Dom sat inside the car as it travelled south of Maubeuge towards Central University. Brian had informed him that the drive would take up to twelve hours to get there, depending on the route that they took. Central University was on the southern coast of the Western Kingdoms, in a picturesque City that was historically a place of high wealth, a former minor city state. After the original changes to the environment, the City had been mostly abandoned, with a large percentage of it's residents loosing their wealth. Over the last couple hundred years it had flourished again, becoming the home to the largest and most prestigious university, not only in the Western Kingdoms, but around the World. It's location had become a safe haven for most, allowing it to be kept separate from wars, either internal or external. The former wealth had returned and it was used as a central base for meetings across world leaders and their advisors.
Dom and Brian agreed that they would drive south until the late evening, before stopping off at a peaceful City on route called Turin, where they could rest for the night, doing the last couple hours of travel in the morning. Dom hadn't wanted to arrive tired, preferring his first impressions to be positive. He also didn't think it was right for Brian to have to drive such a long way direct, so they took a couple of stops on the way in towns for a short break.
Dom spent most of the drive either reading some notes that Annabel had given him, mostly about how to integrate in to the University or some base information on the classes he would be taking. His main goal was to study in the Military Tactics and Command studies, to follow in a similar path to his mother. However, he was advised that he would also need to concentrate on a wide range of advisory skills such as governance, commerce and many others. He was reluctant to be taking on such a large amount of subjects, but felt that they could be useful in World Conquest Online as well.
When he wasn't reading, or talking with Brian, he was writing some notes to prepare himself for his return to Riverside. By the time he was back online, which he hoped would be the following evening, he would have been offline for seven days, so nearly a month would have passed in World Conquest Online. His troops would have increased drastically in his absence, as would the population of his three towns. He needed to understand the scope of the northern clearing by Gan Ning and Tomyris's expedition, as well as the southern expedition by Liao Hua and Tomoe. He hoped that at least the missing town from the map would be found in the forest, as he hoped that would be the next town added to Riverside's growth. He was also excited to see how the Navy had grown, with him expecting their to be at least nine Trireme's in Riverside on his return, as well as his three Bireme.
He also missed the people within the game such as Lucius, Subutai and obviously Meritamen. He also knew that Andrew and Kai must almost be with him now, bringing with them the small mercenary force that Andrew had been growing, as well as Kai's resources from the trading he had been doing. He should have two spawns with his Heroes Hall as long as there was available space for them as well, which he needed now that his new towns were growing. The more that Riverside and it's affiliated Towns grew, the more stretched his current Civilian Heroes became.
There was also the two Golden Tokens to be used, that had so far been a huge growth opportunity for Riverside. The Battle of Kadesh had brought him a large amount of resources and the Hittite prisoners that were either civilians or part of his growing Navy, it had also brought him Meritamen who was becoming a huge asset in many ways. The Xun Family had brought him two S grade Heroes of Xun You and Xun Yu, as well as Liao Hua and a defensive General in Xun Yan. The third one had brought him a large number of bandits and five mid level Heroes who could help support his main Generals.
Eventually they finally arrived in Turin after a long day of travelling, a historic city that had survived most of the chaos of the last few hundred years. Turin had now become the entry gate to the Italian Peninsula and was a flourishing city of culture and commerce. Brian had drove them straight to a luxurious hotel, showing them his identification certificate as they passed through the gates, before heading inside and booking them both a room for the night. The city was heavily guarded by knights from the Western Kingdom, and Dom recognised some of the badges that showed the different families they represented upon the upper royal echelons.
Dom's room was the most luxurious he had seen so far, with marble flooring, a bath at the bottom of the four post bed, as well as using finely handmade fabrics for the bedding. After ordering some food from the room service, he was soon asleep, excited and nervous for the following day.
.....
The morning soon arose and Brian had drove Dom out of Turin and towards Central University. The two hours was very scenic, with affluent wealth visible the whole journey. The roads were new, with the most vehicles Dom had ever seen driving up and down them. The buildings they past were all new or if they were old, they were well renovated. Street lights covered the roads and Dom felt out of place from his origins on the Eastern border.
"We will be arriving through Upper Monte Carlo in around ten minutes." Brian informed Dom as they approached their destination. Dom was partially excited to see the city, only having heard about it and it's wealth. Central University was based to the east of Upper Monte Carlo placed near the stunning mountains with views direct to the sea beyond. Upper Monte Carlo itself was originally a refuge for those that lived in the original Monte Carlo that was lost when the first tidal wave hit. Most of the small city state had been lost, but they quickly rebuilt on higher ground, creating an even more luxurious city than it's original.
They soon entered a large winding road as they reached the coast, which took them around and through a few small mountains. Once they left the final tunnel, Dom's eyes pinged open at the view in front of him. Hundreds of Yacht's similar to Annabel's were anchored in the bay below, whilst the road split in to many smaller ones that headed up and down the steep mountain before him. Each road was full of luxurious houses and buildings, with people cycling by in clothes from luxury brands.
"We'll drive through Upper Monte Carlo and enter the mountain tunnel beyond. Central University will soon be upon us." Brian laughed, looking at Dom's wide mouth as they drove through Upper Monte Carlo. "I doubt you will get many opportunities to visit the city during your stay, as day passes are required. However, to the west is New Nice, which is an impressive place in it's own right."
"I just can't believe there is so much wealth in the world." Dom replied, "I haven't seen so many Yacht's before, or mansions either!"
"This is just a drop in the pond." Brian laughed in a friendly tone. "You would be surprised what you can find in this wide world. I once visited the Southern Empires and they have some Cities just as wealthy."
"You have been to the Southern Empires?" Dom asked intrigued, not knowing much about Brian's back story.
"I have, I have even been across the ocean to the Combined States. It's a vast world, full of wonder." Brian replied, with a hint of longing in his voice. "But, that is my story and we are here so you can progress yours. Ahead is the tunnel that will take us to Central University."
They soon had passed the last part of Upper Monte Carlo and had drove on a wide quiet road towards another tunnel, straight through a small mountain. The tunnel was wide and well lit, with no other vehicles currently traveling down it. They soon passed through and were greeted by a lush forest of tall trees, surrounding the wide road that drove through them. To the south was a picturesque view of the sea, whilst to the north, the large mountains continued in to the distance.
Dom decided now was a good time to put away his reading material and notes, folding them all in to a backpack that Brian had purchased for him in Turin whilst Dom had slept. Dom had asked to pay for it, but Brian said he would put it on Lady Annabel's expenses with a laugh.
After driving for several minutes, they came across the outer wall of Central University. It was around six metres high and made from a warm red brick. The gate was manned by twelve armed guards, with a combination of spears and swords, where as on the wall Dom was sure their would be Archers hidden.
"I am here to drop of a new student, here is my identification." Brian said to one of the guards, passing him some paperwork.
"Welcome back Mr Thorne, please drive straight through. Some of the Seniors are currently training in the outer forest, so please do not run any of them over this time if they step on the road." The Guard replied kindly, but with a tinge of fear.
"I will do my best." Brian replied with a smile. Dom wondered what story there was there, but decided it was probably best not to ask.
Brian drove the car and Dom through the gates in to another forest, the trees were much younger here than outside, but the road was just as wide and new as the others. In the distance Dom could hear the clashing of steel, after driving for a couple of minutes, Dom could see a second gate in the distance.
"This outer Forest protects the inner Central University from outside eyes. The outer Forest It is also a place where a lot of students come to train, it is a tranquil place that has been created to have a variety of flora, fauna and animals from across the globe." Brian explained as they approached the second gate, on a similarly built wall. "Many classes are held here, and many others train here in their difference expertise or hobbies."
The second gate was manned similar to the first, but beyond the wall Dom could see many white stoned buildings with pointed red roofs. Brian passed the credentials on the the guard again, who let them pass. There was only one road inside, where as pathways spread in many directions as they travelled. There were hundreds of buildings and Dom felt like he had entered a small City. The road took them up a small hill, towards a large building that reminded Dom of a Town Hall.
They passed many people walking around, from a variety of ages. The majority of the people seemed to be in their very late teens or early twenties, where as the rest seemed to be middle aged or older.
"This is where we part ways for now." Brian said kindly to Dom as they arrived, "This is the administration building, where all new students must register upon arrival. Someone from here will take you on to your next place. I wish you look and hope to see you in the future."
"Thanks Brian!" Dom exclaimed as the driver climbed out of the luxury car and opened the door of so Dom could step out. As Dom stepped out, his backpack now on his shoulder, as some of the younger residents cast an eye over him before continuing with their day.
Brian bid a final farewell, clasping Dom's hand tightly, before climbing back in to his car and driving down the rest of the road in to the distance. Dom wondered if he would see Brian again, as the driver had alluded do.