Chapter 88: A King's Banquet
Dom was sat at a large long table in the forum of the small palace. Bodies have been cleared away and the beauty of the forum was starting to come to life. There were stunning collections of potted flowers that surrounded the edges of the room, whilst the floor was an elegant mosaic pattern. The room was warm but because of the material used the floor was still cool on Dom's feet as he sat in the wooden chair that had been provided for him.
Beside him sat Subutai on his left, with Tomoe on his right. They were both clean and their armour had been wiped down from the earlier battles. Further to his left, beside Subutai were Abubakar and General Tau who were also cleaned from the battle earlier. Abubakar was sat on a stool rather than a chair and some of General Tau's other commanders were sat nearby also on stools and Dom felt that this was probably the most senior meeting he'd be involved in before.
Around them sat many other senior Egyptian men, all clad in their battle armours, as well as a couple of similarly dressed Hittites, including Uriah that had surrendered to Dom earlier on. A handful were on chairs, but the majority on stools. The Hittites were sat together on the opposite side of the table to Dom, with many other Egyptian Commanders around them. At the head of the table sat King Rameses II on a raised seat, beside him was Prince Sethi who had fought alongside Dom earlier, and another man who Dom assumed was another of the King's many sons.
The table was covered in food, with a large amount of vegetables and fruits across it. There were several pots placed across which were a mixture of either a fish or a lamb stew, with the fish being caught from the nearby river. There were also bouquets of Lilies of varying colours that were placed across the table.
The drinks were mainly a watered down beer, which Dom was looking forward to tasting as he hadn't had much opportunities to drink alcohol in his life. The room also smelt very fragrant as flower scented fat was burnt in nearby burners that flooded the room with a gentle smoke.
Surrounding them all were a small collection of King Rameses II's Elite Guards, who patrolled the forum and made sure that primarily their King was safe, and secondarily so where the guests. There were also some exotic dancers that had followed with the baggage train, they wore silk garments and span and danced to the sound of harps, drums and tambourines.
"Enjoying the food Lord Lazarus?" King Rameses asked from the top of the table, causing all conversation to stop as the King had began to speak.
"I am your highness." Dom replied, "There are some very enjoyable exotic foods here to taste, however I suspect this is mediocre in comparison to what you normally dine on."
"Ha." King Rameses replied with a laugh, "I do agree, it tastes good, but compared to my usual cuisine it is missing a bit. Unfortunately my Queen wanted to keep the best cooks with her!"
Dom smiled and raised his cup of beer towards the King in gratitude and took a sip, the beer was much thicker than he imagined, full of grains and other strange flavours. The King returned his gesture and took a sip of his own. The guests all watched the exchange silently, whilst the music continued to play in the background.
"Everyone at this table would say that I won this battle." King Rameses continued, "But I know, as do my Generals that it was your tactics that won the day. Would you agree?"
Everyone looked at King Rameses II in shock, very rarely would he praise anyone but himself, he portrayed himself as the son of the gods, and therefore no one could compare to him and must all be subservient to his glory. For him to praise someone at this level was almost unheard off.
"I think it was a combination of factors that won the day." Dom replied, "I can also not take credit for all of the tactics as my Commanders, as well as yours, had a big involvement in that. I would say that it is with your foresight that we went ahead with these tactics, so you should take the credit."
"You are a smart man Lord Lazarus of Riverside." King Rameses replied. "We have conquered Kadesh and now feast in it's palace halls. The enemy warriors have either been captured, killed or fled. This land is now ours and the might of Egypt can shine down on these people as if they were my own."
"To his highness!" General Tau commented loudly, picking up a cup of beer and raising it, trying to move on the conversation for his new friends.
"To his highness!" The other Generals and Commanders repeated, raising theirs.
"Of course, to your highness!" King Rameses agreed whilst staring at General Tau until the General turned away. King Rameses took a sip of his own before continuing, "However, Lord Lazarus, it seems that some of these Hittite's had decided to surrender to you and Riverside, and not my Egypt. Is that correct?"
Dom felt that the atmosphere was changing and knew that he had to take control of the conversation before things turned hostile. He could feel that Tomoe was getting frustrated beside him, and from the corner of his eye he could see that whilst she maintained a straight look on her beautiful face, her eye closest to him had a slight twitch. He didn't dare turn to look at Subutai as he didn't wish to show weakness.
"That is correct." Dom replied, "They are the reward that we are taking for our contribution to the Battle of Kadesh. Having them surrender and help us secure the palace that we all eat in now reduced casualties on all sides."
"But these are now my people, so how can I just give them to you?" King Rameses asked with an intent look, as if Dom had just stolen the King's mother.
"I had claimed them before the City was taken, so they had not become your people by then." Dom replied in a measured tone, "However I am happy to discuss this with you after the meal."
"Very well, if you believe you need a reward you can have them. Is there anything else you wish for?" King Rameses II questioned seriously.
Dom now looked to Subutai, feeling that the way King Rameses had answered him gave him some hope for a peaceful resolution. Subutai seemed to be in deep thought as he listened, before he replied for Dom.
"King Rameses, a collection of seeds from the different fruits and vegetables supplied would be a high honour for us." Subutai stated, thinking on what Lucius would ask for if the statesmen was here, which he currently wish, "We are but a humble kingdom in comparison and our food options are not as lavish as this."
King Rameses seemed to think for a few seconds, before turning to his son Prince Sethi who was sat beside him.
"What are your thoughts Sethi?" He asked.
"Lord Lazarus and the Warriors of Riverside fought in the frontlines to take the city. Whilst I did not agree with all of the choices, their battle plan was a success for just the exchange of a few mere infantry who died." Prince Sethi responded. "They are a strong ally that we should further ties with in the future! What are a few Hittites and some seeds to further that."
King Rameses then turned to his other son who was sat beside him, this son seemed older than Sethi and had a much serious look on his face as discussions happened around them.
"What are your thoughts Pareherwenemef?" King Rameses asked.
"There are two sides that I see." Pareherwenemef replied. "A stranger has come and helped us win a major battle, which can help further our goals as a kingdom, we should show gratitude and reward them lavishly, building a strong alliance for the future."
"And the other side?" Kind Rameses asked.
"We are a Scorpion, stingy and killing our enemies, but they are the snake that is lurking in the background. They arrive and help us win a major victory, giving us tactics and plans, but are they helping us so they can fatten us up so they can consume us in the future?" Pareherwenemef continued, "We should sting the snake, before it can bite us at a later time."
At this comment, the music stopped playing and the Elite Guards that were around the perimeter all stood straight, their hands on their swords on their waists. The Generals and Commanders around the table felt the temperature in the room drop, whilst the Hittite's who had surrendered also panicked.
"Both are well thought responses Pareherwenemef." King Rameses replied, "General Tau and General Sadiki, what are your thoughts?"
"Your highness, you bless us with the honour to speak." General Tau replied, "The Prince speaks well, but I am inclined to agree with Prince Sethi and continue our growing relationship with the Lord of Riverside."
"I would agree." General Sadiki responded. "If they can aid us with their armies on further campaigns, we could conquer further south of the Nubians easily, or further north in to Hittite territory."
"As expected from my Loyal Generals." King Rameses responded with a roll of the eyes, before looking at his other Generals on the other side. "What about you two?"
"I am with Prince Pareherwenemef's second opinion, we should decapitate the snake before it can bite us." The first responded.
"I also agree with that." The second added.
"So we are split then." King Rameses responded as if he was already aware that this was going to be the conclusion, before looking over at Dom, Tomoe and Subutai.
"I am inclined to follow my son's second option." He started, causing gasps around the room as the Elite Guards began to draw their swords, "But an Alliance could also help, as has been stated earlier. Commander Tomoe is your concubine, yes?"
"I am not a concubine!" Tomoe angrily responded before Dom could. She made to stand up and continued, "And I would advice your guards to release their hands from their hilts if they wish to keep them."
"I agree! Men release your weapons immediately!" King Rameses bellowed angrily, "I do enjoy teasing this Concubine of yours. Is she your first wife?"
"I do not yet have a wife." Dom responded, "Where I am from, I am too young to wed but would rather date instead at this stage of my life, and marry in the future when I find the right woman."
Tomoe and Subutai both looked at him in shock, as this was the first time they had heard Dom mention his personal life, they were both from parts of history where a man could have multiple wives and would often marry for political gains. What Dom had stated was alien to them both.
"Ha!" Rameses laughed, "I married my first wife Nefertiti when the hair had only just began to grow, yet you a Lord of a Kingdom are unmarried, you are slightly younger than my eldest son and he is already married to his second wife!"
"It's his third now." Prince Sethi commented with a grumble.
"Ah, so it is." King Rameses nodded in agreement, "I'll get you a nice one soon."
"I already have a nice one." Prince Sethi continued, "I'm waiting on my second."
"It's difficult to remember when you have so many children." King Rameses responded with a laugh, "I have so many!"
"Our Kingdoms are far apart and our cultures are different, this is why we have travelled and helped with this conquest, to learn and grow, whilst developing strong relationships for the future." Dom interrupted in a serious tone, trying to end the conversation and banquet, and hopefully the mission.
"The strongest way to create an alliance is through familiar ties." King Rameses smiled at him mischievously, "My fourth Daughter Meritamen is unmarried and of a similar age to you. She is one of my Queens favourites and I had been saving her, but this may be more fun. I will give you two options, marry my Daughter Meritamen, take her back to your kingdom as your wife and we can become allies for life. Refuse and I will be unsure if you are a fellow Scorpion as my son says, or a lurking Snake."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone