Soon after their meeting, the Captains returned to their ships to prepare their crews and pass on the information they had gathered whilst on the Bellona. Dom watched as some of the ships began moving in to different locations as they joined up with the fleets they would be connected to during the quest. Astrid and her Longship were also preparing for the long journey to Halicarnassus and taking on additional guests. She had moved easily moved her ship alongside the Sibylla, with Kai currently having the requested goods taken from the Sibylla and loaded on to Astrid's Ship.
Ling Tong was climbing on to the Longship they had just purchased with a mixed crew of new recruits through Crassus's purchases and experienced crews from Dom's ships. It was clear that all of Ling Tong's crew that were about to depart were all excited to take the new ship across to the Greek Peninsula. Dom just hoped they didn't get too excited and cause themselves any issues.
Dom had asked Alexander to drop all of those that had sold ships and their crews who they would retain at their agreed destination on the way back to Athens. He was taking two Transport ships along with him that he hoped to fill with Athenian family members of the Hoplites with them or in Riverside.
Andrew was also preparing himself for departure, with his Bireme being loaded with supplies and gold. Dom had a thought that if any of the gold that Andrew and Kai took was used to persuade people to join them, then eventually it would return back to his own pockets when they spent it in his Kingdom, the only expenditure was anything that was spent externally, such as on the ships.
"It's an impressive sight." Zhou Yu commented as they watched the five fleets separate, with three small groups heading towards Athens, one towards Halicarnassus and the final one heading towards Tilos. The rest were part of Dom's battle fleet and were getting themselves in formation behind him, with three Trireme behind him and one on each flank, including the Sibylla. Those heading towards Crete having already left in a rush to compete for the possible trade opportunities on the large island.
"A Sea Battle is going to give us a much wider area to fight and try different tactics." Gan Ning agreed as he looked around at the small islands nearby and the clear sea beneath them.
"I am trying to visualise over four hundred Trireme clashing in this beautiful place." Zhou Yu replied in a dreamy tone, "The chaos against the beautiful backdrop."
"Isn't that most battles?" Sun Ce stated, "The world is a beautiful place, with mountains, lakes and forests as the backdrop to the chaos that we create."
"I never took you as one for self reflection." Artemisia laughed from beside him.
"Returning from death can do that to someone." Sun Ce smiled at her, "I think of my family and the beauty of places like this, then the chaos and death that is soon to follow."
"Are you planning to change your career path to that of the Civil Branch?" Gan Ning teased him as the rest looked at him, with both Sun Ce and Zhou Yu seeming to be in some form of deep thought as they looked out across the Sea and the small departing fleets.
"The Chaos is my favourite part. Imagine it, the speed of the Trireme's as they smash in to each other, their rams ripping open each others hulls. Hoplite jumping from deck to deck as they grapple for control. The Sea shan't stay clear for long." Sun Ce grinned in response, causing those around to laugh loudly at his response, catching the attention of some of the crew that shook their heads and caried on their tasks.
"Almost poetic." Artemisia declared as she turned away and headed towards the Sibylla that was tied to them. "We had best return to our ships and rest before the Spartans arrive, there will be little chance to do so after."
"I will follow shortly, I would like to speak with Lord Lazarus first." Crassus stated as he arrived after making sure Andrew and Kai had taken enough. Sun Ce soon followed Artemisia as he would join her for now and look after the Military units onboard.
Gan Ning also departed, heading to the front of the Bellona and checking that all of the ammunition for the Ballista had been tied down correctly for transport and that the boxes full of Arrows were in the correct positions.
"We have kept enough gold for bribery and a few purchases if the opportunity arises. The largest amount I have put aside is for Leotychides, from what I have been told by Thucydides and Artemisia, he should be open to a friendly introductory bribe. The one unexpected issue is that both Andrew and Kai have taken large sums for their own plans, both have given me an outline but they have asked me to not share. In this case I will agree with them and just say if their plans work, it is good news." Crassus commented to Dom and Zhou Yu. "We have also spent a reasonable amount on our Purchases, thankfully they are all lower grade ships and we were able to negotiate well. It seems these Captains have less funds than I had expected available to them. The hardest negotiation was the Longship, but I believe it is a worthwhile purchase for us to see how it is built and replicate it."
"As long as Ling Tong doesn't sink it." Zhou Yu commented seriously, which received an accidental grin from Dom.
"I would prefer Ling Tong took it than anyone else." Crassus replied honestly, which caused Dom to raise his eyebrow.
"He may be young and brash, but both Gan Ning and Sun Ce would definitely sink it." Zhou Yu agreed.
"The new crews seem relatively experienced, they were the most expensive purchase and were mainly from Guilds. I would have liked to have kept more behind as additional crew for Captures, but we purchased more ships than crews." Crassus continued.
"As long as we can move all of the ships we capture together, we'll be able to take them home." Dom replied confidently, he wasn't sure how, but the Game hadn't let him down yet.
"We will come up with a plan, the more Persians we capture the better. Artemisia will be key here as she will be able to persuade them." Crassus replied after nodding, before pausing for a second before continuing. "She hasn't been her normal self since she arrived, I think being home is having an impact on her."
"Should we change our plan and send her to Halicarnassus instead? Her son should be there and her people." Zhou Yu put forwards, knowing that Crassus and Artemisia had developed a relationship and that whilst the quest was important, this was a one of opportunity for her.
"I asked her already, she wants to fight against the Persians and is fully loyal to Lord Lazarus. She is putting our Kingdom ahead of her own." Crassus replied honestly, "She is an impressive woman and she seems keen to prove something, either to us or herself."
"She has nothing to prove." Dom stated seriously, "I am aligned with Zhou Yu, we need ships and we have bought some, even if they aren't the Trireme that we wanted."
"Let's offer that after Samos, when we head to Mycale, she can head south to Halicarnassus and meet up with Kai. She can even take the Sibylla." Zhou Yu put forwards after thinking for a few seconds. "We should have other ships by then and can move who we need for Mycale to another ship, or one of our ally ships if needs be."
"I think that's a good idea and I am annoyed that I didn't think about it before we left." Dom agreed in frustration.
"That is if we win at Samos, I am confident, but we need to make that clear as well." Zhou Yu added, "We need to keep the Bellona and Sibylla safe at all costs, if the battle turns, have her retreat in that location."
"I will, thank you both." Crassus replied meaningfully, as he turned and headed towards the Sibylla himself. His muscular back showing sweat through his thin clothes. Dom and Zhou Yu shared a look, having seen a different side of Crassus.
"I feel that the stakes have been raised slightly." Dom stated seriously to Zhou Yu as the two of them continued to look out across the water as ships began to leave.
"We have gone from fighting a sea and then land battle, to spreading our forces and having emotional links to the battlefield causing some changes within our personnel." Zhou Yu explained in response. "The level of this battle has increased, but as long as remember that we have already won with our purchases, then we just need to keep pushing until the end."
Dom nodded, as he saw that Gan Ning and Centurion Cato were having a discussion about the placement of some Arrows and shook his head, it would be a good experience for all of those that had come along.
.....
A few hours passed as the sun began it's descent in the sky. The other fleets had all departed now, leaving Dom and his Battle fleet alone under the shadow of Delos. One of the Bireme's had been sent to land and had began negotiating with some of the locals for additional food for the fleet, with Crassus offering the Captain that he would pay for anything that could be bought.
The feedback had been that Delos grew very little itself, with most items being imported from nearby islands, so they had little they could share. They had offered a location for the ships to land for the night, so their crews could rest on land and not the sea that would be rocky in the evening.
Dom had agreed when he found out, but they decided to wait out in the Sea until the evening approached, hoping that the day hadn't been wasted or they had missed the meeting between Leotychides and Xanthippus and they were actually supposed to chase after them and not wait for them as the quest began.
Dom cast his eyes across the ship, where Gan Ning and Zhou Yu were both looking out to the sea in different directions to keep an eye out with the crew, whilst everyone else sat relaxed and had some food whilst they waited to either move towards the beach or out to sea. Dom was close to sending everyone to the sea, when one of the look outs shouted.
"I see sails!" The Lookout shouted loudly, as everyone quickly turned to look at the pass between Delos and Mykonos, coming from the direction of the Greek Peninsula.
"More sails!" Another Lookout shouted, as more and more ships could be seen. Dom headed down the deck towards the front where Zhou Yu was stood, with Centurion Cato having signals sent to the rest of the small fleet to prepare. The other ships had all been instructed on basic signals, which they hoped would help them communicate better in battle, as they had for the Lazarus Kingdom and the Sun Family.
"We will hold position until they are closer and then the GiantWrangler on our left flank will move forwards for introductions, I want the Ballista on both the Bellona and Sibylla loaded and for those approaching to see that we are not a push over." Zhou Yu shouted, his voice travelling so those on the nearby ships could hear as well. GiantWrangler had already been told of his involvement and was excited to be the one to parlay first, before the Bellona and Sibylla were involved. Dom had wanted the Sibylla to go forwards, but Zhou Yu had put forwards that it was an unnecessary risk if they recognised the former Halicarnassus flagship.