Destiny

A Prince of Persia Fanfiction

005 It Looks Dashing

I sat underneath the shaded eaves of the open vendor stall glad that I was not working in the baking sun today. Scattered around me were rolls of silk fabrics that rested on low stools. Piles of clothing were stacked on a rather clean looking wooded counter that ran the length of the stall. The place was small, only wide enough to seat two people. Handmade wire hangers hung suspended from several strings attached to the low beams, displaying multicolored hues shaped into tunics and pants. Several long sashes of assorted colors swayed from the scarce wind. A burgundy scarf among the others caught my eye and I stared at it, realizing it was similar to the one Dastan wore a few days ago. The thought of him made my heart leap and skip in tumbled circles. His handsome face, piercing gaze, and irresistible presence made liquid fire boil within me. A longing took hold of my chest and squeezed causing a craving hunger that ignited the sweet inferno bubbling in my heart.

"I do not pay you to daydream, girl!" a high pitched voice sliced through my thoughts. I blinked and snapped my eyes to focus on the old woman that sat next to me. Grandma Saidi wrinkled her nose at me and pointed to the azure bolt of cloth and shears in my hands. Her shriveled hand jabbed menacingly in a warning gesture.

"I'm sorry," I quickly mumbled and resumed cutting strips of blue fabric. The sectioned ribbons fell to the padded mat that lined the dirty floor in heaps of snakelike streamers.

"You should be grateful I offered you work. If I was not as kindhearted, I would have gave it to those new workers who just arrived in the city," Grandma Saidi scoffed in a stern voice. She sighed and fanned herself with her withered hand. "What is the world coming to? Nasaf is a successful city, but with everybody flocking in to claim their prize, there won't be any left for the rest of us!"

She continued rambling about stolen jobs and took a bit of time elaborating on how it was high time she received good fortune for her honest entrepreneur skills. I listened without comment, biting my tongue so I did not enrage her with what I really thought of her charlatan ways. My fingers continued to work, but the droning of Grandma Saidi's voice lulled me into a daze. My thoughts drifted to Dastan and I realized that I saw his face more and more in my mind with each passing day. I had not seen him since our little escapade on top the palace and although I longed to be with him again, I had no way of even possibly finding him. The thought of searching for him greatly amused me and I almost laughed out loud. Of course, I would discover him in the palace but I could not simply march to the gold tinted gates and inquire after him. I wouldn't get fifty paces within the courtyard, before guards hurried out to demand what is that I wanted.

Please, may I speak with Prince Dastan?

The soldiers would kick me out thinking I was a beggar there to plead for pittance. It was a ridiculous idea and I shook my head in contemplation. Therefore, I was stuck here in the company of lovely Grandma Saidi and her annoying voice. Sighing, I pulled the cloth higher up on my knees and continued cutting.

"Oh, may I help you?" Grandma Saidi said in a sweet tone as she talked to a customer. "That would look flattering on you," she proceeded on babbling and complimenting.

"You don't think it's too bright?" a deep familiar voice floated over. My head snapped up and my eyes locked onto Dastan's gorgeous face. He had an expression of feigned doubt on his handsome features. The same burgundy scarf that I had scrutinized at earlier was draped over his fingers.

"Oh not at all, dear sir," Grandma Saidi cooed and smiled showing her crooked teeth. "It would look marvelous on you!"

Dastan's forehead scrunched together in thought as he held up the scarf and turned it this way and that. In a mock frown, he shifted his gaze to me and asked innocently.

"You there, perhaps you could give me an opinion?"

"Oh, what would she know? She's just a serving girl," Grandma Saidi ridiculed and waved at me, dismissively. The work in my hands was neglected as I regarded Dastan with stunned surprise. He did not take his eyes off of me and within those light-hued spheres, an adoring devotion glimmered behind the veil that masked his face.

"Uh...well," I faltered at a loss of what to say. Grandma Saidi sneered, clearly displeased. "I think...sir...that it looks dashing...on you."

A small smile appeared on Dastan's lips coloring his face with glee. Swinging his eyes to Grandma Saidi, he pulled silver coins from within his azure robes. Depositing them into Grandma Saidi's eager palms, Dastan wrapped the scarlet sash around his neck and began walking away.

"Thank you, kind sir! Thank you!" Grandma Saidi's honey filled voice cried out as she pocketed the money. I furtively stole glances the way that Dastan had departed, but he disappeared as quick as he appeared. After several attempts of searching for him with cautious glimpses without attracting the attention of the once again jabbering old lady next to me, I gave up and lowered my eyes onto the trailing fabric at my feet. Stuck within the folds of the indigo material, slightly protruding adjacent to my heel was a single torn crimson strip of cloth tied with one smooth knot. I snatched it in my fingers and recognized it instantly. It was the same color and fabric of the scarf that Dastan just bought. Anxiousness swiftly rose in my body as I raised my gaze to peer at the surrounding lane. Shops lined the narrow dirt road, packed close together. A flurry of sound consisting of loud conversations, creaking carts being towed and noises from nearby camels, swelled from the street. People in dust covered tunics and long gray robes littered the place, either buying or gawking. I scanned the area carefully and spotted a single band of burgundy cloth tied around the pole of another vendor's stall not too far away. It was fashioned into the same knot. My heart thudded with delight.

"Grandma Saidi, may I go use Farim's wash room?" I asked and tried to look innocent. She waved at me as if swatting a bothersome fly and grunted in answer. Stepping into the crowded road, I weaved past people to where the tied cloth hung limply unnoticed to all around it. I reached it in a matter of seconds and began seeking for another. Next to this particular stall was a narrow set of washed stone stairs that led to the upper tier of the merchant district. As I scanned up the cracked stone slabs, I saw an abandoned cart; its' wheels gone, its' lack of use prominent in the side where a huge fracture rendered its' surface. There, fastened to the end of the handlebars, was a faint flash of red. Quickly climbing the steps, I reached the cart and pulled free the piece of knotted scarf. I followed these small signs for a bit more until I came to an extremely narrow gap in between two buildings. Entering this crevice, I glimpsed another cinched fabric attached to a low bush in the farthest corner. Hunting for another, I realized that there was nowhere to look. The bush was surrounded on all sides by the buildings. The windows of the dwellings were high and on the left structure was a balcony laden with plants and protruding vines. I turned around, biting my lip and stared off into the entrance. I feverishly wondered where to go from here and I was getting increasingly worried that Grandma Saidi would start to question why it's taking me so long.

A soft thudding erupted behind me and I twirled around to come face to face with Dastan. He grinned at the sight of me and stepped closer. Clutched in his left hand was what remained of the scarf he had just purchased. I raised my eyes to the balcony above and realized that's where he was hiding.

"Hello," he uttered, that wonderful smile still on his lips.

"Dastan..."

"I wanted to see you sooner, but my Uncle Nizam has just arrived home from Alumut. I had to be present to receive him," Dastan explained and brushed the strands of hair that strayed onto his cheeks. "I don't understand why my heart suddenly feels pain when you are not near."

My face reddened and a diminutive smile stole onto my trembling lips. My fingers were absently rubbing the sides of my long pale dress in short nervous strokes.

"I was so determined on leaving the palace grounds that my brothers thought I was crazy," Dastan declared and chuckled to himself. When his laughter ceased, he tilted his gaze my way and pondered out loud.

"Maybe I am crazy..."

"Crazy? I should be the one that is mad. Talking to you, being able to see you...that is such a rarity. Not to mention that you're a prince and all, someone who is only glimpsed by nobles," I replied with enthusiasm. He rubbed his hands as one and grinned with humor.

"Well, then we can be raving lunatics together," Dastan announced. This time, my own laughter mingled with his. The butterflies in my stomach began to dissipate and my tense edgy muscles relaxed. The sound of his laughter suppressed the apprehension that was bottled inside me. We spent the next few minutes conversing about nothing in particular, just enjoying one another's company. He inquired if I needed anything at my home; food, clothing, and such, but when I revealed that the only clothing I had as of now was what he saw before him, he offered to purchase me some. I adamantly declined and the subject was dropped when he noticed that it bothered me. Dastan, then began talking about his family.

"My father is currently visiting the high temple in Angvar," he said, fondly. "He is a man of prayers, seeking answers that he thinks the gods are whispering to him." The love in Dastan's deep eyes for the King made me feel somewhat happy. I could see that he cherishes his father dearly.

Grandma Saidi's wrinkled face suddenly appeared in my mind. I gasped in disbelief, forgetting that I had supposedly told her I was in the wash room. Panic constricted my chest and I took a step back.

"I must go. The old lady you acquired that scarf from is not very nice," I said, hurriedly. Dastan seized my hand and squeezed his fingers tightly around mine. His touch was heavenly; warm and affectionate.

"Just a moment," he murmured, looking into my eyes with a sweltering need. Dastan drew closer, so close that the front of his navy robes brushed my quivering chest. It took all the strength in me not to collapse. I abruptly pulled back and released his hand, although all I wanted was to keep them entwined with mine.

"I must go," I whispered and watched as Dastan's face filled with an unfulfilled joy. I absolutely wanted to press my lips to his, to feel their softness against mine but I did not want to suffer a beating.

"I will come see you tomorrow," Dastan promised and smiled longingly. I reluctantly turned around and hurried away. Elation filled my heart to the brim, spilling over in waves of ecstasy. The emotions Dastan roused in me were overwhelming, but beautifully satisfying. As I retraced my route back to Grandma Saidi, I regretted not savoring those delicious lips of his.

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