Thinking through all the materials I have collected, I will some wood up from the floor. With that I experiment with propellers, not plane propellers, but ship propellers. The reason I didn't try to put propellers on the ship earlier was the lack of an engine.

While I still don't know how to build an engine, I now have the means to use magic. Thanks to the mana generating rock I got at the auction, I think I can make a magic engine. Or at least use magic to spin the propellers, but only if I can make a control matrix.

It will be necessary for others to be able to control the speed of the propellers. Meaning the matrix will need to be on the bridge, near to the steering wheel. While I am at it I should also improve the bridge, staying there during the storm was dangerous.

While I am at it I can lay some of the groundwork for turning it into an airship. It is winter, so I should also take precautions against icebergs, just in case. As I am planning, I can hear Lin moving around behind the privacy screen as she puts things away.

Considering the number of bags, I am wondering if one wardrobe is going to be enough. If Lin doesn't have enough space I am sure she will tell me so I can add more. At least I think she is comfortable enough with me to not hide problems from me.

Lin says "Um, Ash, I think I may have gone a little crazy with my shopping."

"Do you need more space?"

Lin says "Yes, please. It doesn't need to be a wardrobe, a set of drawers would be plenty."

"I can create whatever you want, which would you prefer?"

Lin says "Um, can I have both?"

"Of course you can."

With a smile I walk back behind the privacy screen and create some more furniture for Lin. There are bags scattered all over the bed, but I specifically don't look at them. Lin doesn't want me to know what she bought and I will respect that.

Besides, I'm sure whatever it is will end up being a nice surprise for me later. When I realize how I am thinking, I realize I have already made my decision. I have already started thinking of Lin as my woman and as the cabin as our home.

However, I am not going to do anything about it yet, I want to be sure of my feelings first. Having sex with one woman is going to open up a huge can of worms for me. Brightfire and Myria are the biggest concerns, but there are others, like Ruby.

Although, I think Ruby has mostly gotten over her infatuation with me, or at least I hope so. She still has an overly aggressive personality, but the last few times I have seen her she has behaved, mostly. Isabella seems to be a good influence on her, they seem to make a good pair.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

There are a few others that I am worried about, like Queen Amercy and her sister. I am sure at some point that they are planning to propose an alliance marriage. I haven't seen either of them for quite a while, a fact I am sure they will chide me for.

However, I doubt that either of them have given up on me, they are not going to give up easily. Especially Mericel, she was inside my head for way too long to ever give up. Luckily, she is way too young for me and that excuse won't go away before I die.

I would prefer to avoid them, but after I get back I should really pay them a visit. They are good allies, and despite not wanting to date them, they deserve some consideration. I am already assuming the empire won't be helping in the war, which means I need every ally I can find.

It has been so long since I left the peninsula that I have lost sight of my original goals. Although, I have gotten a lot stronger personally, which was one of my goals. I also have new allies in the elves and Lin, not to mention my new kids.

This entire trip may have been unplanned, but it hasn't exactly turned out to be a bad thing. I just hope that this delay doesn't make uniting the beast clans harder. Of course, the fact that I am no longer a beastman could be a problem.

Even if it is, I won't use my shapeshifting to trick them, that is not my style. The beastmen respect strength above all else, and I am definitely stronger now. I will be even stronger by the time I get back to the peninsula by raising my rank.

Also, thanks to Lin, my magic will be stronger as well due to her sharing her knowledge. Not to mention the fact that I might just have the world's only airship by then. There are flying demons that we will have to be careful of, but it will still be a valuable weapon.

Mushu says "Daddy, hungry!"

Mulan says "Dada?"

With a laugh I pick them both up, hug them, and carry them over to the fire. Looking out the windows I can see that it is already getting dark, I was lost in my thoughts for a while. So I go ahead and feed the two of them their dinner, both meat and fire.

Once the two of them have eaten their fill, I pet them until they fall asleep. Then I spend some time giving attention to Nala and Albion before giving them their dinner. Once they are eating happily, I go over to check on Lin who has been quiet for a while.

When I look behind the privacy screen I find the floor covered in empty bags. Lin is curled up on the bed sound asleep, the problem is she is only wearing her underwear. After enjoying the sight for a few minutes I quietly back away and move back by the kids.

"Ahem. Lin, it's time for dinner. Are you going to join us?"

Lin says "Oh? Ah! Yeah, just a minute!"

A few minutes later Lin comes out in an ankle length dress, looking a little flustered. She would probably look worse if she knew that I had walked in and seen her. However, seeing her dress I realize that I shouldn't make her sit on the floor to eat.

Before she reaches me, I summon some wood from the floor to create a small table and a chair. Lin gracefully walks over to the chair and gives me a big smile as she sits down. I fill the table with dishes and drinks, then the two of us enjoy our dinner.

Lin says "Thank you."

"For what?"

Lin says "For changing things for my sake, for making room for me."

"What are you even talking about? You left behind everything you knew to follow me. At the time you had no way to be sure I wouldn't just turn around and eat you."

Lin says "I trusted my instincts. I have no regrets."

"I am glad to hear that. I will be leaving to return to the city soon. Please keep an eye on the kids while I am gone."

Lin says "Of course!"

Once I am done eating I give Lin a smile and then head outside to take flight. I fly straight to the city and then circle above it while scanning with my mana. The city is more active than I was expecting for this time of night, I wonder if it is normal.