Day Nine Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The road at last straightened as the tanker truck climbed onto a plateau, and finally Elam opened up the throttle. And we sped on towards a vale at the base of the highest mountain in the wilderness.

As we closed on the vale, Elam pointed out the sentinels up on the heights. I looked and saw nothing, until three flashes glinted sunlight.

Our driver explained we had the go ahead. And as he pulled up behind another tanker truck and parked, the denizens poured out of their tents and surrounded us.

The wall of flesh gave way as the commanding figure of Sy waded through them. And he lifted me in a massive embrace and did the same to Elijah.

Advertisement

Day Seven Hundred Sixty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The lush meadows have disappeared under the onslaught of devouring locusts. They descended in a cloud from the mountains to the north of us.

And we dived back under cover and remained there until they passed on, leaving naught but bare earth and our tents behind.

Afterwards we took turns comforting Mei. For though not unfamiliar with these insects, their close proximity was new to her experience.

We watched them form up again over the mountains to the south and held our breath as they descended out of our sight – down to where the city beside the lake must lie.

Elijah and I applied ourselves to prepare Mei and Tomas for what we were certain will come next.

Winged Abaddon.

Day Seven Hundred Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The majority of the camp structures have been dismantled. All that remains are our personal tents. And those can be gotten up in minutes.

Tomas, with our blessing, has surveyed the immediate vicinity, paying particular attention to the trail taken by Jordan’s people. He thinks he can obliterate all marks of their passage by precipitating an avalanche in that area. But he wants to find another way out for us first.

The Captain with Mei’s help has gathered everything combustible into one big pile. When we set it ablaze, if visible by our foes, it should focus their attention away from Jordan and place it square on us.

Elijah feels ready to rely on the Spirit’s capacity to defend us.

Day Six Hundred Fifty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The camp is in disarray this morning. We had some unwanted visitors over the night. A swarm of drones descended upon our position  and attacked.

We believe we brought them all down. Either from the rifle fire from our new friends, or from the fierce ire of Elijah when provoked.

Tomas and I combed through the aftermath to be sure nothing was still operable that might give away our position.

There were no casualties among us. The only damage has been to some tents and their contents – supplies and equipment.

Still, it is obvious that we shall have to part company sooner than anyone had planned, or wanted.

Elijah took the chief soldier aside for instruction while we made preparations.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

There is something about mountain tops. One wants to linger there, and is reluctant to descend into the valleys below. (I can understand that fellow’s desire to put up tents for the Ancient of Days and Elijah and their companions on that peak in the desert a few days ago). Just like that time came to an end so must this one. But not today in any event.

Timing is everything. Elijah tells me that circumstances are not yet ripe for our next foray. Which news is alright by me. I am content to linger – with the caveat that I not look backward, but forward.

Day One Hundred Ninety Five Morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

Silence blanketed the camp, as if the very earth paused between breaths.

I took a walk in the quiet. No one stirred from their tents. Only the muffled sounds of whispered conversations.

My feet bore me over the well trodden path down to the vineyard. There I sat, and watched and pondered.

No, nothing to get ready, just be ready.

Day One Hundred Ninety morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

From the minute we took down our tents, more drones joined the ones patrolling. And as we finished packing, these flying sentinels positioned themselves on our perimeter.

Some of our people froze in place at being hemmed in this fashion. Others turned and pressed into the center of our position.

Calm was restored at my urging as I passed among them. I then moved to the perimeter facing the city and waited.

Grazie was the first to detect movement across from us. I looked up to see Moglen and his contingent.

We waited. And I sorted through my thoughts, formulating my questions.

Day One Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The water in the river stopped flowing – somewhere upstream out of our sight.

Lyle called me out of the tent with the news. After a brief burst of rushing about we were all packed and across the waterless obstacle on ground that was only damp.

On the other side the woods were thick and choked with under brush. It took some time to find a path that led us off of the river bank.

I was left wondering, did Lyle do it? I certainly didn’t see him do it this time. No chance of asking now, it would all be too easy to deny.

Without any further trouble we arrived in the next village. A crossroads really. No one here.

Day Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Very blustery around here this morning. So, how gratifying to know that we were extra careful securing the tents yesterday.

We’d like to put up a drone, but neither of us feel that it would be safe in the wind. Lyle brought out a pair of binoculars that he found on his sojourn a few days ago. With them he took in the view from our ridge of the valley below. Despite all he was able to see, there is still too much we feel is unknown and perhaps dangerous to head down there willy nilly.

We’ll wait on the wind to die down, and definitely launch at least one, if not both drones to get a better, clearer view.

Day Fifty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were awakened by a crash of thunder before daylight. Thankfully it gave us time to stay dry as it preceded the rain by a considerable amount. We made certain that our tents were properly staked and supported. The thought of going out after it passed was discouraging. Alright, depressing.

Rufus and Clarissa couldn’t be happier. Their tweeting became so loud it was hard to hear yourself think.

And we needed to think. Therefore, we decided to stay put today and to talk things through.

Lyle and I went over our plans with a fine tooth comb. Just to make sure we were parting things in the right direction. We’ve just one disagreement, which we don’t have to decide yet.