World Conquest Online

After reading the blog he headed out for some food again at the Waterfront Restaurant, the area seemed much busier today with more people seeming to be arriving for the start of the term. Dom wasn't the only one eating alone and before leaving he politely nodded his head in greeting at a few of them, receiving smiles in response.

Before returning home to relax for a few hours, he headed to one of the shops to buy some treats for the house, as he knew that Andrew and Kai could arrive any day. He missed their company, as even though he had been reunited with his Aunt, in his heart, these were his real family.

When he did get home, he decided to swim in his pool for a while, knowing that improving his swimming would be key for the upcoming Battle Map. After swimming, he decided to sunbathe by the side of the pool whilst doing some online research in to his current Heroes. He found some interesting articles about Cicero and realised how important this Hero could be for his government. He also looked in to some of those gained from Gan Ning's mission, Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong were much more impressive than he knew and he realised how much he had taken from this character Liu Bei. He wondered how Liu Bei would react if he knew. Ling Tong was also a big gain and hopefully he would live much longer and go much further in Riverside. Cheng Pu was surprisingly integral to the Sun Family and he understood Subutai's excitement for having him. Zhou Yu was the most impressive in his shorter life and Dom researched the different versions of Zhou Yu's death, either from stress or illness.

He also did some research in to his new wife, some articles showed her as a trouble causer. One particular piece showed that Liu Bei who she had originally married, preferred being on campaign to be away from her. One time she had tried to take Liu Bei's son to Sun Quan's lands, but was stopped by Zhao Yun. Dom laughed when he read about it as this couldn't happen anymore as both were with Dom. Liu Bei's son was originally rescued by Zhao Yun another time when one of Liu Bei's original wives died when fleeing Cao Cao, Dom felt the warning he had given Guan Yu should stop that from happening now. Some other articles referred to her as a tomboy, whilst others as an intelligent Warrior who was suppressed due to her gender. Dom had felt she was much more than that and could tell that she had probably been unfairly recorded. She had seemed much more welcoming and measured with him, but he suspected part of that could be that they were a similar age and she had been happy with the choice, where as Liu Bei was at least twenty years older and traditional to his time.

Dom was about to head inside for some more food, he was then going to log back in to World Conquest Online in around an hour when his forced offline time had ended, however as he entered the hallway he noticed a note that had been posted through the front door. He headed towards it, seeing that it was in a plain white envelope with his name on it. He peeled it open, having not expected to receive a letter.

[Dear Dom,

I have settled in to my temporary accommodation, and have got to grips with the campus and the surrounding areas. Rosie has done the same and has settled in with Miss Moon at their accommodation, which is slightly down the lake from yourself. I expect that you will occasional meet each other by chance.

Captain Kelly has informed me through letters that initial training can commence before the University year begins, he has set up a voluntary sword training course that begins in two days, you can enrol at the actual course if you can not do so in advance. I believe this would be a good place to form a natural introduction to each other and hopefully I can meet some of your friends at that time.

I hope that everything has been going well for you so far and I hope to see you in a couple of days. Please destroy this letter after you have read it.

Many Thanks,

Stephen.]

"So Stephen has made first contact." Dom mumbled to himself, thinking about the fun pair of Stephen and Rosie who had been assigned as his guards, in both reality and the game. Rosie was spending reality with Jessica Moon and within the next couple of weeks they would try to merge themselves closer together. The thought of Jessica Moon made him think back to the file of potential arranged marriages that his aunt had given him. Dom himself wasn't much of a catch, but his aunt and being the last of his own family brought him something. He needed to look through the file again, with what felt like a strange shopping brochure. He was going to see his aunt in around two and a half weeks at the birthday party of Elizabeth Medici and she had asked him to make a decision by then.

Dom decided that he would probably have to open up to Andrew and tell him all of the interesting things that had happened to him. Hopefully his best friend could help him solve some of his issues, specifically around the match making situation. He ripped up the letter and placed it in the bin, before heading upstairs to log back in to World Conquest Online.

....

Dom awoke in the white space where Game Support was often sat. Today however she was stood, as she looked down at the floor beneath her. She was wearing her black business suit with a black skirt. She turned towards him, looking at him through her green eyes.

"Good morning Mr Lazarus!" She welcomed, her smile beaming, "Your lands are growing swiftly."

Dom couldn't disagree and headed towards her, looking at the floor below which seemed to show an over head view of all of the land within the area that Dom was planning to claim. He felt like he was stood on a cloud and could see the sight of Riverside from above, not much larger than his thumb. The lands that he hadn't yet seen seemed to be blurred and covered, but seeing the oval shape of the north of his lands and the empty plains to the red woods in the south was still exhilarating. Beyond that he could see the area referred to as the cove below Jia and then the vast open lands south of the Red Woods before they hit the sea again. He even saw the Red Hare Valley that seemed to be the most western edge.

"When do you plan to declare your kingdom?" She asked him as she looked down below.

"After we have cleared the southern half down here." Dom replied, pointing towards the Red Woods, grateful for the chance to see his lands from this view. "I am hoping before the Battle Map, but it may be after."

"Interesting choice." She replied, putting her hand on her chin in thought. Then, she turned to him and smiled teasingly, "Please do remember however, you are not the only Player."

Before Dom had the chance to reply, the floor beneath him disappeared and he felt like he was falling. He wanted to scream or shout, but nothing would leave his mouth.

.....

Dom awoke in his bed on the top floor of the Palace in Riverside. The feeling of falling now vanishing but still vivid in his mind, he wondered what Game Support had meant when she reminded him about other Players. He wasn't sure if this was a warning or a reminder that he wasn't the only one with opportunities.

He looked around his room, which was tidy as usual, and decided to put on the casual clothes that had been prepared for him, rather than his military gear. He went to his weapons rack, noticing that the Slaying Spear, Harpe and the Zhan Lu had all been recently cleaned and sharpened. He strapped on the Zhan Lu to his waist and made his way downstairs. The middle floor was quiet, and he assumed that both Meritamen and Sun Shangxiang were busy doing other things.

On the ground floor, he headed inside and saw that some food had been prepared for him already, a variety of fruits and some cured meats. After eating, which Dom felt like had just done in reality, he headed outside where he was met by Gregorios and Trojan.

"Are you staying as my guard then?" Dom ask Gregorios as he saw them, interrupting the conversation they seemed to be having.

"The Batavi's need some time off." Gregorios replied with a laugh.

"He applied for a Centurion role and wasn't successful." Trojan explained, causing Gregorios to be silent.

"How was you not successful?" Dom asked him seriously, well aware of his original Hoplite's skills in battle.

"He didn't apply himself fully, he enjoys being your guard too much." Trojan stated, a grin on his face.

"You are both very cruel." Gregorios complained as Dom began walking forwards.

"Have I missed anything of importance whilst I have been gone?" Dom asked Trojan, whilst Gregorios grumbled to himself.

"Lady Meritamen and Lady Sun are both at the Clinic this morning with Doctor Phoebe and Doctor Agnodice. Hatshepsut has returned to Riverside by boat yesterday and has been busy working on new buildings, whilst Crassus and Umako have also returned." Trojan explained, Dom felt like Trojan was almost like his personal assistant and always had a good knowledge of what was taking place. "Mayor Lucius is currently in Tranquillity arranging the new crops and trees that had arrived, whilst Elder Shang is awaiting your arrival in the Town Centre when you are available."

"Is there anything I should be worried about?" Dom asked, primarily worried about the two wives, followed by Hatshepsut and what ever chaos she was causing in the Capital.

"No, Lady Meritamen has been giving Lady Sun a tour over the last day, they are currently visiting some of those recovering from Nakbe and Noctus." Trojan smiled knowingly, "The Sibylla is also docked and prepared if you wish to tour Noctus and Renatus. General Subutai has sent an order for all Generals to be here in two days time for a Military meeting."

"Thanks Trojan." Dom replied as he headed towards the Town Centre to meet with Shang Yang first, deciding to get this part of his day over with before deciding if he would spend the day in Riverside or head to the other towns on a tour.

He travelled the short distance to the Town Centre, passing many new facing in the now bustling city. Guards patrolled the streets, whilst the sound of conversation flowed on the mild breeze. Dom felt that Riverside was finally coming to life as a city, even if a small one.

The Great Hall of the Town Centre was full of people who had recently arrived, with Xun Yu having opened the doors so that their was additional space for them to eat and rest, whilst their onward travel or roles was organised for them. They all looked at him with awe as he walked down the centre of the room towards the stairs that took him to the second floor. There was now a separate corridor he could have used, but he had wanted to see how the new citizens were getting on.

He eventually made it to the second floor and headed in to the large meeting space where Shang Yang, Hatshepsut and Xun Yu were sat. The three stopped speaking when he entered, all standing from their chairs in welcome.

"Why the ceremony?" Dom asked with a laugh as he saw them stand.

"Have you seen Lady Meritamen yet?" Hatshepsut asked with a wide smile.

"No, I believe she is at the Clinic with Sun Shangxiang?" Dom replied in confusion as to why that was asked first. Shang Yang seemed disappointed and the three of them sat down. Dom joined them, wondering why they seemed disappointed.