The first to arrive at Dom was Sun Shangxiang, Gan Ning beside her proudly riding a slithering Titanaconda that towering size made all those new to Riverside, be it Guests, Civilians or Warriors nervous. Zhang Zhao and Lu Su were walking beside them, a smile on their face as they reunited with Sun Shangxiang. They came to a halt a few metres from Dom who was still on the back of Imperator.
"It's good to see you again Lord Lazarus!" Lu Su exclaimed, a genuineness to his words, before laughing a king laugh, "Or should I say King Lazarus!"
"It is just Lazarus between friends." Dom replied with a friendly smile, knowing that Lu Su and Zhang Zhao were not only close advisors to his Brother in Law Sun Quan, but also key people in a State much larger than his own. He may be young, but he knew that respect was better between friends, than putting on a front of seniority in front of people that were technically higher than him if they were to be against each other on a Battlefield.
"You are young enough to be either of our sons." Zhang Zhao smiled, seemingly having aged since the last time they saw each other, as had Lu Su. "So you can call us Uncle and we will call you Nephew, that way you will feel less awkward and the men behind you won't cut our throats for disrespect."
Dom turned and could see the serious faces on Actumerus and his other mounted Guards, either Batavi or Forbidden Guard. Subutai beside him shook his head, knowing what would be happening and barked an order for them to relax against people they had fought alongside. Zhang Zhao and Lu Su relaxed, but Dom knew that whilst Subutai may have given that order, the only thing that would change would be the expression on the Guards faces and not their preparedness. Especially after Dom's recent Arrow wound at the Battle of Mycale.
"We will escort Lady Sun in to the City and see you at your Coronation Ceremony. Lord Sun Quan has sent his apologise, we are currently in a situation which we will discuss later." Lu Su began as he turned to behind him. "We have brought many gifts on behalf of the Sun Family, as well as a small host in respect."
"Thank you Lu Su, we will chat after the Ceremony." Dom replied, before turning to Xun Yu to see if that was the case.
"A Feast has been arranged for our Guests and our Senior Leadership after the Ceremony. There will definitely be time to speak with old friends then." Xun Yu explained kindly as he noticed that Meritamen was about to arrive. Lu Su understood the look and began moving ahead as Sun Shangxiang came beside Dom and stroked Imperator.
"It's good to see you old friend." Lu Su said to Zhou Yu who was sat atop a Red Hare Horse behind Dom.
"And you friend." Zho Yu replied with a nod, a look saying that they would find time to talk later. He then looked forwards to those that were approaching whilst Sun Shangxiang waited slightly behind.
"You are looking very handsome today, but that might have something to do with your surprise. He's gorgeous isn't he." She said to him, as he leant down and kissed her on her head, feeling quite emotional for a moment. Sun Shangxiang placed her hand on Dom's leg from below him.
"You looked pretty intimidating on your snake." Dom replied to her, seeing a smile on her face at the compliment.
"Gan Ning has made me promise to not get ideas about riding in to battle on her, but she suits me well." Sun Shangxiang agreed as she kept her hand on his leg, pausing for a moment before she replied. "Thank you, I can't wait to become a queen."
Dom watched as Sun Shangxiang walked towards the Inner Gate, shaking his head at the thoughts appearing in his mind, before turning and seeing that Meritamen was looking at him with a wide teasing grin on her face as if reading his mind and embarrassing him. Beside her was Tomoe, General Tau and a man in his mid thirties that looked similar to Meritamen. Behind them were Meritamen's three original Dire Wolves, followed by a group of Ancient Egyptian Warriors.
"General Tau, it is good to see you again." Dom welcomed as he recognised the grizzled veteran, a fresh scar on the side of his face that seemed to spread from his hairline to his mouth. Whilst the veteran was scarred, everything else was the same. His armour was covered in red gems and was an impressive sight that glittered in the late morning sun.
"And you Lazarus." General Tau responded with a pleasant smile. "I remember when we first met you said you was a Mercenary Captain, I believe that you may have been misleading when you later explained you was a Lord of a small City. It is no wonder you are about to declare yourself King of your own land."
"More than misleading." The other man said as he looked around, amazement in his eyes at the different things that he was seeing. "It seems fathers decision to marry his favourite daughter was correct, even if he does complain about it on a regular basis."
"You are going to embarrass me in front of my husband Khaemweset." Meritamen laughed, punching her brother in the arm, before turning to Dom. "This is my fourth brother Khaemweset. Unlike the others who care only for War or Religion. My brother Khaemweset cares about History and the People, it seems Father has been sensible in which represenative he sent."
"Pareherwenemef wanted to come, but father sent him on campaign again with General Sidiki. Sethi also wanted to come, but Father has also sent him on a different campaign. To be honest Meritamen, most of your Brothers are currently on campaign." Khaemweset laughed, before his tone turned serious for a moment. "There has been a lot of fighting recently, we have won most of our Battles and the Kingdom is expanding. But it hasn't been without sacrifice. But we can discuss this later."
"The King has sent gifts." General Tau began after Kaemweset went silent for a moment, with even Meritamen confused by her brothers words. "He knows of the struggles of a growing Kingdom and has sent gifts to help with that. We shall discuss it later after your Coronation, it will be exciting to see."
"Thank you, it is good to see you again." Dom replied honestly, after meeting Tau on his first Battle Map, the Battle of Kadesh being a turning point for Riverside and it's future growth. Not only did it increase their population by a large number, but the arrival of Meritamen had changed not only Riverside, but Dom himself.
"It is good to see you as well, and other old friends." General Tau agreed happily as he looked towards Subutai who nodded in response, and then towards Tomoe who was on the other side of Meritamen. He paused for a second, a wide grin appearing on his face as he began to slowly start to walk, he then laughed to himself. "And Concubines!"
"Not a Concubine." Tomoe replied, almost naturally as Subutai and Meritamen both began laughing to themselves. The Egyptian Guests began heading inside, whilst Meritamen paused beside Dom for a moment, Tomoe hovering behind her.
"I love you, let's launch our Kingdom to the World and the Gods." She said excitedly, as she also began to head towards the Inner Gate. Dom watching her leave as he looked at the thousands of people that had arrived and were now setting up camp on the outside of Riverside, all coming to be watches from other Kingdoms as he declared his own.
"Come." Dom said to his guards, Xun You, Xun Yu, Zhou Yu, Crassus and Subutai. "Let's do as my dear Wife said and Launch a Kingdom."
...
Dom had travelled back through the Inner Gate on the back of Imperator, with crowds cheering him as he came through. It was a strange experience, like watching a cut scene from a game but being in it instead. He felt as if his body moved without his control as he moved through the City towards the Town Centre.
Gregorios and Hector were waiting for him, both dressed as Centurions as they helped him dismount. They both spoke to him but Dom didn't seem to hear them, he just saw the tinge of fear in Gregorios's face as he looked at the large Sabre Tooth Tiger Dom was riding. As Dom dismounted, Hector readjusted Dom's sword by his waist, before patting his armour down to make sure he was clean.
"You've got this Lord. It's been a pleasure being the guard of a Lord, but now I am a Centurion of a King." Hector said, with Dom coming to some realisation again as he looked at the smiling face of his former Guard, before looking across and seeing a similar look on the face of Gregorios.
The doors swung open, interrupting them as Dom mouthed thanks to them both. Subutai stood beside him, almost like a father about to walk his daughter down the isle, whilst his other Heroes waited behind him like an honour guard. Dom turned and looked at them, seeing they were all smiling at him, a look of pride on all of their faces. Especially the two Xun's who had made the biggest decision to join him in the early days.
"Let's go and make you King." Subutai said from beside him, the look of a proud father on his own face as Dom nodded and began walking the long path from entrance to the raised Throne at the other end of the Great Hall in the Town Centre.
He looked across the many seats as he walked, thousands of faces looking at him. He saw his Shipwright and the head of the Docks, Helena and Himilco sat on the end of one of the rows, both holding hands and smiling at him as he walked past. He saw Zanug the Lead Shephard sat beside Banas the Senior Horse Archer, the two relatives being the first outsiders to join Riverside who hadn't spawned directly from the Town Centre, bringing their whole tribe with them. Lars and Wang Shu were also there, their wives with them as they also watched on proudly, having contributed to nearly everything that had been built in Riverside.
Further down he saw Chanda the ex Concubine that he had bought from the game auction, beside Cassius the Lead Merchant who worked closely with Crassus on the many purchases they bought. Another row nearby had some of his Elite Villagers, Zenodotus was sat with Herpatya and Peruda. In front of them was Phoebe, Agnodice, Hua Xua, Hua Tou and his wife Lady Wu.
Another row had Alexander, the first Centurion of Riverside with his recently reunited wife Thalia. Beside him was Centurions Octavian, Pullo and Septimius. Other recognisable Warriors and Civilians were sat throughout, alongside many faces he didn't recognise.
The more forward rows has characters such as Lady Xu, Elder Qiao and the Qiao Sisters. Sostratus looked uncomfortable as usual, sat this time between both Hatshepsut his current boss and Ptolemy his old boss. His other Heroes all noticeable with their families, apart from some empty seats that had been left for those that were walking in behind him as part of his honour party.
The people that looked the most impressive however were in front of him. Shang Yang was dressed in his robes, looking the serious Prime Minister that he was, the whole room, even the guests that were seated on the front row to the left, looking at him with awe. Beside him were Cicero and Umako, both similarly dressed, both holding Parchments of different rites that represented the many cultures that complemented Riverside and the wider Lazarus Kingdom.
However the two that caught his eye were his wives. Meritamen was stood in front of the Wolf Carved smaller Throne, her white dress and small golden headband a sight that would make most men melt. Dom had heard tales of Cleopatra, the distant granddaughter of Ptolemy as being the most stunning Egyptian in History, but he doubted that she could compete with his own Meritamen. In front of the other throne with the Snake Carvings was Sun Shangxiang, her red dress looking like the deep flames of a hot fire. In his mind she looked like a battle angel from the tales of the Valkyries, only from the Han Dynasty and not the Vikings.
Dom walked up the stage, standing in front of his own Throne as Shang Yang came and stood beside him, clapping his hands for complete silence in the room as he began.