A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Much love 3 Well, if you read my last chapter you have learned not to pick up mysterious strangers. I know I may seem like I am getting carried away with Farah, don't worry plenty of Farah/Prince time later…and Prince will be getting his own thingy too while Farah is out on her own. I did some research on Ancient Indian society around 500 BC and found out that women were treated equally, however at 500 BC things started to change for women. But, that's all I got so everything else would be my imagination. Also the Matsya Kingdom is associated with fish so I put a fish as their symbol. Flashbacks are in italics. PLEASE REVIEW&ENJOY!
Definitions:
Durga: Hindu goddess of protection.
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Persia.
Chapter 8: Durga
The sand under her sandals burned her feet and there are hardly any breezes to blanket away the stubborn sun. Sweat became dried as the heat turned it into vapors, and mirages of water would come up every once in a while. She felt so thirsty that it seemed like sand is stuck in her throat, and she constantly swallowed spit to get that gritty feeling out of her throat. The sound of splashing water immediately took her out of the zombie like trance she was in. Her sore feet ran through the sand with speed she never she had. Within seconds she stood in front of a spring, and she didn't know if she pushed her way through but she didn't care. Instantly she submerged her head in the cool water tasting the refreshing water and abolished her quench for thirst. Her hands unhitched her hair tie and allowed her dark hair sprawl across the water. As soon as she felt that she is replenished she steadily raised her head from the soothing water. Her knees burned because they were on the ground and she got sand all over her new armor. She grimaced as she got up and dusted the sand off to show the bright blue color of her armor. The gold bangles on her forearm jingled as she dusted her clothes off, and she bent down to pick up her prized steel spear. She marveled at the spear she had purchased years ago from a foreign trader of the North West. This same spear had served her in many wars, and it always still held that glimmer of sharpness that came with it. Instinctively she checked her back to make sure her bow and arrows are not missing. Then her purse, jewelry including a diamond studded belly ring that is exposed by her belly cut armor. Finally she checked the side of her arm if she still had her badge, and sure enough she still she still had it. She sighed as she touched the golden emblem of the Empire of Matsya remembering how long she had served this army. She's young hardly five years to the age of thirty but she has served the army since she was sixteen. As young as she looks her experience with war and fighting could carry her through ages. She picked up her canteen carrying it over to the spring so she could have water after she leaves this oasis. Two days till Babylon she thought, it's strange that a soldier from a faraway kingdom would come to Babylon, but she has specific instructions. The Rani herself had given her the order to find her missing sister. But, it seems that it would be impossible to find her amongst thousands of people. Even with the odds against her she hardly cared how long it would take to find the Rani's sister. Recently, she barely ever wanted to come home anymore after the sudden changes to the army recruitment policies. A new law was established to outlaw all recruitment of women in the army, and a lot of women in the army were cut. She felt that she will be cut any moment from the army, and wondered why the sudden changes to policy. Maybe it's the new Vizier she thought, and she also had her family nagging her to retire and marry a suitor. She sighed again as she put water in her canteen wondering when will everyone stop bothering her. Something from afar flashed in her eyes as she cringed from the light emitting from it. It kept flashing from the bright shine of the sun, and she covered the beams of the sun from her eyes. The item for no particular reason kept her attention as she recognized it as gold. And she could swear that it's a fish emblem, the same emblem she had on her arm for the army of Matsya. Unconsciously she walked to the flashing glare away from the spring to a bunch of caravans. She noticed that it came from a trading caravan of Panchala traders, and she wondered why would Panchalas carry a Matsya emblem.
"Halt!" She ordered the Panchala caravans as the traders poked their heads out to see the soldier, and one of the older traders came out to greet her. Her eyes surveyed the caravans finding the source of the flashing golden emblem.
"What may-"
"Give me that." She cut him off dismissively as she sternly pointed to the emblem that hung out from an overstuffed bag. The trader didn't move instead looking at her with puzzlement, and she glared at him pulling out her spear in front of him.
"Hand it to me now!" She ordered aggressively as she stomped the spear on the ground and he immediately scurried over to give her the emblem. As soon as she felt the cold golden emblem in her hands she knew it is a Matsya emblem as she traced the engraving of a big fish. "How did you get this?" She asked as she looked up at the trader.
"It's a long story-"
"Don't make excuses Panchala!" She warned, and he gulped in fear.
"It's from a woman that was traveling with us." He confessed and she arched her eyebrow she didn't remember any woman soldiers being dispatched in Persian land.
"Where is she?" She asked, and he shook his head.
"I don't know-"Without another word she struck out her slender hand and grabbed his Adam's apple squeezing it till he is on his knees.
"I grow tired of your games." She said in deathly calmness as he began to sweat furiously.
"She was kidnapped by an Immortal!" He said through squeaks.
"Why?"
"I don't know!-"He screamed as she squeezed his Adam's apple more. "She…she wanted to go to Matsya from Babylon!" He explained then she loosened her grip as she thought of about this mysterious person.
"What is her name?" She demanded.
"Farah." He breathed, and the name struck her in place like lightning. Could it be? Is this the Rani's lost sister? "And that's her bag." He said as he pointed to it, and she let go of the pitiful man to fall on the ground.
"Give me the bag, and tell me which direction they went."
…
She felt his hairy wet chest on the side of her head, and at first she protested against it, but after a few attempts to escape which resulted in her being bound on top of a horse. Suddenly being pressed up against his chest didn't seem so bad anymore. If he didn't kill her then surely the heat will kill them both as they both were exhausted from the sun. He leapt off the horse onto the sand with a poof sound like he stomped on flour.
"Get off the horse." He bluntly ordered and she looked down at the ropes coiled around her hands then looked at him in confusion. "You can still get off the horse." He said reading her thoughts. She cautiously looked down and then slowly slid off the horse trying not to slip. He put a firm hand on her shoulder to make sure she didn't try to escape, again. Then he quickly undid the bondage while still keeping an eye on the frisky woman. Instinctively, as soon as he undid the ropes she retracted her hands and began to massage the soreness away. As he picked off equipment and supplies from the horse Farah continuously glared at him in anger. A wisp of sand clouded her vision then she realized that the only thing she sees is sand. They are in the middle of nowhere, why don't they just travel to an oasis or city for camp. She was interrupted from her thoughts by an out stretched arm offering her a canteen filled with water which she denied. But, the Immortal isn't going to take no for an answer as he shoved it again in her face with a threatening look. "You can take it now or I will force it down your throat." He threatened and she reluctantly snatched the canteen from his hand knowing very well that he will do it. Farah gulped down the refreshing water and it felt guiltily pleasurable. She removed the canteen from her lips and handed it to him while wiping her mouth. He took the canteen and went back to unpacking his supplies. Farah became more and more confused by his actions, he seemed so dangerous yet he kept her alive for unknown reasons.
"Why?" She blurted out and he tilted his head towards her as she stared at him trying to figure out his motives.
"What do you mean?" He asked bluntly.
"Why are you doing this?" She continued gaining strength against the intimidating Immortal.
"It is of none of your concern woman." He answered resuming his work at unpacking and Farah wanted to punch him in the face. Does he really think she is going to blindly travel with him? Instinctively she reached for her bow that would be attached to her back but she realized that she had left it in her bag back with the traders.
"You are unbelievable!" She screamed in defiance as she turned away and within a split second she decided to make a run for it. She dashed with all her strength trying not to look back, and ran as fast as her feet could carry her. Racing through the wind made the sand around her fly into the air masking her escape. She hoped that he didn't pursue her or at least didn't know where she is as the sand did a pretty good job for a shield. But, as she ran and ran the more she realized that all she sees is sand and the sun. Not even sand dunes, and then she became very attuned by how fast she is going. Soon she began to take labored gasps and her legs became sore from running. She started to look over her shoulder constantly bordering paranoia that the Immortal is right behind her. The sun turned into her enemy again as it sent her through swoons from the heat. Her vision became blotted with black spots and her head felt light headed. Feeling that if she didn't stop running then she will indeed die within a few minutes. She stopped running and immediately collapsed on the gritty sand floor with the heat still hovering above her ready to drain every bit of energy from her body. Then she heard the familiar sound of galloping hooves on the sandy floor and she knew that he is near. With the little strength she had she tried to get up from her feet. However, she kept falling down to her knees digging deep into the sandy ground. The sound of the gallops came closer and closer, Farah felt helpless as she got on all fours then started to crawl across the sand. But, it didn't help as the hot sand burned her hands and legs within a few feet she gave up. The sound of the gallops stopped and she knew he is here but she hardly knew as she slipped in and out of consciousness only to hear him talk.
"There was a reason why I chose the middle of nowhere to set up camp." He said as he got off his horse. "Things would be so much easier if you would just comply with me." Then everything started to fade away from her consciousness.
…
She lazily opened her eyes to the sky blanketed with bright stars in the midst of darkness. The chilly wind smacked against her lips making her shiver. But, the thick blanket on her body kept her whole body from freezing. The last thing Farah remembered was being on the dessert floor ready to die, and now she heard the crackle of fire. She slowly took off the blanket and surveyed her surroundings. She's in a makeshift tent made of hides of different kinds of animals, and noticed a flap with a tiny opening to let in air. Farah poked her head out to see the Immortal sitting by the fire cooking soup. For the first time Farah noticed in the light of the fire that this Immortal had hazel eyes, and is quite handsome actually. She shook away the thoughts, and decided to come out of the tent to confront the Immortal.
"You're awake." He greeted sarcastically while still looking at the fire.
"What is the whole purpose of this? Do you want to kill me?" She asked frustrated that every attempt she has tried to get free has failed and she doesn't know why it's happening.
"If I wanted to kill you then I would have done it a long time ago." He said again still dripping with sarcasm as he shifted to the side picking up a bowl. "Here." He said offering her a bowl of soup, and Farah took the hot bowl. "Good girl." He commented, however Farah had different plans as she gripped the bowl tightly then quickly flicked her hand throwing the hot soup all over the Immortal. To her surprise the Immortal didn't even flinch when the soup touched his clothes. "You're not getting another one, woman." He said still paying attention to the soup, and Farah felt surges of anger rush through her body. Of course he couldn't get burned because he had layers of armor on under that robe. Out of sheer anger and frustration Farah threw the bowl on the ground then stomped on it. "Woman-"
"My name is not woman!" She screamed through the top of her lungs now not trying to figure things out anymore. This time she caught his attention as he looked at her glazed over eyes. "My name-"
"Is Farah." He finished for her still hinted with sarcasm and she looked at him with wide eyes.
"How-"
"If you would just comply-"
"I will not comply until I find out what's going on!" She screamed back, and she expected him to be angry but instead he looked like he felt sorry for her. But why? She wondered.
"This for your own benefit-"
"I will choose what is beneficial for me-"
"Fine." He cut her off as he pulled out something from his pocket and Farah at first thought he is going to kill her. But, he threw something that she caught her hands and she couldn't believe what she saw in her hands. Impossible she thought, as she looked at the finely pure blue beads woven into an amulet with a distinctive shield in the middle, the sign of Lady Durga. Farah opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Instead she felt her knees buckle and memories floated through her mind like a string that she tried to catch. She remembered when she received the precious gift:
"Wear this." Arjun pulled out the necklace from his neck and placed it on Farah's palm. She looked at the necklace with complete awe. The necklace is in the shape of a shield studded with blue diamonds, gems, and white pearls.
"It's beautiful." She scrutinized while rubbing it with her thumb.
"This necklace is said to be created by Lady Durga's own hand maidens. It's supposed to offer you protection." He explained and Farah looked up at him. "I think it works, because there were plenty of times when I could have been seriously injured during our time here, and I never seem to get badly hurt." Arjun added.
"Then why are you giving it to me. You need more protection than me." She said as she thrust the necklace to him, but Arjun waved it away.
"As long as I don't have to see you suffer wounds again, I'll be fine. Plus I got a dozen more charms." He said trying to convince her to put the necklace on, and she did. "It suits you." He purred, and she blushed.
"Thank you." She said while examining the necklace on her neck.
She remembered! That damned necklace that saved her and not him! Why didn't she just force him to take it back, the tears began to fall from her bewildered eyes as she stared at the necklace in trance lost in the past. She also remembered when she threw the necklace away shattering it into a million pieces never to be reassembled again. It seemed like yesterday that those smooth beads were forcefully slipped from her hands into the cold concrete of the Babylonian streets. But, here it is in her hands once more. It couldn't be, after the killing the Vizier she looked for the necklace again because she regretted losing it but she couldn't find. Farah pitifully gazed up at the Immortal who stood with sympathy in his eyes and Farah didn't know what to say.
"How….how..when?" She tried desperately to ask him how did he get this item but the words couldn't form. "Who?"
