Dom awoke in his large bed in the Palace of Riverside. The sun was blaring through his window and he realised he must have logged in slightly later than planned after talking with Andrew for so long. His mind was more at ease with his situation with both ritan and Sun Shangxiang after their talk, especially now that Andrew was going to help him with the shortlist.
He was also relieved hearing that Andrew wouldn’t be too far away from Serenity now, aning that if he personally couldn’t go on a particular conquest, his friends could enjoy them. He knew that Andrew would probably enjoy working under Tomyris’s area and having the opportunity to go rogue in the raiding to the north, or to work with Tomoe’s area and do the sa in the south west. Kai was the one he was most excited to have join him from a gaming experience perspective though, as he knew Kai would enjoy working with Crassus and the rchant side of the ga. He knew that his friend could learn a lot from this historic expert and would probably cry with excitent when they t.
After climbing out of his bed, he quickly changed in to so comfortable clothes and strapped his Zhan Lu to his waist, the Harpe missing from his collection and most likely strapped to Sun Shangxiang’s waist. He planned to take his armour and his Slaying Spear with him, but would have them packed and shipped to Jia alongside him for the assault on the Cove, he decided he would speak with Ban Jieyu or one of the other maids when he was leaving and ask them to arrange it for him.
Dom made his way downstairs, the Palace rather empty as both of his wives were away. ritan had told him she’d be in either Serenity or Jia, whilst Sun Shangxiang would most likely be at the training grounds of the Ninth Legion. On his way down he did find a maid and asked her to have his armour and spear sent to the docks for what ever ship was waiting for him. He then grabbed so food that had been prepared for him, so warm bread and so dried fruits, before heading outside to where Acturus and another Batavi Guard was waiting for him.
"Lord Lazarus, the Galatea is prepared for our departure to Jia. General Subutai and Strategist Xun You departed last night and are awaiting our arrival." Acturus stated politely, "Would you like to visit anywhere before we depart?"
"Is Xun Yu or Shang Yang available?" Dom asked, wanting to start the plans for Andrew and Kai’s arrival. It would take a couple of days for their ships to head north, and he wanted them to be there before Andrew arrived there.
"Pri Minister Shang should be in his office at the Town Centre." Acturus replied after thinking for a few seconds, "I would expect Xun Yu will also be there, they have been having a lot of etings."
"Then let’s head there first, I’ll depart for Jia soon after." Dom stated as he began heading there, "Have I missed anything important?"
"General Subutai and Strategist Xun You held a large eting and feast yesterday afternoon. The Southern Tiger Army under General Tomoe departed yesterday evening with around a three thousand warriors, just under a third of the Army, whilst General Tomoe and the Western Wolf Army departed this morning with around one thousand Warriors. I believe General Cheng Pu and the Northern Horse Army are planning to depart later today, but are currently undergoing so joint exercises with those of Huang Zhong’s Shield Army." Acturus explained, the Batavi Guard diligent in his work. Acturus was one of the most powerful warriors in the entire army, but surprisingly also had an extrely high intelligence for his brute fra. "Strategist Xun You has also sent written orders to the current forces on the borders with their new army locations. Excitent is high across the army."
"Thanks Acturus, hopefully the Tiger Army gets in to position swiftly, they have a lot to do!" Dom exclaid, "Is morale high then?"
"Across our unit, definitely. But we get to fight alongside all of the Generals. The new arrivals are excited as they are being given professional training and opportunities, whilst the trained units seem happy for the professionalism that is now being instilled." Acturus replied honestly. "I think the financial rewards by Chancellor Crassus have had a big impact on the morale though."
"I doubt he has been tight with the purse strings!" Dom laughed, knowing that Crassus was keen to have a well trained and financed military.
"He has been more than reasonable." Acturus agreed as they made the short journey to the Town Centre.
Dom left them and headed inside, taking the quieter pathway upstairs towards Shang Yang’s office. He could hear the voices of Shang Yang, Xun Yu and Lu Ji inside as they seed in mid conversation. He knocked on the door before pushing it open, to warn them that he was coming in.
"Good Morning Lord Lazarus." Shang Yang welcod from behind his desk, Xun Yu was sat opposite him, with Lu Ji stood by a book case full of scrolls on a far wall. Lu Ji was taking notes whilst Xun Yu seed quite relaxed.
"Good Morning all, sorry to interrupt your work." Dom smiled, whilst Shang Yang waved him off to show that everything was ok.
"I am sure that Acturus has passed on my ssages, most of the forces have now departed. Subutai and Xun You were extrely organised as usual." Shang Yang explained, whilst motioning to the empty chair for Dom to sit if he wished. Dom could tell that the title wasn’t lost on Shang Yang, who was taking his role as Pri Minister extrely seriously. Shang Yang also knew Dom’s personality and treated him like the young adult that he was. Dom took the seat, whilst Xun Yu passed him a plate of grapes that he had been eating.
"Thanks Xun Yu!" Dom laughed as he took one, before he turned to Shang Yang. "I am departing to Jia shortly, but before I do, I wanted to put an idea past you."
"I’m interested to hear!" Shang Yang replied honestly as he leant forwards in his chair, whilst Lu Ji behind them also watched on. This was Lu Ji’s first ti seeing Dom in action as the Lord and was interested to see what was going to take place.
"My friend is travelling south with seven ships, four warships and three transport vessels. He should arrive within seven to eight days. I want to send a Trire to the north to et them at the Trade City, before bringing them south to Serenity." Dom began, before grinning as he finished. "It would be ideal if we could have a large force prepared to et them, just a slight power showing."
"I’ll have Zhou Yu send a Trire, whilst Gan Ning’s fleet can join up with Artemisia’s defence force to greet them after the Cove has been dealt with." Shang Yang nodded with a smile, "It’s always good to show your power to allies so that they understand their position. Do you expect them to rge in to us?"
"I hope so, they have been recruiting experts for us on their journey south as well as bringing three Bire, a Trire and 3 rchant Ships." Dom replied as he thought about the impacts Andrew and Kai’s arrival would have. "They have also been collecting seeds and other potential crop products for us."
"I am sure that Lucius will be happy with the news of new crops, whilst Zhou Yu will definitely appreciate so more ships and crew." Xun Yu agreed, before going silent for a second in thought. "Will they be taking roles within Governnt as well?"
At this question, Shang Yang and Lu Ji also looked towards Dom with thoughtful gazes. It was a good question from them, as it would impact their current plans. Dom had no intention of allowing Andrew to co and make a ss of things, however his two friends would most likely want to get involved if they could.
"There are two friends coming, as well as the small forces they have pulled together" Dom replied, deciding to introduce them with their gar nas that they went by online, however Dom expected that they would go by their nas when they arrived. "Firstly there is Black Hawk who is known as Andrew. He is the leader of the rcenary group that they have created and is in charge of all of the people on those ships. I expect he’ll join up with Tomyris as one of her Generals to push through the tunnels and raid beyond. The second is Hungry Dragon, also known as Kai. Kai is from a rchant background and I expect he’ll link up with Crassus to help with trade and expanding those routes."
"If you could rank them amongst our current Heroes, where would you put them?" Shang Yang asked seriously, a question which Dom realised had multiple reasonings behind it. If Dom said that Andrew was at the level of Subutai, firstly Shang Yang would think less of him, and secondly it would put Andrew in an uncomfortable position.
"I am not entirely sure, Andrew would most likely be around Level C like Hua Rong and Qin Ming, where he can be trusted with his own force with so direction. Kai is probably similar from a dostic position, such as Lu Ji who is here." Dom replied after thinking for a few minutes, he felt that this may be a high estimation but he wanted to give them so level of respect. Shang Yang smiled at his calculated response.
"Very well, we’ll see to the arrangents." Xun Yu agreed, "When are you planning to depart to Jia?"
"As soon as possible, I want to be ready to depart from Jia towards the Cove tonight if possible." Dom explained, thinking that the three days that he had every log in cycle seed to go much faster now that the territory had expanded so much, "It all depends if Zhao Yun is in position in the Red Woods or not."
"He departed alongside Tomoe and Liao Hua, they have the least travel distance of the three units within the Southern Tiger Army." Shang Yang replied after thinking for a few seconds, "He will most likely expect his Cohort to have set up a camp within the Red Woods for his exploration. We have dispatched so of the Elite Civilians with him to start exploring the two ruins as well."
"Hopefully they aren’t at risk from anything if there is any tunnels." Dom stated, a slight worry in his mind. There hadn’t been any proof that the Cove had an underground system, but the recent visit to Nakbe and the founding of Noctus, as well as the old discovery of the Ancient Underground City, both gave Dom so worries. "Then I will leave now and see you both when I return!"
"Don’t put yourself at risk!" Shang Yang ordered as Dom stood up and headed to the doorway, "You aren’t just a Commander, you are leader and a symbol."
"I have so of the best Warriors I could ask for, but I will be sensible." Dom replied as he opened the door. "I may not see you for a week as I will most likely stay in the south until the Battle Map has began. If we have any successes that will have large impacts, I will send for you."
"Don’t worry, we’ll be there when we are needed." Xun Yu laughed, with Dom smiling in return. "Be safe, once this excursion has been completed, we’ll have a Kingdom to form and so ti to enjoy what we have fought to build."
"I will be, thank you both." Dom replied, before nodding at Xun Yu and Shang Yang, followed by Lu Ji.
He soon headed out of the Town Centre and walked towards the Dock where the Galatea was waiting for him, Acturus followed closely behind him as the Town bustled with activity. Everywhere Dom looked, he could see so form of construction taking place, with Wang Shu the Head Builder leading the developnt of the capital under Hatshepsut’s command.
Lars the Head Lumberjack could be seen directing the movent of so planks that were on a cart being pulled by so of the powerful Oxen from the Ox Animal Husbandry. Lars was currently on the back of one of the large Shire Horses that had arrived recently, the animal itself towering over anything else nearby.
"It will be an incredible City when it is completed." Acturus comnted as they neared the Docks, with Dom nodding his head in agreent. Riverside would be an incredible Capital, with the mory of his own forr ho in Riverside of the Western Kingdoms still at the centre of his heart.
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