World Conquest Online

"Many names have been put forwards over the last months, some have been aimed towards the Sabre Tooth Tiger’s that we proudly have signify us on our flags and our mosaics. Other’s have put forwards ideas based on our Capital or the geography that surrounds us. However, I and my fellow senior leadership believe that the only name that suits us is, The Kingdom of Lazarus." Shang Yang declared, as those in the room seemed to nod in agreement. Dom didn’t overly like the name, but from a gaming perspective it made the most sense. He was happy that Shang Yang was declaring a name for the Kingdom and it wasn’t someone like Andrew that had come up with the name.

"Lazarus is a word that symbolises new life, something that we all here have experienced by coming here. I came from my humble farm in the outskirts of Rome, to leading the development of a new and exciting Kingdom." Lucius agreed. "Whilst I often complain of the work, I am proud of what we are building and the people we can call our own."

"I agree, I came from an uncertain future from a dying Dynasty, to helping found something new and hopefully lasting." Xun Yu added, "The Kingdom of Lazarus will be led by the Lazarus Dynasty."

"By the end of my childhood, the last King of Rome had left. I had seen the wonders of a growing republic, and the corruption that stemmed within." Lucius said, partially lamenting at his own child’s woes. "I and my family will proudly be part of the founding families of the Kingdom of Lazarus, and swear fealty to Lord Lazarus and his line."

"I once served my closest friend, where we conquered the known world. I hope to do that again here." Subutai grinned in agreement. "The Kingdom of Lazarus will dwarf what I conquered in the past, I just hope my old friends can join me here in the future. The family of I, Subutai, will serve as we have always served."

"Your son’s have arrived, so who knows what the future holds." Gan Ning agreed, "I am the same though. Once a former pirate, now placed in important roles and having been trusted since day one. My fleets in the past were larger, but what we are building here will surpass that in no time, I am sure Sun Ce and Zhou Yu agree?"

"Totally, it’s a shame my brother and the rest didn’t come, but with my sister and two brother in laws here, we will make something that surpasses our old Han Dynasty." Sun Ce laughed as he drank merrily, whilst Zhou Yu beside him shook his head at his best friends demeanour. His sister also drank and cheered at the response, any poise of etiquette out of the window. "The Sun Clan is tied to the Lazarus Dynasty and will be until the Sun Clan is no more. Sister, you better start making some heirs so this doesn’t sound like an empty promise."

"Shut it Bofu!" She warned him jokingly, whilst others in the room laughed. Meritamen held her stomach when they spoke, a small glimmer of a smile on her face. The move wasn’t unnoticed by some of those in the room, with Shang Yang looking at her with a smile of his own. Shang Yang had a plan for continuity and a Kingdom built on the principle of law, with Meritamen most likely with child and Heroes like Cicero and Umako, his plan was coming together.

Meritamen herself knew that she had far surpassed what her father had asked of her when he married her to Dom. She hadn’t become a secondary wife or an addition to his harem, but a leader with the weight of the future in side of her. She knew that one day her loyalties may be tested, but when she turned and saw Dom beside her, youthful, caring and trusting, she knew that the test wouldn’t be as hard as it once would have been.

"Whilst the Xun Clan may not have marriage ties to the Lazarus family, the trust our family has been given in helping to form this Kingdom is beyond measure. The Xun Clan will also serve the Lazarus Dynasty and the Kingdom of Lazarus until the Xun Clan is no more." Xun You stated, trying to change the conversation back, with Xun Yu beside him nodding in agreement.

"I loved my republic, but I will work until my dying breath to make sure that I can assist this Kingdom become the greatest it can be." Cicero agreed, the atmosphere in the room high as they all declared their loyalty to the Kingdom of Lazarus and Dom’s own Dynasty.

"You have brought me happiness beyond measure and returned me my son." Tomyris declared, "You have my sword and my shield, until I am buried with them."

"Stop being so pessimistic Tomyris!" Hatshepsut smiled, "I am sure that will be many decades away, with a belly full of wine and a young, handsome man beside you. I just wish that when I was crowned I had such loyalty! Lord Lazarus, you have my heart and my mind until you no longer wish to use them, as does the Kingdom of Lazarus. Just promise me that you’ll let Lucius retire to farming.....eventually."

There were eruptions of laughter around the room, especially from Lucius who smiled at her caringly. The relationships between the Heroes was deep and Dom sat there and listened to it all, drinking along with the Heroes.

"Regardless of the Kingdom or the Dynasty, Lord Lazarus is a friend and a brother." Crassus stated, passion in his words. "I will see it that he and his family have wealth further than the eye can see. The Kingdom of Lazarus will be the richest Kingdom to have ever existed."

"The most powerful Kingdom." Tomoe countered, "I will defend the Kingdom of Lazarus until my final breath."

"As will all of the Generals." Cheng Pu agreed, only recently arriving but honour bound to protect Sun Shangxiang. Liao Hua, Zhao Yun, Ling Tong and Huang Zhong beside him also nodded in agreement, thumping their fists on their chests to signify their oaths. Dom realised that this wasn’t a simple naming of the Kingdom as Shang Yang had explained to him, it was a political manoeuvre to declare loyalty. All those in the room were the most senior people in the Kingdom, if anyone didn’t declare their loyalty now, they would stand out. Those that did declare loyalty could not back out of their promise either as the rest in the room would turn against them. Dom caught Xun Yu’s eye and could tell that he was taking in every detail of the room, the reactions and the words spoke.

"My Sibylla brought me here for a reason, you have shown trust me in and I will return that trust with my actions." Artemisia stated, intelligent enough to understand the ploy. "The Kingdom of Lazarus has my loyalty."

"And mine." Umako said lastly, "I wish my family could see what we are going to build, but it will be a paradise for the Citizens, that is my belief."

Meritamen then stood from beside Dom, the room quieting down slightly from it’s jovial atmosphere. She smiled and bowed her head slightly towards Shang Yang, who then took his seat. She then turned to Dom and smiled, hinting for him to stand up, with Sun Shangxiang following suit soon afterwards.

"The Kingdom of Lazarus is all of ours, the work you have all put in to it is beyond measure. I am proud to be part of it and proud that Lord Lazarus is our liege. Both myself and my new sister Lady Sun will make sure there is a continuous Dynasty that we can create a home for in the wilds of this world." Meritamen began, with Sun Shangxiang nodding in agreement. "This isn’t just a new Kingdom being created, it is a home for all of our families. I hope that your own can continue to grow and support our Dynasty throughout the generations."

There were agreements across the room, some looks were shared, whilst others thought about their own future opportunities. Some of the Heroes were young and didn’t have families, where as others had arrived without theirs. Some had been reunited recently, but across the board they were all thinking about how they could have a lasting impact for their own lines.

"Then as agreed, once we have completed our Southern Campaign and the upcoming Battle of Mycale Battle Map. We shall declare ourselves as the Kingdom of Lazarus." Dom stated, as they room all raised their cups.

"The Kingdom of Lazarus!" They all replied, before taking a sip of their drinks to signal their approval.

"To the Lazarus Dynasty!" Sun Ce shouted, before others echoed it around the room, taking a second sip of their drinks.

....

The night soon came to a close, with many drunken heads leaving and heading back to their own homes. Tomoe was carried upstairs to one of the guest rooms on Meritamen’s side of the second floor, having been pushed to drink more from her fellow Heroes. Whilst Shang Yang had also had to be escorted home by the two Xun’s, his usual façade dropping after the declaration. Some of the other Heroes had to be helped home, like Sun Ce, Gan Ning and Ling Tong, with Huang Zhong laughing that he would make them suffer in the morning. Dom had noticed that Crassus and Artemisia had left together, as had Lucius and Hatshepsut, potential couples that would have never mixed in reality.

Dom now sat upstairs with Meritamen and Sun Shangxiang, the two of them now dressed in more comfortable clothes as they lounged the chairs. Ban Jieyu had made sure some evening snacks had been supplied, whilst the three of them discussed the next few days.

"Whilst you are gone, the forces will be either dispatched or in preparation to. I will make sure that Tomoe and Zhao Yun are prepared first for when you return." Meritamen stated as she ate some fruit.

"Gan Ning will also have his ships ready!" Sun Shangxiang agreed, the preparation for the Cove would mostly take place whilst he was offline, but he intended to deal with it upon his return. Dom didn’t need to get involved with all of the action, but for him it was one of the best parts of the game. He had originally intended to play as a Warrior Class, and that part of the game was still his favourite, or one of them anyway.

"What are your plans?" Dom asked them both, knowing that Xun You would make sure everything was organised for the Cove.

"I am going to train with Huang Zhong!" Sun Shangxiang declared, "I know my duty isn’t on the battlefield, but I intend to be ready if I am ever needed. I also need to keep myself in perfect shape in case any other developments happen at home."

"It didn’t take long for me, so it is possible." Meritamen agreed, giving Dom a teasing look. "I intend to travel to Serenity and liaise with Crassus, Artemisia and Lady Xu on our trade and preparations for the future. Do not worry though, I have been advised that I need to take it easy over the next month or so as it’s an important time if I am with child."

"Part of me thinks I don’t need to worry about you Meritamen." Dom laughed, Meritamen was an extremely resilient woman and Dom knew that she probably worried about him more than he worried about her.

"I would have to agree, I wish I was half the woman that she is." Sun Shangxiang declared, slightly intoxicated, whilst Meritamen hadn’t drank anything for obvious reasons.

"With my Political skills, and your Military skills, we make a great team." Meritamen replied to her kindly, causing Sun Shangxiang to get up from her chair and climb next to Meritamen on hers, giving her a huge hug.

"I always wanted a sister the same age as me." She said caringly, seemingly relieved at her new home’s situation compared to the many nightmares she had growing up about what a future marriage could be like. She had expected ceremony, separate residencies and almost being locked away from the world. Instead, Meritamen treated her equally and she had free reign and involvement within the Kingdom itself. Her expectations of life were always of privilege but of being married away from her family for an alliance, whilst she had been sent to the wilds in a far away land she knew nothing about, at least she was given opportunity to be herself.