Chapter 14 complete. Hope you all enjoy it! We are almost to the end, actually the story is over in the next chapter, but don't worry, I think you're going to like it. As always, enjoy the chapter, and keep reviews coming! (Sorry, I know it's a couple days late!)

Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters from the movie and/or video game.

Chapter 14:

Dastan and his men finally made it to a small hill behind Kosh's camp. As long as they didn't look too far over the ledge, their presence would remain a secret until they were ready. Dastan inched his way into a position closer to the edge in order to see what they were up against.

He vaguely made out the forms of four men on horseback watching the battle in front of them. One of the men had more ornate looking markings on his horse than the other three. Those men seemed to have spikes protruding from their horses' saddles and faces. Between the riders and Dastan was the rest of the Koshkahn camp. It looked empty, save for a few men on watch. Dastan thought they could be easily and silently handled without a problem. It was the men on horseback that made him uneasy.

The men with spiked horses Dastan knew to be Hassansins; the other man was Kosh.

Dastan pulled back and turned to the men behind him.

"Three Hassansins, and a few guards. The guards will be easy; they look like foot soldiers."

"And the Hassansins?" Bis asked.

"I'm not sure," Dastan replied. "They are skilled with the sword, but each has their own skill set. Watch for tearing whips, flying spikes and vipers." The men nodded. "We'll sneak in through the side of the camp. Silence any guard you come across."

"You think we'll have much trouble getting in?" Bis said.

"No, our problems will come when we want a way out," Dastan answered.

They left their spot on the hill and made their way into the camp. They stuck to the shadows behind the tents and easily avoided the few guards they could see. The small group of warriors was less than a few yards away and could clearly make out Kosh and his Hassansins.

Dastan sent half of his group off to the right. Once they were in position, Dastan and his men drew their swords and moved toward their target. Just as Dastan was about to make his move on Kosh, one of the Hassansins noticed him. He blocked Dastan's sword and struck back.

By this time, the other three men had caught on to what was happening. The Hassansins jumped down from their horses and engaged Dastan's men. Kosh turned his full attention to Dastan as he tried to trample him with his horse. Dastan slid under the horse's rearing front legs. He managed to get to the side of the horse and reached up to pull Kosh down by his cloak.

Kosh scrambled to get to his feet while pulling out his sword. Dastan glared at him before striking. He swung both of his swords furiously looking for a hole in Kosh's defense. But Kosh was able to meet him blow for blow blocking all of Dastan's attempts.

"I expected more from the Lion of Persia," Kosh teased. "At least something a little more challenging."

Dastan remained silently glaring at Kosh as they circled each other.

He rushed toward Kosh pinning his sword to the ground with his foot and using his elbow to strike Kosh across the face. Kosh used his free hand to punch Dastan's still healing left shoulder, tearing it open again. The pain was instant and enough to distract Dastan for a moment in which Kosh was able to regain his stance.

Kosh lunged at him with a condescending smile. Dastan blocked him and swept his feet out from under him. Kosh rolled out of the way of Dastan's blade as he brought it down with a powerful swing. The attack left Dastan vulnerable for only a second, but Kosh took advantage of it. With a heavy kick, Kosh caught Dastan just above his left eye with the heel of his boot. Dastan stumbled back feeling the blood starting to trickle down his face.

"That's all you got?" Dastan smirked as he wiped away the blood quickly.

"Don't think I've forgotten about that pretty little wife of yours. Those delicate little features, of course that mouth of hers will have to be controlled. But I'm sure I can put it to good use," Kosh retorted. Dastan locked his jaw to keep his focus. Losing his temper now would only ensure his own defeat.

"She and her city will be wonderful additions to my fortunes," Kosh continued.

"Too bad you'll never get either."

"That remains to be seen. No spoiled little prince will keep me from the power that I seek."

"You will never have any power Kosh. You're a coward and once this battle is over, your name will be nothing. It will be lost like a grain of sand in the desert."

Kosh growled loudly at the comment and leapt to his feet. He charged at Dastan with his sword high. As he brought it down, Dastan dodged the blade and plunged his own into Kosh's chest. The movement was so quick; Kosh did not register the damage until Dastan was withdrawing his sword.

Dastan watched as his enemy fell to the ground in front of him gasping and wheezing for air. A few minutes later, the young prince was standing over a lifeless body. His mission was complete.

The sound of steel hitting steel reached his ears and Dastan remembered the more menacing danger: Hassansins. He turned to see what was left of the battle he and his men had started.

Most of his men were already dead. One of the Hassansins lay dead as well. Bis and a few other men were still fighting. The Hassansins with the tearing whip and the vipers were still standing.

Dastan rushed to help them. Bis and another man managed to kill the Hassansin with the whip, but only after he had killed two more men. Bis, and three other men were the only ones left of Dastan's company.

As they made their way over to aid the two men fighting the Hassansin, Dastan heard the hissing start. The vipers were waiting for them. The screams of the man behind Bis caught the attention of the two men fighting the Hassansin. He took the opportunity and quickly killed them both.

Dastan and Bis managed to maneuver their way away from the snakes, killing the ones that sprang toward them. By the time they had fought the snakes, the Hassansin had taken off on his horse. Dastan caught a glimpse of his back as he disappeared into the darkness of the night. He was heading in the direction of the palace.

Tamina watched as smoke rose just outside the wall of the city. She still had not heard of Dastan or either of his brothers and doubts were starting to fill her mind.

"Siriah," she called over her shoulder. The loyal servant appeared by her side and bowed respectfully. "Tell any messengers that return that I sit in the High Temple. I want to know the minute anyone arrives with news."

"Yes, Your Highness," Siriah replied.

Tamina turned away from the balcony and headed to the High Temple to restore her faith and hope that Dastan was alive.

Some of the other priests and priestesses of the temple were already there praying when Tamina arrived. She took her place at the center of the altar and began her own prayers.

It was not long before a messenger was asking permission to enter the temple. Tamina met him at the door.

"Your Highness," he bowed. "Prince Tus and Prince Garsiv are in the throne room. The Koshkahn army has been defeated."

"Is that all?" Tamina asked in a calm, firm voice. She tried to hide the panic that was rising in her chest.

"Yes, Your Highness," the man answered. Tamina considered his response for a second.

"I will be down shortly," she finally said.

The man bowed and followed an Alamutian guard back down the corridor. Tamina took a deep breath before turning back into the temple.

"Your prayers have been answered," she announced to the Guardians who were present. "Go now, and celebrate."

The Guardians filed out leaving Tamina alone in the temple. When she heard the doors shut heavily behind her, Tamina dropped the expressionless mask she had been wearing. Pain and sadness swept across her face. Her body felt numb and her chest was constricting her breathing. She walked over to the large window to the left of the altar needing some air.

The battle was over, the dagger was safe, her city and people were safe, but there was still no sign of Dastan. Tamina didn't want to assume the worst, but Tus and Garsiv had already returned. The longer he was gone, the less likely it was that he would return. If he was alive, where was he?

She shook her head trying to convince herself that she should not worry until she had reason to. For all she knew, Dastan could have been making his way back to the palace. If there was one thing Dastan was more than capable of, it was surprising her. She could usually see people for who they really were without much trouble, but Dastan was difficult. Nobody had ever been able to confuse her as he did. She only hoped that this was one of those times when he would surprise her.

Tamina walked back to the altar to offer her thanks to the Gods for protecting her city and to ask for Dastan's safe return.

Dastan rode after the Hassansin. The man had led him around the Eastern wall and was making his way to the South wall. As Dastan followed him around the next corner, the Hassansin disappeared from sight. The horse stood calmly with an empty saddle next to the South wall. Dastan searched the ground, but found no tracks that led away from the horse or to the wall. He looked all around for a secret passage, but did not find one.

He let out a frustrated yell. He yanked the reins of his horse back and rode hard for the closest gate. Dastan knew that the Hassansin was after the dagger. He had no doubt that the man could get into the palace and find it easily. After all, he had kidnapped him and Tamina on their wedding night. Dastan had to get to the High Temple and Tamina before the Hassansin.

Dastan managed to get through the gates without much trouble. As he rode through the city, he noticed the celebrating; the battle must be over. He spurred the horse faster through the crowds knowing that the Hassansin would be an even greater threat to the dagger now that he had nothing to lose.

When he got to the steps of the palace, he jumped off the horse before it came to a complete stop using the momentum to sprint up the stairs. He ran through the palace making his way toward where he thought the High Temple was located. As he rounded a corner, he almost ran head first into a young woman wearing white robes and a hood.

"Tamina!" he exclaimed as he held the woman at arm's length.

"I am sorry, Your Highness," Siriah said as she bowed and pulled the hood away. "Princess Tamina is still in the temple."

"Can you take me there?" Dastan asked.

Siriah nodded and hurriedly led Dastan through the palace to the High Temple. When they reached the corridor he recognized as the final path to the temple, Dastan sprinted ahead of Siriah and pushed the heavy doors open.

Tamina was getting to her feet in front of the altar. She hadn't heard the doors open and turned toward them with her eyes down.

"Tamina," Dastan said.

Her head jerked up instantly. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Dastan in front of her and Siriah standing in the open doorway. She almost didn't believe he was there until he took a step toward her. Her feet were moving without her brain realizing it.

Dastan wrapped his arms around her back as Tamina barreled into his chest.

"You're alive," Tamina whispered to herself as if she could only believe it if she said it out loud.

"I promised you I would return," he smiled against her cheek. "Are you all right? Is the dagger here?"

Tamina pulled back and looked at him questioningly.

"I'm fine," she replied. "You are suddenly concerned about the dagger?"

"Never," he replied simply. "But the only way I can protect you is to get you and that damn knife out of here, now."

Tamina understood what he wasn't saying. Someone was after the dagger. She turned and walked back to the altar. Quickly, she opened the dagger's shrine door and took the dagger from its pedestal. As she walked back over to Dastan, she hid the dagger in her robes. He looked at her and shook his head.

"What?" she asked him.

"If I had known that I would have to protect that dagger for the rest of my life in order to protect the woman I am in love with, I would have chosen someone else to fall in love with," he smirked.

"As if you could resist," Tamina smiled back cheekily.

Dastan opened his mouth to retort, but a loud gasp from behind him caught his attention. Both he and Tamina looked toward the door. Siriah was standing in front of the now closed doors with wide eyes staring at the young royals. She looked down at her torso as Dastan and Tamina followed her gaze. The sharp point of a sword was sticking out from beneath her white robes that were quickly becoming stained with red.

The Hassansin pulled his sword back and pushed the dying girl out of his way as she fell to the ground. He pushed a heavy, golden idol in front of the closed doors effectively blocking the only entrance and turned toward Dastan and Tamina.

Dastan pulled both of his swords from their holsters on his back and held them at the ready.

"Stay behind me," he said to Tamina over his shoulder as he watched the man take slow menacing steps toward him.

"It will do you no good," the man said in a quiet voice. "I will leave here with the dagger and both of you will be dead."

The Hassansin struck. He was quick in his attack not allowing Dastan time to make a counterattack. Dastan was able to block him though the Hassansin kept pushing him back and pinned Dastan and Tamina into a corner. He managed to knock one of Dastan's swords away and brought his own sword down heavily on the young prince.

Dastan fought to keep his other sword between the strike and his chest. It was the break he needed. As the Hassansin tried to overpower Dastan, Dastan used his right leg to push the Hassansin away. He pulled Tamina with him away from the corner and made a run for the door. But the Hassansin was quick.

He ran to the door around a large pillar and cut off their escape once more. Dastan charged at him taking the chance to attack. The Hassansin, on the defense, was driven back to the door. Dastan advanced, lunging as he tried to end the fight with the kill. The Hassansin dodged the attack and hit Dastan over the head with the hilt of his sword. Dastan stumbled back, stunned and dazed. His enemy hit him across the face again and knocked Dastan to the ground. He lay motionless on the ground. Tamina watched as the Hassansin approached him menacingly. She caught a glimpse of Dastan's forgotten sword out of the corner of her eye. She ran over to it and picked it up.

The Hassansin raised his sword high over his head ready to bring it down over Dastan.

"Hey!" Tamina yelled at him.

He looked over at her and saw what she held in her hand. Changing his focus, he strode determinedly over to Tamina. Tamina backed away, but didn't get far. With what looked like very little effort, the Hassansin knocked Dastan's sword out of Tamina's hand and grabbed her by the throat. He brought his blade up to her neck and glared into her eyes.

"Where is the dagger?" he snarled as he pressed the steel further into her skin. His demand had the opposite effect he was expecting. Tamina stopped struggling and the fear in her eyes vanished.

"Right here," she replied with a quiet confidence as she plunged the Dagger of Time into the Hassansin's torso. He struggled for air as Tamina withdrew the knife. His grip on her throat slackened, his body went limp and he fell.

Tamina rushed by him without a second thought to check Dastan. He was still breathing as Tamina could see the rise and fall of his chest. She moved past him to remove the idol from in front of the doors and allow the guards, who were outside, in. They flooded the temple and surrounded the dead Hassansin. Tamina returned to Dastan's side.

"Dastan," she called to him gently as she stroked his face. "Dastan, can you hear me?"

He stirred slowly before opening his eyes. He looked confused and lost for a moment before he remembered where he was. He flinched to stand up quickly.

"Easy, easy," Tamina said soothingly and put a hand to his chest to keep him from moving too fast. "Everything is all right."

"Where's the Hassansin?" he asked sitting up.

"He's dead," Tamina answered.

Dastan's eyes widened as he absorbed the information.

"How? What?" he stuttered.

"After he knocked you out, I killed him," Tamina explained simply.

Dastan stared at her disbelievingly.

"You killed a Hassansin?"

"Why do you always sound so surprised that I can fight?" Tamina retorted. "I'm not just some poor, helpless woman who needs you to protect me all the time."

She helped him to his feet. He swayed for a minute before regaining his balance completely.

"I need to return the dagger to its place. Can you stand on your own or do I need to hold your hand?" she asked him mockingly. He nodded to her that he was fine. She smiled at him, replaced the dagger, bowed to the Gods respectfully and returned to Dastan.

Tamina helped him to the door but stopped before she left. Siriah's body lay on the ground just in front of it. The shocked expression she had looked to Tamina with when the Hassansin's blade had pierced her chest was still painted across her face.

Tamina's breathing hitched as she knelt down to touch the girl's cold, henna stained hand that was now covered in blood. She reached out and closed her eyes. Her palm lingered on the girl's forehead for a moment as Tamina muttered a short blessing under her breath. When she stood up, she looked over at Dastan who had his head bowed.

"Prepare the temple," Tamina instructed one of the priests that had returned. "Tomorrow morning she will be given the honors and rites of the Gods before her burial."

The older man bowed and walked back toward the altar.

Tamina joined Dastan, who took her hand, and they left.

"Where are we going?" he asked her.

"To find your brothers," Tamina answered in a cracked voice. "They asked for me earlier, but I had to finish my prayers before I could go and, well, you showed up then."

Dastan stopped in his tracks when she had finished explaining.

"What is it?" she asked concerned.

"If we're going to find Tus and Garsiv, could we perhaps take the long way?"

"Why?"

"Because I need all the time I can get to avoid Garsiv. Once he finds out that I managed to get myself knocked out and you had to save me again, he'll never let me forget it."

"Don't worry," Tamina smiled as she started back down the corridor. "I won't let you forget either."