Day One Thousand Two Hundred Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have had no sightings of any troops in pursuit of us. Nor, thankfully, any sign that any adversaries are aware of our presence.

There have been some patrols on this road, but Tomas pulled us from view well in advance of any danger.

Tomas tells us that tomorrow we shall alter course to the south and Babylon. All Elijah advises at this time is that we stay on the high ground as in our other journeys and avoid descending into the plain until absolutely necessary.

I hiked beside the Captain and we conversed. It has been an age since we have spent any time sharing the details of our lives. He too feels an urgency to help Mr. Kagi.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We passed the furthest point of our path that we were able to see from last night’s summit. But that has made little difference to our progress today, due to the fact of very few branching paths.

What did slow us down, however, was the time we halted to investigate the flash and rumble of conflict far to the south.

We presume that the army of the East and that of the North were at one another’s throats.

What rooted us in place so long was curiosity over what the army of the world government would do, whose lines of defense were then in view to the east of our position.

When they did not budge, Elijah urged us on.

Day Eight Hundred Ninety Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I utilized my time to build my drone. Jezer has amassed an impressive array of options to add to it if I so desire. A monitor which I can strap to my wrist should prove quite useful.

But I hesitate to add any armament. Jezer’s contributions in that department are staggering.

I shall ask what Elijah thinks on that score.

Jezer did not turn up any leads on his swing through the north. He’ll try to the south tomorrow.

Meesa has offered to go out also. But was met with opposition immediately from the people she coordinates. They feel she is too valuable to chance losing.

I need to ask Elijah to teach them about where to place their trust.

Day Eight Hundred Fourteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The first part was easy. Quasimo led us out of the audience chamber the same way he had gotten in. Avoiding all surveillance.

Then came the tricky part.

He took us into the communication/security room in the basement. There he was to report the success of his mission. It also held the relay connections to initiate a final solution in the event his mission turned suicidal. He switched the controls to that connection over to a timer instead. Set it and led us away via underground passages.

We emerged in the market area. But Quasimo held us back – until the explosion.

Then he explained, “Now all surveillance is down. And all the barriers also.”

Elijah asked to go south.

Day Seven Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We covered a good deal of ground today. The terrain changed. We have left the hills behind. Now we have entered into the prairie – still on our southwest trajectory.

Our resting place this evening finds us at a crossroads. The six of us gathered for a meeting. Each one knew before a word was spoken that a momentous shift was afoot.

Elijah looked from one to the next in succession, and lastly to me.

It fell to my lot to make the announcement.

Tomorrow, Elijah and I were to part from them. They – Mei, Raj P, Tomas and the Captain and their groups will take the road west. Elijah and I shall head south.

There were no questions, just assent.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

And so it came to pass. We were standing in the same spot where Elijah exhorted and taught the gathered followers of Hamashiach. But this time we were talking to Jordan, our friend, from far to the south and so long ago.

He had come down to meet us and conduct us up the last snowy reaches to this way station encampment.

I congratulated him for I knew that his presence here could only be due to the influence of the Spirit. And he thanked me and then added that he was so glad, for he had been told by the Spirit to expect us.

I made the introductions to the other members of our troop.

Mei was decidedly impressed.

Day Six Hundred Ninety Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The army still rested in place, and gave no sign of moving on. But we had to act if we were to get out in front of them.

The way I saw it, we only had three choices: one, skirt around to the north side of the valley, or two, go via the trail to the south, or three, stay here and wait for better options to present themselves.

I believed the last would have been the most appealing to the Captain, but he surprised us by opting for the second.

Elijah, then, set us off on the southern route.

Along the way he told us there had been a fourth option – we could have gone straight through the valley.

Day Six Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Dried up scrub characterizes the terrain we pass through. So all the more we are excited by the prospect of greenery in the distant valley. We should reach it tomorrow.

No doubt it will be refreshingly green, but I wonder for how long.

How long until it’s lushness gives way to the grayness that surrounds us here?

That question paled to nothing when the Captain reminded us that it’s been days since we last glimpsed the army to our south.

We know, per Tomas and later the ex-soldiers, that the warplanes did no damage to its viability.

Are they still behind us? Or have they gained or surpassed us?

I have a premonition that they must come through here.

Day Six Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The terrain has changed. Much less vegetation. And the trail has taken a turn to the south, following what I make out to be a river course – dry with not a lick of moisture.

Tomas was fully recovered and ranged far to our front, vigilant to protect us.

The night air was cold. We had to keep moving to keep warm. The Captain feels it most keenly.

I remained by Elijah’s side. (He no longer hangs back to pray, rejoining us at a later time). He has added a wealth of detail to what he told me yesterday, but I still await an independent confirmation.

We halted at the first streaks of dawn and prepared ourselves against the coming heat.

Day Six Hundred Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

One full day stretched to a day and a half. We wanted to wait for the cooler temperatures of night before setting out again.

It has been good to rest and collect ourselves. I believe it has done Elijah much good too.  He has been moving noticeably slower.  His fasting is taking its toll.

The Captain sat with his face to the south.  At times I could see his concern for his friend Tomas chase away the peace engendered by his meditation. I understand and empathize with him.

It was during one of those moments that Elijah intervened to save my life. I had inadvertently positioned myself beside a scorpion’s nest. It was scuttling my way when he crushed it.