Day Seven Hundred Seventy Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I startled awake at an early hour, for a moment disoriented, left wondering where I was. That I was in a cavern was immediately apparent. But I must say I was flashing back to another time and another cavern – when Elijah and I were accompanied by the young bearded man, Stan.

I could not but conclude that he was somewhere near at hand, roaming about seeking our trail.

I arose and cautiously went outside. The sun’s morning rays were stretching over the eastern horizon, feeling their way around the mountain towards our position. Nothing else stirred, not even on the winding path just emerging from the darkness.

Elijah joined me and declared we would stay put for one more day.

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Day Three Hundred Ninety Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah sent me out today to stock up on some supplies for our departure, which he believes will be soon.

Prices were noticeably higher than when the market was filled with merchants. So I wasn’t in a hurry to purchase anything. At the time I remember thinking that I would advise Elijah that we hold off until the next big market day.

I did buy a few necessities, and was about to leave when a riverboat put in and landed some passengers.

Curious, I stayed to look on. One figure stood out from the rest. Whereas most left the riverfront and dispersed, he went into the inn where we first stayed. It was the young man with a beard, Stan.

Day One Hundred Twenty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I talked through my vision with Lyle. It was nothing new for either of us.  We just had not ever recognized a location before. That being the case we have some preparations to make. We both sense it is closer now than ever.

We are keeping it between us for now.  Lyle will broach the topic soon with the leaders of the east end. He says it will fit perfectly as a finish to his current teaching.

Kip sent word to us. The leaders of the west end are voting tomorrow about uniting behind the world authority as espoused by the young bearded man. He senses a favorable coalescence among his peers.

Confident that the Lover of our souls reigns.

Day One Hundred Twenty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle made it back this morning. He’d been detained at the order of someone very high up.  I shared my knowledge with him, and the details lined up with what he had learned. We both agreed that this shadowy figure is most likely Stan.

They are all fearful of talking about him.

I turned to Kip and described our companion from the mountain. Kip went wide eyed and nodded with resignation.

Kip explained that this young man with a beard left a few weeks ago and had just recently returned. Now more emphatic that they line up with his orders as dictated from the world authority, as they have quelled wars and lent succor to disaster areas.

Is it time?

Day One Hundred Twenty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It’s been a long day, but I must write down the important things that Kip told me, if for no other reason than to be better able to report them to Lyle when we see him.

If we see him again. He has not yet returned here to the widow’s home.

Kip painted a dark picture. Since the troubles started, the city has become more and more fractured with each leader inclined to do what was right in his own eyes.

Until a young man arrived, claiming to be from an overarching world government.  He gave them hope that unity would be re-established at the highest level. And cautioned them about two men out of the east with “abilities.”

Day Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It was a day sitting atop a mountain debating our next move. Hence we made no progress today.

Lyle and I took turns interrogating our young man with a beard.

When I wasn’t asking questions I took the opportunity to see what was on the other side of the mountain. More villages flowing down into a plain and another city with a desert beyond. I thought if only I could climb to the top of the peak, I could see what lay beyond that waste.

I know that arid land is our destination. Lyle knows it too. And so does our new companion. Though why he was headed away from it is why we are questioning him now.

Debate over.

Day Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A momentous day. And not just because we made excellent progress.

We made it to the top of of the pass, and that shortly after noon. To celebrate we set up camp early. Only to have a young bearded man charge through, upsetting everything and struggling against our attempts to calm his panic.

Lyle says he came from the direction we’re headed.

After he finally surrendered to us, he only sat there, apprehension on his face. At last he realized we meant him no harm and settled down. Then he tried to convince us to follow him by telling us he had been fleeing from a bear.

We stayed put. On closer questioning Lyle learned he believes likes we do.