[Placing the Island of Cos to the East of Serenity, This is a B Grade Town]
The ground began to shake, with slow vibrations at first, but the power and pace of them began to increase.
[Placing the Island of Nisyros to the East of Jia, This is an E Grade Town]
The ground shook more now, causing the horses to rear in surprise. Behind them, some Warriors fell to the floor, whilst buildings also shook slightly, with the sounds of screams of fear spreading across the whole of Riverside. The water of the Calm River also changed suddenly, as the water seemed to become much less calm than usual, causing the ships to rock and shake.
"Pass word to the populace and other cities, Lord Lazarus has returned and we have gained some new growth. Promise rewards for the Victory and have scouts sent to Serenity and Jia immediately for information." Shang Yang ordered one of the guards who was with him. The guard bowing immediately and shouting some orders of his own to some passing Legionaries in training.
[Placing the D Grade Town of Oeum on the Infinity Plains and just south of the Red Woods]
[Placing the C Grade Town of Megara to the East of Renatus and North of Serenity]
"Also have a force sent to the Mountain Pass to the north and a force sent to the south of the Red Woods on the Infinity Plains, I expect it will be near the central path we have been making through the forest." Dom added to Shang Yang's order, the guard quickly shouting some more men over.
"Can I ask what is happening?" One of the Spartan Generals asked, the three newcomers still stood in confusion at what was happening. They had passed through a giant portal to a different land, with a huge growing city and thousands of heavily armoured Warriors. A minor earthquake had just happened and an intimidating fleet could be seen in the southern River.
"Sorry, I expect it must be a shock." Lucius replied, the mayor of Riverside and the Hero that Dom probably trusted the most. He looked refreshed since his growing relationship with Hatshepsut that was a badly hidden secret. "Welcome to Riverside, the Capital of our soon to be founded Kingdom. My name is Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus and I am the Mayor of the Capital, beside me is Prime Minister Shang Yang, who is the most senior Civilian in the Kingdom. I expect that you have joined Lord Lazarus, as have many before you, and are surprised by your new location. We will all head towards the Palace for some refreshments and meet some of your peers that are nearby. I will take you all out for a meal this evening and explain the situation to you all."
"In Age or stature?" Sun Ce asked, not realising he had said it out loud and caught himself as the other Generals all looked at him in shock. Before he had chance to react, a hard hand hit him across the back of the head from Huang Zhong who was still seated on the back of his horse in full armour.
"Both." Shang Yang replied, his tone flat but for those that knew him they could sense the humour.
"I am Nicomedes and this is my brother Pausanias. We are both Spartan Generals" Nicomedes introduced himself, "I believe, if my eyes are correct, that is Xanthippus of Athens?"
"You sell yourselves short, you are Spartan Princes." Xanthippus replied politely as he turned to Lucius and Shang Yang, bowing his head very slightly in polite greeting. "I am a General and Statemen from Athens, I have come with my Son Pericles."
"Thucydides will be pleased." Lucius stated at hearing about a young Pericles joining them, Thucydides has been the main reason they had the information they needed for the Battle of Mycale and Plataea, as well as being a huge fan of Pericles who he called the greatest Athenian.
"Pausanias, I have heard great things about you." Dom stated, wearing his impressive black armour with his shoulder wrapped in bandages. "It is great to have you both with us as well."
"Ling Tong and Andrew have been impressive, but seeing old friends was definitely the reason I came here." Pausanias replied honestly, his own armour feeling slightly inadequate compared to those in Riverside. The real reason he had joined was more about what his old friends had told him, rather than anything else.
"We will make sure your talents are used and rewarded here, rather than the fate that was due to come to you." Dom stated, seeing a look of relief passing over Pausanias. Dom then turned to Lucius, as Shang Yang was talking to Meritamen and Sun Shangxiang who had strangely remained silent. "Is Subutai here?"
"He should be returning soon, he had to travel south to speak with the San, we have positive news on that side." Lucius replied with a grin, the other Riverside Generals all looking relieved at that news.
"Then are we ready?" Dom asked Lucius, as his two Wives now stepped forwards, the group feeling quite crowded between the Inner Wall of Riverside and the two Armies of Riverside and those that had just arrived facing each other.
"I have used your White Letter, we are ready." Meritamen stated as she stepped forwards in her flowing white toga, beside her Sun Shangxiang wore lite armour instead.
"We have the two representatives arranged and now that Crassus has returned, we will be ready for your next return." Sun Shangxiang smiled, before her face turned serious. "However, now you are injured so you might look stupid, should we wait until you have healed."
"I have to agree, why are you injured? You weren't supposed to risk yourself, your task was to gain more ships." Meritamen chided him, "You said ships, look behind you, there is at least two thousand Warriors, if not more. How many Civilians have you brought with them?"
The Generals all began laughing, especially Sun Ce who had been on the other end of the abuse since he had returned a few minutes ago. The new Generals all seemed to smile as well, seeing that the atmosphere was quite relaxed and the people who were nearby also seemed comfortable being around the Warriors and their nearby Leaders.
"He was very brave Sister, he saved a young man's life." Sun Ce explained to the two, winking at Dom as he said it, which almost made it look like it was a lie. Andrew who was on a horse beside Dom began to grin, knowing that Dom had no chance of escape.
"Was it you he was saving?" Sun Shangxiang accused, causing Huang Zhong to laugh so loud that all of the nearby forces looked at him. Gan Ning patted Sun Ce on the shoulder, whilst Andrew and Ling Tong turned away to try and save him some embarrassment.
"It was my son." Xanthippus put forwards, trying to rescue both Dom and Sun Ce from the ladies.
"Then I will forgive him." Meritamen smiled, "But you won't look very Kingly, I will speak to Hua Tou and get some advice."
"Can we head to the Palace now?" Dom asked, seeing that the first of the Trireme had began to unload, whilst some others were following one of the Bireme that was based on the Calm River towards Tranquillity and the Dock that was there instead.
"Let's head inside. I will have Lu Ji head to Tranquillity with carts to bring the new arrivals here." Shang Yang stated before pausing for a second. "We'll need to register all of the new arrivals in the new Towns as well. Xun Yu is going to be busy."
The group began heading inwards, through the gate that was guarded by Forbidden Guard Archers and past a group of Sabre Tooth Cavalry that were stood nearby. The sight of them scared the new horses that Andrew, Ling Tong and the Greeks rode. Meritamen and Sun Shangxiang were also on horseback and the citizens all waved at them both as they passed.
"I am just surprised you didn't come back with a new wife." Meritamen said from beside Dom as she waved at the Citizens of Riverside, causing Sun Shangxiang and a few of the others to laugh.
"I said that the two of you is all that I could ever want." Dom replied, whilst Shang Yang who was beside him rolled his eyes, knowing that he would marry Dom off a few more times if it helped create lasting alliances and opportunities.
"I almost believe you." Meritamen smiled, a tinge of threat in her voice.
"It's true, the Spartan King Leotychides offered me his daughters hand if I stayed and joined him." Dom explained, however the look on Sun Shangxiang's face told him he should have probably kept quiet. Whilst Pausanias and Nicomedes listened with partial shock on their faces, knowing what Leotychides was like and that his daughter was both stunning and Leotychides pride and joy since his son's death.
"Welcome to Riverside, our home." Meritamen said, turning away from Dom towards the newcomers of Xanthippus, Pausanias and Nicomedes with a pleasant smile, choosing to ignore her husband.
"It is wonderful." Pausanias replied honestly as they took a slight detour, so that the new arrivals could see some of the City, including the Library, Tavern, Gambling Hall and the Bathhouse. "I am just hoping that my wife will be able to join me here."
"She should be on one of those ships." Andrew explained, "We already assumed you would join us, so took her in advance. I believe Nicomedes family will also be here and Centurion Alexander's wife did persuade Agariste to come along as well."
Pausanias wasn't sure if he should be happy or angry at the comment, but the look on Xanthippus face showed some relief that his wife had indeed also come with them. She was an excellent business woman and he hoped she could set them up a new life here. They then also passed through the Market and towards the towering Palace, with the huge Town Centre beside it.
"What Towns did we get, I actually only purchased one?" Andrew asked Dom as they walked, his tone quiet but those around him could hear him.
"We definitely got two from Plataea!" Dom replied with a raised eyebrow. "A town called Oeum and another called Megara."
"Megara?" Xanthippus asked, having heard what he said, whilst the two Spartans were surprised to hear both Oeum the home of the Skiritai and Megara.
"We did rescue some forces from Megara and they fought alongside us throughout the battle." Andrew stated, whilst everyone wondered if it would be a similar situation to the arrival of Jia. Inside however, Dom wondered if this was something he could continue doing, he would ask the System when he was next alone. "And the Islands?"
"Kos and Nisyros." Dom replied also unable to explain what these locations were. He had heard of Kos from Artemisia's son, but mainly how any against his mothers rule had been removed permanently.
"Kai has been busy." Andrew nodded in response.
From the south gate, another group could be seen heading towards the Palace. Dom could see Crassus on a horse at the front, with Zhou Yu and Artemisia beside him, behind them were some other figures that he couldn't see clearly, but expected they were others that had joined them, he also expected that Kai would be in that group with them.
"When we heard the arrival, we asked the staff to prepare a meal." Meritamen explained, as she was helped from her horse by one of the guards that was waiting. The large double doors were open, as the group all dismounted and headed inside. The three Greeks looked on in amazement at the building, having been shocked at everything they had seen so far, especially the Arena that was behind the Palace.
[Rewards and Rankings have been Calculated]
[Top Three Players for each Battle will be shared globally, for more information and further Rankings within your Battle please ask and these will be shared]
[Rankings have been calculated by Personal or Force impact on the Battle and it's trajectory]
[Rankings have also been re-calculated due to other circumstances and Player ingenuity]
[Battle of Mycale
1st Place - Lazarus
2nd Place - Hungry Dragon
3rd Place - Giant Wrangler]
[Battle of Plataea
1st Place - Lazarus
2nd Place - Black Hawk
3rd Place - DragonKnight123]
[Battle of....]
"Dom, you are top on two Battle Leader boards!" Andrew laughed as they walked in, no one seeming to overly understand what was being discussed. "You didn't even step foot at Plataea and you are number one!"
"That is actually ridiculous, but you and Kai are second at both. Seeing that you are technically part of my forces, then your rewards must also be my rewards?" Dom replied with a guess and a cheeky grin, however Andrew seemed to agree.
"Does that mean the rewards are personal rewards or force rewards?" Andrew asked in a reluctant tone, before realisation hit him. "Ling Tong was the main reason we succeeded at Plataea, whilst Kai's success is down to your gold."
"Second place!" A voice shouted from behind in excitement as Dom and Andrew turned to see Kai arriving with the others. Whilst Gan Ning shook his head and directed the newcomers inside. Amongst those that were behind Kai was three Persians, Mardontes that Dom had captured, as well as two others that he didn't recognise. There was also another recognisable face, the Player Astrid.
[Congratulations on First Place at the Battle of Mycale - Rewards Granted:]