Wheel Of Life

Mark sat on his horse pondering over the brief battle. His team were fearless, within seconds they had defeated the ambushing bandits whilst Mark had been frozen in place.

That sudden urge to defend his new friend shocked him, and he was impressed with himself that he had gained the courage to strike down Jama so fast. He also felt shocked that he didn't feel sad about Jama's death, as if it was just another thing that happened in his life.

"Wilson, why did I gain 1000 gold for killing a man?" Mark asked.

"First kill achievement, you don't get it every time!" Wilson replied. "Before you ask, Jama and the others have now re-entered the wheel of life and will probably reincarnate again in some way somewhere. For now concentrate on your mission and celebrate that you are still alive. You have chosen your team well so far."

Mark looked around, Gan Ning was wiping his blades clean whilst Tsubotai collected his arrows from the corpses.

"Make sure to search them, there may be some goodies." Gan Ning advised.

Boudica came to Mark and patted his shoulder.

"You did well Mark for your first time, let's get your spear cleaned up and make a move on." she told him. He nodded in agreement and wiped the spearhead clean, before putting it across his back.

"This one has some gold!" Tsubotai shouted as he headed back, his arrows replaced in his quiver. He soon reached Mark and handed him 15 gold coins, which was a lot of gold for most people.

"Split this between the 3 of you." Mark ordered.

"This is a lot of gold Boss, shouldn't you take it to help us grow?" Gan Ning retorted.

"No, without you I would be robbed or worse, dead. We will always split the gold, this way we all grow together." Mark replied. He soon split the coins given to him between the 3.

Tsubotai and Boudica dragged the bodies from the road in to the bushes, whilst Gan Ning searched Jama's corpse. He found some more coins that were split between the group and a rolled up scroll that he handed to Mark.

Mark looked at the scroll and decided to read it later, placing it in his saddle bag. He remounted his horse and the team soon mounted theirs.

"Let's continue on then, hopefully with less surprises this time." Mark joked.

Gan Ning led the way through the forest, this time at a much slower pace. The team constantly being aware of their surroundings. Around half an hour later the forest started to clear. The pine covered floor slowly turning to cobble and grass.

As they cleared the forest, they were greeted to long stretches of open fields that surrounded a small hill. The fields then led to a long beach that was to the rear of the hill. The hill overlooked the sea and the forest, and from the top of it you could see everything in the surrounding area clearly.

On top of the Hill was a small square fort, with a tower on each of its four corners. It was made from thick beams of wood that stood four metres high. There was also a small ditch built that surrounded the fort walls, making it difficult for any attacking forces to get a strong foothold.

They headed towards the fort from the forest, passing through the thick fields of grass. Some deer were seen running through in the distant fields. Waves could also be seen crashing against the beach in the distance. At the edge if the beach was a jetty, where a large black painted battle ship stood, anchored and waiting.

"It's a good base of operations." Boudica commented. "The only entrance to this area is either from the sea or this forest path. It is secure and peaceful enough for us to grow."

"Agreed, and we can keep our forces hidden from others" Gan Ning added.

"Lots of deer to hunt and fields for grazing." Tsubotai commented.

There was a large wooden gate with a walkway above, that greeted them as they reached the fort. On top of it two men stood, Giovanni and Eduardo.

"Welcome Mark!" Shouted Eduardo from above. "It has taken you long enough."

"Sorry, we got held up by some trouble makers on route." Mark replied.

"No worries," Eduardo replied. "The captains inside waiting. Open the gate!" He commanded.

The wooden gate creeked and m.o.a.n.e.d as it was pulled open, revealing the fort inside. Mark guided his horse in, followed by the others. As they passed under the gate, Eduardo ran down the steps to greet them.

Men were gathered around awaiting them, A Pirate stepped forward and grabbed Mark's horses reins.

"These are the captains men." Eduardo offered before any one reacted badly.

Mark nodded his head at the Pirate and slid down from the saddle. The others followed his suit and slid from their own, handing the reins to other pirates.

"Take those to the stables." Eduardo commanded, "Follow me to the headquarters, She's waiting there."

Mark followed behind Eduardo as they walked through the fort. They walked past a couple of damaged bunk houses that were in need of some repair. They also headed past a few over miscellaneous buildings and a small warehouse before reaching the headquarters building in the centre of the small fort.

The headquarters were nothing grand, a two story building that looked like a bar from a western movie. The door stoop agape and Eduardo headed straight in. Mark stood staring at the headquarters, this is the building that his plans would take place in, his starting point on his quest.

Mark entered through the doorway in to an open space, a few empty tables were dotted around, one with Captain Zheng, Edward's and Little Tai sat around waiting.

Mark headed towards them and was greeted with smiles.

"Mark, welcome to your new Fort!" Edward started. "What do you think?"

"Honestly, the location is great, the fort could do with some work, but I'm happy." he replied honestly.

"Good, good." Zheng commented, "I have high hopes for you. First things, Little Tai shall join you as per his wishes, Eduardo will join you as Little Tai's guardian. Eduardo is a loyal man and clever, if you ever need anything managing, trust in him."

"Thank you." Mark stated, nodding and smiling happening at Little Tai who smiled back.

"Secondly, the transfer of gold, give it to Edwards and he'll confirm everything with you. There are some men that have come here to try and be recruited, it seems you will be in for a busy day." She continued. "If you need any help with repairs, Eduardo can help you with that."

With that, she stood up, kissed Little Tai's head and walked out of the bar. She turned one more time to look at Mark and smiled, before disappearing from thr headquarters.

"Congratulations Mark!" Edward's stated, patting him on the shoulder. "You are now the proud owner of Ravens Peak Fort. I'll let you chat with your men, but first, gold please."

Mark handed a pouch of good across from his pocket, to which edward smiled upon receipt.

System Notification:

Congratulations on mission complete

5/5 mercenaries

1/1 base of operations

Mission Rewards

Level up - access to knew information

Level up - skill editor

New mission request active

5000 gold coins

Success! Mark exclaimed to himself. First mission completed, he had a base and a basic team!

System Notification

New quest

Recruit 50 mercenaries to your troop

5/50

Time limit 28 days.

Edward smiled at Mark, "With that I will take my leave, I hope to see you again soon. My men will leave with me, however a few will stay with you and Eduardo whilst you interview the potential recruits, make sure they return to Runetown safely."

Edward left the room, leaving Mark with Little Tai and Eduardo. Mark looked around in excitement, he had a lot of work to make this place a home, but he was excited for it.

"Not to shabby!" Gan Ning exclaimed as he enter the room, followed by Boudica and Tsubotai.

"Little Tai, Eduardo, this is Tsubotai, he is also joining us." Mark explained as they entered.

"Very well, the more the merrier." Eduardo replied. "I think firstly it's important to get this place fixed up."

"I would agree." Boudica added, "The bunkhouses need repair, the warehouse is open to the elements, we have no armory or infirmary. There is much work to do."

"I agree." Mark replied, "I would also like our own blacksmith, cooks, horse trainers and even farmers for the surrounding land."

"That's a lot of wanting." Gan Ning added.

"Those services won't come cheap." Eduardo replied.

"Gold is not an issue, we will buy people from Crassus if needs be, they will be free if they work here with us and no one will know we are freeing slaves. Eduardo, please can you get the buildings repaired, hire what ever you need to get it done. Find some stone masons to get these buildings upgraded and some armourors and blacksmiths to forge our own equipment." Mark ordered.

"Gan Ning, please head in to town and purchase additional bedding, food and basic supplies. Please head back today and on the morrow also purchase what ever human resource we may need from Crassus's market, please be sensible. Take Tsubotai with you, we will need more horses and some people to care for them. I also trust his judgement, even if he is young" He continued, thinking of how to spend his new seemingly unlimited gold supplies.

"Boudica and Little Tai, please help me with the recruitment of new men, we shall head to the warehouse and meet them now."

"Sounds like a good plan to me." Gan Ning added.

"Very well." Replied Eduardo, "When people ask me who has hired them, what should I reply?"

"Good point Eduardo!" Mark replied, "I was thinking something like...."