Dom looked around him at all of the new people that had suddenly arrived in Riverside, and to his side where Meritamen was stood linking his arm with a smile on her face that could melt hearts of men. Lucius was also in shock, but as the statesmen and Mayor of Riverside he knew he needed to act.
"Welcome to Riverside!" Lucius announced loudly to the large group that appeared, "Please stay where you are and we will be with you shortly to help assist in finding you homes and a place within our humble home."
There was slight fear in some of the faces of the new arrivals as they gazed at the strange place they had arrived in. The buildings were all made from silver wood, and the forest around them had purple coloured leaves. The ground was thick with soft grass and the smells were fresh and pleasant on their noses, compared to the dry and arid deserts that surrounded their cities. Most of the Civilians had no idea what was happening or how they had got there, if not for the fact that the Warriors who they recognised where with them there would have been more panic.
Uriah who had arrived with them was at the front of the group on horseback, he also looked around as well, but instead of shock he had a slight smile on his face as he realised that the decisions he had made earlier had led them to this location.
"So who is this young lady?" Shang Yang asked as he walked towards Dom and Meritamen. His robes clean and crisp compared to many of those that were around them.
"My name is Princess Meritamen." Meritamen replied politely, in awe at the aura that was being given of by Shang Yang.
"A princess hmmm." Shang Yang responded, "I wasn't aware that we needed a princess yet, but it's good to see that the Lord is taking our advice on creating an heir seriously. Is the Lord planning on changing his title to King?"
"No Advisor Shang Yang." Dom replied seriously, "There was a situation and things developed quickly, I have no intentions of changing my title, and I am not sure what my relationship with Meritamen is. I'm too young for a wife."
"They aren't even married yet, so don't worry old man." Tomoe stated as she came over, each of her steps forceful. The chest of jewels and gold still all over the floor and being cleaned up by two trainee legionaries that had been nearby. There metal armour shinning brightly in the sun, causing an intimidating sight to anyone that hadn't seen a Legionnaire before. Dom found it quite entertaining seeing the ex Shang Dynasty Soldiers in the Legionary gear that they were not yet quite used to.
"Actually we are." Meritamen replied, "When you were off, quite clearly robbing my father's new palace, my father had us married."
"He did what?" Tomoe replied, her rage building as she said it. She looked across to Dom to see his reaction, and on seeing that he had nodded his head in agreement with a pale face, her temper peaked.
"It's fine Commander Tomoe." Subutai said as he walked towards them, leaving the Horse Archers and Lancers to take their horses back to their stables to be watered and groomed. Leonidas and Cleombrotus headed towards the Red Hare stables, with the five that had been taken with them in tow. Other Spartans could be seen around Riverside on their large Red Hare Horses, and having seen the commotion being caused by the arrival of over eight hundred new people in Riverside, a huge amount of new settlers. "I'm sure Lord Lazarus knew what he was doing."
"I really didn't." Dom replied seriously, "But I couldn't find a way out of it."
"You don't seem please to have married me." Meritamen replied with fake hurt. "How can I as your first and only wife be treated in this way."
"Please forgive the Lord, your highness." Shang Yang replied with a smile, "He is a strong leader, but he needs support and nurturing to reach his full potential."
"I'll make sure to be patient with him then." Meritamen replied honestly, giving a slight bow to the senior advisor that seemed to have respect from everyone. The fact that this man could talk about her husband in that manner and not be reproached by anyone explained that he was someone she needed to win over if she would have any success in being a key part in this kingdoms growth. "Is this everything or is there more to see?"
"This is everything for now." Dom replied seriously, "However we are growing massively day by day, you will see many things here you would never imagine, our technology and equipment are many steps ahead of what you are used to. We may be small on numbers, but that is only in the short term."
"I can understand where you are coming from." Meritamen replied measuredly, "Those warriors over there with the shields and silver armour are an intimidating sight, I can not imagine any of my fathers warriors being able to fight against a legion of those, neither have I ever seen the long spear wielding warriors over there before."
"It's a combination of cultures and technology." Subutai replied in Dom's place. "Now that you are here, I hope that you can help us."
"For my husband and future children, I promise that I shall." She replied, turning to look at Abubakar who was now her lead guard. "Abubakar, please liaise with General Subutai and find a place to house your Elite's near my home. Where is the Palace by the way?"
"There is no palace." Dom replied, "I live above the Town Centre, but it may be best we find you alternate housing for now. Also we have our own customs here, Abubakar will join Subutai's structure and his men the rest of the Military. You will not need them all guarding you."
"I'm sure I'll get used to it." She responded, a deep look in her eyes as she looked around the Military Halls and Heroes Hall in front of her.
Shang Yang led the group towards the outside of the Heroes Hall where the seats had been placed earlier, with Gan Ning sat there with Tomyris awaiting their arrival. Lucius had also returned, with Uriah in tow, now walking rather than on horseback. Subutai and Tomoe took their usual seats, whilst Shang Yang directed Uriah and Abubakar to take seats on the outer edges. Meritamen took a seat beside Shang Yang centrally, whilst Dom stood in the middle of the semi circle.
Dom looked over the group, and requested that Game Support show him the stats of the two new Warriors, Abubakar and Uriah.
[Abubakar
Hero Grade - E
Hero Strength - Strong Fighter
Ancient Egyptian Commander from the 19th Dynasty. He fought in battles for his General Tau and his King Rameses II. A Strong fighter who is charismatic and liked by those that serve him.]
Dom was happy to see that he had gained another Commander, even if he was at a lower level. He currently was missing low level heroes who could be lieutenants for the main Commanders. Right now he relied on Banas, Octavian, Alexander and the recently arrived Pullo, however these were Soldiers and were being used for tasks that they didn't have the capacity to do. He also wondered if he could upgrade them to a Hero status and how he would go about it.
[Uriah
Hero Grade - E
Hero Strength - Loyal to the People
Ancient Hittite Commander from early 1200 BC's. He fought in battles for his King Muwatallis helping unite the Hittite Kingdom and later fighting against the Egyptians at Kadesh. A big picture thinker who cares for the civilians.]
Dom was grateful to see Uriah's stats, and was thinking how and where he could place them both. He definitely needed to have a conversation with Subutai about this, but felt that Uriah could be a strong candidate to be a lieutenant to Lucius and over see the Town Guards that were currently lacking leadership.
Dom then finally turned to Meritamen, wondering what chaos he would discover when looking at her stats.
"Game Support, show stats." he said quietly.
[Meritamen
Hero Grade - B
Hero Strength - Diplomatic, Loyal Wife and Pacifier
Meritamen, also known as Queen consort of Egypt, Great Royal Wife, Lady of The Two Lands, Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt, King's Daughter, his beloved, the Justified. Meritamen is the daughter of both King Rameses II and his first wife Nefertari. After her Mothers death, her and her sister both became their fathers wives, as was one of the customs during the times of the Ancient Egyptian Kingdoms, a custom that passed down through many different dynasties.
Her name means Beloved of Amun. Amun, also known as Amen Ra or Amon Ra. The god of the Sun, Wind, Fertility and Creation.]
Dom was impressed to see that she was a Hero Grade B, and in being that she was also Hero from the Civilian branch, rather than the Warrior Branch. Her Strengths and Skills of being a Diplomat and Pacifier were great, meaning she would be a good face for Riverside when negotiating with other Kingdoms, and Dom understood this well having been mesmerised by her beauty and her gentle voice alone. The skill that really shocked him was Loyal Wife, a skill that meant that once she was committed to her husband, she would be loyal to him and no one else.
"Welcome to Riverside." Dom announced to the three of them. "This is the Heroes Hall where the Commanders and Leaders of Riverside live. Beside you are our other Leaders, whom I shall introduce. Firstly you have already met Subutai who is our most Senior General and is currently the rank of Colonel in our new force layout, he in charge of the whole military, as well as directly in charge of the eastern army and Tomoe who is one of our other Generals and is currently the rank of Major in our forces, she is in charge of the northern army."
At this the others all sat further forwards in their seats as Dom started referring them with their ranks and positions within Riverside. The meeting suddenly felt serious and even the relaxed Gan Ning sat forwards and took it serious.
"Next we have General Gan Ning, who is also a Major like Tomoe, he looks after the southern army, which is a very big tasks I must add." Dom continued, seeing a smile on Gan Ning's face at the praise. "Then we have Tomyris, a Queen in her own right, she is the same as Gan Ning and Tomoe, and looks after our western army."
Tomyris also smiled at this and waved to the three newcomers, her eyes looking up and down Meritamen as she took in her beauty as well, before looking at Tomoe and giving her a wink. Tomoe understood that there would be a conversation about that later.
"Finally we have our two most important members, Lucius who is the Mayor and the ruler of the Civilians within Riverside, he outlines what tasks need to be completed with the key families and directs our internal growth." Dom said seriously, his respect for Lucius being the highest. "Beside him is Advisor Shang Yang, who is working closely with Lucius and others to create laws and rules for Riverside, he is also very experienced and we all appreciate his advice and listen to his words."
"Welcome to Riverside." Shang Yang said with a gentle bow to the two Warriors and Meritamen who he had already met.