Dom arrived back in Riverside, awakening in his room at the Top of the Palace. He left his bed and began putting on his armour, knowing that today they would be launching a Golden Token Mission. He hoped that everything was prepared, and suspected it would be as they were almost ready when he left. Meritamen must have heard the noise as she soon appeared in the room behind him.
"Welcome back, leave that strap!" She laughed as she headed over to him and began fastening his armour. "Straight to war is it?"
"Hopefully it's a peaceful one this time." Dom laughed as she pulled the straps tight surprising Dom. "How has the last day been?"
"Busy as usual, those from Nakbe and Noctus are healing well. Those that are able to have been able to leave the Clinic and go for short escorted walks around Riverside. We are hoping to discharge some by the end of the week." She explained as she went to the weapons rack and grabbed his spear. "A large group, led by Hatshepsut, Crassus and Elite Villagers has departed to Noctus. They are planning to help with the clean up operation and do some investigations in both the City itself and the tunnels beyond. Subutai had moved some of the Generals around that are not lined up for this mission to support."
"So who is leading the underground searches?" Dom asked, happy to hear that things were progressing.
"Guo Sheng is based at Noctus, whilst Lu Fang is based at Mountview Fort. They are working together on the task, whilst Umako is working on a delegation to send to the Tongpai Lake Towns to share our findings." She continued as she licked her finger and scrubbed at a mark on his armour. "This has been cleaned twice, it just won't stay clean!"
"I am sure that it is clean enough." Dom replied as he looked at Meritamen, she smelt sweet and Dom wondered what she had used to smell the way she did. He looked at her and she was showing him a combination of worry and love in her eyes.
"It probably is." She replied, before hugging him and placing her head on his chest. "Everyone is ready downstairs for you, are you ready for it?"
"I am, it is a shame that Hatshepsut and Umako aren't here as I had a task for them both." He smiled as he put his free arm around her. "I suppose we should head down and get this started."
The two of them headed downstairs, Dom had left the Harpe upstairs for now as he expected the Zhan Lu would be ready for him. He entered in to the meeting space within the Palace where all of the Heroes who were available were currently gathered, all dressed in preparation for potential departure.
Dom and Meritamen's seats where empty at the top, however beside them sat Shang Yang and Lucius to the right, with Xun Yu, Cicero, Elder Qiao and the two Qiao sisters there as well. On the other side sat Subutai, with Xun You, Tomyris, Gan Ning, Tomoe, Liao Hua and Sun Ce. In front of Subutai was the case of the Zhan Lu, that instantly attracted Dom's attention as it had a fresh shine to it.
They headed to their seats, where some food had already been prepared for them. As Dom sat, Subutai pushed the sword towards him with a smile, whilst the rest of them spoke in little conversations amongst themselves. Meritamen also took her seat and Shang Yang whispered something to her that made her shake her head in response.
"Ou Yezi has worked around the clock, but she's been returned to her prime." Subutai explained as Dom pulled the sword slightly from it's sheath and saw the fresh shine and sharp edge on the blade. He closed it again and then removed it from the table, standing it between himself and Subutai.
"Is there anything to report before I launch the quest?" Dom asked Subutai.
"I hope you finish your food first." Shang Yang smiled, which caused Dom to smile back in agreement. He looked at his plate and saw that it was full of fresh fruits, breads and some slices of meat.
"That is a very good point." Dom agreed, he had just ate before he logged in, but looking at the food in front of him he was instantly hungry again.
"Guo Sheng and Lu Fang are busy with Noctus and Mountview." Subutai explained, "Hatshepsut, Crassus and Umako are also all there currently. Our next steps with both the San and the Cove are being covered by Qin Ming and Huang Xin. Where as Hua Rong is protecting the North East, I have also dispatched Abubakar and Uriah to start work on the new forts that we had agreed."
"That is some good progress in a short time!" Dom replied after finishing his mouthful and then turning to Liao Hua who he hadn't seen for a long time either. "How are the San?"
"Very welcoming." He smiled, Liao Hua was a Yellow Turban Rebel that he had captured during the Xun Family mission, who turned out to be a B Grade Hero who was a key member of the Shu Han Dynasties forces. Dom hadn't had chance to utilise him much, but he was a calm and patient General who wasn't an expert at anything in particular but was well rounded. "There has been some tense moments, their culture is different to anything that we have within Riverside. The closest we have is the Female Horse Archers as they are Nomadic, but the differences are still like fire and water. Regardless, we have built a friendship that I think could be lasting. We have broken bread together and there seems to be any excuse for a feast now."
"I am looking forward to meeting with them, I am sure that Subutai has passed on how key they could be to our future expansion." Dom replied, happy with how Liao Hua was smiling as he spoke. Clearly Liao Hua was a big fan of the San people.
"Completely, I think when they see the full size of us, they could be options to try to incorporate them in to us. However, I expect they will want to retain their ways of life and will most likely wish to stay the way they are." Liao Hua stated, "A natural Ally that can become a blocker for us."
"A natural border that if they do come under attack and struggle, they can always merge in to us in the future." Subutai agreed.
"However, as an Ally, we should prepare to support them first." Xun You countered, which received agreement from the others. Dom then turned to Tomoe to ask about the Cove. He had already spoke with her and most of this was for the others in the room.
"I am still awaiting more details, but they do seem isolated and our scouts have been undetected as far as we believe." She explained. "Unfortunately, due to their location and our quest, they must be conquered, eliminated or subjugated. Either by peaceful means or force."
"Due to the distance, we could have an attack force spent the night at Serenity, before departing and attacking by lunch." Gan Ning began as he took over from Tomoe. "We have discussed what Tomoe's forces have discovered so far and believe a sea route would be the best way to blockade them, with Tomoe's forces coming from the rear."
"We could send in a delegation first, or we could outright attack them." Subutai explained, "It should be an easy enough conquest, and I believe we should do it after we have digested any rewards from this Golden Token Quest."
"I agree." Dom replied, "We will complete this quest as planned and then deal with the Cove. Once the Cove and then the San have been completed then we can outline our borders."
"We also have three Trireme currently docked at the Docks, as well as all of our Elite Units ready." Xun You stated, "We are ready for this Quest."
Dom nodded in gratitude, before then turning past Meritamen and Shang Yang towards Lucius who had been talking with Xun Yu. The Military conversations had stopped now and he wanted to see if there was anything he needed to be aware of on the Domestic side. Lucius noticed him looking in his direction and smiled at Dom.
"The upgrades to the two Animal Husbandries have been exceptional." Lucius grinned, "Our food output has increased, as have the other resources we can get from them. With the addition of the Shire Horses, we have a fully functional set up and should be comfortable for the foreseeable. We have also began the construction of a Tannery in Tranquillity, it isn't a glamourous job but we are promising high salaries."
"With the resources we are gathering, Tranquillity has final become a key asset to the future Kingdom." Elder Qiao added, "We are now spreading more towards Serenity and also north towards the new Renatus. Hopefully the whole of the middle of the Kingdom will be full of resources."
"That is great to hear." Dom agreed, relieved that they now had the food levels to support their growing Kingdom. He then prepared to launch the Golden Token Quest. Last time it had launched them in to the Battle of Kadesh, where as his other missions had been launched through similar means but had given him more input in it's choice.
"System, please use the Golden Token!" Dom asked excitedly.
[Using Golden Token.....Rolling for Battle Map...Please Choose]
Dom was surprised by the choice option, but felt that it at least gave him some mental form of Control over his situation.
[Selecting a Mission based on a key moment from a current Heroes history. Please select Hero....Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, Tomyris Queen of the Massagetae or Gan Ning]
Dom was surprised by the choices that had come up in front of him, Lucius was a domestic Hero primarily, but he was also a General in his time period, having become the Dictator on Rome on two occasions to defend them. Tomyris had come up as an option last time he had a choice, and had thought against the Persians in the past, many years before the upcoming Battles in the World Conquest Battle Maps. The one that surprised him the most was Gan Ning, who he had chosen last time as an Era to receive the Xun family quest. He looked around the room though, and realised that a large percentage of those in the room were from the same Era as Gan Ning, including Sun Ce, Liao Hua, Xun You, Xun Yu, Elder Qiao and his two daughters.
"We have options." Dom declared to the room. "The Map will be a key point from the history of either Lucius, Tomyris or Gan Ning. We need to make a choice."
The room went silent for a short time whilst the Heroes began to think of the positives of each decision, Dom however was surprised when Tomyris was the first to speak.
"If you promise to take me with you, I'd rather we didn't choose me." She began, "If it is Key moments, then it will either be the death of my husband or my son. If it is not that, then it is my revenge. None of these are moments I would want to visit."
"What if it was a moment in which we could save one of them?" Subutai asked her, respect in his voice.
"These opportunities are important for our Kingdom's growth, both Lucius and Gan Ning's situations will have better worth." She replied honestly, "Who knows, we may get further opportunities in the future where I get my chance. Just promise me that regardless of the quest, I am coming."
"I already made that promise and I will stick to it." Dom agreed, impressed by her selflessness.
"Are you sure?" Meritamen asked her, wanting her to confirm it. Tomyris nodded and Meritamen smiled at her in response.
"I think it should be Gan Ning again." Lucius explained, "My men were not as good as the Legionaries we have now, I want to see my family again, but I am sure that opportunity will arise. What we are seriously lacking now is Naval Resource, that is something Gan Ning can hopefully source for us."
"Unfortunately I have to agree." Shang Yang explained, "Out of all of the options, what we need now is Naval resource. If we can gain even some crew, then it will be worth while."
"Should we take the General Order token just in case?" Xun Yu put forwards, "This could be a golden opportunity if it is a naval battle."
"I didn't just fight on the rivers you know." Gan Ning pushed back, "I agree that it should be me, but I do feel guilty towards the others."
"We will make sure to avoid your era again in the future unless necessary." Dom laughed, before turning to Xun Yu. "It is a good idea, but I am reluctant. I really wanted to save that for an opportunity for either Crassus, Cicero, Tomoe or Subutai."
"I agree, all of our units will have a big impact if we can claim a force." Subutai agreed. "I would also include Umako in that."
"I would still take it just in case." Xun You added, agreeing with Xun Yu.
"Can I go?" Sun Ce put forwards suddenly, causing everyone to pause. "My wife is here, my sister in law and my father in law. But, if I can go, then I can see my brothers and sister again."
"I wasn't always on your side." Gan Ning countered, "I joined years after you had fallen. The Battle could be a long way away from them."
"I just need a horse and some time." Sun Ce counted, eagerness in his voice. Dom turned to Da Qiao to see her reaction, she noticed Dom look at her and gratitude showed on her face that he had taken her in to consideration. She nodded at him and Dom took that as her acceptance.
"I shall allow it." Dom agreed, before replying to the System. "Please choose Gan Ning."