The Lotus and Sword

They say a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. So here we are, marching thousands of single steps along our journey. What started off as a bright and cheerful day quickly slipped into realistic anxiety as the overhead sky turned into gray drab, threatening with dark clouds. A slight breeze had pestered us along our way earlier, but now its harassing us with only mild restraint. We had walked several miles now along the country road, and had to turn west into the narrow trail across the open fields about an hour ago. The lightly trod path used by locals and wildlife lead past the edge of the farmers’ fields, across gentle meadows and into the forest. It is definitely the road less travelled. Actually the real road went the other way, so we made our own way in our own direction, choosing to following the sun and hoping to not trip on our feet or any unseen gopher holes.

I am the one affectionately known as the white lotus, or sometimes little snow flower. My pale face never likes the sun, but my mental health sure does. My mood does not like the drops of rain spitting on me, or the ever ominous rumbling of not so distant thunder. This day is quickly threatening to be a soggy start to our journey. To say its just our luck to start our journey at threat of a torrential downpour is well…actually that sounds about right.

Near by my trustworthy companion, Lucy the Lucky, (for she is an eternal ray of sunshine), has setup a pseudo camp for us under some trees here at the edge of the clearing where the fields meet the woods. By taking cover under the canopy of broad leaves, we should be able to avoid some of the rain but most importantly the lightning. Lucy and I stretched out a canvas sheet and suspended it from ropes to create a roofed and one sided wind and rain break. This little shelter would not win us any scout awards, but it will do while we rest our feet, find a snack, and I write in this journal.

So basically I believe we’ve covered a mere three and a half miles from our old town, and are now hunkered down just past the outskirts while we wait for the weather to improve. I am practicing my writing, as Lucy made me promise. She is also recording her thoughts, and I suspect making additional strategic plans for how to fund our expedition in the future.

And with that, I am shaken back to reality by a loud crack of thunder followed by a dramatic lightning bolt hitting a tree in the not far distance. While not off to a dramatic start (unless you count that shocking display of mother nature’s raw power), our exit from the town of our upbringing is official. Here we are alone with our wits against the elements and the surprises that await.

For the record, I will take stock of my supplies:

• Two dry loaves, and some dried beef jerky
• A bag of my favourite herbs for healing, soothing and to season our meals
• A sharp knife for cooking
• A small dagger (never too many sharps)
• Rope
• Twine
• A firestarter kit (flint and steel)
• A wool sweater
• A couple of changes of clothes
• My quill and journal
• A pot
• A water bottle
• A small lute
• A bedroll blanket
• A backpack to shove this all in
• A few loose coins (I won’t say the amount as its embarassingly small).

In addition, we bring:

• a dose of common sense,
• a ton of stubborn recklessness
• foraging and herbology skills
• crafting skills
• no regrets
• a strong sense of urgency to avoid the impending doom of doing nothing (aka staying stuck in our old lives)
• a love of singing but not much musical talent

And of course, my short sword and bad attitude.

So I ask you gentle reader, although no one will see this journal I’m sure for a million miles, but I’ll ask in theory. What do you think we should have brought? What should we have left behind? As one not experienced at true adventures, I know I’ll be learning the hard way.

Ok I’m off to forage some berries before the spitting rain becomes torrential. Until next time – be bold, brave and be kind. Do not be afraid to take your first step. And then just repeat.

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