The party of over a hundred slaves marched in a great procession down the main road from Pasture City and into the wilderness.
With this group in tow, Ronin's return trip slowed considerably. He had to match the slaves' pace; he'd paid good silver for them and didn't want any to die before they even reached Mountain Forest Town.
Fortunately, he had made ample preparations before coming to Pasture City this time. He had brought enough rations in his Space Ring to ensure these slaves could eat and drink their fill.
The slaves were initially fearful and apprehensive, terrified that their new master would beat, curse, and torture them at the slightest provocation. They were surprised, however, when after two days of travel, he had done none of those things. In fact, he provided plenty of bread at every meal, and when he occasionally hunted game, he even shared some of the meat broth with them.
