Sigh, chapter titles are hard work, I tell ya. New chap, its pretty rough, I decided to post it anyway, since I'll probably go back through the whole thing to edit once its over.=)

"Incredible, "Dastan said, as he looked at the dagger, in a whole new light. "Releasing the sands, turns back time." This was just...remarkable, so...impossible.

"And only the holder of the Dagger is aware this." He glanced at the princess, shock and awe. In his dazed state, he hardly noticed the fear in her eyes.

.This power, in his hands, oh..what a marvel. The day had taken many unexpected turns, yet this, incredible weapon. It far surpassed any other event.

He turned the princess, a sudden burst of questions breaking through. "How much time can it unwind," he demanded, "answer me princess!" She looked up at him, her fury evident, but there was something else. Fear?

Tamina pursed her lip, and spat, "You destroyed my city!"

Her words brought on another revelation, and his mind jolted. "Our invasion wasn't about weapon forges," he began slowly, turning to the dagger, "no. it was about this dagger!"

Her eyes flashed, distracting him. He'd never seen a woman, a young woman of the nobility at least, so...passionate. Shaking his head, Dastan tried to think through the events. His heart then grew cold, as the truth dawned upon him.

His words gushed forth, it all fit! "After the battle, Tus asked for this dagger as tribute I didn't think anything of it, but now I see with it he could change anything."

What could he change though, Dastan thought as he paused, bitter for a moment. He had already killed their father.

"He could change the course of a critical moment in battle," Dastan then realised, "he could foresee the blade of arrival, he wouldn't just be King he would be the greatest ruler Persia's ever seen.

"Greater than my father." Of course. Dastan thought. Tus, already heir apparent to the throne, yet, so eager for the throne. Dastan had seen him, so impatient, his restlessness in proving himself to be a true king. Alamut, as he suspected even then, was perhaps, no, it was true, Tus had planned the entire things out!

"It was all about this dagger." He repeated, shocked. Forgeries. What a trick he seemed.

Suddenly, the princess let out a huge sigh, and he looked up, startled. She leaned heavily against Aksh, closing her eyes.

Dastan couldn't help but move closer. She had tried to kill him only moments ago, yet he could not let her die, or faint, cold. Especially, now as twinges of guilt coursed through him. Now that he had discovered, that her city truly was innocent.

And the dagger. His lips curved slightly, even in their web of uncertainty. No wonder she tried to seduce him. How different it seemed, from the blunt, ornamental knife he'd thought to carry around, for no particular reason at all.

Tamina cleared her throat, looking back at him. Her composure was back, but he realised, after watching so many emotions flitting across her eyes, all in a single day, he could discern her expression with surprising ease. She was still afraid.

"I think Prince Dastan, "she said, her voice shaking slightly, and she stopped, turning once more to the saddle bag. Dastan was puzzled, and suspicious. Surely she wasn't so foolish as to attack him once more. "We- we ought to rest."

Tamina drew out her outer robe, and patted Aksh, who sat down. Settling herself beside the horse, Dastan could not help but observe.

"There is more to this, isn't there?"

She looked at him. "No, Prince Dastan, "she coolly replied, "You have discovered all. Turned back time with the precious sands. How could there possibly be more to this?"

Well, sarcasm suited her just fine. Dastan couldn't help but roll his eyes. At least she acknowledged the fact the secrets of the dagger had yet to be dug out. Surely she didn't think he was that much of a fool.

He knew she wouldn't leave at night. Certainly, he was tempted, tempted to leave. He looked at her resting figure. She had already drifted off to sleep.

But he couldn't, Dastan knew. There was so much more to the dagger. And who would know of the Dagger better, than the princess herself. And of course, even he wouldn't be so unkind as to leave the princess of Alamut in the darkest hours of night.

He wasn't sure if she'd be totally helpless though, he smiled, a little. Placing it back to his belt, he took of his own ragged cloak, and lay down.

She was right. They had to rest, to gather their strength for the day tomorrow. And it be, a journey he knew not, after that.

Tamina felt her energy drain her, through the days events. Her city had been invaded, she had almost been betrothed to the eldest prince of Persia, and now, the youngest had found the powers of the Dagger. She knew he would not give it over willingly, and nothing could be achieved at the moment.

She looked at the prince, still awe-struck with the dagger. She knew would have to keep close to him, by any means.

And yet, Tamina had no energy left. "We ought to rest," she said simply.

Dastan stared back at her. They were companions for now, forced to bear each other. What tomorrow would bring, neither of them knew, but for this night, it was best to get some rest.

Tamina went over to the horse Aksh, still standing in his sleep. She spread her robes onto the sand, and took off the saddle. As she lay on it, she felt the prince move, to the other side of the horse.

She shook off his final questions, knowing that he too, was exhausted enough to prod further.

If he tried to leave, in the middle of the night, she would know. Galloping away with the horse right next to her, was outright impossible.

With that, Tamina closed her eyes, and prayed to the gods to help her through the perils she was sure to face.

When Dastan got up, he saw the princess, washing her face in the oasis nearby. It was a stroke of luck, when they had found it last night.

Oh lord. The dagger. He jumped up, and felt into his robes. It was still there. Dastan breathed out, relieved. He knew, if the princess was capable of killing him to take the dagger, she could very well steal it.

Aksh was awake too. Well, it was nice to face a familiar figure. He cleared his sheets, saddling the horse. Dastan knew he had to get on the move. It was no time for dawdling. Someone had to be warned of Tus' plan.

Nizam. His uncle would believe him. Dastan breathed out, feeling hopeful for the first time in hours. He had a purpose now, he knew what the dagger could do. If only he could get to his uncle soon. He buckled the horse, striding into the pool.

"What are you doing?" Ahh, Tamina. Her voice was sharp. He turned, and saw the worry on her face. And he was quite sure, it wasn't for him...

"My brother Garsiv can't be far behind us," he said, getting up onto Aksh. "She's the most famous horse in the empire. "This will obscure his tracks"

"Tracks? Where are you going?"she demanded, following the horse.

Well, she certainly wasn't going to back away, was she?

"Avrat," he replied, "where my father will be buried." He was determined not to let his voice shake. The pain of losing his father had yet to fade, and Dastan knew, it never truly would.

He heard the princess let out a scoff. She started walking backwards, her voice sceptic, "You're wanted for the King's murder, and you're going to march into his funeral alongside thousands of Persian soldiers?"

"Nizam will be there," he answered. Tamina refused to let go of the reins, as she tried to hold him back. "He's the only one I can trust, he will see I was set up by Tus"

What harm could it do to tell the princess. He thought it ironic. Here they were, relative enemies, yet they now knew each other's secrets and plans. Within a single day.

"Step aside Princess," he ordered, but somehow resigned. And he was right. She did not budge, but only pushed harder, hissing, "Every road to Avrat will be covered with Persian troops"

He smirked. Did she really think he'd march down to Avrat down a road? "I'm not taking roads" Dastan said "I'm going through the Valley of the slaves." It was an impromptu plan. Though, he realised it was be the fastest way to reach his uncle.

"No one goes near those wastelands," Tamina said, shaking her head, "it's filled with murderous cut-throats" Dastan smirked. Ahh, so she did want to come along, didn't she?

"Yeah, so they say" he carelessly replied, partly to aggravate her.

Indeed it did. "Your whole plan is suicide." Her face was filled with grim conviction.

Well, it was time to sort this out once and for all. Clearly she wanted to come along, and he wasn't quite decided whether he wanted her too. But if they were to travel to together, he had to tell her blunt and clear, of what she already knew.

"My brother murdered my father and left his blood on my hands, if I die trying to set that right," he felt himself grow grim," then so be it"

And pulled the reins of Aksh, as the princess moved aside of her own accord. Then behind him, he heard the splash of water, and tilted his head, smirking. She clearly didn't take well to being ignored.

"So you're going to leave me here? In the middle of nowhere?" she exclaimed, and Dastan rolled his eyes. At least she'd finally gotten to the point. "Noble Dastan, abandoning a helpless woman to the wilderness! What does your precious honour have to say about that?"

From her tone, he knew she wondered if he had any. But he did. Tamina was the princess of Alamut, and to leave her in the desert would equal to murder. This, right after his father's death, was not something he was prepared to do.

He turned the horse around sighing. He needed the princess anyway. Who'd know better than anyone about this mysterious dagger?

Dastan went back to the princess, and pleaded with the Creator. "Give me the strength not to kill her."

She gave him a scathing look, and mounted up. It was going to be a long ride.

"I still don't think your plan will work," he heard her voice behind him.

"Oh, and how exactly do my plans involve you, princess?"

He turned around, to see her glaring and wondering if that would be her permanent expression. Then, she burst, "How can you talk of such trifles when you carry the gift, Alamut's greatest treasure?"

"Well," he contemplated his words, "it seems to me, that the greatest treasure is no more. It's merely a trifle, now that your sands have been used up."

She pursued her lips, keeping silent.

"You know, I do think you would be far more furious, that you now lack the last bits of sands."

She raised her eyebrows, still adamantly quiet.

Dastan smirked, knowing he had struck her weakest. There definitely was much more to the dagger.

He pulled the reins, and Aksh neighed, speeding into a full gallop. And they were off.

It was hours before they reached near the Valley. Dastan knew none, not even his brothers, would dare enter the place.

"We'd better get off, princess. Aksh shall need his strength, "It didn't help the horse now carried the two of them. She scoffed at him, jumping down the horse, none too gracefully.

He rolled his eyes, hesitating for a moment. Perhaps, he could urge Aksh off, and Tamina wouldn't exactly be stranded. The Persian border was near enough.

"Whatever you're thinking, it won't work." She spoke, now her turn to smirk. "The noble prince Dastan, contemplating the thought of leaving the great princess in the barren sands."

"And what if I do give in to temptation, princess? I doubt you could do anything to stop me."

"Huh," she smiled, "I know of your plans Dastan. Your brother will trace us soon, and I doubt you'd want them interfering in your plan to meet your uncle."

Dastan sighed. "Contrary to what you think princess, I don't plan to abandon you. " Not too soon anyway.

"I'm thirsty," Tamina spoke suddenly. Before he could do much than raise his eyebrows, she pulled off the canteen, and doused herself in the few millimetres of water in there.

"Why princess, how noble of you, draining our entire water store at a go." He stared at her, as she pretended to ignore him.

"You know, "he warned with a smile, as she fell into a step behind him. "if you're thinking I shall die so soon, due to the lack of water. It won't be so easy to kill me."

For the first time, she seemed to suppress a smile of sorts.

She glanced down at his dagger again. Ahh, he rolled his eyes, as the recollection slowed him down. That was the reason she had been staring at him, back in the palace. The Dagger at his belt, that had been the reason she'd agreed to Tus' proposal.

The sun glistened off the myriad of sands. He wondered if they rest. Wait for the scorching midday heat to pass. Suddenly, a though struck him. He left Aksh, drawing out the dagger. Bending down onto the sands, he opened the jewelled hilt, putting some sands in. Excitement mounted in him. Would he turn back time again? Was the answer really so simple?

Then he heard Tamina chuckle, and looked up, distracted. "Without the right sand, it's just like any other dagger," she explained. "Not even a very sharp on at that." She went back to tying her robe.

The right sands. He had suspected it. Striding to the princess, he asked, "This sand, is there more of it?" He hadn't expected to confront her so soon, yet, he couldn't let this pass.

"Of course not," she scoffed. He wasn't deterred. "Where can we get some?"

"Try standing on your head and holding your breath," she replied scathingly. But he knew it to be a lie. This conviction was only strengthened as she quickly turned her head away, touching her necklace. Funny, he never did notice it. Perhaps the necklace had some sands. Dastan groaned inwardly. He really was grasping at straws. Still, he couldn't help but peer into her blouse.

He saw a vial of sort, hanging off like a pendant. Perhaps, perhaps he was right.

"See what you were looking for?" he glanced up, to see her raised eyebrows.

Dastan rolled his eyes. Attractive as she physically was, this obviously wasn't the time he would pick to lust. "Start walking." Was his only reply.

He heard her huff behind.

"You know, you really walk like one. The walk of a self satisfied, Persian prince, "he heard her scoff,. He was prepared for some sort of rant, but this was getting on his nerves.

"No doubt from being told from birth that the world was yours."

"I wasn't born in a palace like you!" he burst out, unable to bear the taunts. Whatever his faults, she wouldn't curse him for what he never was.

"I was born in the slums of Nasef, where I clawed and fought for my daily bread."

This silenced her. She looked at him closely, appearing, perhaps for the first time, curious, rather than furious. "Then how did you become a prince?"

Dastan thought back to the old days, as a young kid. To the day he met his new father, a stately man, atop a magnificent horse. "The King, "he stumbled, his voice consumed with emotions, "he marched into the marketplace one day, and, I don't know," Truly he did not.

He turned back leading the horse on. An orphan on the street, with no family, stealing to survive. His parents, the vague memories of a home. Until they lay in their beds, dying of the plague. The house, being taken over, the riots. Meeting Bis, another street kid, who taught him the ways of streets.

"He-he saw something in me, and took me home. He took me home, gave me a family. What you're looking at, is the face of a man who's just lost everything."

She looked almost sympathetic. He turned back, when he felt her arm on his shoulder, stopping him.

He almost didn't hear it, but the Tamina had come much closer, and she said, "Forgive me. I didn't know."

He stopped the horse's tracks, looking at her. Though her face was composed, her eyes were genuine, when she had said she believed him. This time though, he caught the first signs of softness in them.

He smiled slightly, without letting his guard down. She might still have an ulterior motive. Turning back to the horse, he spoke, his back to her.

"Is it just me or did we exchange our first civil conversation, princess?"

He couldn't help but tease. Her annoyance served as a distraction to him, and she immediately put her facade of clam back on. "OH don't count on a repetition, Persian."

" At least the reference of the Persian is not follow up to a strike of your sword princess."

She was puzzled, but then realisation hit her. "The dagger," she murmured, loud enough for him to hear. "Dastan. Did I strike you?'

"With mild success." At her questioning glance, he rolled his eyes. "You slashed my chest princess."

She seemed stuck between smugness and irritation. "You should not have used the dagger," he heard her mutter.

"And you should tell me, princess, if you want to continue our journey, of what you know"

She had a steely glint in her eye. "No," she simply replied.

"Why am I not surprised, "H sighed. He knew she had the sands in her necklace, when they reached Avrat, he would take it from her then. After that, well, he thought a little sorrowfully, he'd have to leave her in the slums.

"So prince, were you driven to such a state of defence by a mere princess?"

"Something like that, "he replied mindlessly, turning back towards the horse.

"Well," she said loudly, no doubt to make her have he last word. "I hope I drew out some blood." As high priestess and guardian, Tamina had had considerable training the ways of the sword, but had yet to shed blood.

"And that you certainly did," Dastan muttered under his breath.

What did you think? Please do point out typos if you can, and constructive criticsm is welcome. Or just tell me if you liked it.=)