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 Meritamen 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, meaning 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 same 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 Merchant side of the game. He knew that his friend could learn a lot from this historic expert and would probably cry with excitement when they met.
After climbing out of his bed, he quickly changed in to some 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. Meritamen 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 some food that had been prepared for him, some warm bread and some dried fruits, before heading outside to where Actumerus 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." Actumerus 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.
"Prime Minister Shang should be in his office at the Town Centre." Actumerus replied after thinking for a few seconds, "I would expect Xun Yu will also be there, they have been having a lot of meetings."
"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 meeting 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 some joint exercises with those of Huang Zhong's Shield Army." Actumerus explained, the Batavi Guard diligent in his work. Actumerus was one of the most powerful warriors in the entire army, but surprisingly also had an extremely high intelligence for his brute frame. "Strategist Xun You has also sent written orders to the current forces on the borders with their new army locations. Excitement is high across the army."
"Thanks Actumerus, hopefully the Tiger Army gets in to position swiftly, they have a lot to do!" Dom exclaimed, "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." Actumerus 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." Actumerus 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 seemed 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 welcomed 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 seemed 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 Actumerus has passed on my messages, most of the forces have now departed. Subutai and Xun You were extremely 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 Prime Minister extremely 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 time 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 Trireme to the north to meet 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 meet them, just a slight power showing."
"I'll have Zhou Yu send a Trireme, 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 merge in to us?"
"I hope so, they have been recruiting experts for us on their journey south as well as bringing three Bireme, a Trireme and 3 Merchant 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 some more ships and crew." Xun Yu agreed, before going silent for a second in thought. "Will they be taking roles within Government 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 come and make a mess 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 gamer names that they went by online, however Dom expected that they would go by their names when they arrived. "Firstly there is Black Hawk who is known as Andrew. He is the leader of the Mercenary 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 Merchant 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 some direction. Kai is probably similar from a domestic 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 some level of respect. Shang Yang smiled at his calculated response.
"Very well, we'll see to the arrangements." 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 seemed 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 some 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 some 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 some 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 some time 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, Actumerus followed closely behind him as the Town bustled with activity. Everywhere Dom looked, he could see some form of construction taking place, with Wang Shu the Head Builder leading the development of the capital under Hatshepsut's command.
Lars the Head Lumberjack could be seen directing the movement of some planks that were on a cart being pulled by some 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." Actumerus commented as they neared the Docks, with Dom nodding his head in agreement. Riverside would be an incredible Capital, with the memory of his own former home in Riverside of the Western Kingdoms still at the centre of his heart.