After Dastan and Tamina consume their love, their one and only child, Leilah, holds the only key to the doors of the Dagger. But, what happens when Leilah, being the free spirit person she is, goes missing from the kingdom for wanting to taste the outer world?
Leilah's laugh echoed down the kingdoms corridors. The long black hair that resembled her mothers flowing behind her, the trail of oil and incense that was her scent following. Golden silk fabrics clinging from her shoulders and down her arms flowing as her hands brushed passed columns bordering each corner her feet led her too. Her green eyes occasionally interrupted by the naturally curled lashes that edged them. The corner of her lips curled into a smile; her lower lip penetrated by her teeth now and then holding back roars of laughter. Clashing with her body at rhythm, a pendant, a unique key that went with the threads she was to wear. The palm of her hand molded instantly with the wooden bar she had reached for a few feet above her, her strength impulsing her body to swing around it in mid air and turn directions once her feet met the ground.
"Leilah that isn't fair," her cousin Avan shouted continuing the pursuit after her.
"Come on now. If you are to be a future king you must catch up to your opponents," she smiled taking a right only to come face to face with her father and uncle. "Father, uncle," she bowed coming to a halt instantly.
Avan shortly after patting her arm. "I've got you now," he smiled in success unaware of his father and uncle's presence. Leilah shot him a look. His eyes trailed to find both men's amused faces looking down at him. "Father, uncle," he bowed beside his cousin.
Dastan laughed patting Tus's shoulder. "I believe these two have come across our old ways brother."
Tus laughed and nodded begging for both younglings to stand. "I believe so. I just hope you are being careful. Leilah you know you must take care of Avan."
Leilah smiled placing her hand on Avan's shoulder. "I've never had any other though uncle."
Tus laughed with a nod. "Run off now."
Avan was the first to pass through both brothers with a laugh. Yet Leilah was interrupted from her stroll after her young cousin by her fathers hand. "Your mother awaits you at the temple. Do not keep her waiting." Dastan smiled down to the daughter that resembled flawlessly the woman he loved and had wed.
Leilah smiled and nodded with a small bow. "I shall join her father."
Dastan smiled with a slight shake of his head, after she ran off, making his way to his brothers side.
"It seems that somethings never change. Somethings just run in the blood brother." Tus laughed taking hold of Dastan's shoulder as they strolled down the corridors.
Dastan nodded. "But never forget how we grew into each other. It was not easy yet I stood my grounds like father knew and expected I would against both you and Garsiv." Dastan looked down at his hands and thought of his daughter. She was young, beautiful like her mother but very dangerously like him. Free spirited and risk indulgent. Completely broad-minded to every obstacle that presented itself.
Leilah walked calmly towards the temple, her fingers playing with the key she had obtained since birth. She fumbled with it as empty thoughts filled her mind, her eyes led outwards to the city. Both her parents royal, and yet she found herself wanting everything but such title: Princes Leilah. It all sounded so beyond. More than just a simple word. A word with power she didn't look at twice. She found in her to always look out to the city. A mischievous place with a world so real and different from the walls of the kingdom. She had wondered how her father never went back to the streets that made his first home. How the nobility didn't bore him and shackle him back from things that would emerge him with a sustain joy, would immerse every spot that needed to be occupied.
Leilah's hands placed themselves on the golden doors of the temple, pushing them open to find her mother kneeling down in front of the sacred doors that inclosed the gift of the Gods. Incense floated around the room as a humming silence pierced Leilah's senses quickly after the doors closed behind her. Her mother lifted herself and sat quietly before turning to smile at her daughter.
Tamina observed her free spirited child, her hand reaching towards her. Leilah took her mothers hand and took her place by her side. Pushing down her silk shawl and resting her hands on her lap, both woman began the prayers for their people and kingdom.
Tamina entered her chambers, finding Dastan out on the balcony looking out at the city, cloaked only by the finest stars Alamut could offer to its people. She smiled strolling silently to his side. Her hand landed on his warm and scarred shoulder, sending peace through his built and tense body. Dastan smiled and took hold of her hand, leading her to his side.
"What is it that you seek?" Tamina spoke looking outwards.
"I've yet to know reasons of why I still look out at the sands and await someone to come after the dagger." Tamina looked at him. He felt her tense at his words and so he lead his eyes down to hers. "The dagger is the most unique power in Alamut. Anyone would want to change time."
"The dagger is safe. No one can enter the temple without Leilah." Tamina spoke with worry for her daughter and what she was to protect since birth.
Dastan took both her hands in one and cupped her cheek. "Our daughter is as fierce as both of us. She knows how to protect what she has too. But, Tamina... she's just that. Our daughter. To protect Leilah is to protect the dagger. But to protect the dagger is to endanger Leilah," he confessed with pain.
"Dastan," Tamina breathed out, tears unavoidably rimming her eyes.
Dastan pulled her to his chest, regretting momentarily the decision he took in saying what was need to be said to his beloved. He kissed the top of her head, soothing her by rubbing her arms gently. "Leilah knows what is at stake. She would never endanger the dagger and let alone her life. In the walls of the kingdom she is watched as the dagger would be. There is no need to over-think Tamina. You know I would never let our daughter fall into danger."
On the other side of the castle, Leilah placed the russet hood over her head. The dressing's she was to use inside the walls exchanged by a copper attire brushing her mid thigh, one sleeve resting on her shoulder, the other dropping from the her right side. Golden thin robes holding the fabric against her body as an auburn garment hooded her more closely. Taking a swift step from her balconies edge, she dropped silently on the steps behind the guards. She moved behind a column just in time to be hidden. She took her left, slithering in the darkness that the candles dared not reach. Impulsing her feet against the wall and taking hold of a branch, she dove out outwards, this time falling perfectly at bay from the doors the servants used to walk out of the castle walls. Looking towards both sides, she slipped from the animal skins that shielded her and stepped swiftly out the door to the huts that bordered around it. She smiled proud at her escape and moved securely down the streets making sure her hood covered her face till she was far enough from the castle. Her hand taking hold of the key and digging it under her garments.
Down at one of the pubs, a young man dared try to cheat his way from a game of poker. He was young and smart. Lived on the streets and knew every hole in Alamut that no one did. His dark eyes intimidated most who did not know him. His unkempt shoulder-lenght hair covered most of his well pronounced features. Sending indeed few woman to his pursuit.
"You see. A man's hand does give away plenty of his power," he spoke proudly to his opponent whom was -without a doubt- five times bigger and wider than him.
"You cheat," the man roared pushing the table back. Cards and chips flew outwards.
"Darious," a young woman called. "This way."
"And so I bid my farewells." Darious ran, kissing the females hand before taking his leave out the back doors. Only to come face to face with a wondering Leilah after taking barely twenty steps.
"Would you watch where you're going," she demanded standing up and patting away the sand that had crawled on to her.
Darious starred at her momentarily. He had a good abrupt view of her long legs, a good whiff of her oil scent and a good eye for her curves and breast. "I wasn't the only one my lady who wasn't looking at the path," he bowed.
No one knew who she was, she came to notice. A refreshing fill to it. "Very well then. I will go on with my path and you go on yours," she offered him way.
He smiled. "I believe that-" he was cut off by the roaring voice of the man he had left behind at the pub.
Leilah looked behind him and smiled shaking her head. "I believe you need the way more than I do."
He turned to her, his eyes boring dislike. "You seem to be more spoiled than most females around the city." Her smile faltered and became a glare he enjoyed with a grin. "I bid my farewells to you my lady," he bowed quickly before running off.
Leilah found herself cursing under her breath. Never in her life had she met such a rood and battered man.