Dom was surprised by the drop in temperature by the coast as the moon raised high in the sky. He was riding on a Red Hare Horse beside Tomoe and Xun You as the three of them and their forces finished their journey to the camp for the night. The journey had been short, just over two hours away from Jia. Subutai had already had the camp prepared out of range of the Cove, a rough patch of tents with a small mud and wooden wall around it. They had agreed that there would be no fires in the camp tonight, especially on the night before the battle, as any potential warning could risk lives. Dom felt that the enemy must be aware of their presence, and the lack of anything happening did worry him slightly.
Zhao Yun's Cavalry had left them earlier, circling south with Qin Ming and his hundred and sixty Legionaries. Qin Ming's Legionaries had the gruelling task of climbing down treacherous cliffs in the almost full darkness of the coming morning. Qin Ming's other eighty men under Centurion Percennius had already left and headed towards their entry point, a location where Dom would join them with his Praetorians for the full assault in the morning.
The journey hadn't been overly long and they had stayed in Jia for several hours. Most of his time had been finalising plans for the assault, whilst persuading Sun Shangxiang to not join them in this battle. Instead he had agreed she could join up with Zhao Yun at the Fort in the Red Woods, where she would be on horseback and could escape easier if anything went wrong, which he doubted. Meritamen had come to Sun Shangxiang's defence when Dom had said no, so he realised the downside's of being out numbered in a relationship.
Subutai was sat waiting for them on a chair outside of the command tent as they arrived, on his arm was Genghis who was eating some dried meat. Dom, Tomoe and Xun You quickly dismounted and headed over to him, whilst the Warriors that hadn't had a tent set up began to build their tents in the temporary camp.
"Good Evening." Subutai welcomed them as he whispered to Genghis who flapped his wings heavily and departed. Dom didn't see much of Genghis, but the majestic eagle was a sight to behold. "I've sent him away to hunt, he may bring us back something tasty."
"I would probably prefer to eat my rations." Xun You laughed as he took a seat beside his friend, whilst Tomoe expressed excitement at some fresh game.
"How was your scouting?" Dom asked Subutai as he also took a seat, whilst Subutai stretched his back and yawned slightly.
"Tiring, the men will be exhausted with the climb down itself. I did notice some armed men and a few arrows were shot towards Genghis as he flew down as a distraction. They definitely have housing within the Cliffs, which is a sensible idea from their perspective." Subutai explained, "But everything the scouts have reported back so far seems correct, there are a lot of unknowns."
"Anything else of note?" Xun You asked him as he began eating some dried fruits he had brought with him.
"It is an ideal location for a military naval base, easy enough to defend it we use the location properly. I'll speak with Zhou Yu and Gan Ning when we return to Riverside. They seem to fish a lot, and also seem to grow food on the roofs of the houses. I mainly saw males, with some females every now and then. They do seem a strange secluded group, roughly dressed and poorly armed." Subutai commented, "But I won't judge them."
"No, you'll just destroy them." Tomoe laughed, which Subutai smiled at. The two of them were Dom's two most blood thirsty Generals, with Tomyris coming next in the queue.
"That we will." Subutai agreed with a smile, "The original plan can be stuck to, however I want Gan Ning moving in before we come down the cliffs. We need his distraction or we can be picked off by any Archers that are hiding. I have also sent some Wudang Archers ahead who can meet with Percennius and Qin Ming, they should be able to map the safest routes down better."
"There is also a unit of Spartans or Hoplite in each Cohort, they will have a good knowledge of this type of terrain as well." Tomoe agreed, before standing up to give some orders to some of her Centurions who were stood nearby waiting for her.
"We could use fire and burn them." Xun You put forwards, "We have a clear terrain advantage if we do that."
"We could, but then we lose any potential gains from capturing the town." Subutai countered, "If we assault and it doesn't work, we can burn it from above after. If I had some captured warriors, I would send them down first. Frustratingly all of our Warriors are our Warriors. In the future, I want to capture enemy Warriors and use them on the front lines again."
"Like we did last time?" Dom asked, knowing that he wanted to use the same tactic they had against the Fort and City with Huang Zu's men. However those Warriors had switched sides and were now part of Riverside's forces being trained to become Legionaries.
"It's just a very deadly terrain to have to overcome. We massively out number them though, so once we do get to their level, they will hopefully surrender." Xun You agreed.
"Whilst that would be ideal, it just means more defeated people to integrate." Subutai countered, "Whilst that has been good for us so far, now our numbers and land are growing, unknowns are a risk. It's times like this that I agree with Crassus and Slavery."
"Let's just win the battle and deal with this afterwards." Dom stated, putting a pause to the conversation between the two of them, he wanted to win the battle first before discussing what to do with it. Tomoe sat back down beside him after passing out some orders, also eating some dried food that they had brought with them.
"It's going to be cold tonight." She commented as she looked out to the sea beyond, the anchored ships of Gan Ning's fleet having kept in line with them during the march. The sky was clear of clouds and there was the first sign of a chill since Dom's arrival.
"It is uncharacteristically chilly tonight." Xun You agreed, "I hope this isn't the sign of a season change. Our crops are still growing and our Kingdom has expanded much faster than anticipated."
"Crassus will have to buy more food for the cold months if that is the case, we will need to draw up new pastures for our Horses and Cattle as well." Subutai added, "But I think tonight is just one of those nights, I spent nights in the north and they were truly cold."
"I am not sure how the seasons work here, but we are based in the warmer climates on this continent. If it did become winter here, I would worry for everyone north of us." Dom replied in thought, expecting that it was just a chilly night and not the signs of seasonal changes. No one had discussed it on Golden Sun's blog, but a winter this close to the games inception would be harsh on all of the Lord Class Players who wouldn't have had time to grow enough crops to last. The other issue was that the world of World Conquest Online was massive and Dom wasn't sure if the seasons would be the same or last a similar length to reality.
"Normally I would stay up late and have a drink, however with that terrain I want to be fresh in the morning." Subutai laughed, the moon now high in the sky. Whilst Genghis could be seen circling in the distance, the Eagle having finally spotted some prey. "So I am going to have a nap, I would advise you all to head to sleep earlier as well."
"I don't disagree." Xun You smiled, standing up and heading to a tent that had been prepared for him. The camp was much quieter than usual, with the Warriors talking in hushed voices and gathering together to keep away the chill.
"I'm going to do a final tour of the camp and then head to bed." Tomoe stated, as she bid Subutai and Dom good night.
"I'm surprised Sun Shangxiang hasn't come." Subutai smiled as he stood up and stretched his back.
"I've sent her with Zhao Yun, she really wanted to fight but I think it will be a safer battlefield there if there is an escape route." Dom explained as he also prepared to head to his own tent.
"I think that's a good idea, she can also learn a lot from him. She could develop in to a good General if she wanted to, but she's only young, as are you. Enjoy your youth whilst you can!" Subutai laughed, before walking off and leaving Dom alone in the camp.
Dom headed to his own tent, seeing that a large bedroll had been placed for him as well as some blankets. He realised how well he was looked after, as everyone else had to set up their own. Actumerus and the Batavi Guards were nearby, as was Septimius and the Praetorians. He soon touched his head on the soft pillow that had been brought for him, a luxury that most of the rest wouldn't have had, and fell asleep.
.....
Dom rolled over in the night, his hand accidently touching the body of which ever of his wives was beside him. The bed in the Palace felt harder than usual, but the familiarity of the comfortable blankets in the dark room made him relax. He put his arm the over the side of her, his mind thinking it must be Meritamen beside him, the softness of her back against his chest. No, it couldn't have been Meritamen he realised, the body more toned and muscular than her. The chest felt slightly larger than Sun Shangxiang's normally did, but he let that thought pass through his mind, especially when she seemed to appreciate the touch.
"Is it your night tonight, Sun Shangxiang?" He mumbled quietly, not remembering when she had climbed in to bed or even what night it was, his mind working tiredly in auto mode but not wanting to turn down the opportunity in front of him with one of his attractive wives. Soon his head fell back on his pillow and he was asleep again.
.....
"Lord Lazarus, it's time to depart." Actumerus said loudly, awaking Dom from his deep sleep. A realisation that he was on campaign and not at the Palace. Part of him wishing the dream was real and he could go back to sleep.
"Thank you Actumerus, can you help me put on my armour please." Dom replied as he sat up and rubbed his tired eyes. It was still dark outside, with the first sign of the sun rising in the distance. Actumerus helped Dom put on his black armour, before strapping Dom's slaying spear to his own back. "Has everyone departed?"
"General's Tomoe and Subutai departed earlier, whilst Strategist Xun You will be leaving shortly. Everything should be in position by the time that we arrive." Actumerus explained as he and Dom headed over to the Praetorian's that were waiting for him.
"It should take us less than an hour to arrive there Lord Lazarus." Centurion Septimius explained as they arrived with them. Dom deciding to leave his horse in the camp and travel on foot with the rest of the forces. Actumerus handed him some dried rations whilst the two of them walked at the front of the column with Septimius and another Batavi Guard.
The cold chill from the night before had gone and with the rising of the sun in the distance, the usual warmth felt in the Kingdom of Lazarus was back. The Legionaries marched with their feet bound with soft material to quieten their approach. Dom knew that moving nearly one and a half thousand Warriors and the Serene Sea Fleet would be impossible to keep quiet, but they tried regardless.