They entered the Town and headed towards the tavern for the evening. Dom wondered when the quest would end, but was already happy with his rewards. Xun Yan, Liao Hua and some new Villagers from the recruited Yellow Turbans and their families.
The nearby Villagers from the Town who were around in the evening were keeping their distance from the Riverside contingent that followed behind the Xun Family Guards towards the tavern. This was mainly due to the fact that there were two large Sabre Tooth Tigers amongst them, as well as the intimidating Red Hare Horses and the heavily armoured Forbidden Guards.
"So Xun Yan is joining you?" Xun Yu questioned as they reached the Tavern. The majority of the others already heading inside whilst some of the guards headed towards the stables. Dom was dismounting and passing his reins to Leonidas who was going to take place the horses in the stables that had been assigned to them. Chen Ping had volunteered to spend the night in there if needs be to make sure the Tiger's were settled safely.
"He has said that yes." Dom replied seriously. "Don't worry, we'll take care of him. He will get plenty of opportunities to experience the world."
"My brother can take care of himself, he has a good head on his shoulders and would be a great asset to any lord." Xun Yu laughed, "It's a shame that you can't continue with us."
"Where do you intend to go?" Dom asked.
"I'm going to meet up with my Uncle who is with the Warlord Yuan Shao, but I don't intend to serve him, I just feel my family will be safer there for the time being." Xun Yun replied, "Xun You is going to head back to the capital, there is a Warlord there who is protecting the current Emperor called Dong Zhuo, he hopes he can help the Emperor and the people from within."
"I think that you both have your own quests in life." Dom replied, "And you need to do what is best for yourselves and your family, but you shouldn't waste your life away moving from place to place. Find your goal and stick with it."
"Ha, you are only young and are preaching to me, you sound like you have lived a long life." Xun Yu replied with a laugh.
"That is very true!" Dom replied with a laugh, before turning serious, "To be honest, my parents died when I was young and I don't want to waste my own life away, so maybe I am projecting my own thoughts on you."
"Sorry to hear that." Xun Yu said seriously.
"It's fine, it's a long time ago." Dom replied, "I probably shouldn't have brought it up."
"Let's get a drink in the Tavern." Xun Yu offered.
"A good bye drink." Dom agreed.
"Or maybe just a drink before our next meeting." Xun Yu countered with a smile.
They both entered the Tavern, and saw that it was well lit and clean. The Tavern owner was a well built man who was politely serving people from the counter, whilst there were several staff who were well dressed taking containers of alcohol around the room. There was also a fresh smell of food being cooked in the back and Dom was excited to try the taste of food from Ancient China.
Dom looked around and saw that Xun You, Subutai, Shang Yang, Tomoe, Liao Hua and Xun Yan had gathered a large table in a corner. Some small cups were placed around the table, whilst a large container of Rice Wine was placed in the middle. Shang Yang was pouring cups and Xun You waved Dom and Xun Yu over. The two quickly joined the others and took a seat, where Shang Yang passed them both a cup of Rice Wine. Dom sat at the head of the table, where as Xun Yu sat beside him on the left, Subutai on the right. Shang Yang sat beside Subutai opposite Xun You, where Xun Yan, Liao Hua and Tomoe sat at the bottom of the table.
"I raise this wine in toast." Shang Yang announced, "To new friends."
"To new friends!" Everyone repeated before taking a sip.
[Special Quest Map Completed]
A notification popped up, startling Dom who was just taking a sip of his drink. The quest was completed now that the horses had all been stored and everyone had safely made it to their final destination. Dom was relieved that it was over, but felt it was bitter sweat as he felt he had began to make a friend within the game, even if it was a game character. He wondered if he would have chance to meet with Xun Yu again in the future.
[Player has fifteen minutes to complete any final tasks before being transported back to departure point. Please be aware that any followers or items taken with you or collected on your journey will also be transported immediately.]
Dom quickly put his cup of Rice Wine down on the table and assessed what he should do with the next fifteen minutes. Last time he had sent Subutai on a recruitment errand, and had sent Tomoe on an errand to steal as much treasure as she possibly could. However this time the situation was different, they were sat drinking with people they had enjoyed the company with and everything was peaceful for once.
"Subutai, Tomoe." Dom said suddenly, catching the other who were drinking to stop. "Fifteen minute warning."
"Already?" Tomoe questioned frustratingly.
"Damn." Subutai stated, "That's not long."
"What's a fifteen minute warning?" Xun Yu asked.
"We will leave in fifteen minutes." Dom replied.
"Can't you at least stay the evening and drink more Rice Wine?" Xun You asked, "I had many more things to discuss with Commander Subutai."
"Unfortunately our transportation is a bit peculiar." Dom replied with a shoulder shrug.
"What are your orders then?" Subutai asked before the time ran out and they hadn't done anything.
"See if you can purchase some of this wine, actually see if you can persuade the bar owner to join us on an adventure. Promise him what ever you want, we need a capable Tavern manager, we can also get the recipe and give it to Peruda." Dom stated. "Tomoe, go and see if there are any goodies nearby that you can purchase. There were some nice fruit trees outside, see if you can find the owner and buy them from them, I want to see that if you purchase them, if they come with us."
"That's a good idea!" Tomoe said in deep thought, "If this works!"
"I know!" Dom replied, giving her a thumbs up.
"What about me Lord?" Liao Hua asked, wanting to be useful.
"Xun Yu, what is the status of slavery in this Kingdom?" Dom asked.
"Normally only Officials or above and Land Owners can have slaves." Xun Yu replied, "It is thirty slaves for officials and no more. Why?"
"Liao Hua, see if there is somewhere that sell slaves here." Dom ordered, "Say you are working for an official, I'm sure you can think of a name. Purchase thirty who you think are in the most need of a fresh start we will take them with us."
"Why are you buying slaves?" Xun Yu asked questioningly.
"A small good deed to sow some Karma." Shang Yang commented from the side. "Lord Lazarus doesn't agree with slavery, so I suspect he is purchasing them to take them with us and free them."
"You know me too well." Dom replied with a smile, which caused Xun Yu to look at him in a respected light.
"What about me?" Xun Yan asked, surprised he suddenly had to leave.
"Stay and say good bye to your family, as it may be a while before we can see them again." Dom replied seriously as Subutai, Tomoe and Liao Hua all got up from their seats and headed in different directions. "Shang Yang, I am sure you have much you wish to learn, so please do what you wish, just make sure to leave when the time come."
"I have learnt everything I needed, but I don't mind staying and having another cup with friends." Shang Yang replied.
Dom agreed and took the container of Rice Wine from the centre and refilled the glasses of Xun Yu, Xun You, Xun Yan and Shang Yang.
"To new friends." Dom smiled, as they all took a sip and drank.
Time soon passed as Dom chatted with the Xun family with Shang Yang. They discussed the Eastern Han Kingdom and Riverside, and Shang Yang discussed the Qin Kingdom of the past, which caused the Xun family to question how he knew so much about it. Xun Yu and Xun You seemed to recognise Shang Yang from their history as he spoke about the Qin Kingdom, but they didn't understand how he would know so much.
[One Minute Remaining]
"It's almost time." Dom said to Shang Yang, who finished his glass and stood up, bowing his head to the Xun family. Dom smiled and also stood up, bowing his head in thanks as well.
"You shouldn't bow!" Xun You said, "You are a lord, and we are not even Officials in our own Kingdom."
"It's a waste of your talents, but your time will come." Dom replied seriously as Xun Yan stood up and looked at Dom and Shang Yang wondering what was going to happen.
Dom looked over to the counter were Subutai gave him a thumbs up as the Tavern Owner looked very happy, his Serving Staff looked a bit confused as they gathered around the counter and Dom assumed that Subutai had some how persuaded the whole lot to come to Riverside.
Suddenly inside the Tavern, a couple of small golden portals appeared, causing everyone inside to look in shock. Subutai directed the Tavern Owner and Serving Staff through the one near him, where as similar portals appeared all across the Town as the Riverside Warriors headed back home.
"So that is Riverside?" Xun Yan said, looking through the portal in front of him to the stunning scenery that surrounded Riverside.
"That is." Shang Yang replied, "Our Home."
"How will my family get there?" Xun Yan asked, "They are upstairs in a room."
"I am not sure." Shang Yang stated, "I believe they will get a similar portal, I just know that they will come with you."
"Fine, let's go then!" Xun Yan said as he stepped through the portal with Shang Yang. Dom turned to Xun Yu and Xun You.
"It's been a pleasure." Dom said, before waving. "Until next time."
Dom was about to enter his portal, when Xun You stopped him.
"Do you have many enemies?" Xun You questioned.
"I suspect many." Dom replied, "But we will defeat them all."
"Is Subutai your main commander?" Xun You said, much more talkative than usual.
"He is." Dom said, unsure as to what the questions were leading to.
"He has a great mind." Xun You said kindly, "But he doesn't understand the intricacies of complex stratagems and city warfare."
Dom was about to correct him, explaining that Subutai was one of the most successful generals in all of history, but Xun You continued.
"I'll come join Riverside if I can be the Head Strategist who works along Subutai." Xun You said. "I believe with the two of us together, we can unite the World and end the chaos of the land."
Dom was unsure what to say, he didn't know Xun You's grade and didn't want to make a promise like that, however he remembered that Subutai had earlier mentioned that Xun You's strategic mind was unreal and he enjoyed working with him.
"We'd be glad to have you." Dom said seriously, grasping Xun You's hand.
[Congratulations Warrior Hero Xun You recruited]
[Please leave within the next thirty seconds]
"I'm going to regret this!" Xun Yu loudly grumbled, stood alone as everyone else began to leave. "If they are going, then how can I not, there is a lot I can learn from Shang Yang of Qin! The Xun Family will join you in Riverside."
[Congratulations Domestic Hero Xun Yu recruited]
Dom blinked in shock as he was forcefully pulled through the portal as his time ran out. with no time to reply to the shocking events of the last minute.