World Conquest Online

"I may have a spare Cub, but we’ll have to wait for Kai, I may not have enough for you both." Dom replied to Andrew with a laugh. He had plenty, but they’d have to take them from Subutai’s forces first. He couldn’t wait to see Andrew’s expression when he was met by a Titanaboa or a squad of Sabre Tooth Tiger Forbidden guard. He also looked forward to Andrew’s expression when a fleet of Trireme with a Quinquereme in the centre appeared in greeting, decks flooded with armoured Legionaries and Hoplite.

"Just don’t tell Kai, we’ll pretend I found it." Andrew joked back, unaware of the pranks Dom had planned for him. "That is a good idea though, we’ll look out for your ship as we travel further south on the coast, we’ll find you eventually. Kai has been busy gathering as many goods as he can as we have travelled, so hopefully the seeds and plants he brings will help your Town grow. We’ve also recruited some experts, as Kai’s brother has explained to him that expert Civilians is one of the most important things."

"Thanks Andrew, that means a lot. When is Kai arriving here?" Dom asked, knowing that the two of them were travelling together in game, having been able to meet up with each other much easier. He was genuinely grateful that the two of them had been trying to help him out on their travels, with part of him feeling guilty for keeping his Kingdom’s size quiet from them. With them being only an in game week or so away, it meant that he didn’t have to hide it for much longer.

"He wasn’t online yesterday, but thankfully if you log out in your cabin and the ship moves, you still arrive in your cabin when you log back in. Thankfully non of our ships have sank! " Andrew laughed, "He was travelling towards Central though, so I expect he’ll arrive here tonight or tomorrow. I believe his father has some serious things to talk to him about, it seems the family are taking the game very seriously. They were originally pushing for him to head towards his brother, but they have signed off with him coming to join up with you now."

"It is good you haven’t lost any of your ships." Dom agreed with a laugh, "I don’t blame Kai for wanting to join us, we are much more fun than his family. How has the journey been so far?"

"Exciting, we have grown slowly as we travelled. We have had a couple of skirmishes and done some good recruitment. We have three Bireme, one Trireme and three Merchant ships now. There are a few trusted players, but the majority are in game characters. We’ve heard some tales of ships sinking further out to sea, and sightings of giants under the waves, so I’ll be happy to have some time on the dry land again for a while." Andrew explained, "Have you got any expansion plans we can help with?"

"Plenty!" Dom laughed, "Nearly every direction has opportunities, you’ll see when you arrive. It doesn’t surprise me with the sea being dangerous though, there are plenty of unknown dangers on land."

"You are keeping things very close to your chest, I’m quite excited to arrive! I hope you have me a house and a feast ready" Andrew replied seriously, "So, what have you been up to whilst I’ve been away?"

"I met my aunt." Dom replied in a single, simple, small sentence. However, those four words hit Andrew heavily, to the point that he had to stop trying to steal Dom’s food for a second.

"I thought all of your family were dead? How do you have an aunt?" He replied in shock as he sat down, before getting over his shock and stealthily stealing another sausage.

"She’s my father’s cousin, their father’s were half brothers." Dom explained, "This has to stay between us though, and Kai of course, because she’s quite well known in the Western Kingdoms. She’s Lady Camilla Mordred."

"The former Chief Advisor to the Western Kingdoms and Chief Advisor to King Medici?" Andrew asked, his mouth slightly agape. "I know your family had roots, but that is more than roots."

"She explained a lot to me. Her daughter and I are the last surviving members of the Lazarus and Mordred lines. Supposedly my family has a lot of history, which I wasn’t aware off." Dom explained, opening up to Andrew and finally having someone to talk to. "It’s pretty hard to follow it all, I will see her again in a couple of weeks."

"Is she coming here?" Andrew asked, realising it was term time and wanting to meet this famous person who happened to be his best friends hidden Aunt.

"No, I have an event I have to go to." He explained with an exhale. "It seems my life is changing a lot and I don’t know what to do."

"Well how is it changing? You have gained two members of your family and everything else is still the same?" Andrew asked him, trying to reassure him.

"I haven’t met my cousin yet, but my Aunt has given me a long list of people. She want’s me to get engaged." Dom explained, looking at Andrew for reassurance.

"My Grandmother want’s me to get engaged to my neighbours daughter, it doesn’t mean I am going to." Andrew laughed, "Plus she hasn’t been in your life for a long time, look at building that up first. Actually scrap that, she’s Lady Camilla Mordred, she could have you executed if you disobey her."

"I’m pretty sure she won’t execute me." Dom laughed awkwardly, seeing that Andrew was trying to lighten the mood.

"Are there any hotties on the list?" Andrew asked with a laugh, "At least they will all be upstanding women with a future, I always thought you was going to die single, poor and alone."

"They are all from important families." Dom stated bluntly, which made Andrew stop talking for a minute.

"So you are going from an every day person, well a slightly impressive person with a heroic parent, to potentially marrying some Lady, such as our lovely Flo. It is a big step up." Andrew joked, but when Dom didn’t react with a laugh at the use of Florence Chan’s name, he paused, before asking in shock. "Is Flo on the list?"

"Flo was on the list yeah." Dom replied, putting his hands on his head.

"Imagine if you married Flo, she would hate that!" He laughed loudly, "Oh wow, who else, was Claire Thompson, that would be perfect for you!"

"I didn’t see her on the list." Dom stated in a knowing tone, expecting Andrew to begin naming people.

"That is a surprise, but I suppose for your Aunt, whilst the Thompson’s are important they are not as important as her." Andrew replied with a nod of his head. "The list will be full of the most elite and royalty. You would hit the jackpot if there was any royalty on there, like Princess Medici!"

"She was on there." Dom stated seriously, looking at Andrew with a serious eye, who opened and closed his mouth multiple times.

"I don’t want to swear, but....." Andrew began to reply.

"I’ll find the folder, it has to stay hidden though." Dom explained, "I need a lot of help."

"You need a lot of help, how big is the shortlist she wants?" Andrew asked, falling straight in to advisor mode.

"Either a choice or three, as they need to agree to the match." Dom laughed, "Supposedly the Lazarus surname and being related to her brings a lot of benefits."

"I know you very well, there are no benefits. I would be surprised if anyone agreed to a match" Andrew stated seriously, before they both laughed loudly. "I’ll help, but this is all pretty crazy, I’ll find those that look desperate or are from a low standing. Don’t forget me when you live in a big mansion somewhere."

"I live here and I am already trying to forget you." Dom replied with a laugh, "Come, let me show you your room and everything."

Dom took Andrew on a tour of the rest of the house, showing Andrew his room that was a mirror image of Dom’s room. The rain had also slowed down for a bit and he showed him around the garden. The two of them sat down and discussed some other things, whilst Dom then began to leak some of the situation in Riverside.

"I have one other issue though with this marriage thing." Dom explained to Andrew as they both sat down on the sofa. Andrew could log back in at any time, but was syncing his log in times with Dom so they could go class and relax together.

"Just one other issue? You seem more agreeable to it than I thought." Andrew laughed, "What is the issue?"

"So, I am a Lord Class Player on World Conquest Online." Dom began, whilst Andrew raised his eyebrow in response.

"So you will only marry someone who is also a Lord class, that is a little bit snobby, it’s a game." Andrew joked, before shutting up so Dom could continue.

"Part of being a Lord, is marrying and creating a line for your City to continue, it gives the characters something to support." Dom explained, whilst the cogs in Andrew’s mind began fitting together.

"I have met some lovely ladies in the ports on the way south, Kai can tell you all about them." Andrew laughed, "But I understand, it could be awkward if your new wife discoveries you adult entertainment collection, and can speak with them. You need to keep them separated, don’t worry too much."

"My in game wife is pregnant." Dom stated seriously, causing Andrew to laugh loudly. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Should have used protection, they always say that." Andrew explained, "It’s a game Dom, don’t worry about it. It’s immersive, but your a male and most males would have tried it. I am sure plenty of female’s have as well! You obviously have super swimmers in game. Is she good looking?"

"She’s an ancient Egyptian Princess." Dom laughed, "So yes, she’s good looking."

"Wow, Kai said his brother has only spawned in grumpy old men as Heroes. Well done you!" Andrew laughed, patting Dom on the back. "Talking about the game, are you planning to do the Battle of Plataea or Mycale?"

"The Battle of Mycale." Dom replied, "I think there is more to gain from that battle, where as Plataea I think is going to get very chaotic."

"I don’t disagree, but that must mean you have a decent ship and crew prepared. Hopefully we can take my Trireme and your best ship." Andrew explained, "I was going to do what ever you wanted, I had the same thinking though."

"Well, if you are planning Mycale, when you arrive, I’ll lend you some Warriors." Dom teased, "They may come in handy."

"I have my own good crew!" Andrew laughed, "The Warriors could do with some work, but they won’t let us down."

"You’ll see." Dom joked as the two of them continued talking. The rain had soon fully stopped and Dom took Andrew for a small walk around the area, even stopping at his usual restaurant for some Lunch, finally not sat alone. Andrew was back to his usual and was trying to flirt with some girls on a nearby table.

Eventually, they returned back to the Manor to log back in to the game. Now Dom had a good idea of when Andrew was due to arrive, he could prepare for a small welcoming party for him. He planned to head to Jai and meet up with the attack force for the Cove, before clearing that and looking towards the Ancient Abandoned Towns in the Red Woods. Term was due to start again soon and he knew that he wouldn’t have as much flexibility to play as he currently did. He also wanted to have the Kingdom ready for declaration for when Andrew and Kai arrived, part of him wanting them to be involved, but knowing that they would definitely want to continue with their normal play styles when they did arrive in the Kingdom of Lazarus.