Inflatable Kayak Blog

(Candace Clayton is an author who’s written novels, poetry and other short stories. She was kind enough to write this fictional adventure series specifically for the Inflatable Kayak Blog about ‘The Traveling Man’, a kayaker who tells us tales about his youthful adventures with his buddies on the rivers where he grew up. We hope you are enjoying it!)

When last we met, The Traveling Man and John were visiting home. While there, they were pulled to visit the river where they first met a mermaid. The mermaid was there waiting for them. Let’s rejoin them and see what happens next.

I hadn’t seen her in many years, but I knew it was her. She had the same beautiful flowing hair and the same caring eyes, but something was different. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it was there.

“I wasn’t sure you two would hear my call. My powers aren’t as strong as they used to be.”

“You called us here?” John asked. “Why?”

I called you here because my time on this earth grows short. I wanted to see you two before I left.”

“You wanted to see us? Why us?” I couldn’t believe this magical creature wanted to see us before her time ended.

“Do you doubt my words?”

“No ma’am. I am just surprised that we would be the ones you wanted to see last.”

“Well, I have heard many good things about the two of you from many of my kind. I know that not letting you drown that day was a good decision. I just wanted to see for myself the men you two had become.”

As she was talking, her voice grew weaker. I could tell she didn’t have much time left. I was right.

“My time is almost upon me. Before I go, I would give you a quest.”

John and I both shook our heads. We were too sad to speak.

“I want you both to continue your travels and to tell the stories of your adventures to all you meet. However, I want you to seek out those of my kind. Learn their stories. Share them with the world. Soon there will be none of my world left…Only yours. I do not wish for those of my world to be forgotten.”

Her voice had continued to weaken as she spoke. John looked at me with tears in his eyes. I have to admit I was crying as well.  We looked back at the mermaid…but she was no longer there.

The next day, John and I headed back out on the road. Our mission: to seek out other creatures like the one who was no more. Our purpose: to tell their story to all so that they would never be forgotten. We never forgot that night at the river, but that is just one of the many stories we have to tell.

Come back next month and join us as we see what mischief The Traveling Man and John get into while trying to fulfill their quest.

The author, Candace Clayton, lives in Granbury, Texas with her Husband and family, spending as much time in the outdoors as she can.

(New Chapters of “The Traveling Man” series are published on a monthly basis here in the Inflatable Kayak Blog. Check back soon for another chapter or set your computer to receive our RSS feed and you’ll be informed automatically when the next part of the story will be posted.)