The Way by Earl Masterton

"When the journey seems endless, look only to yourself for what you need. The end of the road holds no answer; it cannot exist to the traveler still on his way. The strength of his body, the weight of his pack, the place to next put his step. These are the true signposts and companions on the Way."

the seeker

He walked many a mile in the enveloping fog. Sight smothered in the wet coldness surrounding him.

At a late hour the sun breached his shroud of dampness and he warmed and felt encouraged to go on. He stopped and ate a little, and felt strengthened. He seemed to perceive a possible goal for his directionless wandering. His pack had been heavy for a while; he wondered if he might ever come to the place he could use his belongings.

It was lonely on the road. He missed the warmth of female company, unused to true solitude as a rule. As the evening came slowly on, he rose reluctantly from his resting place. It would most certainly grow colder before long.
He looked ahead, and realised that the road was still endless, disappearing into the cloudy fogginess, from not far ahead. His progress seemed inconsequential. Not surprising when measured against its unknown end.

He was surprised to find that his pack felt reassuringly familiar as he began to walk. He realised that it had been keeping him warm; keeping the worst of the dampness from his back. And it made him feel prepared, and more certain. He carried with him what he needed for the journey. He recalled how he had packed it, folding and sorting and making it secure. The memory warmed him too; he had created something sacred for himself. A touchstone of who he was, and what he valued.

He found that he was no longer concerned with how far he would go, or where it would end. He felt himself well-equipped and entranced by this eternal moment on the road; well accompanied by himself.