Chapter 1 - Father

Marriage. A small, simple word that could hold so much meaning to any living or deceased human being.

Something that Tamina had never considered before. Never in a million years had she thought that anything like that would happen for her, after all no one could know about the Dagger of Time. But what could she do? Risk war with Persia, again? No. But then again how could she keep that kind of secret while married to someone? Hm. Like she always did, this was a new mission – one that would last a lifetime – and she would fulfill her destiny, as she did her whole life, until a new guardian was chosen. She could do this, it was her sacred calling, what the Gods wanted for her – her life was nothing more than that. A guardian. The Guardian. Keep the secret.

Yes.

I can do this.

Tamina touched one of her braids and looked at the small crystal flowers intertwined in her hair. I'm going to miss this. From the Western Tower the view was breathtaking, especially at night. It was a peaceful, warm night indeed and the moon shined white and grand in the sky. The moonlight illuminated Tamina's face, making the crystal flowers lightly sparkle while giving the Princess a goddess, almost ethereal look.

Prince Dastan. She couldn't understand him at all. Both conqueror and savior of my city. The Princess didn't trust him but there was something about him that intrigued her. Those eyes gazing at her could tell a million stories. It was as if they were still penetrating into her soul and that scared her. And there was still, the wedding gift – The Dagger of Time. How could he possibly know that it was that important to her? Well, she would find out from Prince Dastan himself and if he knew something about the Sands of Time she would end his life, even if that meant losing her life as well. The secret would be safe for there was much of that story that she had yet to discover.

"Princess Tamina"

Tamina hadn't realized that she had been crying. Be a Princess. She wiped the tears of her face and her expression quickly changed from vulnerable to hard, professional, royal. She turned to face one of the priests of the High Temple, an old friend of her mother's – she had known him her entire life, his white beard and warm brown eyes were like gazing at home itself.

"Kataar"

"My Princess, are you sure about this marriage?"

"Yes, this will be a great opportunity to discover what really happened here today"

"If you insist… but I do not like seeing you so sad"

She smiled, Kataar was probably the only person she could not fool.

"Do not worry Kataar, I am alright and I know what my duty is"

His expression changed, almost as if he feared for her but that was for only a moment and then his eyes were warm.

"But the Princess will miss her home as her home will miss her" He finished her thoughts.

"You do know me well, don't you..?" She laughed without a drop of amusement on her face.

"Better then you imagine Princess, better then you imagine…"

Tamina looked at him, her expression confused. He was hiding something and it was important. But why? They were always so open with each other, why now of all times to break that?

"Kataar, wha-"

Someone knocked at the door.

"Your Highness, everything is packed and ready to go"

"Already?"

"Yes, your Highness… the Persians wanted to journey during nighttime, they believe it to be safer for you"

"Alright, do lead the way"

Tamina passed by Kataar, without looking once back to face him or say anything else to him. If he wanted to end things this way so be it. But then, when she was about to close the door behind her.

"Tamina"

He called her by her first name. No one did that in so long – it brought back many memories, memories from a distant past. One tear gently fell from her eyes.

"Father" That was what she used to call him when she was little, never have met her real father, Kataar was the closest thing she had to one. She turned to face him "What are you hiding from me?"

"Come closer, I want to give you something"

She walked towards him, her heart pounding and her thoughts going a thousand miles an hour. Then, from his left pocket he took something circular wrapped around a white piece of fabric and a scroll. Kataar extended both things to her.

"It was from your mother"

Tamina was shaking and didn't know what to think, what to say. For the first time in her life she was speechless.

"Why did you keep it a secret all this years?" She managed to ask.

"She asked me to… I was to give you this only if there was no other way, only if things took a turn for the worst and they did" He seemed to recall something unpleasant, something that was too painful to remember "Inside you will find a medallion that only the Sacred Guardians can touch"

Tamina unfolded the small piece of fabric that he had given her and indeed there it was the medallion. Gold it was and in it was engraved half of a moon and something similar to the Dagger of Time though it was not it. It came with a small golden chain, so she could where it on her neck, like a necklace.

"Beautiful…" She was able to whisper, enchanted by the medallion's breathtaking beauty.

"The Medallion of Samay, it is called" Kataar explained "I wish things didn't have to be this way but I made a promise…"

"Father, you're saying things that make no sense, I don't understand…"

Kataar smiled and stroked her face gently, lovingly. In his eyes were many promises, wishes, prayers. He sighed.

"From now on I can no longer be by your side Tamina, my time on this earth is no more"

"W-What are you talking about?" She asked, panicking.

"Even after a thousand life times I will remember your face, dear daughter"

And with that he took the medallion from her hands and touched it.

"I love you – forever"

Those were Kataar's last words. His body started to shake and then quickly turned into sand, the only sound being the medallion falling into the ground.

Time stopped. There was no air. No sound. No nothing.

"FATHER!"

Tamina screamed, falling to her knees. Tears falling from her face one after the other. No. It could not be. He was indeed not more. Father was… dead. Hugging herself she shouted his name time and time again aware that someone might hear her but she did not mind.

After a long while, she finally calmed down. Focus Tamina, you have a wedding to attend to, people are counting on you. But, it seemed to her that nothing mattered anymore, everything was upside down – nothing made sense anymore. No, she had her duties and duties came first than her feelings – there will be a time to grieve Father.

She got up and picked up the medallion from the floor. A medallion that only the Sacred Guardians can touch. Was that why he turned into sand? The memory made her shiver. She placed the medallion on her neck and opened the scroll mother had left for her. No more surprises.

Engraved in black it could be read.

"Most people think time is like a river that flows swift and sure in one direction, but I have seen the face of time and I can tell you they are wrong"