World Conquest Online

The dinner had continued for a while, with the lavish food, a selection of the finest produce grown and bred in the Kingdom, having been cooked by the best Chef’s in the Kingdom, slowly disappearing. As the food disappeared, so did the drinks from Peruda’s brewery or the Winery in Tranquillity that had been provided for the meal, watered down to an acceptable level.

The whole Kingdom would be celebrating, with the Tavern’s and Market’s busy with the whole range of Citizens that filled the Kingdom. Whilst the Military that guarded the Kingdom on the Borders and within would alternate their celebrations over the coming week, the Junior Military Heroes having been instructed to stay on guard regardless of the situation.

Subutai had throughout the evening informed Xun You, Zhou Yu and Ling Tong about the situation on the borders of Eruthros, with the three of them all having orders dispatched. Xun You had sent orders to the Southern Tiger Army that Qin Ming was currently overseeing whilst Tomoe, Zhao Yun and Liao Hua were all at the feast in Riverside. Qin Ming was ordered to dispatch a portion of the Cavalry to Eurhtros. Zhou Yu had ordered for some of the new Trireme to join Ling Tong’s fleet, whilst Ling Tong would send them West in the morning to scout ahead.

Dom had spoken to most of his Heroes, who seemed in high spirits, especially Gan Ning who was currently hugging Sun Ce as they sang together in a corner. A Zither was being played by one of the entertainers from the Tavern. Andrew was also with them, the alcohol consumption hitting him as he swayed along with them. There were several professional dancers also dancing with them, a recent slave purchase from Crassus who had been freed and had continued with their work but with pay and their own home. Kai was sat nearby with Astrid, both having a conversation about reality after discovering Astrid was based in the north of the Western Kingdoms.

Liao Hua, Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong were currently arm wrestling with their guest General Tau, as well as the San Chieftain Kung. Tomoe was sat watching them, shaking her head as she knew she could beat them, but Tomyris was holding her back and trying to persuade her to go and dance near Gan Ning and Sun Ce. Tomyris had also tried to hold back Centurion Banas who had been invited, but she had no luck and the Centurion was now showing the men that she was stronger than most of them, but definitely not Huang Zhong.

A smile was on Dom’s face as he watched Hatshepsut, Lucius, Crassus and Artemisia all talk with each other on a secluded table, the two new couples seemingly on a double date during Dom’s coronation. Hatshepsut’s daughter Neferure was watching with Caeso, the son of Lucius. Dom wondered what the two would be thinking as their two parents cuddled up close together, drinking wine.

"Lazarus, do you mind if I speak to you alone for a moment." Khaemweset asked Dom, snapping him out of his current trance as he watched the people in the room enjoy themselves. The Top table had seemingly emptied, Sun Shangxiang was speaking with the Qiao Sisters, whilst Meritamen was being the excellent host that she was, as she travelled around the room to talk to different people.

"Of course Khaemweset." Dom replied to his brother in law, an Egyptian Prince who he knew very little about.

"Before your arrival at the Battle of Kadesh, my father had strange dreams. Dreams of Victory at the hands of a stranger. Then you arrived and we won, seemingly easier than we should have." Khaemweset began, putting his hand up to halt Dom who was about to say something in response. "Soon after your arrival, my father handed over his favourite daughter to this stranger due to the Dream he had. It seems that it was the right decision, my sister is happy. Whilst my father rues her loss, he’ll be content when I tell him that not only is she a Queen, but she is with child."

"She was born to be a Queen." Dom replied as he watched his first wife, the bump more visible than it was days earlier.

"She was, but I feel her true path here is better than the one she had laid out for her in history." Khaemweset smiled, seemingly knowing more than he had let on. "I am my father’s fourth son, supposedly remembered as the first Egyptologist, a historian of my own people. We are the the Nineteenth Dynasty did you know? Nineteenth! I believe there were Thirty One Dynasties in total, over thousands of years. I know this because I have visitors to our Kingdom that have done some research for me. After you left, seemingly so did we."

"So you are here?" Dom asked Khaemweset, a slight sweat at the thought that Rameses II was on the same map as him.

"My father has that effect." Khaemweset laughed, seeing Dom tense up slightly. "Do not worry, I doubt we will ever meet on the land itself. Vast distance separates us, almost as if we are in the same world but different ones at the same time. My father is grateful though, his Kingdom came with him, as did his victory. Our palaces that my mother resides in, through to the Temples and Pyramids, the lush lakes and the rivers. After hearing about our supposed history, brothers are alive now that should be dead. Where as some brothers did not arrive with us at all."

"Meritamen will be happy to know her family is safe." Dom replied as Khaemweset paused for a moment as he looked around the room.

"I suspect some of my Siblings are like some of your Generals, arriving in different places to help other Lords. My father will be proud if they are as successful as Meritamen has been. I suspect he planted her with ulterior motives, but seeing her today I can tell she is loyal to you first and foremost." Khaemweset continued, a genuine smile on his face, before it dropped slightly. "But I do need some help. Whilst most of my brothers and sisters have come with us, there has been two issues. Frustratingly, just like his fate had always promised, my eldest brother Amunherkhepeshef died in Battle soon after our arrival, taking a mace to the face in the subjection of one of our new neighbours. A Tribe of savages my father called them, but whilst the loss of my brother was tough, they suffered for it."

"I am sorry for your loss." Dom replied honestly, knowing that Meritamen would be sad when she heard the news. Amunherkhepeshef wasn’t a fan of Dom, but Dom wasn’t aware of that.

"It was his fate, from what I know, the fate of most of us is similar, if not by a mace to the face." Khaemweset smiled sadly, "I haven’t shared all of this knowledge with my siblings, or they will become too engrossed in fighting against fate, rather than protecting and growing our Kingdom. My role is to prepare us and my younger brother Merneptah who will eventually succeed us all. My father is aware, but I always expect he knows everything before I even tell him."

"A lot have fates have changed since arriving here." Dom put forwards, knowing that some of his own warriors and Generals should be dead if it was history.

"My second oldest brother Ramesses is now the Crown Prince and is leading armies to the north, whilst my third brother Pareherwenemef is continuing to subjugate to our east." Khaemweset continued, putting the conversation back on track, before looking around the room for a moment to make sure no one was listening. "He isn’t fighting against men created by any of our gods though, strange beasts who act like men but are not. My sister mentioned you have fought beasts of your own and I wanted to compare."

"We have discovered two: The skeletons of large tusk like men that we found in underground cities that had been closed for a very long time. The second were thin, dark creatures that fought with no fear and fed on the flesh of men. We have bodies of both stored away." Dom replied as Khaemweset listened to him, "I do not know how long you are staying for, but I can have our Doctor show you tomorrow morning."

"We are here for two days, so that would be great. I doubt I will have time to visit these underground cities on my visit, which is a shame as I expect there is a lot I can learn." Khaemweset said with a sigh, before continuing. "Neither description sounds like what we are fighting though, their skin is red and their foreheads protrude. They fight unclothed and also seem to have no fear, they mainly fight with throwing spears, but my brother says that they seem to never end. His army has learnt new tactics from some of the forces we have incorporated and our mobility and new heavy defence units are to our advantage, but it is worrying regardless."

"Is that how your eldest brother died?" Dom asked him as Khaemweset explained this new type of humans that they hadn’t met yet.

"No, he died against another man, as any warrior should. Men in animal skins who thought with clubs, maces and other blunt objects. They lived in a thick jungle and ambushed us, but we had enough Hittite’s to send in advance and draw them out. Amunherkhepeshef was no fool, but his military knowledge wasn’t as good as my other elder brothers and he didn’t achieve the victory he so wanted." Khaemweset explained, before changing the conversation again. "If you can tell my sister about her brother, I would rather not be the one that makes her cry. If tomorrow you can allow me to inspect the remains of the other creatures you have discovered and allow me to see any artifacts you have, that will be enough."

"I will see to it." Dom replied, as he looked at Meritamen who was talking to Sun Shangxiang and the Sun guests, she seemed to know he was looking and turned towards him, giving him a loving smile. He knew she would be upset at the loss of one of her siblings. "Depending on how long you need, there may be opportunity to visit the closest underground city."

"We shall see tomorrow. Regardless, my father has sent you gifts in honour of you becoming a fellow King." Khaemweset laughed reassuringly. "He has sent you the gift of five hundred of our captive family units. This should be close to two thousand people, some of them are wild and untamed, but population is always key to a new Kingdom. In all honesty, I also do not have the time to incorporate them safely. There are also one thousand slaves, men to hold fans and keep you cool, men to carry your carriages, women to wash you when you bathe and warm your bed. You could even arm them and send them to draw out your enemies. Father also paused the execution on Meritamen’s guards and servants, so they have also arrived to be reunited with their master. General Tau has also provided you with one thousand men, they are loyal warriors who are in need of some training and new direction."

Dom listened and whilst he was surprised by the size of Rameses gift to him and Meritamen, he could also sense a level of teasing behind it. He had sent Civilians who were not newly incorporated and were either deemed not useful or were being disruptive enough that it was easier to lose them and Warriors that would be loyal to Meritamen but were also either aged, young or in need of discipline. The gift that Rameses had actually sent was the one thousand slaves, which whilst Dom didn’t agree with slavery, could see were the genuine gifts behind the troublesome projects.

"I see that you understand." Khaemweset smiled as if reading Dom’s thoughts, before standing up. Dom hadn’t noticed it before, but whilst Khaemweset was clearly the philosopher and historian, he was also an exceptional warrior in his own right. "I will leave you and spend time with my sister, I will not mention Amunherkhepeshef, please tell her when we leave."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!