Destiny

A Prince of Persia Fanfiction

009 For A Reason

I kneeled on the cold marble floor sorting through violet saffron flowers. The pungent blooms wafted through the room leaving a dry, earthy scent. I began arranging the flowers with blades of long grass into a porcelain vase. As my fingers worked, my gaze shifted to Princess Aara who sat not too far away in a bask of candlelight. She was absently rubbing the silver chain around her small neck with fervent strokes. The look of agitation on her face was evident and concern washed through me.

Loud explosions suddenly rendered through the silence and all of us jumped including Eina who was standing by the great double doors dusting a statue depicting a rearing golden horse. Although the thundering blasts had started during twilight and continued endlessly into the night, the rumbling eruptions still startled the three of us. The siege of the city walls had greatly saddened the Princess and she had not said a word, only stared off into the distance where faint flames winked from the southern gate. We were all stunned once again by the abrupt opening of the heavy entry. Taya stalked in alone, her shimmering robes of cobalt glittering in the dim light. In her hand was the hilt of a slender sword, its' steel blade gleaming against the faint radiance. My hands froze as I watched Princess Aara slowly turn to peer at the High Priestess with disapproval.

"Taya, you know weapons are forbidden in my personal chambers and you brought it still?" the Princess scolded, eyeing the sword at the High Priestess's side.

"I tire of your games, Princess," Taya mouthed in an icy voice. "I tire of the way you diligently dodge my inquiries and stop my steadfast achievements."

Princess Aara rose to her feet and although her stature was small compared to the High Priestess, the glare that emanated from her intense eyes were overpowering.

"You have deliberately denied me the power that will change this world!" Taya's tone of voice rose to a shrill cackling. "I cannot stand by and watch you do nothing!"

I was still kneeling on the floor, rooted to the spot, looking from one to the other trying desperately to understand their conversation.

"The power that you employ will not change this world, it will corrupt it leaving nothing but disaster," Princess Aara replied in a commanding tone, unbecoming of a ten year old. "Do you think that I do not know of your foul plans? Because I am a child does not restrict me from weeding out your spies! I am a Princess, and you are nothing but a lowly servant!"

Taya cringed at the rebuke, unsure if what she was doing was wise. Greed outweighed loyalty and the doubt in her expression dissolved instantly. With her free hand, the High Priestess pulled forth a bundle of tasseled silk. Wrapped within the crimson cloth glimmered an ancient golden dagger, faint unnatural honeyed light glowed from its' blade. This time it was the Princess who flinched with horror. She blanched as the color drained from her pretty face.

"Where are the Sands of Time, Princess? Give it to me!"

"You will never find it!"

The High Priestess narrowed her angry eyes and suddenly lunged forward. The sword in her hand was thrust forward and in the soft candlelight in the silence of the enormous room, a small cry of pain pierced the still air. Reflex came to life in my limbs as I stood up and bounded over. The sickening sound of steel and flesh reverberated through my ears as Taya yanked her sword from the abdomen of the Princess. Tucking the dagger inside her clothes, the High Priestess finally noticed me running over and pointed the crimson stained sword at my chest.

"If you are wise, you will keep your distance!"

I froze and shifted my petrified gaze from the tip of her blade to the fallen Princess. Grief accumulated in my heart as I watched dark red blood ooze from her wound.

"She is only a child!" I whispered and shook with tremors of sorrow. The High Priestess sneered and whirled around. Stalking toward the door, she paid no attention to me. I followed her with my terror stricken eyes and gasped as Eina who had been observing the whole scene in silence suddenly leap onto Taya. The small girl grabbed at the High Priestess's robes and began pummeling her with quick punches. Taya screamed in rage and threw the girl off of her with a strength I did not know she could have possessed. Eina crashed onto the floor knocking over several large jars of incense. The High Priestess then lifted her sword high into the air and jerked it down into Eina's soft chest. The audible grinding of steel against bone echoed throughout the room. My scream died in my throat as Taya pulled free her blade and disappeared from the chamber. With a heavy heart, I ran toward the prone figure on the cold floor. Eina was lying in an awkward position with her right hand pinned behind her back. I lifted her head and smoothed away the loose strands of hair that clung to her forehead.

"Eina..."

Her faraway eyes tried to focus on my face as she winced from the agony that consumed her body. I touched her face and felt the cold already taking hold.

"At least I got to sleep in a palace before I died," she whispered, a small smile forming on her pale lips. I fought back the anguish that pierced my chest and grinned with her. Always the optimist.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, desolately. Her grin widened as she tugged her pinned arm free. Clutched in her hand was the mysterious dagger bundled in its' crimson cloth. I took in a sharp breath, eyeing the weapon with wonder. Eina deposited the knife into my own hands and mumbled as if slipping into a much awaited dream.

"Everything happens for a reason..."

Her gentle voice trailed off and then her body went limp. I shook her feverishly, but her glazed eyes never blinked. It was only then that I noticed the hot tears streaming down my cheeks. They rolled off my chin and onto Eina's gray robe. In the short time that we have accompanied each other, I had grown fond of her.

"Lillei..." a small voice called out for me. I looked up from Eina's prone figure to find Princess Aara where she had fallen. She lay on her side, blood dripping from her stomach. A maroon pool had already gathered on the marble floor. With pained effort, she beckoned for me with an ashen hand. I released Eina'a immobile body and quickly sauntered over to help the Princess.

"It seems the Gods still favor us," she breathed as I pulled her into my arms. Her heavy bleeding seeped into my clothes as I held her against my chest. She shuddered and gazed at me with innocent eyes.

"They have sent me you and it is you that must fulfill my promise," Princess Aara whispered, her voice as fragile as glass. She raised her trembling fingers to the silver chain around her neck and pulled it free. The necklace dangled from her tiny hand, a small shimmering hourglass suspended from the end of the band. Within the container harbored grains of sand the color of alabaster. With her other hand, she touched the dagger that rests in my palm.

"You must take the dagger to the ancient guardian sanctuary in the Hindu Kush. Seek out a woman named Tamina in the Valley of the Slaves. She will show you the way to the temple. Only there can the dagger be kept safe," Princess Aara instructed, her voice crackling with torment. I listened to her with awe, taking it all in with stunned silence. The life in her eyes began to fade, trickling away like water through my fingers.

"Give me your word," she pleaded and dropped the chained pendant into my hand. The metal glistened from the sunrise that poured from the fluttering drapes. I swallowed the uneasiness that crept into my body and thought of this little girl, this child so much like my sister, who with her dying breath had given me a task that she could trust to no one.

"You have my word," I answered and watched as relief washed over her face. She drew her hand up and pointed a shaky finger to the wall opposite us.

"There lies a secret passageway that will take you out of the palace and into the streets of the city. You must hurry before Taya returns," Princess Aara urged and then grasped my arm. The look in her pallid face was grateful and oddly at ease. She squeezed my skin and then said softly.

"Thank you...my friend."

I watched as her eyes too, turned glassy and then devoid of life. Carefully laying her down, I fought the wave of emotion that rendered my heart and swiftly ran to the wall that she had pointed to. Slipping the chain around my neck and tucking the dagger into my robe, I took one last look behind me. Dawn had arrived, bringing with it streamers of light that bounced off the polished furniture and gleaming vases. The room had a cold feel to it as I gazed at the two bodies on the floor. Sadness weaved its melancholy song within me as I took a shuddering breath and turned around.

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