Post by Kamenwati on Nov 11, 2011 11:00:25 GMT -6
The Marriage Banquet
The atrium was alive with revelry. All of the Emperor’s court were in attendance, including the council members and their wives. Slaves weaved between the crowds passing trays of fruit and drink alike. The pools that were in the center of the atrium were flowing with water from fountains that poured water into them by statues of scantily clad women with jars overturned to give the life into the pools the graces of water. Inside the pools were also slaves, women, who wore robes of white, now soaked with water, were no longer white but see through and they posed for several minutes before turning to pose another way throughout the night.
As they made their way from their quarters to the atrium, their conversation took more of an instruction as she described the intricacies of Carnian protocol. Taking all of it in, he smiled, the bright white teeth showing true thru pink lip surrounded by darkened skin. His elbow was extended for her hand as they approached the entrance, his dark eyes taking it all in.
Briseis arrived on Kam's arm, while his dress was black with gold thread weaved through it, hers was white and in the roman style. A veil had been pinned to the front of her dress and then draped down to her leg only to be pulled up in the back and placed over her head much like the veil of a bride wife on her wedding day. Within her ears were gold bangles which swayed as she bowed her head to the welcome of those around her and Kam.
"My Lord...and My Ladies"[/i] The Emperor called as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere to stand in the middle collection of the four pools within the floor upon the marble floor, his arms raised. [/color]
The crowd went silent and turned to the Emperor at his announcement.
His head dipped, his free hand billowing up toward and away from his face in the Berber manner of greeting… “Salam walaykoom…”[/i] his arm remaining a constant for security. Then his attention went to the Emperor…[/color]
"It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all who found it in your hearts to attend and celebrate our new standing, leaving behind the old and creating great memory of the fallen who we must inevitably let go as well. May we be joyous from this day forward as the Gods see fit to bless us, it is my due pleasure tonight to give you all gifts of water..."[/i][/color]
At this the slaves in the pools all rose up on their knees, their arms thrown upward sent droplets of water into the air.
"Also gifts of Food and of Drink...but most importantly, gift of marriage"[/i] Secundus hand extended downward to Briseis and Kam ushering them forward. [/color]
Kam watched the water ritual and how droplets were wasted, and yet, in the desert, how such wasted could start a war. Then when the Emperor mentioned marriage, the man’s movements caught Kam unexpectedly. With a tug of Bri’s hand, he escorted her before the Emperor.
"Tonight, we celebrate a union not only of our nation with that of the Tamazgha once more in brotherhood, but that of its Ambassador and our own Lady of Lycia. It is my will, and with my blessing, that I unite them in matrimony"[/i] Secundus paused to usher a slave forward who carried a pillow of which two golden rings lay.
Secundus ushered Briseis to take the larger of the two rings. "Lady of Lycia, if it is your wish and desire, to take this man as your husband, place this ring upon his hand as a symbol of your love and devotion."[/i][/color]
Who was this man for them to require his blessing…? Kam could have 10,000 men on this island within days… and more shortly thereafter. But he looked at Bri and smiled, not revealing what he was thinking. He saw the two rings… and once more looked to his beloved Bri.
Briseis slid forward as Secundus commanded and when the rings were presented, she took the appointed ring and took Kam's hand into her own, kissed his knuckles, and then slid the ring upon his finger.
He would reposition himself opposite her, standing face to face… and gave no opposition to her hand securing his… and when she kissed his knuckles and slid the ring on his finger, he smiled.
Secundus then urged to Kam to take the remaining ring with a wave of his hand. "Kamenwati, Ambassador to the Tamazgha, if it is your wish and desire, to take this woman as your wife, place this ring upon her hand as a symbol of your love and devotion"[/i][/color]
“It is my wish…”[/i] and he took the smaller, more decorative ring… Taking Bri’s delicate hand, he smiled… “Like the ring I hold, a circle unbroken, so shall my love and devotion to thee… so help me… Allah be praised…”[/i] then he slid the ring gently over the knuckles, kneeling briefly, he kissed her hand… then rose to face her once more.[/color]
When he had done so, Secundus hands raised his hands high into the air sending the scrape of cloth over one arm to slide down to his shoulder. "Then let it be known, on this day of feasts, that these two shall be wed as husband and wife."[/i] His hands came down to touch a shoulder of Briseis and Kam. "You have my everlasting blessing and congratulations, may your marriage yield much fruit both in companionship and body."[/i] And here Secundus smiled giving their shoulders a pat before waving his hands that they should be on their way to enjoying the banquet.[/color]
His attention was fully upon Briseis… and only when the Emperor placed his hand upon kam’s shoulder did he look away from her. Turning to face the Emperor, he bowed… “Allah be praised, m’leige… Thank you for such a blessing…”[/i] he smiled at Bri then they turned to face the applauding crowd. Momentarily soaking in the applause, Kam then escorted bri into the crowd, for further revelry.[/color]
Octavius would approach as Briseis and Kam left the Emperor and he raised his goblet of wine in salute. "Congratulations to the both of you. As one who has regarded Briseis as a daughter, I feel the loss of her but rejoice in the love she has found."[/i] Someone called for him and he turned his attention away then moved forward to whisper in Kam's ear. "Since the council is to depart for their own lands tomorrow, we have not gotten to speak as we should. When you are settled in Lycia, you should come see me in Genoa, it is of great importance."[/i] He leaned back to raise his glass in salute again before turning to go at the calling of his name again.[/color]
“Thank you M’Lord… I swear to thee, I shall protect her with all my being…”[/i] He could see Octavius soon became preoccupied, but when needed he bent over giving the man his ear. Nodding, he faked a smile… “I shall treat her like the woman she needs to be treated, M’Lord…”[/i] covering up the words spoken into his ear. He bowed slightly to Octavius before the man departed their company.[/color]
Briseis hand lay against Kam's chest, she marveled at the new ring upon her finger, also the gold, of which was worth a fortune. Her voice to low for others to hear especially with conversations striking up again once the crowd had stated their congratulations for the couple. "We needed not his blessing my love nor this display, you were my husband before, and so shall you be till the end."[/i][/color]
Later when they finally found time to be alone in a crowd, she placed her hand upon his chest… and spoke no truer words. “Married first in heart, now in Carnia… and soon, we shall be married in the Tamazgha…”[/i] he chuckled. “I am glad divorce is not so celebratory…”[/i] he teased her softly. Moments of solitude would be broken as one after another offered congratulations. Bri was very popular… even to those who did not like her, nor trust her, offered congratulations… Kam would smile and soon they would be lost in the revelry of the evening.[/color]
