After the shock and acceptance of realising he was now engaged, again, Dom sat there as different Generals and Officials from Sun Quan's family came to speak to him and Sun Shangxiang. They primarily congratulated them both, with some giving small gifts and promises of gifts such as horses, weapons and items with value such as materials or gold. The first to congratulate them was a grizzled veteran called Huang Gai, who had been dealing with tribes to the south and had missed the battle of Jiangxia, he grumbled about Dom protecting his young lady and that Lord Sun Jian would be proud of her and her sacrifice for the family. Dom thought that he was a bit of a catch, so felt a bit dejected when Huang Gai said that Sun Shangxiang was sacrificing herself for the family by marrying him. Some elderly members of her family also came, including her mother Lady Wu who had been escorted to the room during the feast.
After greeting Dom, she took Sun Shangxiang and her son Sun Ce away with her to a separate chamber in the hall, leaving Dom still in partial shock. Subutai and Xun You sat beside him, Xun You explained that they had skipped some key parts of tradition and that would most likely continue throughout the evening. Skipped parts of the tradition included the matchmakers, sharing of birthdays and finding an auspicious day for the wedding. Thankfully Xun You had worked as a matchmaker of sorts, and they would provide information on the construction of Trireme as the betrothal gift, whilst the bride's dowry was also agreed as a town, Louchuan with escort and Cheng Pu and his men.
Xun You also explained that normally the wedding would not be until weeks or months later, with dates often being planned around the weather, sacrifices and other things. However, in this case it would have to happen either today or tomorrow, otherwise it wouldn't happen at all. Dom at this point just agreed with what every thing Xun You explained to him, understanding that this was out of his control for now, whilst the others from Riverside drank and celebrated, especially Liao Hua, Tomyris and Subutai. Subutai had also ordered that a guard fetch the Masked Gan Ning, Su Fei and Huang Zhong to join them, as the celebration had reached another level and it would be unfair for them to miss it. Gan Ning had also brought Banas and Chen Lu with him when he finally arrived, leaving the camp to the many deputies that were with them. The Riverside Camp should be relatively safe, unless some strange betrayal happened, which they did not expect.
He also explained that Sun Shangxiang being taken away was most likely in preparation for a ceremony, and that it would most likely skip other key steps from tradition. However, as long as the gifts were exchanged and the bride was delivered to the groom, then it could be considered complete. Subutai stated that they should probably formalise it with Meritamen upon their return and he would speak with Shang Yang about acting as Meritamen's family for it, as both he and Dom would rather not get in contact with Rameses if they could avoid it, knowing that they would need to be in a much stronger position before that happened.
Xun You had already asked Gan Ning and the captains to work on a list of key information and drawings of the Trireme for Sun Quan if the offer was accepted, and Gan Ning had promised to allow the shipbuilders of Sun Quan's to inspect the two ships the following day, depending on when they had to leave. Dom realised he couldn't dine and dash this time, as he had with Meritamen, and decided to drink more alongside Subutai who seemed to be enjoying teasing him more than usual. Regardless of the situation, Subutai's presence relaxed Dom who knew that he was safe when accompanied by the exceptional General. He also looked towards the Masked Gan Ning and Tomyris who were in celebration, knowing that what ever he did, they would support him.
He caught Tomoe's eye at one point, the deadly General also drinking with a smile on her face. She nodded her head in his direction, her eyes signalling that if he wanted to leave at any point she would make it possible. He thought back to waking up in bed with her beside him once, a drunken evening where she didn't know where she had headed. Meritamen had laughed at the time, and Tomoe had always stayed close to the both of them, he hoped she didn't drink to that level tonight.
"I believe I will be coming with you." Cheng Pu had said at one point, coming over to see Dom and the others with a smile on his face. "I thought my son going with you would be enough, but Lord Sun Quan wants me to join you to protect his sister and brother. I would be lying if I said I wasn't happy, I am quite excited for the future. I had already sent for my wife, so she will join us with our family and servants."
"We are glad to have you." Subutai stated before Dom had chance, "With you leading our infantry from the front, I can see us conquering the whole land!"
"Your Kingdom, no I should rephrase that, our Kingdom will be the strongest across the land." Cheng Pu grinned in response as he and Subutai clasped arms across the table. Dom smiled in response, as Ling Tong then joined them, catching Cheng Pu by surprise.
"So, do I get a fleet of Trireme as well?" Ling Tong asked Dom with a grin, however his tone was polite as Dom would soon be his new Commander.
"We will definitely be arranging that when we return." Dom agreed, as excitement could be seen on Ling Tong's young face.
"Seeing them in action made me realise I had a part of my heart that wasn't complete, and now hearing your words it is." Ling Tong replied, as Cheng Pu laughed and put his arm around the young General.
"Are you joining us as well young General Ling Tong?" Cheng Pu asked with a broad smile.
"I am, Lord Sun Quan has said that he is happy for me to leave and follow my dreams." He explained. "That if his brother can return, who knows what else could happen in the future."
"He doesn't know what he's going to miss out on." Cheng Pu laughed as he took the young general away and towards Liao Hua and Zhao Yun.
The evening continued, with other Generals and Officials coming to introduce themselves or congratulate Dom on both the Victory and his upcoming marriage. Zhang Zhao and Lu Su also came, and he could see that they both still had some apprehensions about the deal. He decided to speak with them the following day when he was more sober about some of the next movements that would take place based on Gan Ning's information.
Around an hour after Lady Wu had taken Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Sun Shangxiang and some others away, the mood in the room began to change. Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao had also disappeared and he realised that the feast was currently all about him. Some servants had come out and began to decorate parts of the room, whilst the sun was now almost set and the moon was higher in the sky. Dom noticed what was taking place, and looked towards Xun You who gave him a reassuring look.
"It seems you won't be heading back to the camp tonight." Subutai mumbled to Dom as Tomyris headed towards them from her seat, leaving Tomoe to continue teasing Zhao Yun with Huang Zhong who had recently arrived. Dom could see that Su Fei was talking with Dong Xi, Ling Tong and some other Naval Commanders, alongside Gan Ning who still wore his mask.
"Lord Lazarus, Tomoe says that if you want to escape, she can help." Tomyris laughed as Dom looked and saw that Tomoe was watching him. He shook his head at her, knowing that she would happily unsheathe her sword and cut open a path if he wished it. "Let me sort your hair out, you need to look smart for this type of ceremony. I remember my own and I wish for the new young Lady that hers was more prepared."
"Meritamen is going to kill me." Dom replied to Tomyris, who smiled at him in response. She was currently combing his hair, whilst those around him continued to talk. "She won't, she would have always expected this to happen eventually. I am sure that this is a good move for you and for our growing Kingdom. That has to always be the priority for the founding members, the Kingdom comes first and our emotions second. This Quest and the rewards have pushed us further forwards than any other thing we have done."
"You have been with me since day one Tomyris, I appreciate everything you have done for me." Dom said seriously, the alcohol in his system starting to affect him slightly. Tomyris moved his drink away and passed him a glass of water.
"Drink this and relax, you will be fine." She stated, before giving him a gentle hug, followed by a kiss on his cheek and then stepping away. Dom hoped that as they grew, these relationships wouldn't change. As she sat down, the music changed again as Sun Ce and Sun Quan arrived again, with Zhou Yu behind them with a couple of men that looked similar to Sun Ce.
The group of guests began to spread out, whilst Xun You hinted for Dom to stand up as Sun Ce and Sun Quan approached, in their hands was a document which they handed to Dom as they approached. Dom handed it to Xun You who whispered to him that it was a certificate outlining the gifts that they would provide Dom as part of the Dowry. Xun You passed a similar document to Dom, which he gave to Sun Quan, which was part of their betrothal gift. Dom had no idea where Xun You had hidden the document, but it seemed that both of the senior Xun's in Dom's employ were always prepared.
With the gifts now exchanged, the music changed again as Lady Wu arrived, with Sun Shangxiang wearing a long flowing traditional hanfu wedding dress, behind her walked Xiao Qiao and a few others who held flowers. She was led towards Dom, who was now stood in front of the table and the top seats, unaware of how he had got there or when the room layout had changed, as his eyes were focused on Sun Shangxiang. She was brought towards him, and her hands were placed on top of Dom's. Sun Shangxiang looked stunning, in Dom's eyes one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen, he wasn't sure if it was the slight alcohol in his system or himself, but part of him wished that this was reality at times.
He realised the amount of planning that must have taken place behind the scenes, and the level of commitment Sun Quan had put in to this arrangement. He definitely didn't feel that he was the best alliance deal for Sun Quan, but part of him understood that by having Sun Ce, he had already split the family partially. This was Sun Quan, his advisors and even his mother's, way of pulling the family back together. Dom was just an important piece in them having unity again.
.....
Dom awoke in an unrecognisable room that was one of the Sun families that had been prepared for the special guests that were arriving. Beside him was the covered form of Sun Shangxiang, who he had spent the evening with as his new bride. The sudden ceremony had flown fast and his memory of it was a mess, with different procedures taking place and Xun You and Sun Ce whispering him instructions throughout so that he didn't cause himself any embarrassment. He had also met some more of the Sun family, including their brother's Sun Lang and Sun Kuang. The Ceremony had been much shorter than he expected, however after the ceremony had come to a conclusion, he had been escorted by a jubilant crowd of both Sun Quan's men and his own to the chamber where he had spent the night with Sun Shangxiang.
He looked down on her sleeping form, realising that even though she seemed small and delicate when she had danced, her muscles were well toned and she had the figure of a warrior. He struggled to take his eyes away from her, and some pangs of guilt set in, having already committed himself in his mind to Meritamen. He also didn't know how to let Meritamen know about the situation, and that caused him another layer of anxiety. He began to climb out of the bed, knowing that today they would be discussing the rewards from the battle, and therefore the expectation that they would be leaving.
He wondered if he didn't discuss the rewards, would they be able to stay until they were timed out as Li Shang had been, however he wasn't willing to take that risk, already knowing that they were cutting the time close as it was. As he got out of bed, and began pulling on some of his clothes that must have been prepared for him. He felt eyes watching him as he changed. He turned and saw that Sun Shangxiang was smiling at him from the bed, a welcoming smile and not one with ulterior motive.
"Is this you trying to run away?" She joked, having been told the story by Sun Ce, who had heard it from the other Riverside generals.
"You aren't that lucky." Dom smiled back, happy that she was in a positive mood and seemed happy with the changes that had happened to her in a short period of time. "I need to conclude conversations with your brother and then I expect we will have to leave."
"Then I will say farewell to my family and prepare my warriors." She replied in a more serious tone as she sat up in the bed and began to climb out of it to get dressed herself, seemingly no issues with walking around with no clothes on in front of Dom. She had a confidence in herself and Dom knew that when her and Meritamen met, it would cause him lots of chaos.
"I would recommend it, I do not know how long we have." He explained as she nodded in acceptance as she began to dress. Dom watched her as she struggled, and was unsure what to do.
"I know you are enjoying the view, but could you call for my servants to help me please." She laughed, looking at his face that now started to go red in embarrassment. Dom laughed in response, before heading to the door and opening it tentatively. He relaxed seeing that a small group of female servants were waiting, whilst guarding the corridor were female warrior guards and an uncomfortable looking Actumerus with two other Batavi Guards.
"The Lady would like some help getting ready." Dom stated to the servants who bowed and entered, before he turned to Actumerus. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine Lord Lazarus, I am just not used to being surrounded by so many beautiful women." He stated in a serious tone, whilst the female guards around him gave him a combination of looks of thanks, laughter or looks of wanting to beat him.
"Well, let's get you out of here and we can get our day over with." Dom stated, to the now reluctant looking Actumerus.
"I don't mind staying and protecting the new Lady." Actumerus replied with a serious face, whilst the two other Batavi Guards beside him rolled their eyes.
"I thought having you instead of Gregorios was going to make my life easier. Maybe I was wrong!" Dom laughed in response, before looking once again at the female guards that lined the walls, "Come on, she's doesn't need any more guards and you guys are making the place look messy."