Week One.

The first week of travel was pleasantly uneventful. You awoke with the group each day to help around the camp with whatever you could help with. Most of the time you were training Rene or sparring with Jane and Yvette. With all three you were surprised how much progress they were making in such a short time. A testament to how motivated they were. On the third day you handed out the weapons and armor you'd purchased in New Eden. You figured everyone would need to have some form of defense on their person while you walked through unknown territory. Yvette noted that giving someone a nice weapon in her culture had a certain significance. Although you assumed it maybe had to do with a type of marriage she refused to elaborate further, and when you asked if the previous weapon you'd given her meant the same thing all she would tell you is "This one is different". You noticed during sparring with Yvette she was much more intense, and through your bond you could feel a sense of need that was new. For now you waited for her to explain, but eventually you were going to ask about it.

The remainder of each day was breakfast, sex, packing up camp, and then trudging along. You knew from your map it would take roughly two weeks before you reached your destination. Every other day you talked with Nadine to check on her progress. By her estimate she would be able to meet up with you once you were at your destination. Something to look forward to besides your goal. Speaking of your goal you decided it was time to explain what your goal actually was to everyone. It had been something that you'd been thinking about daily the entire trip. So on the sixth night you told them what your plan was.

Essentially what you had noticed on the map was a rather large river flowing near your destination. According to the map this river went all the way to the ocean to the south. It seemed like the perfect place to set up a city. Your city. Your plan was to set up some buildings and defenses and use it as a base of operations to free slaves. Once free you would offer them a place in your city as a free man or woman. Additionally you hoped that as word spread around that slaves would run away and come to your city to live a life of freedom. You wanted to turn your city into a major trade hub on the way to the ocean, and as the river ran north on the other side of the lake, you'd have access to the cities located more to the center of the continent. Further, you knew there was a city far to the north that currently the Slaving Guild called home, or at least that is how Yvette explained it. At some point you would go there and wipe out the Slaving Guild, but that was a far way off and you weren't entirely sure how to proceed on that front.

The group obviously had questions and concerns. Annabel was the most pragmatic which wasn't surprising.

"How will you get slaves to your city" she asked.

"At first we will have to go to them and bring them ourselves, likely by raiding slave caravans" you replied

"Once we do that enough times and word spreads of the existence of our city, and what it means for slaves, I am hoping we will start seeing runaway slaves making their way to us on their own" you finish.

"As for building the city itself I have a plan for that as well" you say anticipating Annabel's next answer. She raises and eyebrow waiting for you to explain. Instead of explain you go and get the sword you'd bought that cuts through wood. You walk to a nearby tree that's about as tall as you are and take a swipe at its base with the sword. You were surprised to find it offered no resistance and the sword cleanly sliced through it. The tree unfortunately came down on you earing you some well intentioned chiding, but the practicality of the sword seemed to satisfy Annabel. You were confident you could control the direction of fall for larger trees though, but it was a good lesson for you to be careful none the less.

"What about feeding everyone" Jane asked.

"That is my biggest concern at the moment" you reply "I am hoping the land will be good for farming and hunting, but we won't know until we actually get there. At the moment the river and lake would be our biggest source of food from what I can tell. Fish and whatever else we can gather will likely be our main source of food. The reality is that we will have to wait and see if we can sustain ourselves until trade can be established to fill in any gaps we have" you finish.

"I realize there are a lot of unknowns with this plan, which I agree isn't great, but I think we can make this work if we work together" you say with a little uncertainty in your voice.

"I don't want to force any of you into my plan if you don't want to be there, but I..." you start.

"Oh hush" Annabel interrupts you "You couldn't stop us from helping you even if you tried. You need to accept that" she finished and the remaining women agreed with her sentiments immediately. You knew how they'd react, but you still felt a sense of relief when they said they'd stick with you in this endeavor. You thanked everyone and told them how happy you'd been since you arrived here thanks to them, and that seemed to set a certain mood as you all progressed to the tent for the night. The women made sure to physically express how happy you'd made them, and you wondered if you'd have the energy to travel tomorrow by the time you'd all finished.

On the seventh day of travel something you knew was going to happen eventually did happen.