Dom sat on a wooden stool, with a long wooden table in front of him. The Sun was lowering in the sky and there was a very slight breeze in the air as he sat amongst those who had fought alongside him in the Naval Battle of Samos. Beside him was Artemisia, Crassus and Zhou Yu who were discussing where they could redistribute some of the Ships that they had captured when they returned home, whilst on the other side was Zhou Yu. Behind him stood Gan Ning and Sun Ce, with several Guards. The two of them were in discussion about who would take Victory first the next day, whilst also discussing the number of targets they had hit with their Ballista. As well as his two Generals, behind him was also Mardontes, who was perplexed that not only had he survived, but he was now stood amongst the Greek Forces hierarchy.

Sat near to them was Xanthippus, the older Athenian listening in as his Captain Eudoxus spoke in his ear quietly about something. Some other Captains sat on both sides of him, whilst behind him stood some others and Guards. Dom could feel Pericles who was stood there looking in his direction, but didn’t turn to match his welcoming gaze. The youth had been key in the previous battle, with his young crew working selflessly as his flanking shield.

Opposite them, eating some grapes and drinking a cup of wine, was Leotychides. The Spartan King was in high spirits, with his own entourage surrounding him. Dom recognised some as Captains from his own flank, whilst others he hadn’t seen yet during the Battle so far. The Spartan King caught eyes with Artemisia for a moment, a grin appearing on his face as he felt a level of power by having the Persian Grand Admiral on his side in the battle.

There were other tables, with naval Captain representatives from the other Allies that had fought alongside them. The Corinthian’s were sat far from those from Argos, Spyros from Chios was sat alone in pondering thought. The person who looked the happiest was Hegesistratos of Samos, having toasted them all, before ordering a lavish feast to be prepared for them in freeing his island.

Conversations would soon come to the battle tomorrow, but for now a level of peace seemed to be felt in the room compared to the usual confrontations that started between the different Greek City States that fought alongside each other against the Persians.

As Dom was about to get in to conversation with Zhou Yu about where to place their new Quinquereme after the ship was repaired and made in to another flagship for their navy, one of Dom’s Hoplite’s appeared at the table. Everyone went silent for a few seconds, whilst he made his way around the table towards Dom.

"Lord, the Northern fleet emissaries have arrived and will be here in a couple of minutes. They have a message from your friend General Kai, and have brought some surprises." The Hoplite said quickly, whilst those around waited for Dom to pass on what was happening.

"Our Allies who joined us late in the battle will be here in moments, please prepare a space for them." Dom stated, looking towards Hegesistratos who nodded in excitement and passed on the order quickly. Some Samos Servants quickly appeared and brought out more stools and space made for them on the right of Dom which was currently filled with some minor City State Captains as well as some Player Captains such as Wine Wind and GiantWrangler. Dom went to order his Hoplite to return and thank him, but Xanthippus did so instead.

"Pheidippides, it’s good to see you serving Admiral Lazarus, however please do refrain from running around so much. It’s not good for your heart." Xanthippus stated, seeing a few raised eyebrows from across the table, whilst the Athenian’s beside Xanthippus looked on in surprise.

"Thank you General, I have been warned of that myself recently from some of my fellow Warriors. Please pass on my best wishes to the family." He replied, before turning and leaving, some realisation on his face that he had appeared without a cover of his lower face like the rest of the Hoplite. Dom and his Generals realised what had happened, whilst some of the Persian Captains seemed to look in surprise and then a questioning eye at some of Dom’s other Hoplite guard. Thankfully the conversations quickly went back to normal when a group of men, a young teenager and a couple of Players that Dom recognised appeared.

Dom didn’t recognise the non players, but could guess immediately that these were the delegation from Halicarnassus that had deployed their fleet based on Artemisia’s request via Kai. Artemisia had also noticed their arrival and had stood up in surprise, a large smile forming on her face as she saw them.

"Mother." The Teenager stated, his head bowing slightly, before he turned to the rest of those seated. "King Leotychides, Admiral Xanthippus, it is an honour to meet you all."

"The Young Prince Pisindelis, welcome to our table." Leotychides replied politely, as Pisindelis bowed slightly and led his group towards the space next to Dom. Artemisia swapped seats with Crassus and sat beside her son, a proud look on her race.

"You led the fleet yourself?" She asked him quietly, looking towards her uncle with a dangerous look.

"I did mother, I raised our banners and they all came. Those from Cos, Nisyros and Calyndos all answered." He replied proudly, whilst her Uncle quickly interjected.

"He wanted to be a Warrior like his father and his mother, he has done you proud." Her Uncle stated, a slight tinge of worry in his voice as his Niece stared daggers at him, before a light smile appeared on her face.

"I am very proud of you, we must talk more later, I need to know what you have been doing since I have been gone?" She stated, noticing that the rest of the guests were looking their way.

"Our Coan allies helped us remove those that we thought had killed you." He responded seriously, before looking across to one of his Captains and nodding at him respectfully.

"Then there is a lot to discuss." She agreed, before apologising to everyone.

"There is no harm in a reunion, especially one that has brought more allies together to push back the Persians from all of our lands." Leotychides responded positively, before continuing. "Which leads me on to the important part of this get together, tomorrows land Battle at Mycale. I wonder if Admiral Lazarus has any thoughts on this as he did with our Naval Battle?"

The question would normally have been in a teasing way, but Leotychides seemed to genuinely mean what he said this time, which was out of character for him. His words caused a range of facial reactions across the table as people seemed to look at Dom in a different way. But to Leotychides it made sense, Dom had not only provided additional forces and a clear easy strategy to follow, he had also brought them more allies from the enemies side in the Halicarnassus forces.

"I do, first let me introduce Mardontes from behind me, Admiral of the Persian fleet. After our ships came together, he surrendered and became an aid in helping us reduce our and our Persian captives losses. He had some information on Mycale that should outline the coming battle for us." Dom began, as Mardontes nodded in response to the shocked response from those around at the sight of the captured enemy Admiral. "I was also hoping that our allies from Halicarnassus could provide us with some more in depth geographical information, as Mycale is only a few days ride to their north."

"And only a few hours by ship." Artemisia’s Uncle responded, "I have hunted in the mountains before and know the Geography well."

There was some looks of encouragement on the different Captains faces, and Leotychides had a slight grin appearing on his face that seemed to show his own confidence that this would be a victory that could cement his own name in History, like Leonidas had done so at Thermopylae. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Mardontes, please can you begin. We have our own information, but it would be great to hear from you first if you do not mind." Dom requested, his tone fair but there was an underlying note in his tone to remind him that he was surrounded by the Greek Alliance Commanders.

"We originally planned to retreat to the Ionian City of Priene, however the Ionian’s recommended repurposing an old Fort on Mount Mycale. We are aware that the Ionian’s aren’t fully loyal to us and may switch sides based on information from our new allies that arrived." Mardontes began, as everyone listened to him seriously. "Whilst half of the fleet came to meet you in battle to slow you down and inflict damage, the rest retreated and has fortified a strong position on the mountain. The new allies brought some interesting Warriors that come with a variety of skills we do not have, meaning that the Battle will be deadly."

"How deadly?" Xanthippus asked from beside them as he listened intently.

"Originally we would have defended the Fort and pushed you back, it would have been a tight battle but we were confident. However, now I believe there will be traps around the mountain and that our chances, even with lower numbers are higher, as we have a stronger level of Warriors compared to before." Mardontes explained honestly.

"Compared to my men, I am doubtful." Leotychides laughed, with his fellow Spartans staring at Mardontes with threatening stares.

"Explain the characteristics to my men afterwards and we will see how we can counter them." Dom commented, "Amongst our own forces are a variety of different Warriors who may be able to counter them. Especially traps, I have a small unit that are exceptional at laying traps themselves."

"I will see that it is done." He replied honestly, as Xanthippus and Leotychides looked at Dom with some relief that he had this in control. Dom himself was thinking that Zhou Yu would come up with a plan as his Strategist sat beside him in thought.

"The key issue is if Prince Masistes or Artaÿntes have dealt with the Ionian’s. Masistes is the joint Grand Commander alongside Mardonius, however he hasn’t been involved in many of the Battles. He is the Brother of King Xerxes and has a lot of power, however Artaÿntes is more of a coward and may refrain from pushing forwards in removing the Ionian’s." Mardontes continued.

"If the Ionian’s have not yet revolted, then we need to get them to do so. If they have been attacked by the Persian’s in advance of their revolt, then the Persian’s would have suffered losses and that is in our favour." Xanthippus stated, with the nods of heads around the table in agreement. Artemisia’s Uncle went next when Mardontes paused for any questions.

"Mycale is to the east of us, if you cross the hill beside us, you will see the mountain in the distance across the Aegean Sea. One of my ships has already scouted the area and the Persian’s have placed most of their fleet to the north of Mycale and directly east of us. To the east of Mycale, as Mardontes has put forwards, is the City of Priene. Priene is an Ionian City and they are definitely not loyal to the Persian’s." Artemisia’s Uncle began as the key Geography of the battleground was discussed. "As well as the Bay to the north of Mycale where the enemy fleet is placed, there is also a more secluded bay to the south. The land to the west starts with a sandy beach, and then from the shore it is straight in to the foothills of the mountain itself, the land to the east is more uneven terrain. Their is also a hidden path to the south, wide enough for a couple of men, but it’s dangerous terrain and is mostly unknown. I am only aware of it as I have hunted there in the past with my brothers."