Across the River

Dom stood at the Docks, watching some of Helena's daughters who were fishing nearby. Tayanna and Atzi were also with them, using their returned fishing spears as they hunted along the waters edge. Gan Ning had followed Lucius's advice and let them live with Helena's family, they were still his responsibility if they betrayed them, but he was confident in their stories and hoped they would live a good life in Riverside.

"This way my Lord." One of the daughters said to him, directing him towards the small fishing boat that was moored and waiting for him. She had olive skin and dark brown eyes, with silky black hair and a slim shape. Dom had to stop himself from staring at her in her tight fitting clothes.

He gingerly climbed in to the boat, taking a gentle step by step whilst it rocked gently side to side. Once he was on the boat, he walked to the front and took a seat, there was enough room for around 4 people and equipment at a time.

Helena's daughter climbed in the boat after him and grabbed the oars that were placed inside. she held one in each arms, clicking them in to some wooden holders that were on the side of the boat.

"Let's go then." She smiled, before directing them away from the dock and rowing gently across the river. She didn't seem to be bothered or ask for her, and was quite relaxed as she directed them away from the wharf.

Dom looked down at the clear water, seeing schools of fish swimming around. He could see that the water was deep, but not too deep as he could see the mud floor and the green underwater plants that covered it.

"We have had a big increase in fish since the Dock arrived." The daughter said excitedly. "These boats are also great, if we can get a few more we could create a small fishing fleet!"

Dom smiled at her response, he felt it would be quite relaxing spending the day by the River Bank and fishing with Helena's daughters. Maybe he should choose this as a lifestyle class if being a Lord didn't work out, especially now that he had made Lucius the Mayor.

They soon reached the other side of the river, where the Hoplite Gregorios was stood waiting. He had his arms on his hips as he watched over the River and the boat that Dom was arriving in.

"Here he is." Gregorios announced jovially, "when ever you are around Lord, trouble finds me."

"I feel the same way about you." Dom laughed back, seeing a smile on Gregorios face. Gregorios lent down and grabbed Dom's hand, helping him step of the boat and on to the other side. Dom tried very hard to not fall and embarrass himself as he walked up the bank.

"We need to build a small wharf here." The daughter commented, preparing herself for the return trip. "We will keep an eye out for you, send a runner a head if you are in a rush to cross."

"Thank you for the ride." Dom shouted to her as she left, wondering why he hadn't asked her for her name.

"She's pretty isn't she." Gregorios commented as Dom stood beside him watching the girl row back.

"Yes she is, I should have asked her name." Dom lamented.

"I meant the river." Gregorios replied cheekily, "This way Lord."

Gregorios turned and Dom followed him as they headed across the open plains in front of them. The plains were covered in a thin layer of yellow grass that was hard on the feet. The sun reflected off it, making it hard to see when you looked directly down. Every few paces you could also see small white flowers that dotted the landscape of the plains.

[New Location Discovered by Player Lazarus, as the first player to enter the Plains, please name them]

"Please name then the Yellow Plains." Dom replied to the system, before looking at Gregorios, "Have I missed anything?"

"In your absence, Commander Gan Ning has directed the scouting party in a straight south direction from the river." Gregorios started. "Legionary Macro is placing markers as we go on the ground, similar to when we were in the forest."

Dom looked and saw that there was small thin wooden stakes stabbed in to the ground at similar intervals as they marched. They were easy to notice even though they were small, but due to the size a lot of them could be carried in one go.

"They seem to have some good ideas." Dom commented.

"Legionary Macro does." Gregorios replied, "I'm quite excited to learn some new skills from them, as they are from us."

In the distance they soon noticed the rest of the scout party, gathered around each other in a circle. Beyond them was the sign of trees and potentially another forest. Closest to Dom was the recognisable cape of the Spartan Leonidas and the square shield of the Legionary Macro.

"What are they gathered around?" Dom asked Gregorios as they approached.

"No idea." Gregorios replied confused, "I've been waiting for you."

Within a couple of minutes they finally caught up with the scouting party, who were in a heated discussion over something.

"We need to follow these tracks." Dom heard the Spartan Leonidas argue.

"Today's mission is to scout in this direction though." A hoplite, Leon, argued back.

"It would be better for placing the markers if we were direct." Macro the Legionary commented. "Then in future we can create crossroads and head in the other directions."

Whilst they discussed, Gan Ning had taken a step back to listen to his party share their views. He looked up and noticed Dom and Gregorios approaching.

"What are your thoughts Lord Lazarus." Gan Ning asked Dom as they arrived at the group, straight away passing on the responsibility.

"What's the situation?" Dom asked back to him.

"Leonidas, you explain please." Gan Ning commanded.

Dom and the rest of the group looked at the stubborn Spartan, waiting for him to explain. He was silent for a second before speaking his mind.

"Lord, its like this." Leonidas started, "here are some tracks from hooves, I note at least 5 different pairs and they are not in a formation."

"OK, so what does this mean?" Dom asked.

"They look like horse hooves, and they are heading in that direction." Leonidas replied, pointing towards the west. "I think that we should follow them. There are two possibilities, they are riders, which means other people. Or they are wild, which means we can catch them."

"That is a really good idea." Dom commented honestly, to see Leonidas smile and nod his head in approval. "Why are people against it?"

"The tracks are at least two days old." Leon the Hoplite replied. "And in the wrong direction to our mission. If they are walking and stopping, we may be able to catch up in the next day or so. If they are running or keep going, we could travel for days and get lost or anything."

"We are also travelling in a set direction." Legionary Macro added. "I agree that we should investigate, but we are also planning a route and scouting this direction."

"I see." Dom replied, understanding all of their opinions, before looking back at Gan Ning.

"We do need to investigate the tracks of these hooves like Leonidas said." Gan Ning started, to which Leonidas looked visibly pleased. "However, Leon and Macro make good points as well, and I do intend to scout in the south direction, especially with having to return this evening."

Both Leon and Macro nodded their heads in agreement to Gan Ning as he mentioned their points.

"It's your mission." Dom replied, "Do as you see fit, I'll just join in."

"Are you comfortable with a smaller detachment?" Gan Ning asked Dom.

"Sure if it's what you think is needed." Dom replied, planning for a gentle scouting trip and not a full on battle.

"OK lads, who has good tracking skills amongst you?" Gan Ning asked the group.

This was followed with the raised hands of Leon, Leonidas and another Spartan who had been quiet up to the point.

"Leon and Erastus, I trust you both." Gan Ning replied. "Take our emergency supplies and follow the horse tracks until you reach the point of no return on your rations. Find the location and report back what you see, do not take any risks if you see riders and head back immediately."

Both Hoplite saluted, grabbing additional rations from the other Hoplite, Leonidas and Macro who all carried a small sack on their backs with a collection of supplies for their excursion.

"If you can't trace your way back, it may be easier to head north to the river and follow it east towards Riverside." Gan Ning commented. They both nodded in agreement as they filled their sacks with additional food and spare water satchels.

"Sir!" Leonidas requested. "I found the tracks, why am I not going?"

"Because they are going on a quick moving scouting trip, with lower risk as they are told to keep their distance." Gan Ning replied, "We are heading to that unknown forest with our leader, I need my strongest men, which I believe you are?"

"I am." Leonidas replied, before continuing, "I didn't mean to question your orders. The excitement of finding the horses and this new adventure got the better of me."

"It's ok." Gan Ning replied, tapping the Spartan on the shoulder gently. "My men are my family, in a family we have many personalities. In this family I am the father, and you are all my sons. I will make the decisions and nurture you, don't be afraid to have an opinion. Just follow my instructions and do your part."

It was at this moment that Dom remembered Gan Ning's character information. One of Gan Ning's key perks was that he was a Beloved Leader, and Dom was starting to see why. In Gan Ning's scouting party, he treated everyone equally and with respect that the Warriors deserved. He could also be stern and serious when it was needed, meaning that they all showed him the respect back.

"Ok lads." Gan Ning started, "The rest of us shall continue in the original direction towards the forest beyond these plains. Leon, Erastus, happy hunting, we'll see you back at Riverside."

The two Hoplite followed the hoof tracks to the north, whilst Gan Ning, Dom, Leonidas, Legionary Macro and Hoplite Gregorios and the other two Hoplite, Dion and Cleon, headed towards the forest in the south. There were still many hours ahead of them in the day, and Dom expected an enjoyable day ahead.