The Old Wayfarer - Chapter 1

I never met my grandfather, but I've heard a lot about him. Maybe he's alive. Maybe he's dead. I have no idea. What I do know is that he was what the old folks call a wayfarer - someone who travels on long, mysterious journeys. The last time anyone in town saw Grandpa was some thirty years ago. Grandmama said that Grandpa told her he was leaving and that was it. Before I get too carried away, I should probably tell you a bit about myself.

My name is Orion. You know, like the constellation. My father was a stargazer and my mother was a mythologist, so the name came rather naturally to them. I live on the island of Mar del Sur in the Tropics. There's plenty of sun but little access to the outside world here. Most of what we learn about other islands and countries comes from the eastern shipping ports where sailors and stevedors trade secrets like old wives who swap baking recipes. Most of the stories told down in Portsmouth are probably inaccurate, but they sure are interesting.

I go to school at Southern Cross High on the far eastern side of the isle. School is about a mile north of home, and I walk there every day. That's mainly how I get to most places on the island. Only the rich can afford horses and carriages, so the rest of us make do with foot power. I'm not a great student, but I excel in history and language arts. My math and science skills leave much to be desired. I also work at the local market running goods in from the harbor when they arrive fresh off the boats at Portsmouth. That's how I know about a lot of the gossip that spreads through town.

My mother died when I was born, so I lived with my father until I was ten. At that point, Father decided to go off in search of Grandpa and left me to live with Grandmama. For the last five years, I've been going to school, working, and wondering about the two absent men in my life. I don't really talk to anyone about the disappearance of Grandpa and Father, though everyone on the island knows about it. None of my friends really ask me about them, probably because they know it's a sensitive subject. I got in trouble once in sixth grade when this one kid told everyone that Father left because he hated me. I punched the kid in the throat and nearly tore out his eyes, so I was suspended for a few days. Grandmama wasn't too happy about the fight, but she understood. She always does.

The reason why I'm writing all this is because of something that happened last month that really jolted me into action. I woke up early one morning to get ready for school when Grandmama called me into her room. The shades were completely drawn over her windows and the entire room was as dark as pitch, save for the light seeping through the door I opened. Grandmama was still in bed when she asked me to sit down beside her and listen. Her voice was raspy and low, as it always was early in the morning.

"Ori, there's something I have to tell you. Do you know why today is special?" she asked.

"Well, I guess it's my birthday. That's all I can think of," I replied.

"Exactly! Fifteen years ago today, you entered the world and lit up the southern skies," she proudly said as she took my hands in hers.

"But I have a birthday every year. Why is this one so special?" I asked, knowing well that Grandmama celebrated my birthday when I came home from school, not a moment before.

"Because I have a message from your father," she gravely uttered in the darkness. My heart began to race. The hairs on my neck and arms stood on end.

"What does it say?" I nervously asked, swallowing a lump in my throat. No one had heard from my father in over five years. What was this all about?

"Just before your father left five years ago," Grandmama explained, "he gave me a letter to pass on to you when you became a man. Fifteen is the age of manhood on Mar del Sur, so now is the time to give you the letter."

I could hear Grandmama reach for something on her bed and then felt the envelope between my fingers. I slowly took it and nearly dashed out of the room before she interjected,

"Whatever you choose to do after reading this letter, Ori, just know that I love you and will support whatever you decide."

"Thanks, Grandmama." That's all I could muster before I bolted out the bedroom door and stood against the kitchen window to read the letter that still looked brand new, protected from the elements in a slightly yellowed envelope. I didn't know what to think when I first read the only words that I'd seen from my father in half a decade:

"Dear Orion:

I trust that Grandmama has followed my instructions and given you this letter on your fifteenth birthday. I know that life has been hard on you these last few years, but I couldn't stay on the island any longer. On that day five years ago, I received a letter from your grandfather after nearly twenty-five years of silence. Naturally, I had to go find him, because I knew he was still alive.
I can't tell you now why Grandpa left us when he did, but just know that he could not stay any longer. If you want to learn more, go see Chief Moru on the western side of the isle. Ask him about Grandpa's old research file. That's all I can say for now. Perhaps some day we will meet again, but I fear it will never be on Mar del Sur. Godspeed, my son.

Father"

After reading father's letter, I told Grandmama that I wasn't going to school that day and decided to visit Chief Moru in the western province of Volu. I had to know more.