Oasis Part 1

Dom turned to Subutai for the answer, he knew he wanted one of these horses, but really he should let his most senior military person make the decision. Actually regardless, he would have one of those horses.

"Commanders, the Lords Guard and the Spartans." Subutai said simply. "Those should take priority for the horse."

"Success!" Gan Ning exclaimed, a big grin on his face, "I get a beautiful Red Horse!"

"I think you would have claimed one regardless." Dom mumbled.

"That sounds like a good arrangement." Lucius agreed. "Unless we get another cavalry unit in the future, then we may need to reposition them."

"Of course, then we may need to make changes." Subutai agreed, patting on the side of one of the horses. "I'd be more than happy if we had more cavalry units."

"Maybe not for now, but I have a thought." Dom said, "I think all of the commanders should have their own guard, like a general's guard."

"I have been thinking the same." Subutai stated, "A flag bearer and a number of guards depending on their rank and the growth of Riverside. For now the Spartan's are the best choice for this role as well."

"Let's leave this for another week, as our numbers would have more than doubled by then, if not trebled." Lucius responded. "But I agree, a commanders guard would be ideal."

"I don't really need a guard." Gan Ning responded, "But it is the normal thing for senior commanders."

"Right, now we have this over with, are we ready?" Lucius asked with a smile.

"We are, let's head back to the Town Hall and I'll launch the quest." Dom replied.

Dom stood in front of the Heroes Hall with his Heroes in front of him, three columns of Warriors stood behind him in the three directions. Horse Archers and Lancers to his left, Hoplite and Spartans to his rear and Legionnaires and some of the Shang Swordsmen from Tongpai Town to the right.

"System, please use Golden Token." Dom requested.

[Using Golden Token.....Rolling for Special Quest Map]

Dom stood in anticipation as he waited, wondering what type of quest it would be and how many people he would be taking with him. He hadn't heard of a Special Quest Map on the game yet, and he wasn't sure what he should expect from it either. He hoped it would be Military based as that was their current strength, however he did have the ace that was Shang Yang.

[Special Quest Map has been decided: Battle of Kadesh

In 1274 BC, Ramses II of Egypt fought against against Muwatalli II of the Hittites. Around 20,000 Egyptian Warriors and their Egyptian allies, built mainly of Chariots, Archers, Lancers and Infantry stood on one side. The Egyptian army was split in to four battalions named after their gods; Ra, Amun, Ptah, Seth. They fought against 27,000 Hittites and their allies, made up of over twenty states and a variety of units.

The battle was fought around the area of Kadesh, a dry area with a small oasis and a small city. It was a key location that separated the southern Egypt with the north. The Egyptian's occupied the West to the North, where as the Hittites, unaware to the Egyptians, occupied the East to the South.

Historically there were three battles fought, the Egyptians won one, whilst the Hittites won two. This lead to the conclusion being that the Hittites won the Battle of Kadesh. This lead to a long term peace deal with the Egyptians, creating boundaries that lasted generations.]

"Interesting!" Dom exclaimed, grateful that it was a military map, but unsure on what the next steps were.

[Please choose, Hittites or Egyptian?

You have five minutes to decide, you will then be given the quest.]

"Is anyone aware of the Battle of Kadesh?" Dom asked the group, hoping someone would have some knowledge on it. What he was greeted with however was blank faces. So Dom continued, "It is a battle between the Egyptians and the Hittites in 1274BC."

"I'm aware of Egyptians." Tomyris commented, "however I am unaware of this battle, that is a long, long time ago."

"I'm also aware of Egyptians, but as Tomyris said, this is a long time ago in a place far away." Lucius replied.

"Well we have a choice." Dom continued, "We join the Hittites or the Egyptians."

"Do we have any more information?" Lucius asked.

"There were three battles fought in total, the Egyptians lost the war but there was a peace overall afterwards." Dom replied, "The Egyptians had the north and west flanks, whilst the Hittites the south and east, but the Egyptians didn't know the location of the Hittites, the Hittites did however know the location of the Egyptians."

"It's a shame we don't have an Egyptian amongst us." Gan Ning mumbled, "Are any of the villagers?"

"We won't have time to find out." Dom replied, "We have five minutes."

"Do we have any idea of the Military in use?" Subutai asked.

"The Egyptians are mainly Lancers, Chariots and Archers with Infantry, the Hittites are a mixture." Dom replied.

"Let's join the Egyptians then." Subutai commented with a nod, looking deep in thought. "A harder battle means better rewards."

"I agree." Lucius stated seriously, "We also have information of the Hittites location that the Egyptians didn't have, and we know there could be up to three battles."

"Anyone else have an opinion?" Dom asked.

"As long as I'm coming, I don't mind." Tomoe replied with a grin, grabbing her Naginata that was resting against the wall, where as Shang Yang just listened carefully, his hand on his chin.

"System, we choose Egyptian." Dom replied.

[Egyptian force has been chosen.....

You will be joining the Battle on the side of the Egyptians as a Mercenary Group from Riverside. You will be able to take with you twenty four companions. You have five minutes to select.]

Dom listened to the system as it outlined the little information it was providing him, and had a quick think on what he thought would be the best options. As a mercenary group, they needed to provide a strong front that could add value to the battle. The limited number also meant that they had to take elites.

"We will be joining the battle on the side of the Egyptians, as a group of Mercenaries. All together we can send twenty five people." Dom commented, "I take up one slot, so we need to decide on the other twenty four."

"Cavalry will be the best option if we want to prove our value." Shang Yang finally said, "If you join with all infantry, the Egyptian force would use you as front line troops. If you arrive with Cavalry, it shows wealth and you can be at least an important force at the table. We also have better armour and weaponry than they will have, so ideally we'll be the strongest unit and will get the privileges that come with that."

"I agree with Advisor Shang Yang." Subutai commented, "We have eight Lancers, so they should go, and the rest should be horse archers."

"We also need to decide which Commanders are going to add additional strength." Gan Ning said.

"I am going." Tomoe declared, which no one disagreed with as she was the heaviest armoured of them all and would be deadly on the back of a Red Hare.

"I will also go." Subutai declared. "I am adept at warfare and can support from a strategic perspective."

"I am uncomfortable with more Commanders going than that." Lucius interrupted before Gan Ning and Tomyris could comment. "We also have worries at home to look after, I'm sorry Gan Ning and Tomyris, you have been here the longest and I could see your excitement."

"It's fine." Tomyris grumbled, "Just make sure we go next time."

"In that case, Tomyris will look over her and Tomoe's areas, where as Gan Ning will look over his and mine." Subutai stated.

"OK, so that means we are taking myself, Tomoe, Subutai, eight Lancers and fourteen Horse Archers?" Dom stated, about to confirm with the System as their time was getting shorter.

"No." Subutai said quickly, "Let's also take two Spartans as your guards on this, having five Red Hare horses will be an intimidating sight compared to anything they will have. Take Leonidas and his brother Cleombrotus."

"Very well. Arrange the troops please." Dom ordered, as Subutai shouted over to Banas to get her best people to step forwards. She quickly arranged it and the eight Lancers on their armoured Steppe Horses paced forwards, whilst twelve Horse Archers with their composite bows followed, with Banas at the lead of the Archers.

From the other side Leonidas and Cleombrotus appeared on the back of two partially armoured Red Hare that had been prepared earlier by the Blacksmiths and Weavers. They led an additional three horses which were for Dom, Tomoe and Subutai.

"System, We are ready." Dom said excitedly.

[Unit selected - Mercenaries of Riverside are ready to depart. Please see following optional quests, there are also potential hidden quests.]

[Quest 1 - Win the Battle

In history the Egyptians lost and this stemmed their growth in to the north, win this Battle and change the tide of history.]

[Quest 2 - Have at least 80% of the Egyptian force alive at the end of the Battle

In history over a quarter of the Egyptians died, with many more severely injured. This reduced the Egyptians fighting strength in the future. Use your tactics to change this.]

[Quest 3 - Prestige

Win fame and glory for Riverside during the battle, growing the prestige of your military force.]

As Dom finished reading the quests, a large ring of light appeared in front of him. The ring was large enough to fit through both Man and Beast. On the other side of the ring, Dom could see a beautiful oasis with palm trees and shrubbery surrounding it.

"Are we going through there then?" Leonidas said as he helped Dom mount his Red Hare.

"We are." Dom responded, "Warriors of Riverside, on me!"

Dom trotted forwards and entered the portal, followed by his two Commanders, two Guards and twenty Cavalry.