John headed to the Baron’s estate early to meet the volunteers that would travel with them and help build their new settlement. Secretly, he hoped there weren’t many. He wasn’t prepared to house and feed dozens of people. So when he walked onto the estate, he was happy to see that there couldn’t be more than 30 people standing there, waiting to hear him speak.

“Good morning, John,” Baron Danielson greeted him. “I wasn’t expecting you yet. I’m still filling in the volunteers about what your journey will entail. Now that you’re here, though, I think it would be better if you fill in some of the details.” He took a few steps back to make room for John.

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” John walked to stand in front of the volunteers. “Good morning to you and thank you for coming.” He stopped for a moment. “I’m John Mitchell. My friends, who you will be meeting shortly, and I will be leading this expedition to the unknown to build a new settlement. Our goal in all honesty is selfish.” This drew some looks, but John tried to look sincere. “We want a home. Something that’s ours. Something that we’ll have to come back to when we aren’t out exploring and traveling. And we need people who have the same ideals as us to help us build a community. Do you want the same? It won’t be easy. I can’t promise you that. It will be a long journey. It’ll be hard work, but everything we put into the settlement will be ours. No one else’s. Ours. So are you willing?” Again John paused. “That’s why we are here this morning, to see who still wants to come. It’ll be a new adventure. Think it over. Go for a walk. Talk amongst yourselves. When you’re ready, and you’re willing, I will be sitting at that table over there to take down your information, to see what you can add to our venture to the unknown. Thank you.”

John turned and walked to the table, sitting behind it. No one approached. Many were huddled together, families, friends perhaps. Some just looked at him. He counted 23 adults and 5 children. Including Ivan and Monty’s families, the mage, Drew, and himself, they would have a total 38 people traveling to Lake’s End if everyone agreed to go.

“John,” Baron Danielson said as he approached.

“Yes, Baron. How can I help you?” John replied, quickly standing.

“Yesterday you asked for one more favor. I talked to the head guardsman. He’s willing to send five men with you, as protection on the road. Two, possibly three, are willing to stay longer to help guard the people as you build. I can have them meet you later, if you’d like. Eventually, the ones who want to stay, would like to bring their families when things are more secure, you understand. Unfortunately, I can’t force anyone to go, and I wouldn’t anyway. That’s not who I am.” He looked disappointed, perhaps he had hoped more would be willing to go.

“It’s fine, really. Just have the guardsman meet here tomorrow. I trust you. I appreciate everything you’ve done here, for me, my friends.” Looking over the table. “My first volunteers approach!” John turned back to the Baron smiling. “Again, thank you. This won’t be the last you see of me. We’re not that far away. And once we begin producing material in excess, lumber and so on, we can hopefully begin trading like we discussed.”

“I look forward to it. Better get to work,” teased Baron Danielson, pointing to the approaching family. “You’re going to have a long day ahead of you. The wagons and your supplies are in the small warehouse near the entrance to my estate. I’ll see you off tomorrow, weather permitting.” They shook hands, and the Baron went inside his home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I’m a farmer. My wife can sew. And my two brat kids will help wherever. Tillin’ the fields, feedin’ the animals. Whatever’s needed.” Marek was a gruff man, his wife petite, and his twin children full of life.

“Can I ask why you’d like to come with us? Why leave here?” John asked inquisitively, looking at some of the other people who had approached to see their reactions to his questions.

“We came late. Near all the farm ground was already taken by the town, and with little ones, I didn’t want to go far. I’ve taken odd jobs helpin’ farmers, but I want a plot of my own.”

“You understand what the Baron said right, before I got here? That at first, our community will be more like a co-operative, where no one will be paid, but instead will help feed and clothe and build until the community is functioning as a whole?” John looked in the rough man’s eyes.

“I do. We do. But like you said, we’ll have somethin’ that’s ours. We want to go.” Marek crossed his arms.

John stood, putting out his hand and shaking Marek’s. “It’ll be great to have you. Let me just write down what you all can do. I know we’ll definitely need a farmer,” John said warmly.

John waved over the next group of people, and continued his interviews. The day progressed much the same, with similar stories. Once Ivan, Monty, and Drew arrived a short time later, the process went quickly. Only one group of people backed out. They didn’t like the fact they wouldn’t be getting paid and would instead have to share equally among the other villagers. Probably for the best they decided that now John thought to himself. I don’t want to have to deal with people not willing to help themselves or others.

John looked down at his notes.

Marek 28

lvl 13 farmer

Mani 33

lvl 19 Axeman

Olivia 26

lvl 9 seamstress

Yara 36

lvl 20 Archer

*Tilly 7

help farm/tend animals

*Otis 7

help farm/tend animals

Josephine (Jo) 30

lvl 9 Animal Tender

*Luka 9

tend animals/help farm

Bethany 61

Widowed

lvl 18 Bookkeeper

*Lucia 4

Veer (m) 23

lvl 14 Trapper

Lenz 35

lvl 16 Lumberjack

Inara (f) 38

lvl 19 Hunter

Vin 47

lvl 29 Carpenter

Gert 43

lvl 14 Herbalist

Bert 51

lvl 16 Barkeep

Karmen 45

lvl 14 Cook

Stanley 40

lvl 14 Prospector

Steven 18

lvl 9 Miner

Cale (Gramps) 65

lvl 24 Fisherman

Maxine 63

lvl 21 Teacher

Tafa 27 (m)

lvl 13 Servant

*Gerard 13

help fish/tend animals

Dragi 20 (m)

lvl 8 Scout

Jenifer 21

lvl 5 Teacher

“All in all, a well-rounded group of people. Add in Ivan and Monty’s families, the guardsmen, Drew and me, the mage, I think we have a good group of people going.” John said, proud of himself.

“What’s the little notes and asterisks?” asked Drew, drawing a look from Ivan at the strange word.

Not noticing the look, John answered.“With some of those names, it’s hard to tell if they’re male or female so I made notes. The asterisks are kids. People grouped together came up together. Just seemed easier this way,” John replied, folding the paper and putting it in his bag. “Now to the wagons. A couple of ‘em agreed to help us. Some had to go home and pack up their belongings. One even had a horse and wagon. That’ll help immensely.”

Opening the door to the warehouse, Drew was in awe. “Holy shit. All this is going with us?”

“Yea. I won’t bore you with all the details. We have five wagons, two horses to a wagon. Everything you can think of that we might need is here. Tools, food, weapons, some furnishings, more food and tools. You get the idea. Oh and chickens, cows, a few sheep, and pigs that we have to get when we get outside of town. I was really hoping for someone with Husbandry as a job. Oh well. We’ll make do.” John began pointing to different crates and barrels, dictating where to put them.

By the time the sun began to set, nearly everything had been loaded onto the wagons. Throughout the day, families and individuals arrived adding their items to the load. Only one family hadn’t shown up, Cale, Maxine, and their grandson. John was worried they decided to back out.

“Aren’t they the ones with their own wagon, like your friends?” one of the people helping asked.

“Well son of a. Yea they are. Thanks for that. I totally forgot.” Placing the last crate of nails onto a wagon, John let out a deep breath. “Looks like everything is ready then. Thanks for your help you three. Dragi, Lenz, and Veer right?” They all nodded. “We wouldn’t have finished tonight without you. Get some rest. Go to the inn, have some ales on me if you’d like. Just tell ‘em my name.” The men headed out, in the direction of the inn. John laughed.

“We done?” asked Ivan. John nodded. “If the mage gets here early, we’ll be able to head out. Otherwise we may have to wait. Monty and I have everything packed on our wagon ready to go. We did save room for two kegs of ale though!” he declared loudly for all to hear. Then he slapped Drew on the shoulder, laughed, and headed out the door with Monty in tow.

“Have everything you need Drew? I bought various weapons and lots of arrows. Why don’t you pick up another set of clothes, maybe some boots. Anything you think you may need. Might want to pick up some food too, just to have on you. I like the sword by the way. Hadn’t seen you since you got it. Pick up any skills?”

“Yea, four actually. Parry, Riposte, Lunge, and Block. Like yours. Cost me a whole silver mark though. But if it keeps me alive, it’s worth it,” Drew replied, worried he may have overpaid.

“Good. Good. Here’s another mark. Pick up some items. If you can’t carry ‘em all, we’ll find room on a wagon. We have a few extra horses too that can carry packs.” John and Drew walked and checked the wagons over once more. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow. I have a little more to do yet. Couple shops to hit for some items I had ordered. As long as the mage is here in the morning, we’ll head out. See you in the morning.” With that, John walked out of the large doors of the warehouse and into the town.

On the way back to the inn, Drew bought a few more items. Some clothes, boots, a fishing pole, some soap, and another bag that held rations and canteens of water. Upon entering the inn, he was waved down by the three men who had helped load the wagons. He had a few ales with them, ate some dinner, and retired to his room. “I really hope the mage comes. I’m anxious to get going. So much has happened in the last four days. I think I’ve changed a little too, for the better. I gotta quit talking to myself and zoning out though. They're right. It’s weird” Drew smiled and laid down, wondering what tomorrow would bring. He blew out the candle and quickly fell asleep.