Tomas wanted to show us the extent of the forces that are tied up in this death struggle.

I was not prepared to see the aftermath of a battle spread out below that high position. A crimson carpet of bodies left drying in the sun, all bearing the uniform of the army of the East.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As things turned out, the earthquake was a mixed blessing. It routed the wild dogs. For good. Tomas saw a good bunch of them gobbled up by a closing fissure. But it also damaged some of the interior rooms of the redoubt.

At this discovery we had the added realization that the reappearance of the wild dogs and our response by exiting the redoubt when we did, had kept us all safe from serious injury.

We were each struck with gratitude. For the power seeking and planning our destruction was brought to naught when it became the instrument of our rescue. Praise be to Hamashiach.

Sy and Reuben directed our efforts today to put things to right in the redoubt.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Insufferably cold today. We kept sequestered in the redoubt. Huddled by the fire, for the most part. And the duration of the watches were shortened to limit exposure.

For the better part of the day we did not see Elijah or Mawuli. So, they missed the beginnings of the excitement when Reuben, on his tour, called for our help.

A pack of wild dogs had been feeding down in the garbage pit, when they caught Reuben’s (or perhaps our) scent.

Originally he had seen only a half dozen or so. By the time I joined him it grew to a hundred starving beasts circling the redoubt.

I broke in on Elijah and Mawuli to enlist their aid against the threat.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mawuli has been deeply effected by his ordeal. The windows to his soul are filled with a vacancy that hurts others to see. It is for the best that he was not sent back to his parents in the hiding place. For now.

Elijah has taken him aside to seek his healing.

Sy has taken stock of supplies here in the redoubt. We can easily hold up for a month, barring other circumstances.

Tomas and Reuben scouted further east, going well beyond the stone bridge. They encountered no opposition.

The mouth to the valley is heavily garrisoned. And a lot of traffic flowed back and forth in the direction of Babylon.

Before resting I looked in on Elijah  and Mawuli.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei and Jezer along with Lung and the former soldiers of the army of the East have left for the hiding place. We embraced and sent them out with our prayers.

Of interest was the noticeable thinning in numbers of the world government army on the vast plain below. All movement from there has been towards the conflicts raging out of sight in the direction of Babylon. No one has come up to inspect the redoubt nor inquire after the goings on here.

For now Reuben and Sy will remain. Elijah and I and the Captain and Tomas intend to be here when the armies clash in the valley. We wanted Mawuli to go with Mei, but he won’t budge.

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.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The number of Moglen’s men packing the crate multiplied today. So they quickly and easily attained the high place.

We observed the proceedings with Tomas from our position, while Reuben and Sy watched from theirs.

My hopes rose after the crate was opened and I saw the idol laying there in pieces. I thought it was broken. But as it turned out it was in pieces only for transport.

Moglen arrived and supervised its reassembly.

The monstrosity was set in place above the stone altar before the afternoon was consumed.

That was when a commotion erupted down in the redoubt. To our horror Magwich had arrived and launched an assault to free Mawuli. They were all cut down and killed.