Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Relief. Relief and peace filled our very beings with our first steps back into the hiding place.

Though we always carry peace with us, I do say I appreciated that these surroundings very much reinforced it. I could sense the stress falling off of me.

Soon we were surrounded by the well wishes of our brothers and sisters, led by Meesa and Quasimo.

Seeing our exhaustion they quickly prepared places for each of us. A good thing, for I could barely hold my head up.

A night of dreamless sleep seemed over in an instant.

We rose, gathered and took stock. Both Mei’s group and the Captain’s had made it safely from Babylon. Only Mawuli and Mr Kagi were absent.

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Day One Thousand Fifty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Both Elijah and I felt immense relief to see the two groups set out for the hiding place. Our goodbyes were short and sweet. And all look forward to the day when we shall be together in the same place. Praise to Hamashiach.

I was thankful that opposing forces have been drained away from the areas they will traverse. Again praise to Hamashiach.

And so the three of us were left on our own, yet not alone.

Elijah called us to a day of fasting and prayer. Sy led us into a place  that he had set apart within his redoubt for that very purpose.

I knew that Elijah would prefer to be on the heights above.

Perhaps sometime later.

Day Eight Hundred Thirty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our roundabout route via the wadi to the spot beneath the bridge consumed the rest of the day. But we remained there over night not because of the coming on of night, but because of the drone that was sniffing at our heels.

It was still present this morning. By the pattern of its movements we could tell it was combing back and forth, scanning each wadi. At one point it stopped midair as though contemplating something under its gaze.

Both of our hearts leapt with the thought that Quasimo’s cousin was the object of its scrutiny. And we both sighed with relief when it continued on without perpetrating any deadly action.

Elijah lowered his staff and we moved on.

Day Seven Hundred Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I think the Captain practically cartwheeled for joy at the sight of our friend Tomas, clearly hale and hearty, sound of limb and mind.

And we noticed that the Supreme Commander relaxed with relief to realize that we were known to Tomas from whom he had learned many things. Including the fact of our actions that had averted disaster to his army in the pass. He gratefully set us at liberty.

We spent a better part of today, catching up on Tomas’ adventures.  He had been following up a promising path when he ran into our former captors and their leader. His hasty retreat ran him headlong into the clutches of an army patrol.

He’s been with them ever since.

Day Six Hundred Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tracks continued to precede us on the trail. Another set joined the first at the juncture of the path with a mountain stream. This second set came up from below.

We slowed our pace by tacit agreement. I believe none of us wanted an encounter up here in the mountains.

We all felt relief on that score when the path forked and the pair of tracks took the upward bound route. We will stay the course and keep in view of the pass below.

We are left curious though. Tomas told us that the upward branch was marked with signs of warnings about radiation – like those in the hills up from the town on the plain.

Elijah alone remains unconcerned.

Day Six Hundred One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah communed with the Spirit today. He went out to do so. He wandered about the causeways towards the city side of our dwelling. And out of view of the guards.

We kept an eye on him. And on the guards as well.

They scrutinized each passerby and stopped each and every cart, searching them thoroughly. But most of the time they stood about in the hot sun.

To his credit the Captain wanted to take some water to them. However, neither Tomas nor I thought that prudent for him.

Instead I took some out myself.

They eyed my approach suspiciously, but relaxed when they saw the water.

They said simply they had a sufficient supply, enough until their relief.

Day Five Hundred Ninety Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The sun gave promise of burning through the fog by the late hours of the morning.  And indeed were dispelled the minute that the transport service official stepped onto the deck.

Much to the relief it seemed to the local denizens, whom we at last saw milling about in the sun.

Elijah and I took it as our cue to stay out of sight.

The official asked the Captain if he would continue with the ship. As this would require taking the mark, he declined. So did Tomas.

Mr. Kagi spoke up and volunteered himself for consideration. The official was noncommittal and went off to canvass the crew.

He left word that those not staying needed to depart by tomorrow.

Day Five Hundred Eighty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We took on some cargo unexpectedly.  Actually we had carried it here. The owner, one of the refugees from Stan’s tropical island requested passage and transport of his belongings.

The port authority granted him permission. And shortly after loading was completed we were cleared to leave.

The Captain didn’t waste any time taking us out.

We felt all eyes trained on us as we passed the warship. To our relief they remained in place.

Two other ships departed at the same time. But they soon split from us to take a northerly course.

We were all alone as we headed south.

Our passenger, Mr. Kagi, asked for an audience with the Captain. He proposes we make a run for it.

Day Five Hundred Sixty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas broke into the ward room mid-breakfast to alert the Captain to the presence of a lone ship on the horizon. At once the Captain left for the bridge. Elijah and I followed behind.

The speck was a ship, but whether merchant or a tanker it was impossible to make out for certain, even with binoculars. But by all appearances it was blocking the channel to our next port.

Pirates are not unheard of in this region, so the Captain made a snap decision to change course and make for a port on the opposite side of the island we had been heading for.

Much to everyone’s relief, the speck did not pursue us. It remained steadfast on station.

Day Five Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain has backed off on his order for all possible speed, much to the relief of the engineer. But not for the reason one might suspect.

We have entered the confinement of a waterway that restricts our movement a great deal. Our next port sits behind a cluster of small islands. We have slowed the ship the better to navigate this tricky inward passage.

As the buildings of the city come into view I am left wondering if we will go ashore here. Or might we even strike out on a journey inland in search of more followers of Hamashiach.

Elijah himself doesn’t know. However he did tell me that we shall receive direction from the Raj twin P.