Day One Thousand Two Hundred Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah with his staff and Mawuli with his sling made short work of the wild dogs. Dispatching fully half of them before the remainder scampered away in a panic.

Things returned to normal after that. The new normal anyway.

As a plus the incident seemed to restore Mawuli’s equilibrium.

And the cold snap ended. Another welcome circumstance.

But it all changed again in the middle of my morning watch. Out on the perimeter the wild dogs reappeared. Everyone responded to my alarm. Thus, we all saw them stop in their tracks, turn and flee.

None of us had time to ponder this as immediately the ground shook and the terrain around us undulated like the waves of an unruly sea.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Everything has turned out for the best.  Though right in the midst of events, I confess, I had my doubts. I thought I was witnessing a repeat of when we lost Magwich and his group.

Tomas did not lead Mei and her group up here. I call it Mei’s group because she lead the assault. Supported by Lung and the others – Tomas, the Captain, Jezer and several former soldiers, she overwhelmed all in her path. Watching the resistance of their adversaries melt away before their onslaught was amazing.

They soon had Mawuli by their side. Mei gave him his sling and he stoned his tormentors.

Elijah stood out in plain view and called down fire to consume the high place.

Day One Thousand Sixty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It was not the carnage of battle that we surveyed on the summit of that mountain, but rather the aftermath of a wanton sacrifice. An altar had been raised over the source of the stream and an untold number of bodies lay strewn about – the bodies of animals contorted in their death agonies. All under the sparkling gaze of an idol of Stan, which presided over the scene.

Mawuli toppled it with a well aimed stone from his sling, and we crushed it under foot.

Elijah had us return to our camp near the stone bridge for the night, and from there this morning we set out towards the east, following Mawuli’s lead.

Elijah held his staff aloft in praise.

Day Four Hundred Eleven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Purser took us into their commodious tent where we shared a meal, then turned in for the night.

First thing in the morning he and Elijah went off to a meeting with the many leaders of the settlement, while I stayed with Mary and the children. I caught them up on our adventures and they filled me in on theirs.

Only a couple of days after our parting they had met and joined a large party from the north. This group rejoiced greatly over the message her husband shared with them, and made him their leader upon learning its source was Elijah.

Retha proudly informed me that her brother is famous among them for his prowess with the sling.

Day Three Hundred Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The city has dropped from our sight as we have pushed on into the wilderness. I returned the sling to Mawuli before we parted figuring that they would require its protection should they pass through similar wild beast habitats. An easy decision. After all, we have Elijah’s staff with us.

As indeed it did prove to be an aid in keeping some ravenous mastiffs away from us. And some rather big cats.

We were able to leave them and the wilderness behind before we went into camp for the night.

I asked Elijah if he had any sense for our future course once we reach the riverfront town.

He says he is still open and encourages me to be also.

Day Three Hundred Eighty Three evening #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enoch writes:

We have traversed into bushy terrain. Looks like even the locusts have passed it by. There are other things prowling about though, rustling in the bushes at night.

I have borrowed Mawuli’s sling and keep it close. Yet I must not trust mine own arm but to the One who strengthens it.