"I am sorry I arrived like this." Artemisia explained to Dom as she sat opposite him in Helena's office on the Dock. She was wearing a simple white Tunic, under a thin layer of bronze armour. She was even more impressive to look at up close and seemed to be in her early thirties. Behind her stood Gan Ning who looked impressive with himself, not knowing that Dom and the others were aware of his recent display when riding the Titanaconda. "It wasn't my intention, but it seemed that my ship wanted to come with me."
"What happened to it?" Subutai asked, he was stood behind Dom with Lucius. They had left Centurion Philip to manage the docking of the Sibylla with Himilco. Himilco had stated that he should be able to fix her up quickly and add her to the fleet by the end of the week, as long as there was no major structural damage that was hidden. He had said that he would have to use some of the wood from the Silver Forest, so the Sibylla would end up with silver streaks down her sides.
"We were travelling home and were caught in an ambush by some pathetic people who wanted some feeble revenge." Artemisia replied frustratedly. "We were able to turn away from the first ship as it tried to ram us, which is why the side of our ship is so badly damaged, as the two ships scrapped against each other. The second was incoming when I was brought here, half of my crew were attacking the ship we had crashed with, whilst the rest were bracing for the second one to ram us."
"What happened to your crew?" Lucius asked, as her ship was found to be totally empty except for her who Gan Ning had found in the lower runs of the Trireme looking around her own ship confused. Half of the oars were there in good condition, whilst the rest were snapped or missing, quite clear that who ever had sat beneath them had met a quick end. They had also found some bows, swords, spears and shields, but no one to wield them.
"No idea." She replied seriously, a dark look in her eyes "I hope they weren't left behind, as we were a bit out to the sea and they weren't all strong swimmers. Hopefully they all took over the enemy ships, or potentially they will arrive here in the future here?"
"We can always hope." Dom agreed, before continuing. "You have already met Commander Gan Ning on your ship. He is currently our most senior Naval Commander of our small fleet."
"I have, he arrived on a giant red Snake who climbed up my Sibylla with some angry looking Spartans. However, they were all very kind once they found me and treated me exceptionally well." She laughed. Gan Ning blushed at the comment, unsure if he should be proud or embarrassed.
"I am happy your unusual arrival has been pleasant so far." Dom replied, before continuing. "This here is Subutai who is in charge of all Military matters in Riverside and is our most Senior General, and beside him is Lucius who is the Mayor of Riverside."
"It is an honour to meet you all." She replied, "I hope that I can help your little Kingdom become a mighty empire in the future. I am a competent Naval Commander in my own right, however I would much rather be on land and helping Riverside grow."
"We are glad to have you here." Lucius agreed, "We have a busy day ahead of us and your surprising arrival has caused some chaos, so we will need to depart soon to get everything back on track."
"I do apologise, but I hope once my Sibylla is repaired she can help your fleet in the future." She replied reasonably, herself with no intention to arrive the way she had.
"She would be much welcomed." Gan Ning added. "She looks a very capable ship."
"She has gotten me out of trouble many of times!" She replied with a gentle laugh.
"I need to head back towards the Town Centre, you are welcome to join us and I can hopefully introduce you to more of our Leadership." Dom explained. Artemisia agreed and the small group of them left and headed back towards the Town Centre, their guard surrounding them as they walked. Dom noticed as they walked that Artemisia had looked back at the Sibylla and a small tear had appeared at the side of her eye before quickly being cleaned away. He realised in that moment that although she had seemed tough in front of them, part of her must worry for her crew.
They soon arrived at the Town Centre, after walking passed the bustling market that was full of now much calmer citizens who were starting to celebrate before the activities of the day began. Dom was impressed to see that the first Shops of Riverside had also been built near the market and floral decorations had been placed around all of them. The whole area looked and smelt beautiful as different flower arrangements had been placed throughout. Dom could see Makali the Merchant was walking from stall to stall and handing out some small items to the different owners. He wondered what they were, but was impressed by how much Riverside had grown.
They soon arrived at the Town Centre, where Artemisia exclaimed in surprise at the stunning building with the small pond and gardens in front of it. Dom could see that the door was open and Meritamen was waiting for him.
"There is always some commotion when you are home." She exclaimed with a smile, before looking at Artemisia with a confused look. "Is she a relative of Da Qiao?"
"No, I remembered that we haven't used the Heroes Hall for a while, and she is from there! I still need to use the family cube" Dom replied, "Meritamen, this is Artemisia our new Domestic Hero."
"I was a little confused, but that makes more sense. It's a pleasure to meet you Artemisia." Meritamen replied kindly, before turning to Gan Ning with a different look on her face.
"Gan Ning, did you really need to scare half the populace by riding on a giant Snake?" She chided, "We haven't even had chance to announce them to people yet. We had citizens actually running in fear. They get scared enough with Chen Lu and his men on the back of Sabre Tooth Tigers."
"I was with Hector and Ou Yezi at the time and I just reacted when I heard the sounds of alarm." Gan Ning replied sheepishly.
"So you reacted by riding on an untested giant Snake?" She teased. Gan Ning realised that she wasn't having a go at him and was in fact just trying to make him embarrassed.
"It was an enjoyable ride." Gan Ning replied with a smile and a shrug of a shoulder.
"That's not what Philip said." Subutai stated, "He said there was a lot of shouting and swearing."
"He must have misheard." Gan Ning replied with a smile and a wink. Which caused Artemisia to burst out laughing.
"It's nice to see that it a welcoming place." She laughed, "I was nervous that It was going to be like in Xerxes camps all over again."
"It's a great place to be." Meritamen smiled, before taking Artemisia's hand. "Come with me, I'll introduce you to Hatshepsut, Tomyris and Da Qiao who are inside, we are just finalising things before the Celebrations begin."
"Has Hatshepsut finished with the new buildings already?" Dom asked, thinking she had a longer task list than him.
"Yes, everything but the Arena, she doesn't get distracted unlike others." Meritamen laughed, before heading in to the Town Centre. The four men waited a few seconds for Meritamen and Artemisia to leave, before everyone turned to Dom.
"What's next Lord Lazarus?" Gan Ning asked, ready to go back to the docks and settle everything with the Ship Captains.
"Can you please go and get Da Qiao." Dom replied politely, "We may as well use the Family Cube as planned before we join the celebrations."
"I'll go get her now." Gan Ning said, before heading inside the Town Centre, where Dom could hear giggles and Gan Ning's loud complaints as something happened to him inside. Dom turned to Subutai and Lucius, but neither of them had any idea of what was happening either.
Soon however they knew, as Gan Ning appeared with floral garlands around his neck and a floral crown on his head. Beside him was Da Qiao who finally looked like the beauty she was, that had triggered a war in the Three Kingdoms Period with her sister. She had a beaming smile and wore a pretty dress.
"I believe you wanted me, Lord Lazarus." She beamed, clearly in a good mood. Dom was happy that Meritamen had made such an effort to make Da Qiao feel involved.
"I do, Gan Ning here had a great idea to use our Orange Family Cube on you." Dom began, "The Family Cube will spawn someone close to the Hero it is used on to Riverside. They will most likely be a Hero as well."
"I am sure there are plenty of better people to use it on than me." Da Qiao replied seriously. "I do not want you to waste a valuable resource."
"I understand, but you have sacrificed a lot for Tongpai Town. Gan Ning has rightly put forwards that we are wasting an opportunity by not using it, and it would be nice to use it as a thank you to you." Dom replied, "You have settled the population of Tongpai Town and become a great member of Riverside since you joined. Who knows, we may get your husband?"
"My husband is dead unfortunately." Da Qiao replied, "Killed in an ambush, just like his father. It is a shame my Sister isn't here, her Husband would be a great fit for Riverside."
"Gan Ning did say the same thing about Zhou Yu, there is risk with this draw, but we have our fingers crossed." Dom replied, before pulling out the Orange Cube.
"System, please use the Family Cube." Dom ordered.
[Please Select your Hero of choice]
"Da Qiao please." Dom asked.
[Please confirm that Da Qiao is your choice]
"Confirmed." Dom said seriously, there was no going back on this risk now.
[Da Qiao selected]
[Rolling for Family Members...]
[.....Members Chosen]
Suddenly beside the Town Centre doors a portal opened and an old man and young woman walked out of it. The Old Man wore Taoist robes and had a long pointy beard that reached down his chest. His eyebrows were white and pointy. Beside him was a woman who was as beautiful as Da Qiao, almost the twin of her but slightly taller.
"Father, Sister!" Da Qiao exclaimed, running to the two people who stepped through and quickly embracing them both. Tears on all of their faces as they cried at the reunion. Dom turned and saw that Lucius had a sad look in his own face, most likely missing his own family, where as Subutai and Gan Ning both had smiles on their faces.
"Seems we didn't get what we wanted." Subutai said quietly to Dom, "But at least we have done something good for someone else."
"System, please show the stats." Dom asked about the newcomers, first looking at Da Qiao's sister.
[Xiao Qiao
Hero Grade - Domestic - E
Hero Strength - Administration
Xiao Qiao, the younger of the Qiao sisters, was a renowned beauty from the late Han period of China. The sisters were known as the Two Qiaos of Jiangdong, their father being a renowned stateman at the time. She was married to Zhou Yu, The Warlord Sun Ce's best friend and one of the brightest strategic minds during these warring times.
The famous battle of Red Cliffs, also known as the Battle of Chibi, took place between the Warlord Cao Cao and the Warlord Sun Quan. It is believed that Cao Cao had taken a fancy to the two sisters and in a poem written by his son, had declared he would take the women so they could each live in one of the two towers of his new palace. Zhou Yu and Sun Quan were outraged and went to war with Cao Cao, changing the landscape of China during that period.
This Xiao Qiao has some experience with Military Administration and Basic Naval Tactics that she has learned from her Father and Husband.]
Dom was surprised that by the last lines, and felt that it wasn't a total waste in using the Cube from a tactical perspective, as Xun You could have an assistant in managing the Militaries Logistics. He then turned to the father.
[Qiao Guolao
Hero Grade - Domestic - C
Hero Strength - Administration and Provincial Governor
Qiao Guolao was a competent Governor, known as Governor Qiao. His Daughters were renowned for their beauty and were Married to the sworn brothers Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. In later life he worked with the Warlord Sun Quan to marry his sister to the Warlord Liu Bei, creating a terrifying alliance against the Warlord Cao Cao.
There is some confusion in history on where Qiao Guolao is the same as Qiao Xuan, another famous Official of that time, who famously predicted the rise of Cao Cao.]
Dom was visibly relaxed when he read Qiao Guolao's strengths, this was the person he was looking for to be able to help manage one of the new Cities that Riverside was soon to build. As Dom continued to read their information and the family embraced, another Portal suddenly appeared. An armoured man with an extremely handsome face fell through the Portal, landing on the ground with two Arrows protruding from his back and a third from his cheek.
"Get a Doctor!" Subutai quickly ordered.