World Conquest Online

A few hours had passed since Dom had left Tomoe at the clearing in the Silver Forest. A few other warriors had joined her before he had departed with his guard and she was preparing to create a search net to back up Deimos and those she had sent after the owner of the eyes that had been looking at them from the tree line.

Dom was sat in the map room of the Town Centre, there weren’t many people with him unfortunately, as Gan Ning and Tomyris had left early and they were unable to recall them in time. He was sat in the centre of the room, with his back to the map facing the fire place that had appeared since they had upgraded the Town Centre, whilst to his left where Meritamen, Shang Yang, Crassus and Lucius. To his left where Subutai, Uriah and Abubakar. They had sent runners to track down Tomyris and Gan Ning, but any plans would have to be drawn up without them.

"This is potentially the biggest threat Riverside has faced since it’s creation." Lucius started, "We are awaiting updates from Tomoe and her scouting party, but we have sent an initial batch of reinforcements to help her secure the location. There are two possibilities, one is obviously better than the other."

"Possibility one is that who ever has caused this disgraceful massacre of civilians has discovered an ancient cache of arrows, which were used by the enemies of the Ancient Underground City." Crassus said, taking over and standing up as he spoke. "However, I feel that it is option 2 that is most likely."

In the hands of Crassus was one of the arrows that had been retrieved before Dom had returned, it was the same as those that were used in the Ancient Underground City, one of which was placed on the table at the front. Crassus snapped the arrow in his hand in half, the sinew of the wood bending as he did, the arrow shaft pushing against him as he had to exert some strength to snap it. He then placed the two pieces on the table, before picking up the arrow retrieved from the Ancient Underground City and easily snapping it in half.

"As you can see, this arrow is ancient, where as this one is recently made." Crassus stated.

"Option 2 is that the same enemy that destroyed the Ancient Underground City race, is located nearby and is a risk to us." Lucius said, taking over the conversation again. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"If it’s Option 2, that means that we could have a heavily advanced civilisation near us, with possibly thousands of years of growth." Shang Yang stated from his seat, his hand playing with his beard as he spoke. "This is a bigger threat to us than Tongpai Town. We could be like an Ant before an Elephant"

"None of the Shang Troops are aware of any other settlements other than those already discussed, the major city to the north east and Banas’s tribe." Subutai said in response, "Atzi and Tayanna from Gluttonous Chief’s Village also are unaware of any other tribes, and they are from the north west direction originally, before being captured by the fat chiefs troops."

"We’ve also done a reasonable scouting effort across the river, where we discovered the Red Hare Horses to the west and to the water at the east." Dom agreed, adding to Subutai’s point for those that were unaware.

"Therefore, the chances of a giant civilisation being nearby is small." Lucius replied, "Unless they are also underground."

Uriah and Abubakar sat there in silence as the senior members of Riverside discussed, whilst Meritamen also listened in, wondering if there was any way she could help support them. The Senior members went silent whilst they all digested the situation.

"We need to immediately recall all of our southern troops under Gan Ning’s formation, and have them work as a town defence for now." Subutai stated, "I’ll also pull in the majority of my force, leaving simple scouting networks to the east for now. I have already dispatched materials and one of Wang Shu’s sons is leading on the construction of some Watchtowers at the far end of the farm land."

"That is good." Lucius agreed, "What we do not need right now is Tongpai Town surprise attacking us whilst we deal with this."

"We will struggle to effectively use the Horse Archers in any attacking situation with the forest not being their ideal terrain." Subutai continued, "They will stay as defence and to the east as our shield against Tongpai Town. With the addition of the Lancers they can be a mighty force against any one that approaches."

"What do we do with Tomyris and her force?" Dom stated, "They are scouting to the west and the mountain area, should we direct her northwards?"

"We should redirect her as you have said." Subutai agreed, "She can create a scouting network to support Tomoe and hers. We need to know what we are against and how many of them."

"When we explored the mausoleum before we discovered the Ancient Underground City, there were images that had been carved." Dom said, feeling that the World Conquest Online game was starting to throw some surprises his way, "These showed the Warriors of the Ancient Underground City fighting against an enemy, that also did not look fully human like. There is a chance we could be facing something unnatural."

"It doesn’t matter who or what we fight." Crassus commented, "We will destroy them and keep Riverside safe."

The others all agreed with this sentiment. Lucius stood up and headed towards the Map, the rest of them stood up and followed him, looking over the Map of Riverside and the territory that they had gained so far. There were a couple new blocks added to it across the river, to the mountain and then some additional panels in the forest area.

"We need to break our forces in to interconnecting regiments." Subutai stated as he pointed a cane at the map. "We will have Gan Ning’s forces and the upgraded Town Guard placed in these locations here."

Subutai pointed to the two closest panels that were north of Riverside and in the forest edges as he said that, he then moved his cane forwards, pointing towards the panel to the north west of these two and the panel to the north east of them.

"Tomyris will move her regiment from the west in to this location and continue to push up and to the west. I’ll do the same with the troops that I am recalling in the north east. The four units will then be able to move and support each other when needed. We can easily push forwards or retreat depending on the need." Subutai continued. He then pointed to the central location between them all. "This is where Tomoe is currently based and is scouting ahead, we need to support her and reinforce her from this created semi circle."

"What do we plan to do?" Crassus asked, he had been very vocal since his arrival at the meeting and his previous military background was showing clearly.

"Nothing for now." Subutai stated, "We need to know the situation, but for now we are on full alert with the forces on a war footing. We will have at least half of our forces on alert at all times, I am also pulling the Shang Warriors and Hittites from their Legionary Training and having them bulk out all of the regiments."

"I’m backing up Tomoe." Dom stated, "I’m not risking any of our troops as bait against an unknown force."

"I knew you would say that." Subutai grinned, "I’ve had Leonidas working on creating an Elite Unit from the Spartans, I’d request that you manage these and work as a key strike force when needed. We will hold you back, either with Gan Ning or with Uriah and the Town Guard. Only unleashing them when needed."

"No!" Meritamen suddenly said, standing up and saying the first words she had said during the meeting. "You can not risk and place the Lord in a strike position, he can not be risking his life on the front lines."

"I’m sorry my Lady." Subutai replied quickly and sternly, "You are new to Riverside, but you should know that the Lord is a Warrior, and he is not the kind of man to sit back and watch his men die risking their lives for him. If he was, then maybe your father would have lost at Kadesh."

"Thanks Subutai." Dom said seriously, "As Commander Subutai said, Meritamen, I will fight along side my warriors. Plus if I have the Spartans, I am probably the safest person out there."

"I’m not happy with it." Meritamen said angrily, but refusing to argue back.

"Neither am I." Crassus agreed, "I’m looking after the Town Guard, not Uriah, he can deputise for me."

Uriah looked up at the mention of his name, but didn’t take offence, understanding that Crassus was a much more senior and capable commander than him, even if he was the Financial Official of Riverside and not part of the Military arm.

"Negative." Dom said, "I need you to head on the Merchant Boat tomorrow with Cassius, we may need reinforcements, I want you to use our gold and hire some. You will take Crixus and his men as a personal guard. I do not trust anyone to be able to succeed at this task as well as you. Whilst you are there you can also look over any potential key purchases that we need, the development of Riverside needs to continue."

"Fine, I understand." Crassus agreed reluctantly, nodding his head as he took a step back.

"I’ll also have Wang Shu start constructing the city wall to the north, rather than to the east as we had initially planned." Shang Yang stated, "This gives us a fall back option if needed, We also should update Lars and have all of his men armed as a fall back line. Do we have any spare bows?"

"We should have some ancient weapons from the Ancient Underground City in our warehouse, as well as some spares from the Warriors Halls. We can also get the Blacksmiths to work on sharpening and reinvigorating those ancient weapons." Subutai replied.

"Lucius, you’ll need to work on training the Locals on defence, just in case." Dom stated, looking at his Mayor who had just wanted an easy life.

Lucius nodded his head, before his eyes went wide as a thought hit him.

"When do you need to disappear?" Lucius asked suddenly.

"Tonight!" Dom raged, realising that he had been in game for nearly his fully allotted time, plus the time at the Battle of Kadesh. There was no way that he was risking all of the time he had invested in the game to miss a key battle as he had to log out. "We need to scout and stay on the defensive tomorrow, but be in a position to attack what ever is afoot the day after."

"Are we happy with the initial plan?" Subutai asked the group, with nods of heads from all of those in the room.

"Then everyone is dismissed to start working on their assigned tasks." Dom ordered, "We need to get the whole of Riverside ready for a potential attack."