World Conquest Online

Dom waited for Camilla to continue, frustrated slightly by how his life was changing from a peaceful existence with his friends to a now guard member of society, based on the whims of his newly appeared aunt. He knew he shouldn’t feel that way, that she was looking out for him, but it frustrated him slightly regardless.

"The second thing I wanted to discuss with you is your gaming. Specifically World Conquest Online. I am aware that you are a Lord Class Player from my sources, I am also intelligent enough to know that there is almost a certain chance that you are the current number one Lord Class Player, Lazarus." She explained, "Before we continue, can you confirm that?"

Camilla’s tone was serious and challenging, leaving Dom with little chance to breathe. Her eyes told him that she knew the truth and lying would not be a good decision.

"I am Lazarus." Dom agreed, his eyed dropping and his tone unsure at his own words.

"Excellent!" Camilla beamed, her seriousness dropping and a huge smile appearing on her aging face. "I am not sure if you are aware at how important this game is now becoming across the globe, but it is. It is more than just a game now, it’s a separate battleground and a new place to learn and gain skills that can be used in reality. I will be requesting that your guards also join you in your Town in game. I will leave that with you to arrange once you have settled with them. Do not worry though, they are there solely to protect you in case of emergency. They will have their own tasks provided by their own mentors." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Dom wasn’t sure how to feel about this, it was a game and even this his Aunt seemed to be wanting to try and control. He would make a decision once he had met the guard students, but for now he had to think of plans of protecting his gaming life. Andrew, Kai and even Alice were all on route to Riverside now, even Elizabeth was planning on creating a long distance alliance with him. He didn’t want his real friends to be affected by his Aunt. He couldn’t imagine telling Andrew that they couldn’t go adventuring because another student who was playing was against it.

"You must do everything in your power to make your Town as strong as possible. You can not die and lose your Lord Class." She explained seriously, "It is a waste of a god sent opportunity. I will speak with Captain Stirling about having your guards bring some resources with them that can aid your towns growth further. I expect you to stay as the number one Lord Player, and eventually the number one player. So many players must be jealous of you, I know a lot of the higher families are. Do you have anything to ask?"

Dom paused for a second before responding, he would be grateful for the resources and he also agreed that he would do everything to keep alive, he was enjoying Riverside and he wanted to make it grow in to a kingdom on the game. A place where he and his friends could enjoy, as they now spent more time in game than they did in reality most days.

"How do you know so much about the game?" Dom asked her, wanting to know if she read blogs or there was some more information shared elsewhere that he wasn’t aware of.

"I also play." She replied seriously. "And those that don’t yet, will do soon enough. Don’t worry though, I won’t be joining your little Town, I have my own games to play."

Dom was surprised by this, Camilla was older for a start, but she was also a mentor, teacher and former chief advisor to one of the biggest Kingdoms in existence. He didn’t think she would have time to play, let alone do it.

"You seem surprised." She teased, "I can work whilst I sleep, why wouldn’t I play. There is much to be done and never enough hours to do it. I can speak with like minded people from across the globe and history. World Conquest Online is more than just a game."

"Do you know what is going to come to the game next then?" Dom asked, his thoughts wondering if Camilla and her wide network had some knowledge of the creators.

"Some knowledge of what is to come?" She repeated as she thought. "I understand why you would think that, but you’ll be surprised to know that I don’t. I think that is what makes life interesting sometimes. I do however expect there to be some world level missions where multiple players will join together coming soon, the level of them has been small so far for such a large game map."

"Will the guard students be happy wasting their personal time to guard me in game?" Dom worried out loud. "They are being sent to Central University that they wouldn’t have initially planned, and when they are online, they’ll be with me again. Don’t they want or deserve some free time?"

"It is an honour for them to be selected to be your guard. You have met Captain Stirling, he is one of my guards and has guarded me for a very long time. It is an honour for anyone from the first Ninety Peaks to be called up to guard a member of the Hidden Peaks." She replied seriously, "If you succeed as I hope, they will also succeed. If you fail, they fail. It is a partnership, where they protect your life and you create a better future for you all. Do not worry, they won’t be with you all the time, only when necessary."

"I don’t remember my father ever having a guard?" Dom stated, if his father was a member of the Hidden Peaks, shouldn’t he have had one.

"Not all members need or deserve a guard, especially at a young age." She stated, slowly speaking as she thought of her reply. "You are getting them earlier as you are my nephew, and you are important to me. However, your father did have a guard. Four of them in fact, some of the best. But, like him, they are no longer with us."

Dom went silent when he heard that, he wasn’t sure how they had died, was it before the supposed betrayal of his father or during other stages of their lives. Dom didn’t remember lots about his father, but the more he heard about him, the more intrigued he got. He didn’t know if he should ask about the guards, but Camilla moved the conversation on.

"The final thing to discuss, which is currently less important than the first two for now, is more in line with your future." She explained, a smile back on her face. "All that is left in our family is myself, my daughter and you. Hopefully she will marry, and who knows they may even take the Mordred name. Actually, if she does marry, I am sure she will make them take the name regardless. However, you have responsibility for keeping the Lazarus line going."

He suddenly had a sinking feeling as to where this conversation was going, it seemed that not only Lucius and Shang Yang in the game were planning Dom’s romantic future. He always planned to settle down, but on his own terms, and when he had a settled career.

"You need to marry in the future, but first you need a fiancée. As my nephew, this can not be just anyone, but it must be someone from a strong line." Camilla began, "Our family are old names, with our own histories and traditions that must be maintained. There are many high officials and kingdoms that owe me favours. I plan to call in one of these favours for your future."

"I wasn’t really planning that part of my future yet." Dom replied seriously, not wanting his Aunt to dictate any more of his life than she already had. He hadn’t known her existence, but due to her not only had he gone to the Military Academy, he had also been accepted in Central University and the Hundred Peaks. She had outlined where he was going to study and who to study with.

"You are an adult, in higher circles you should have had a fiancée agreed from your childhood. Not that your mother would have allowed it." She explained seriously, her tone commanding. "I will not rush you in to it today, but I will send a dossier with possible candidates to you. There is no guarantee that the match will be agreed, but I expect you to give me your top three choices by the end of the month. I will then speak with those families and see what agreements can be made."

This was all new to Dom, he thought he was from an orphan from the middle rungs of society, free to choose his own partner in the future when he found someone he loved. In his earlier years he had a crush on Claire Thompson, from a prestigious family in her own right. Part of him suddenly hurt when he thought about Alice, her family of a high level, but probably not to his Aunt’s ideals. He hadn’t really wanted this with Alice, but the thought that he possibly couldn’t felt painful.

"I heard you will be attending the Medici birthday party in three weeks, I will also be attending upon invitation from the King. You can give me your response then. We need a family that comes from a good background that can help you regrow the Lazarus name." She stated, "Time is running out on the current peace, if you can promote yourself in the game and succeed here at the Peaks, then your future can be limitless. Your future wife must match that."

"I don’t know what to say." Dom replied honestly, broken slightly by the control his Aunt had pushed on him.

"This is a good sign, it shows you are growing. Do not worry, you are not alone in this, I have set the same expectations on my daughter, I hope that you will meet her upon her return" Camilla laughed, before patting Dom kindly on the shoulder. "I know this may all be a shock to you, buy you will grow in to it all. It’s been great seeing you after so many years, I look forward to seeing you again soon."

She helped him from his seat, and directed him down the familiar corridors from the day earlier towards the entrance way, where the car that brought them was waiting. The Driver Hector was stood by the car, holding the door open as Camilla directed Dom in side.

Jessica was sat in the car already in the middle of the left row, beside her two large folders full of documents. In the front of the car was a sleeping Captain Stirling, a slight snore coming from him. Dom wasn’t sure how long they had been waiting, but Jessica greeted him with a welcome smile which signified it hadn’t been long.

"Is there anything else you need my Lady?" Hector asked as Dom climbed in side, taking the seat opposite Jessica.

"Just make sure that my Nephew gets to Lady Annabel safely and on time please Hector." She ordered. Her face returning to the one that those outside of her circle recognised.

"Of course my Lady." Hector replied with a slight bow as he closed the door behind Dom and headed towards the driving seat.