Destiny

A Prince of Persia Fanfiction

010 Tell Me

Loud voices shouted and the neighing of horses could be heard over the din of metal against metal. Puffs of dust rose from the boots of hundreds of soldiers battling in the crowded streets of Alumut. I peered around the corner of a low building next to a fence that was drying some loose linen and scanned the area for a way out. Stone houses lined the street aside sparse greenery. Littered here and there were dead bodies with frozen faces of agony. I swallowed back my fear and hastily grabbed one of the white sashes that were draped over the fence. Covering my head and face so that only my eyes were visible, I took one more last look into the foray and pelted into the street. Armed men paid me no attention as I ran past. I could feel the bulk of the dagger at my side concealed within my robes. My mind began working for a plan out of the city, but like inevitable events, fate had another plan for me.

Approaching a fork in the road, I contemplated which one I should take. One led higher into the city while the other led through an archway that curved under a small walkway. At the end of this passageway was a horseman galloping after a running man. I chose the latter and rushed after the charging horse. As I followed, thinking about which way I should go next, the running man in front of the horseman agilely jumped onto the surrounding wall on the left and then picking up speed, he leaped onto the wall on the right and using the momentum, crashed into the horseman knocking him clear off his horse. They both went tumbling past the arched pathway onto the dusty road. A flash of crimson winked from the running man as he quickly got to his feet. The horseman took a little longer to stand upright, but when he did he drew the pointed spear from the ground and eyed his foe with watchful dark eyes. I stopped at the end of the archway and watched the running man snatch his fallen scimitars and swung them toward the soldier with ease. As I continued to stare at him; the way he moved with lightning quick steps despite the weight of his black and silver armor, the dark disheveled hair that leaped around his broad shoulders, the familiar attractive face that was locked in a cunning gaze, a staggering realization occurred to me.

It was Dastan.

My heart leaped and joy flowed through me in a familiar warmth. Longing for him suddenly took hold and I felt my insides yearn without end. The horseman who wore the same temple insignia as the palace soldiers, blocked Dastan's strike and then weaved his spear attacking back three times. With a sudden brisk smite with his double blades, Dastan deflected the assault with experienced effortlessness. They glared at each other in a moment of contemplation; calculating their next moves, oblivious to the sprawled bodies around them and the sounds of battle that raged about. The soldier slashed with his spear, pinning the pointed end on one of Dastan's swords and crushed it against the low stone wall that surrounded them. Using the blunt end of his staff, the soldier brought it toward Dastan's face. With a swiftness that amazed me and with blinding speed, Dastan parried the soldier's strike with his other blade and swung around to avoid another jab from the Alumutian. With a few more skillful maneuvers, Dastan sliced the soldier's chest in one nimble strike and kicked him to the dirt. He fell to the ground in a heap of dust. Triumphantly, Dastan turned away ready for another foe and another fight, but the soldier at his feet was not yet ready to give up. He reached for his fallen spear and attempted to rise. With Dastan's back to him, he had the perfect chance for a backstab. In a split second decision, I looked around the clearing and spotted an abandoned blade next to a fallen recruit. Springing toward it, I snatched the hilt of the sword and discerned how awkward it felt in my hands. It was heavy and I felt unbalanced as I swung it with all my strength into the back of the soldier. His scream tore through the air as Dastan glanced back. The look of surprise on his handsome face was mirrored in mine as I stood there still holding the hilt with the blade sunk deep into the flesh of the soldier. Dastan's gaze shifted from the dead man to me and he stared at me with amazement. I tore my eyes from his beautiful features to the sword that I had just wielded. Shock pierced my body in tremors as I released the hilt with shaking hands. The realization that I just killed a man dawned on me and I quivered as if the air was chilly.

"It's alright," Dastan said. He sheathed his swords behind his back and gently held his hands up in assurance. He came closer and squinted at my face. It was only then that I suddenly realized he still did not recognize me with the sash covering my head.

"Dastan..." my voice came out small and scared. Astonishment filled his features as recognition glimmered in his disbelieving eyes. I pulled the scarf from my head and watched his gaze widen with bewilderment.

"Lillei?" he breathed taking my trembling hands in his. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story," I muttered quietly. His startled turquoise gaze lowered from my face and then down to the stained clothes I wore.

"You're bleeding!" Dastan exclaimed in horror at the dried blood that soaked the front of my gray robe. I shook my head at the concern in his features.

"It's not mine."

Pulling me into his tight embrace, Dastan kissed the top of my forehead. Stroking my hair delicately he then glanced up to the palace as a loud horn blared. Returning his affectionate eyes to me, he said in a hurried voice.

"That is Tus. He has overtaken the palace. You can tell me your long story there."

Dastan pulled me, but I resisted and held onto his hand, fear prominent in my eyes and voice.

"I cannot go back there! If the High Priestess should see me..."

Confusion clouded his concerned stare as he tried to comprehend what I was saying. I shook my head, images of Eina and the Princess swirling in my mind.

"What are you saying?"

"If she sees me, she'll kill me!"

Dastan seized my face in his palms and said in a fiery tone, full of undisguised passion.

"I won't let anyone hurt you. The city is lost, the Alumutians can do nothing while the Persian King's sons have secured the city."

He reached over and pulled the white sash over my face once more and then took hold of my hand.

"As an extra precaution," Dastan said and pulled me after him. I reluctantly followed wondering why I am entering the palace when I had just escaped.

Dastan stared at me with adoration, a smoldering flame radiated from the depths of his blue eyes. They fascinated me, lulling me into a cocoon of desire. I became oblivious to the splendor of the palace room that I stood in. The extravagance of the plush bed and the multi-colored tapestries didn't sway me from his dazzling glare. The ocher hued window veils that sashayed from the breeze and the scent of ranunculus were forgotten as I drowned in the intense excitement that manifested from his expression.

"Tell me what happened," Dastan inquired, his voice a gentle murmur. Trying not to faint, I took a shuddering breath and recited everything that had transpired starting from when I was knocked out to my hasty flight from the Alumutian palace. He listened with composed interest never leaving his glance from my face. When I grew silent with conclusion, Dastan did not speak for several moments.

"Do you have this dagger with you?" he asked after thoughtfully scanning the room. I pulled the weapon from the folds of my garments and handed it to him. Dastan scrutinized the etched blade with curiosity, the gleam of the handle glinted gold against his tanned cheek. After long minutes of admiring the dagger, he slipped it behind his back obscuring it with his silk woven brown robe.

"I'm not sure what this all means, but in the meantime, let's not speak of it," he decided and gestured toward the bed where a pile of garments were folded neatly in a pile. "Your attire for the banquet. It seems my father has left his prayers to come join us here."

"The King is here?" I wondered in awe.

"Just arrived, actually. He is not too pleased with the invasion and the discovery of the Princess's body is not sitting well with him, but he has consented to this feast promising the Alumutians that the Princess will receive a proper funeral," Dastan explained distractedly as if something bothered him. Doubt crept into his handsome face, making his forehead wrinkle with worry. I was about to ask him what was the matter when he gestured to the clothes on the bed once again.

"You should dress. I will send an escort for you," Dastan suggested and a faint smile formed on his lips. "Keep your face hidden. The High Priestess is attending the banquet in honor of the Princess and from what you have just revealed to me, I do not believe I can entirely trust her."

Dastan took another long look at me and then disappeared out the door. I stared at the empty space that he had just occupied for a few more minutes and then finally whirled around and reached for the garments that awaited me.

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