January 1607 – Somewhere across the Atlantic

While this ship has been a safe haven for me, our voyage has demanded much of our time and endurance. We set sail a month ago in December; the fifth, I think. Already we have been on the sea for several weeks, and tensions remain high.

The men on board are divided, but I do my best to stay out of it so as not to cause any trouble. The day-to-day work on board keeps my mind occupied, though I find time to train below deck when I can in order to keep my fighting skills sharp. Several high-born gentlemen who have never done a day's labor in their lives clash with commoners and the sailors who work the ship itself—the latter of whom I pose as. The high-born Galthrope brothers, Anthony and Stephan, have a tendency to act with unnecessary arrogance—with little regard for others. Their close friend and high-born rival, Bejamin Gosway, acts just as inane.

One day, the Galthrope brothers spoke impertinently to the wrong men, and a fight ensued. I tried to stay out of it until one of the high-born gentlemen attacked me, and thus, dragged me into the fight. I did not hurt anyone and did my best to bring the peace between both sides. I have done more than enough fighting in my life and wish to only do my duty here, nothing more. After all, I have come on this voyage for a new start, not to repeat the past.

Thomas Risewell and William Cutner, both of whom are friends of mine, have difficulties restraining themselves when in the same room as Anthony and Stephan—and especially Benjamin. "They're all fat, lazy bastards," Thomas often says.

"None of them pull 'eir own weight," William would add. "Wouldn't know a branch from a fishin' line, either."

I'm inclined to agree with them, though to keep from drawing unnecessary attention to myself, I say nothing and instead prefer to keep my private thoughts to myself.

Personally, I don't think any of them are prepared for what lies ahead. It is no secret that the previous colonies that have been started in the New World have all failed. Rumors circulated about how the last one was wiped out, but it still remains in the dark, as if the entire colony just disappeared off the face of the Earth. Most of us don't speak of it; the sailors believe it will bring us bad luck, given the many superstitions sailors believe, and the rest of the men wish to not think of such a dark future. We have come for a new start; surely, we will not suffer the same fate, they say.

Despite the dangers, I remain optimistic. It is a New World, after all, with new beginnings awaiting just over the next horizon. I was very careful with the information I gave out when signing onto the charter, and I carefully checked the other one hundred men on board. None of them are Veritas members, and more importantly, none of them are Tarik.

He cannot follow me here.

A week after we have landed

We came across land nearly a week ago. Plenty of wood fills the forest beyond. We landed on a small inlet away from the open sea. It appears to be naught but a paradise here. The trees, taller than a quarter of a hundred men, stretch before me as far as the eye can see. This New World holds beauty that back home could never know. Only the precious cherry trees back in my home country could compare. This stunning new land stretches on before us without end.

We first made land at a place we called Cape Henry and planted a cross to claim the land for England. That first night after landing, the natives attacked. Two of our men were injured, and we barely escaped back on board the ship in time. Eventually, the natives left once they spent their arrows and felt the sharpness of our shots. Three days later, we followed the James River until we came ashore where we are now.

Most of the day consists of work from sunup till sundown. We have the beginnings of a small fort made, one that many of the others insist upon calling Jamestown in honor of our king. Only a few of the sailors disagree (some of them are foreigners and disagree with naming the fort after the king).

This New World ... Perhaps it will be a place that can finally bring me peace.