Dom awoke when the ship was rolled again by a large wave, some light finding it's way in to the cabin through the small window. Dom's sleep had been rough as Lady Annabel had warned them, the constant crash of waves constantly awakening him. He was grateful at least that he had a cabin to himself, with Stephen, Rosie and Jessica also being granted a cabin each.
He climbed out of the rocking bed, and decided to get changed in to some casual clothes that had been prepared for them before departure. After changing he headed back towards the large room where they all ate, to see if there was any breakfast available.
"Morning Dom." Stephen greeted from the table, eating some toast that had been laid in the middle of the table. His eyes were dark from a night similar to Dom's.
"Couldn't sleep?" Dom asked with a laugh.
"What is sleep?" Stephen yawned widely.
The rest of the room was empty, and Dom assumed that people were either trying to sleep longer or they were up and about.
"How do you feel about going to Central University?" Dom asked, thinking of ways to approach the subject of their future relationship.
"Honestly, I normally wouldn't have had the opportunity, so I am grateful. I had wanted to see more of the Peaks and see where I was assigned. Both my brothers have studied there." Stephen replied honestly, "But an opportunity to be a guard is highly sort for, so for me to get it so early is a huge honour."
"I didn't ask for it." Dom explained, "I didn't ask for anything, a lot of things have changed for me in the last few days."
"It's fine, it's great that we are both young and can grow up together. I can hopefully be a great asset to you, like so many of the others that have done this duty before." Stephen laughed, "Plus, I heard that I can game with you, it'll be much more fun joining you and fighting with some of your Heroes, than what ever the Peaks had originally planned for me."
Dom hadn't looked at it from Stephen's perspective so far, but he couldn't disagree. Stephen would have a great time in Riverside, with lots of opportunities as a Warrior Class Hero to learn and battle.
"Where abouts are you currently in World Conquest Online?" Dom asked, thinking it best to get him onboard earlier than later.
"I am in the centre of the south, we'll have to create a travel plan. I also need to meet up with Rosie as she is also supposed to be coming to guard you." Stephen replied, before laughing to himself, "Honestly though, it's a very strange situation."
"That it is!" Dom agreed with a laugh. "We can sort it out, it'll be nice to have some more people join my town. There is lots to be done and lot's of battles to fight."
"That is all I have ever wanted." Stephen laughed.
....
After eating and talking with Stephen for a while, letting him know a bit more about Riverside and what he could do when he arrived there. Captain Kelly had arrived, letting them know that they were nearly back at Maubeuge. Jessica and Rosie then soon joined them, also eating some toast whilst they all spoke about their plans now they were travelling to Central University together.
Jessica seemed quite excited that Rosie would be joining them, and Dom had a feeling that the intelligent and attractive woman that she was, didn't have many friends. Rosie also seemed quite enthusiastic, explaining that she had heard of Captain Stirling before and was excited to learn from him.
After around another thirty minutes, they arrived at Maubeuge. They hadn't been able to stand on top and watch this time, as the waves were still high and it wasn't worth risking their health for no reason. Dom was quite grateful to disembark when he had chance to do so though.
Once they disembarked, they headed towards the hotel where they had met a few days earlier. There were several cars parked outside, and a pair of guards stood at the entranceway. They were soon ushered inside by Captain Kelly, whilst Captain Stirling worked with some of Lady Annabel's crew to have the ship unloaded of anything that was needed.
"Dominic and Jessica will depart first, both will head directly to the Central University but by separate routes. Stephen and Rosie will follow tomorrow, following a similar plan. However they will be dropped at a nearby town, where they will then take public transport to the University." Lady Annabel explained to them, when they all sat down in the same seats from a few days earlier. "Myself and Captain Kelly will depart today as well, where as Captain Stirling will stay behind with Stephen and Rosie to give you some one on one training. Please make the most of it."
Stephen and Rosie both shared looks of excitement at their sudden opportunity. Where as Dom just thought ahead of another long day of travelling. He felt like most of his last few days was travelling, and he really couldn't wait to get back to a stable existence.
"As your mentor." Lady Annabel continued, looking towards Dom and Jessica. "I would like to speak to you both individually before we depart. Jessica if you could follow me first, Dominic I will speak with you after."
Lady Annabel then left, followed by Jessica. Leaving Dom with Stephen and Rosie. Captain Kelly had disappeared somewhere and Captain Stirling was still at The Shepherd.
"Thanks for this Dom!" Rosie said excitedly. "I think this is going to be much more enjoyable than staying at the Peaks."
"Please remember though Rosie, it will be fun, but we have a role to do." Stephen countered.
"I know!" Rosie laughed, "I still don't know why I was chosen."
"Probably all due to luck." Dom replied seriously, "We all have met previously, even if just for a couple of days. You both have different personalities and fighting styles. Also having one male and one female allows for more flexibility."
"That does make sense." Stephen agreed, "My Great Sword is meant for very different scenarios to Rosie and her Rapier. We both have lots to learn, but I always wanted to do better than my brothers."
"I am the same, I may not have been invited to the Hidden Peaks, but I want to be useful to humanity." Rosie explained, her tone more serious. "We have a lot of getting to know each other, but Stephen is right, our role is important."
"I am just a student." Dom laughed, raising his hand so he could explain. "I haven't done anything of significance, please do not pin all your hopes on my future."
"We don't have a choice, that is the dice that has been cast." Stephen laughed. "So we'll do everything within our power to help you succeed."
"Protect you, spy for you, research and go to meetings for you." Rosie continued, "be your eyes, ears and hands. But only in work ways, don't get any ideas!"
Dom and Stephen laughed as she made the joke, the tension that was building quickly dissipating. They continued to chat for a while longer, before Jessica reappeared with a small smile on her face.
"It seems I am off!" She said to the three of them, "I look forward to seeing you all in a few days, where we all pretend to be strangers for a while! Dom, Lady Annabel is waiting for you in Meeting Room Three."
"It's been nice meeting you, see you again soon!" Rosie cheerfully replied, giving Jessica an unexpected hug. Stephen also bid goodbye, as did Dom, who watched her go.
"Isn't the Lady waiting for you?" Stephen teased, reminding Dom that she was waiting for him in Meeting Room Three.
...
Annabel was sat with her legs crossed behind a round table when Dom entered the room. She had a small metal file in her hand and was shortening the nails on her right hand as he entered. She looked up and smiled, motioning for him to take a seat.
"How have you found the last few days?" She asked him openly.
"Tiring, there was a lot of travelling." He replied honestly.
"That is very true, you wouldn't really have had chance to take in the full situation at the Hundred Peaks. Normally it would be very different, but your Aunt has lots of ideas and plans and she likes to cause chaos." Annabel joked. "What are your thoughts on your long lost Aunt?"
Dom wasn't sure how to respond to this question, Annabel was his Mentor and would be a key part of his life, but his brief experience had shown him that what ever was said, didn't stay private for long.
"She is an impressive woman." Dom replied fairly, it was an honest comment and didn't reveal any of his doubts.
"She is a very impressive woman." Annabel agreed, "But, she is also extremely ambitious and has a penchant for remembering things that should be forgotten. She loves the Isles of Britainy, more than she should, her priorities are her family and her role. If the two clash, she used to be willing to sacrifice family, now I am not so sure."
"Can you tell me more about her?" Dom asked, seeing that Annabel was opening up on things that he hadn't expected.
"She, I am not sure how to word it. She has sacrificed a lot for her ideals. She believes that things have been done for the greater good. Some terrible things have been done for the greater good in history, but it doesn't mean they are correct." Annabel explained "I am very different to your Aunt, I look at the mistakes of the past and want to do better for the future. She only has you and her daughter left now though, I think she has realised the sacrifice that had been made and is now turning the other way. Her giving you guards at this stage is almost unheard off, I do worry that she may become even more protective. My advise for you is to do well and not take too many risks."
"She wants me to choose a wife." Dom blurted out, not sure why he had himself, but Annabel seemed to look at him with a raised eyebrow. "I am not sure what I have earnt and what has been gifted to me."
"A lot in your life is going to change, this was always the life you were supposed to have. Your Father married your Mother and took you away from it. Your Aunt is trying to bring you back in to the fold." Annabel replied with a reassuring smile, "I am not surprised by the Marriage situation, a lot owe her favours and this will be good for your future. Time's are changing at the moment, I believe those external pressures are pushing this move from her."
"She said something similar herself." Dom agreed. "How peace wouldn't last for long."
"Not long at all." Annabel agreed, "Stability in your personal life and strong connections will be key to your future, and worryingly your survival. This is the situation for all of us though, so don't take it too personally. Anyway, your driver Mr Thorne is waiting for you outside to take you to Central. You will be drove directly to the central office, where they will check you in and take you to the accommodation your friend has purchased. I know that you like to stay low profile, but it is time to change that."
"Thank you." Dom replied seriously, "I hope to learn a lot from you."
"I hope you do as well." She laughed, "One final thing before you depart, your mother's pension is what has supported you so far, however Camilla has unlocked your access to the Lazarus family fund, which is by right yours. You are now a wealthy person, not that you have anything you need to spend it on currently, but it may come in useful as a wedding Dowry."
Dom was shocked by this update, but before he had time to ask questions, he was ushered out of the room and towards the car park, where Brian Thorne was waiting for him with his cane.