"Why is Gregorios in our room?" Meritamen asked with a loud yawn as she sat up, the blanket almost slipping from her, causing Gregorios to turn his flushing cheeks away from them.
"Sorry Lady Meritamen, I had an urgent message from the Docks." He replied shyly whilst facing away, with Meritamen laughing in response
"I am only teasing you, my husband had better hurry and depart if it is urgent enough for a guard to enter the private chamber of their Lord." She smiled in response, before lying back down on the bed and rolling on to her side, pulling the blanket from Dom and exposing him to the morning chill as Gregorios looked bac.
"I'll wait for you downstairs Lord Lazarus!" Gregorios exclaimed at Dom's unfortunate exposing situation. Before he quickly turned and began heading down the stairs.
"It's cold!" Dom shouted after him to the sound of laughter as Gregorios disappeared.
"What has happened?" Meritamen asked as Dom climbed out of bed shaking his head, quickly grabbing something to wear under his armour.
"Ships are travelling down the Calm River towards us, Gan Ning has headed out with the Bellona and a small fleet to meet them." Dom explained as he began dressing himself, his armour unfastened.
"If they are travelling down the Calm River, then they would have already passed Serenity and Jia and the small fleet protecting them under Artemisia. So it is most likely Crassus returning, hopefully after some successful trades and with your friends and their much needed fleet." She replied as she closed her eyes again and let our a loud yawn. It was clear to Dom that she had no intention of helping him to fasten his armour as she was feeling exhausted.
Dom didn't disagree with her comment and soon was downstairs with his Guards who were helping to fasten his armour, his Zhan Lu strapped to his side. Today he was surrounded by Gregorios and Trojan, as well as Actumerus and three other Batavi Guards. His two Hoplites wore their newer and heavier armour, that had been polished and was very reflective in the morning sun. His four Batavi Guards were also groomed and armoured, with their giant frames an intimidating sight for anyone that wasn't a native to Dom's growing Kingdom.
"How long will they be?" Dom asked as they began the journey south towards the Docks, where he was sure Helena and Himilco would be making sure everything was prepared for Crassus to unload any of his purchases. Dom could see the sight of some Mengchong and Doujian ships in the water, part of Ling Tong's Calm River Defence Fleet, who were getting in to formation to welcome the visitors.
"General Gan Ning should be nearing Tranquillity by now, where I expect he will meet them and bring them here. So a couple of hours. General Huang Zhong is also preparing all forces currently in Riverside to be ready within the hour." Gregorios explained, his tone more serious than usual.
"Did you get your promotion?" Dom asked him with a raised eyebrow, used to his more relaxed humour. Dom didn't usually have six guards either when he was in Riverside and not on campaign. He could tell that Subutai had arranged this on purpose, either untrusting of the arrivals or trying to put on a show.
"Yes he did Lord Lazarus!" Trojan laughed, stealing Gregorios' thunder. "He's a very professional Centurion now and therefore needs to act like it."
"Aren't you also a very professional Centurion that should act like it?" Actumerus asked from behind them, causing Dom and Gregorios to laugh as the towering Guard caught Trojan off guard.
"So what will you be doing?" Dom asked Gregorios as Trojan began thinking of a counter response.
"Unlike Trojan who is going to be in charge of one of the new home guard units under General Huang Zhong, I will be in charge of the Warriors in part of the fleet." Gregorios explained proudly, trying to push his chest out slightly as they walked.
....
Whilst Dom headed towards the Docks with his guards to meet with Himilco and Helena, Andrew was still speechless at the conversation in front of him.
"So we should continue to buy assets and then make sure they are well insured?" Kai asked Crassus at the bow of the Galatea, the Trireme that Crassus had taken north to the trading Town of Helike.
"Yes, but ideally you want to purchase the assets when they are in their worst state. I do not like to brag, but I used to send my firefighters to houses and ask for funds to save them or offer to buy the premium land from them afterwards. Sometimes, my men may have accidently caused the fires themselves." Crassus explained proudly to Kai, who was writing notes as he listened to one of the Richest Men in history.
"It wouldn't be that easy anymore." Kai replied in interest, "But there is definitely opportunities from the land that is across the borders of the many wars that have been fought over the years."
Andrew looked around the reinforced deck of the Galatea, a powerful ship that had an exceptionally well trained crew, with Rowers working in unison as they powered their way down the Calm River. The Warriors onboard were also well armed, their armour thick. Kai had commented that he had seen both Greek Hoplite and a few Roman Legionaries across the crew.
A small fleet followed them, his own Trireme, old and worn and purchased from the Merchants they had originally worked with when they started playing, followed by his own two Bireme and a handful of Transport Ships. Some of the Transport Ships were full of items he had brought for Dom, where as the others were ones that Crassus had brought with him, full of slaves, food and exotic items purchased from Helike.
The Sabre Tooth Flag fluttered gently and Andrew looked at it again as he looked out across the water at the regular guard posts that were across the fertile land. The journey had been interesting, they had arrived in Helike and after paying a toll for their ships, they had explored the large Trading Town.
Helike was much larger than they had expected, a large ancient Greek Town, with temples and trading forum's. Helike was exceptionally clean and had repurposed itself as a central trade hub on the coast for both the Cities inland, as well as those north and south of it. Supposedly there were also smaller islands out to sea who would trade occasionally. It's traded everything, from Pottery, Weapons, Seeds and Exotics, to Human Slaves and Animals.
Their first meeting with someone from Dom's side was in a Tavern where they met a retired Gladiator called Crixus, a powerful man who seemed to have known they had arrived and had orchestrated their meeting. He explained that he worked for a senior member of Dom's forces and that a ship was waiting to take them south towards Riverside.
To Andrew, everything had seen normal so far. Dom had clearly been trying to keep his town quiet and had hidden this Gladiator within the town to keep an eye out for him, however everything changed when a muscular roman walked in with two large Batavian Guards. Kai had almost recognised him straight away, from Busts he had seen in a Museum. Whilst Andrew hadn't recognised him, Kai was a fan of trade and the images of Crassus, Pompey and Caesar as the first triumvirate was etched in his mind. Crassus also walked in as a man of power, with everyone in the room stepping out of his way to let him past.
"Andrew and Kai?" Crassus had asked them both, his voice friendly but warning at the same time.
"That is us." Andrew had replied confidently, unaware of who Crassus was, but knowing he must be one of Dom's few Heroes. Kai beside him however had his mouth wide open in surprise, their own guards placing their hands on their waists in preparation for a fight. When their guards reacted, it seemed like the whole Tavern had turned to gaze at them.
"Through gentle persuasion and a bit of gold here and there, I now own this Tavern. Every person in here is loyal to my Lord, I would advice your men to move their hands before one of them gets injured." Crassus had laughed, as Andrew scanned the room and noted all of those in the Tavern had a weapon at their waist, with a few Archers above on a Balcony looking down on them. Crixus was stood beside them and was relaxed, which showed Andrew he should also relax.
"We are with friends!" Andrew barked to his men, whilst Crassus walked forwards and put his arm out in greeting.
"Marcus Licinius Crassus, Chancellor of the Kingdom of Lazarus." He introduced as the tension in the room had settled.
"The Marcus Crassus?" Kai had blurted out with a huge grin, as Andrew looked at the deadly Batavi Guards who could easily kill him and his men without their weapons. "Consul of Rome, defeater of Spartacus?"
"The Richest Man of Rome, who died to a pot of Gold?" Crassus continued for Kai with a grimace, "Yes, that is me, come Lord Lazarus awaits."
Andrew still couldn't believe that conversation had soon led to them stood on a Trireme far higher in quality than his own, with one of the most influential people from History with them as they slowly approached the Town of Tranquillity. Kai seemed in his natural environment, but Andrew could tell that Dom had been keeping many secrets from them.
People could be seen on both sides of the River as houses were built and crops were planted, as well as the guard towers, Andrew saw horses travelling and small fishing boats tied to small wharfs that moved with the very gentle tide.
Andrew thought back to after they had boarded the Galatea, with Crassus being adamant they join him onboard the Trireme. They had departed Helike and after over a day of travelling in the small fleet, they finally reached the thick mountains and cliffs that separated Dom's Kingdom from the North. Crassus had explained that this was their Northern Border, an almost impassable mountain range other than a dangerous unexplored route that was well defended by one of their Kingdom's armies.
After they passed the Mountains, a growing Fort could be seen, with a mass of figures in the distance working on constructing it. Andrew knew that these must be Dom's Warriors, but what scared him was the large amount of them on what was supposed to be the edges of Dom's claimed land. They were soon approached by a small detachment of Trireme, who after some messages were passed by the changing direction and colours of flags, moved out of the way to let the fleet past.
Crassus had explained that this was part of the Coastal Defence Fleet that was unfortunately currently under powered. Andrew was going to offer his ships in support of Dom's fleet, but now realised how small of an impact his fleet would have. The sky had become to turn dark at this point and Crassus had made them make camp nearby, a runner appearing from the nearby Fort to check on them.
The night had been uneventful, with those from Andrew and Kai's group chatting with the Warriors and Crew's of Dom's Galatea. The Slaves that had been purchased by Crassus, as well as those by Kai and Andrew had been kept on their ships, guarded and fed a good meal by Dom's men.
At the first signs of the night fading, Crassus urged everyone to depart so they could arrive at the Capital by late morning. Andrew and Kai were both tired, but Kai was keen to not disappoint the impressive Hero. They had travelling for another hour before discovering the Coastal Town of Serenity, the first signs of actual Civilisation in Dom's claimed lands, before entering the Calm River and heading towards Riverside.
"What is that?" Kai interrupted Andrew's thoughts as they approached Tranquillity. He looked up and saw the towering sight of a ship, much larger and impressive than the Galatea they were currently on.
"It seems General Gan Ning has come to greet us!" Crassus grinned in response, as he turned and looked at the shocked faces across Andrew and Kai's men who were onboard the Galatea with them.