Prince of Persia: Keeper of the Gods
Chapter 5
… nothing but darkness. Bis hears a loud thud and feels a sharp pain. Then, everything slowly turns black.
"Bis," Dastan says as he kneels down to check on his friend. Dastan quickly sticks the end of his torch into the sand and gently cradles Bis' head in his hands. "Bis," Dastan calls out again. The tunnel fills with golden shafts of light flickering off the walls and ceiling as Dastan once again speaks to his friend. "Come on Bis," Dastan says and he gently slaps Bis' checks. Bis slowly opens his eyes.
"What happen?" Dastan asks.
Bis sits up and rubs the now visible bump on his head. "I have no idea," Bis offers. "I didn't hear anyone," Bis says.
"Or anything?" asks Dastan. Bis looks at Dastan with fear in his eyes.
"One minute I was looking for anything strange and the next minute I'm here with you," Bis states now rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm assuming that means you found something strange," Dastan says as he gets to his feet. "We just don't know what it was," he says suspiciously as he helps Bis to stand. "Yet," Dastan offers as he looks about the dark tunnel wondering if someone or something's watching them.
"Stop. You're spooking me," Bis says.
"Bis, what do you have to fear now?" Dastan asks jokingly. "If you were meant to be dead, the opportunity has just past."
Bis' mood is no longer light. "I've tired of this quest, Dastan," he says. "I want to go to sleep preferably in a warm bed. Perhaps someone else can help you find whatever strange thing walks these tunnels," Bis says.
"Come," Dastan offers as he puts his arm around Bis' shoulder. "We need to get to camp."
A small caravan of Alumat soldiers on horseback surround the Princess as she enters the outskirts of the Persian army's camp. The sun is fresh in the sky and has yet to warm the chill from the night before. As she enters the camp, the throngs of Persian soldiers stop their tasks to watch the Princess and her entourage. She is keenly aware of their staring and finds it unsettling.
Her guardian, Rammel, hurries from the back of the precession to ride up along side her. Rammel has been her loyal protector since she was fifteen and both her mother and father were killed in a quake that destroyed half the city. Rammel, only five years her senior, hoped the Princess would agree to be his wife but she declined his offer of marriage. She spoke of destiny and he was unable to argue the point. He too, was a guardian of the dagger and the Sands of Time and was all too familiar with what he perceived as the curse of destiny. Still, he was in love with Tamina. His anger over the current situation and her future marriage to the barbaric Persian Prince did not sit well with him. When the time was right, Rammel would kill Dastan.
In the royal tent, King Sharaman, Tus and Garsiv are on their feet surrounding a seated Dastan, serious looks on their faces.
"We have to take action now," says King Sharaman.
"With the loss of the dagger and the Palace being infiltrated by the Hassansins, we couldn't wait until after the wedding to layout our plans," Tus offers.
"I can't leave her," Dastan states. "They're far too powerful and she's too vulnerable."
"They must be eliminated, Son," King Sharaman shares as he puts his hand on Dastan's shoulder. Dastan looks up at his father. "Otherwise, there will never be peace for Persia or the Princess," the King continues.
"I need your help, Brother," Garvis replies.
"I'll be here," Tus jumps in. "Father and I will watch over her."
"As if she were my own daughter," King Sharaman shares. Dastan should feel confident but he doesn't. He knows more about Tamina than he has shared with his father and brothers.
"Perhaps there's another way," Dastan whispers under his breath.
From off in the distance a crier announces the Princess' arrival. Dastan leaps to his feet and reaches for his father's hand.
"I must go," he says. "We will talk about this again, Father."
"And soon, Brother," Tus says. "We are running out of time."
He exits in time to greet the Princess as her caravan stops just outside the King's tent.
"Princess," he says. "You're actually on time," Dastan teases. Tamina warms at the sight of him.
"You're wrong, Sir," she corrects him as she dismounts her horse refusing help from Rammel as she climbs down. "I'm earlier by a quarter of an hour," she says as she walks over within inches of Dastan. They are close now and their attraction for each other is palatable. He feels disarmed by his feelings for this woman. So much so that he doesn't notice the hateful look Rammel gives him.
"I stand corrected, Princess," he softly replies. Tamina feels safe now and she gives him a warm smile.
"My father has requested you join him in the royal quarters," Dastan states. Tamina turns to remove a large bag draped over her horse.
"No. I can't inconvenience the King in this way," she says. "My men will set up quarters for me …" she turns her head and nods in the direction of the morning sun, "…"perhaps on that hill just below the sun."
Dastan walks around her and puts himself between her and the sight of the hill. Now, she can only see his face surrounded by the glow of the sun.
"Perhaps I failed to mention it's useless to decline the King's request," Dastan says with what now looks like a wicked gleam in his eye.
"This is beginning to resemble a kidnapping rather than a rescue," Tamina says with a smile.
"I prefer partnership," Dastan says smiling back at her. "Dahmon," Dastan calls out to one of his men. Dahmon, a very young boy with long straight black hair, comes running and bows to the Princess. She smiles at him.
"I want you to assist the soldiers of Alamut as they settle Princess Tamina in my father's tent," Dastan says.
"Yes, of course," Dahmon says to Dastan before turning to Rammel. Princess Tamina sees the anger in Rammel and hurries to his side leaving Dastan to watch as she speaks to Rammel.
"I need your help," she quietly whispers to Rammel who is staring at Dastan. "I know you're not pleased with my being here. I can only ask that you trust me. I'd never purposefully hurt you, Rammel and you know that," she says. Rammel slowly looks from Dastan to the Princess.
"It hurts to see you speak to that heathen," Rammel growls remembering how he felt when Dastan stole the dagger from him the day the Persians attacked the city.
Dastan walks closer. "Is everything alright?" he asks Tamina. She turns to give Dastan a confident look and then turns back to Rammel.
"Don't make me send you away," she threatens. Rammel gives her a long look and then turns back to his horse. Tamina rushes to Dastan to calm the situation.
"He's very protective," she says to Dastan.
"And suspicious," Dastan offers looking at Rammel.
"Given what's happen in the last few days, you can't really blame him," she says. "He's as deeply committed to the safety of the dagger and the Sands of Time as I am. We just need to give him time. I'm asking you to be patient with all my people, Dastan. They are as anxious as I am," she states.
"I will prove myself as honorable to both you and your people, Tamina," Dastan says.
The palace is still and quiet. Several garrisons of soldiers remain to stave off intruders. Lieutenant Fazem surveys the city from one of the palace's balconies. The city is also quiet as the morning grows older. The Princess has instructed him to watch over the members of the Order until her return. And there was that other order she gave him to have every soldier search every home in the city until the dagger is found. Oh, all but the garrison he was to post on all entrances to the sand glass under the city. The danger level was high as long as the dagger was missing. He was worried but he wouldn't show his concern to the Princess. She had much on her mind of late. And, she was to be wed in four days.
"Tushar," he calls to his junior officer. A young man with brown curly hair and dark eyes walks out on the balcony.
"Sir?" Tushar asks.
"I want five hundred men ready in one hour," Fazem calls out. "They knock on every door and enter every home. I want this city canvassed by night fall. I want the dagger back in safe keeping and the Princess returned home. Do you have any questions?" he asks of the officer.
"None, Sir," the young man replies. He turns and leaves Fazem squinting in the bright mid morning sun.
The afternoon sun bakes the landscape around the Persian camp. There were only two places of refuge – in the shade of the tents or the large oasis at the center of the camp. Tamina tried to nap but thoughts of the dagger, the Hassansins, and Dastan swirl in her head preventing her from falling asleep. She decides to take a walk about the camp and leaves the safety of her tent. She walks a few steps toward the western sky and hears the sound of voices and laughter at the oasis. She wanders toward the sounds.
The oasis is a buzz of activity. The large pond is full of both horses feasting on the cool water and a dozen men swimming to stave off the heat of the day. Another fifteen to twenty men lounge under the palm and date trees that line the large pond.
After some time, the oasis comes into view and Tamina sees the men cavorting about the pond in various stages of undress. She is startled and takes in a deep breath. The Persians, busy in their own world, don't see her approaching. She sneaks up to a group of trees and hides. She catches herself gasp when she sees Prince Dastan among the men in the water. He's wearing only a small wrap of fabric about his waist. The sun shines in the beads of water that cover his chest, arms, and face. His dark skin shows the power of his body and the outline of his muscles. He laughs as one man dunks another under the water. Then, one of the soldiers, Bhushan, tries to dunk Dastan. Dastan is too strong and withstands the attempt only to dunk Bhushan instead. Tamina watches with delight. Amidst this play, Dastan sees something by a group of date trees furthest away from the pond. He thinks it's a glimpse of cream colored silk blowing in the afternoon breeze but his eyes must be deceiving him. He looks away briefly so as not to alarm who ever might be hiding. He turns back to the vision as he leaves the water and again sees flowing silk blowing in the breeze. Dastan walks over to tend his horse. He pulls a satchel of oats from his saddle and drapes it around the horse's neck allowing the animal to eat. Dastan is now within 50 feet of who ever is hiding behind the trees. He pulls on the clothes he has draped over his horse and turns to face the hidden spy.
"Tamina," he calls to her. Tamina comes from behind the tree, an air of confidence even though she's been caught spying.
"Dastan," she answers defiantly.
"Are you looking for something?" he pushes her to see if she will break.
"The dagger," she nonchalantly adds.
"Of course," he says with a smile. "You're wise to always be vigilant until it's recovered." He comes closer to her and she unintentionally gasps. This excites him and he moves even closer.
"You look flushed, Princess. Shall I get you some water?" he speaks just above a whisper.
"No," she whispers back and turns her face downward.
"You are a beautiful woman, Tamina," he says a hunger in his voice.
"Thank you, Sir," she softly says as she looks up at him.
He now moves within inches of her face. He raises his hand to her chin and turns her face toward him. He moves closer and gently brushes his check against hers and whispers in her ear.
"Everything will be fine," he says. He pulls back just enough to allow his lips to kiss her check. He tastes the salt from a single tear that has fallen down her face. She gently moves back a few inches so she can look into his eyes.
"You're always so confident, Dastan. If you believe we create our own destiny, what about fate?" she asks.
"Fate is an excuse to not try, to not change things," Dastan replies. "I plan on changing things." "It's four days before our wedding. Do you really think you can stop it?" he asks.
Tamina sees the determination in his eyes.
"Give in, Princess," he says. "I can tell by the look in your eyes you want to. You've been concerned your whole life about everyone else - your people, the dagger, the Sands of Time, and the Gods. Time to share your concern with someone else," Dastan says as he pulls her into an embrace. Tamina holds him close and he can feel her relax in his arms.
"Is that a yes?" he asks. Tamina releases her hold on Dastan but takes his hands in hers.
"You're a persuasive diplomat, Prince Dastan," she says. "How can I possibly say no," Tamina adds. Dastan is overwhelmed with joy but controls his excitement in front of Tamina.
"Wise decision, Princess," he says. "Do you doubt my dedication to you?" he asks. Tamina smiles at him.
"No. No, Dastan" she adds. "Not for a minute."