Chapter 2
King Sharaman calls to Tus and Garsiv. "I must speak with you immediately". He turns and moves toward the door with his sons following close behind. Outside in the hallway, he sees a small sanctuary directly across from the great hall. He crosses the corridor to the room as his sons follow.
"I'm beyond words", the King says with anger in his voice. Tus and Garsiv look at each other. Tus nervously jumps in, "Perhaps I could offer further detail, Father, to help explain the situation we find ourselves in."
"It is I that need to explain," the King says. "Years of trust. Not a hint of deception. How could I not see my beloved brother so full of hate and jealousy for these many years? My heart is heavy with all the pain he's caused."
"Father," Tus moves close to his father and puts his hand on the King's shoulder. "He deceived us all."
"And in the course of time, laid waste to a holy city," the King says. "It is only by the grace of the Gods that Princess Tamina has forgiven our indiscretion. If not, the Gods would have surely sought retribution for our blasphemy."
Garsiv steps toward his father. "We have only to follow through on your original quest to disarm and disband the Hassansins," he tells his father.
"Not an easy task, my son. I'm afraid they can't be spared. Otherwise, no one will be safe," the King says.
"I'll do it myself, Father," offers Garsiv.
"You'll need to call upon Dastan to assist," the King shares.
Tus jumps in, "On the eve of his wedding?"
"He has more to lose than any of us," the King says. "You don't think the Hassansins will let the Princess remain alive now? And, Garsiv, I dare say he'd never let you take on such a quest without him. You'll leave after the wedding."
The night sky is clear and thousands of stars shine beside the full moon. Tamina walks out on a balcony through a draped doorway with Dastan fast behind her. There's urgency in his manner.
"Is something wrong?" Tamina asks as she turns to face him.
Dastan comes close and looks into her eyes. "Tamina, I have something to tell you.
Tamina's face turns serious. "What is it?" she asks.
"I must tell you I've known you in another life?" Dastan says.
Tamina is cautious. "Another life?" she questions.
Dastan says, "The dagger, Princess."
Tamina stops breathing for a moment. "The dagger?" she asks.
Dastan takes her hand and pulls her to a bench placed next to the balcony railing. They sit facing each other.
"Princess, did you wonder how I knew to return the dagger to you?" he asks.
"I just assumed you were returning it to the leader of the City," she says.
"No. I returned to you because I know you're the guardian of the dagger and I know this because you've shown me its power," he says.
Dastan continues and tells her the story of their adventure, their other life, his Uncle and the reason they attacked the city. She is shocked by all that has transpired.
"That's not all, is it?" she questions.
"You said something then that I need to tell you now," Dastan says.
"What?" she asks.
"You said the Hassansins had infiltrated your Order; that they had become one of you. And now you're no longer pure," Dastan finishes. Tamina looks scared.
"How is this possible?" she asks. Dastan sees her concern and leans closer.
"The dagger is safe," he says. "The Hassansins wouldn't dare invade the city with the King and the whole of the Persian army here."
She gives him a blank stare. Then, she stands and walks a few steps away from the bench. Dastan sees the anxiety within her. She wrings her hands as she turns back to face him. He's confused.
"Is there something else, Princess? Something you haven't told me before," he asks.
Tears fill her eyes. Dastan instinctively jumps up and moves close. He gently takes hold of her arms and pulls her toward him. Tamina looks in his eyes.
"The girl; the one that saved man from Armageddon?" she says.
"Yes," Dastan offers.
"She was my Great Grandmother," Tamina shares and she gently breaks free of his grasp and walks back to stand by the bench.
"And what does that mean?" Dastan asks.
Tears begin to slip from Tamina's eyes. "Not only was she given the dagger to protect with the Sands of Time but she was also given the power to control the Gods. To be the Keeper of the Gods," she says.
"But why would they give her power over them?" Dastan asks.
Tamina continues, "They say the Gods created man from images of themselves. As man can be wicked and cruel, so can the Gods. The girl that's pure of heart was given the ability to keep peace among the Gods."
Dastan guesses, "So this Keeper of the Gods can control their power?"
"Yes. Prevent corruption in essence," Tamina says. Dastan walks over to where she's standing.
"What does this have to do with you?" Dastan asks.
"This gift has been passed down through her bloodline," Tamina states. Dastan tries to hide the concern behind his eyes.
"How does it manifest itself?" Dastan asks.
"The Keeper can pass judgments that the Gods must adhere to," she states.
Dastan begins to understand the seriousness of the situation. "So the most powerful force on Earth would be controlled by this one person," he whispers.
"Yes; by a mortal; a mortal woman," Tamina adds.
"Who knows of this?" Dastan asks.
"Only a trusted few within our Order – the covenant established to assist in the protection of the dagger," she shares.
"Which now includes a pack of mystical cutthroats and murders," Dastan says.
"If what you say is true, then they know not only the location of the dagger and the Sands of Time, but of the Keeper's power," she says.
Dastan looks at her with alarm in his eyes. "All they'd have to do is control you to control the power of the Gods," Dastan states.
"Yes," Tamina says with a catch in her voice. She tilts her head away from Dastan.
"Then I will never leave your side, Tamina." He moves to cup her face in his right hand. His thumb gently wipes away a tear that falls down her cheek. Tamina's sad eyes continue to fill with tears.
"Given the circumstances, you can't still be serious about marriage now?" She says as she lets out a nervous laugh.
"Nothing has happened that would change my mind, Princess," he says. Tamina lets out another nervous laugh and walks over to the edge of the balcony.
"I can't let you do this, Dastan," she says. "Keeper of the Gods is both a gift and a curse. You asked to be my husband, not my prisoner."
"I will be your husband. What better way to keep you safe?" he asks. "Besides, there must be some way to forego this responsibility?" he asks. I can't believe this is the reward the Gods intended for the purest of heart," he says.
"The Gods themselves would be the only ones able to change my fate and I can't see any reason why they would" she offers. "I must seek guidance from my Council. And then, I'll listen to my heart," she offers.
Dastan hears Tamina speak the same words his father has often shared with him and has no rebuttal. He knows Tamina well. He'll have to find another way to battle her stubbornness to win this fight.
"Will you honor a small request?" he asks. Tamina is lost in her thoughts but turns to answer his question.
"I'll try, Dastan," she softly answers.
"Wait the week before you give your final answer to my proposal," he asks. Tamina nods and turns to leave. Before she passes out of his reach, he gently grasps her arm and slowly slides his hand down into hers.
"One thing more," he says. She looks up; her eyes filled with tears. She says nothing. "I don't want you left alone. Promise me, you'll be careful," he asks.
She nods again and turns to leave before Dastan can see the tears spilling down her cheeks.