บท 89: A King's Banquet Part 2
Dom sat in disbelief at what had just happened, if it wasn't for the fact that this was a game, Dom would have probably broken down in tears. He had finally had a drink of beer, which was not like what he was expecting, and now he had gained a potential wife in Meritamen.
King Rameses II was laughing with his sons as the music continued to play and the dancers began dancing again. Conversation between the Generals and Commanders also began and the room settled in to a relaxed atmosphere as the Riverside group sat there in shock.
"Well, at least we arrived at a peaceful conclusion." Subutai stated, "We are getting a few cart loads of seeds, The Hittite warriors under Uriah that surrendered and a Queen."
"He's not a King yet, so she would be a Lady." Tomoe commented, "But it's definitely a good start, maybe they'll stop calling me a concubine now."
"If they continued, you would be at a lower station than her and she could command you." Subutai teased.
"I am not having that!" Tomoe replied angrily, "Lord Lazarus, you need to marry me as well."
Dom looked up at her in shock, confusion and utter in disbelief. He was about to respond when Tomoe and Subutai both burst out in to laughter, with Subutai patting him on the back as he did.
"Wow you are easy to tease at times." Subutai commented, "Let's get this meal done with and we can gather our things, this should be mission complete now I hope."
"I suppose we need to wait for Lady Meritamen before we do anything." Tomoe stated, "I just want to get home, I'm starting to miss the company of Tomyris and Gan Ning, you two just aren't as fun."
"I take that as a personal insult." Subutai replied seriously, before laughing again. He then turned back to Dom and continued, "In all seriousness Lord, when will this quest be completed?"
"I thought it would be when we captured the palace." Dom replied seriously, "That should have ended the battle and therefore completed the quest, but something is obviously outstanding that we haven't resolved yet."
"I asked Leonidas, Cleombrotus and Banas to keep their eyes out." Subutai stated, "Ideally when we return to our camp later they will have gathered us as much data as possible."
Dom grabbed a bunch of grapes from a central plate of fruit that was between him and the commanders that sat opposite him. He plucked one of the grapes and took a large bite, having to remove the small seeds that were inside it as he did. It was juicy and the flavour was very different to the grapes he would normally have eaten.
General Tau leaned over from his seat beside Subutai with a smile on his face, he had drank a few cups of beer at this point and seemed to be his more relaxed self rather than he was earlier when the King was being more serious.
"A fantastic victory today." General Tau commented, "Meeting your small group by the Oasis must be one of the best moments of luck I have ever had. It's a shame your Kingdom is not closer, we could fight beside each other much more in the future."
"That would have been a great honour." Dom replied, he had began to grow fond of the Egyptians and even though they had their quirks, their hearts were in the right place.
"To think that the King would give you one of his favourite daughters as a bride, it's a huge honour." General Tau continued, "Not even his greatest generals get that honour."
"He often marries them himself." Abubakar commented from the side. Causing both Tomoe and Subutai to look across at him in shock.
"You can't be serious?" Tomoe said across to them.
"Oh yes I am, Lady Concubine." Abubakar replied to her, causing her face to have a slight flash of anger cross it. "The King is the son of a god, and so his children are the grandchildren of a god. They must keep their lines clean of any dirty blood like ours, so they marry their children and their siblings together. They will only marry outside of that if it is for alliances or political gains. A huge honour for anyone."
As they talked, King Rameses had stood up for his chair, causing the crowd to quieten again. He raised his cup and looked down at the table.
"General's, Commanders, Guests and new Friends. Thank you for joining me in our celebratory feast, we have drank well, the entertainment has been good, and soon we shall depart and rest well before we return to our homes. I shall leave my Son Pareherwenemef here in Kadesh as the temporary Governor, with General Sidiki and the Amun as his guard. The surrendered Hittite soldiers will return with me to Egypt, they are more than welcome to relocate their families." King Rameses announced, "Before that though, we have two concluding gifts. First I must introduce introduce my daughter Meritamen."
Suddenly a beautifully shaped woman entered the Palace from the open outside. She was slim with a dark complexion and had shapely hips and long legs. Her eyes were very dark and so deep that you could get lost in them, whilst her nose was strong and her lips small. She had long black hair that reached down her back and wore a stunning golden lined white dress that fit her tightly. Below her neck was a silver necklace that thick and reached down to the top of her breasts, whilst on her head she wore a matching headband with the image of a snake's end of it. Her arms were exposed from the shoulder and were covered in golden bangles.
As she entered the whole room went silent, and even Tomoe who was famed for her beauty held her tongue at the site of the woman entering. She was followed by two maidservants who kept their heads low and flanked by ten guards, five on each side.
"Princess Meritamen of Egypt." King Rameses grinned as she entered, "Almost as beautiful as her mother."
"Thank you father." She replied with a slight bow, her voice gentle and soothing.
"Lord Lazarus, you may be wondering why she has suddenly appeared." King Rameses continued, "I always make sure to keep my favourites with me when I travel. Daughter, please meet your husband."
"Husband?" She asked in shock, her gentle voice cracking.
"Yes." King Rameses smiled back, pointing towards Dom and the Riverside group. "Your union will bring our two kingdoms closer and make us stronger allies, rather than potential foes in the future."
Meritamen looked at Dom as she walked towards him, flanked by her guards and maidservants. Her eyes pierced in to Dom and he struggled to turn away from her stare. He felt that she was looking directly in to his soul and that any secrets he may have could all be seen by her. She tilted her head as she approached and a small smile appeared on her face.
"I think that my future husband is very handsome and has lots of potential." She stated, before coming to a stop behind Dom's chair and giving him a gentle bow. Dom didn't know how to react and was stumped for words.
"Ha!" King Rameses replied happily, "I knew I had chosen well. Guards bring my daughter a seat, everyone move down so she can sit beside her husband."
Dom wanted to argue back that they had not yet gotten married, but thought better of it as Subutai was moved down a chair and Meritamen was suddenly sat beside him. The Commanders opposite him all looked at him in jealousy and shock as he was sat between two of the most beautiful women any of them had ever seen.
"Well, whilst we let the new couple talk, I have the second of my concluding gifts to give." King Rameses continued, "Guards, please bring in my special guest."
One of the King's Guards that was near the forum entrance left, causing everyone to look at the doors, hoping that someone similar to Meritamen entered and someone else may be able to marry one of the King's daughters. But soon the faces changed, especially of those that were surrendered Hittites.
In was dragged a bound man, he had dark skin and a long beard. He was wearing tattered remains of fine fabric and damaged armour. He had blood stains on his clothes and his face was full of anger.
"You are an upstart youth with no baring of your great father!" The Man shouted as he saw King Rameses at the front of the table.
"Welcome to our special guest. King Mutawalli II of the Hittite Empire!" King Rameses introduced, causing loud gasps from those who were not aware of the man. "Please give him a warm welcome."
"Your father King Seti was a great man, he would be disappointed that his son hasn't followed in his footsteps or agreements." Mutawalli spat angrily.
"I was going to be civil, but I have changed my mind." Rameses responded, "Guards, pass me a sword."
One of the Kings Guards pulled his sword free from his scabbard and passed it to King Rameses, who took the blade and gave it a short swing in the air to test it's weight. Dom noted that the sword was made from bronze and was not to the quality of his own weapons that he had.
"Do what you must." Mutawalli spat, "But be aware that my sons will have revenge on you and your kingdom."
"I'd love to see them try." Rameses teased, before heading over to Mutawalli that had been bent over, his neck outstretched as Rameses swung the sword down between Mutawalli's neck and head. The Sword unfortunately didn't cut through cleanly and instead had just cut through Mutawalli's neck bone. It was obvious that he should be dead, but their was obvious pain on his face as blood streamed loose and his eyes bulged. Rameses lifted the blade and swung it down again, finally separating the head from the body in a less than glamourous way.
Rameses passed the sword back to his Guard, before heading back to his seat and sitting down. He raised his cup of beer and smiled at his two sons.
"And with that, the Battle of Kadesh is won!" Kind Rameses announced, which was followed by a loud cheer from his Egyptian Commanders and Generals.
[Special Quest Map Complete]
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