Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A day of rest was decreed for the hiding place. The rumble of so many people noticeably lessened. A sigh of contentment passed like a wave throughout the whole cavern.

Elijah disappeared somewhere. Not in the set apart place. (I checked).

In my search I crossed paths with Tomas, and he wanted to talk.

So, as not to disturb anyone, we took our conversation outside. There Tomas poured out his concerns for Mr Kagi. They coincided with mine in every instance except one. And that consideration I had not even imagined. Tomas thinks that Mr Kagi may be in mortal danger, since the Supreme Commander no longer lives to shield him from certain elements of the army of the East.

Advertisement

Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Reuben was ebullient to be in touch with Tomas after his epic search for him. The feeling was mutual since they had much in common to discuss as they went along.

It was from their discussion that we learned about a side effect to my destruction of Stan’s idol.

The alliance between the armies of the East and North had been forged while the Supreme Commander was still alive. When the government forces left their fortifications to mount an attack on them, the leader of the Northern army suspected he had been betrayed and slew the Supreme Commander. When the government forces retreated for no apparent reason, the triumphant leader concluded it was from his action.

But we know differently.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Twenty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I don’t know who was more overjoyed, or relieved – Reuben or us. Perhaps it was dependent upon whoever was sharing. For we mutually encouraged one another by the good news we were each privy to.

All was well at the hiding place according to his account. And for him to hear from us that Tomas was well gave him immense satisfaction.

The fact that he was here was the result of his search for Tomas. The trail that he had pieced together to follow him, lead him to us.

He strongly considered going on to Babylon, but we dissuaded him. It was very providential to have him with us as we left the plain behind and climbed into the hills.

Day Nine Hundred Eighty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As preparation for the next stage of our search, I suggested we replenish our water skins at the desert crossroads before heading into the desert.

As we all deemed it necessary, it was an easy decision to make the detour. As always Tomas was happy to go anywhere he’d never been before, especially with the additional incentive of seeing where we had first encountered Jezer.

It took longer than we remembered for it was late in the day when we finally arrived. We had the spot all to ourselves and set up camp.

While we filled the water skins, Tomas explored the area.

Our surprise was great when he returned minutes later with a struggling youth, my youngest friend Mawuli.

Day Nine Hundred Sixty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elam begged to leave today. He calculated that Sy and his people would be in need of a fresh supply of water.

Elijah and I gave our hearty approval, adding at the same time a request that Sy mount a search to the east beyond their stronghold for the missing Purser and his group.

At this juncture, Magwich stepped forward and volunteered to accompany Elam. They had become fast friends during their latest expedition.

To this we assented after referring the matter to Reuben first, who easily agreed. And then in turn he proposed himself to reconnoiter the area in and around Damascus.

Elijah called a halt to the proceedings at that point, saying we needed to wait a day.

Day Nine Hundred Twenty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Though Tomas and the Captain were disappointed about being removed from the search, they were understanding and even supportive about our stepping in to take over their latest lead.

I must say that I was not at first certain that our involvement was called for, nor even wise. But a revelation was granted to me through the night, a dream that came and went three times, and each one different, allowing me to see Elijah’s part, then Tomas’s here, and finally mine with Elijah. (The Captain asked me where he fit in but I had nothing to tell him).

So, for now, we await the timing for our adventure.

We ask the Spirit to lead that we may obediently follow.

Day Nine Hundred Twenty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Quasimo and I made short work of completing the new drone. Then Elijah and I sent him off to rejoin Jezer to take up the search again.

We then had a brief respite to catch our breath before the next demand on our attention.

When it came, I shouldered it myself as Elijah had sequestered himself with the intercessors in their labors.

A dispute had erupted between members of Quasimo’s group and a few from that led by Mei over the distribution of the daily allowance. Unable to locate Mei, Meesa stepped in to help defuse the tempers. After Mei surfaced, a solution was quickly reached, and consequently the women announced their decision to administer rather than join the search.

Day Nine Hundred Twenty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A day of peace and rest. Much needed and welcome.

Quasimo returned. On his own volition. He was not chased away by Jezer. Rather Jezer agreed with Quasimo’s suggestion that their job would go much easier if they took a drone with them.

I had to tell him that Tomas and the Captain took the only working  one with them. But added that if he could wait till tomorrow, he could help me finish putting the new one together.

He was somewhat disappointed about the wait, but thanked me and sought out his people to pass the day with them.

Mei and Meesa reported all was well and asked if there were anything they could do to help our search.

Day Nine Hundred Seventeen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Jezer was down to the last of his leads today. This he took care to explain before departing. He would like to move to another location as soon as possible to continue the search.

However, Elijah remained certain that the trail to Raj G’s group will originate here in Damascus.

Last night I had given Jezer a list of the last components I needed for the drone under construction. So not having anything to work on to keep me busy, my mind was filled up with other concerns. I felt more than ever that I needed to be out and about. But I stifled that feeling. And was obedient.

As it turns out, Elijah proved correct. Jezer returned with news.

Day Nine Hundred Fourteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Having obtained Jezer’s release, one would have expected us to return immediately to the hiding place.

But Elijah had other ideas. He wanted to continue the search for other followers of Hamashiach immediately. So we headed back into Damascus.

Besides, Elijah pointed out that any other direction would have raised the suspicions of the local police whom he was sure were monitoring our movements. And if our actions matched their expectations they would soon lose interest in us. Or as Jezer suggested we could lose them in the multitudes.

Along the way I had my little talk with Jezer about acquiring the materials with which to construct another drone for Quasimo.

He deferred to Elijah who reluctantly added his approval.