Years Later
Creon knocked on the door which led to his daughter's chambers. The young woman opened to doors, dressed in a long white gown similar to the one years earlier when she traveled to Destane's realm.
"I will not go!" she snapped, crossing her arms and turning her back on the man. He reached forward, gently touching her shoulder but she pulled away.
"There are rumors of Destane's fall. You must go see what has happened. You are the only one who would be welcomed…" Creon stopped himself. He was sending his daughter into dangerous territory. But it had to be done.
"I do not care! What part of that don't you understand? It is a cruel, cruel place that you wish to send me to. Don't you see that?" she asked, her eyes pleading with the king. To go back may mean death if Mozenrath was too moody.
"I command you to go!" he said, raising himself to full height. Two guards appeared behind him, as if to say 'go or I'll make you.'
Amaya bowed her head, "Father, I do not want to go to the Land of the Black Sand. But if I must go, so be it." Her eyes rose to look at him, cold and heartless, "But do not expect me to return."
She swept past him and his guards, not looking back.
"You will! You cannot hide from your own father, girl!" he yelled after her. She froze a moment at the end of the hall. What would he do if she just ran? She decided not to find out.
Half-way to her destination Amaya noticed a small fire. Halting her mare she dismounted.
"What are you doing princess?" asked the guard.
"Stay here. I'll be right back," she said heading towards the fire but keeping to the shadows. Crouching low, her dress becoming tarnished with sand, she looked at the figures curled up near the fire. A man slept soundly, a carpet covering him and a lamp by his head. A monkey lay curled up along side the rug, while a bird fluttered around. She could hear him complaining about left on guard duty…
That voice. She remembered it from her childhood playing in the halls of Agrabah's palace.
"Stupid glove! Guard it, Iago! Don't let anyone take it, Iago! Raise the alarm, Iago! What do they think I am!? An alarm clock!? A security system with wings!?" the parrot nearly yelled, landing in the sand and yawning.
The gauntlet, thought Amaya. She glanced back at her guard and then to the box. She had to get it back. Who knew who these people were or what they would do with something the powerful. She pulled the sapphire from her hair, the waves falling free. She floated it to the other side of the fire, avoiding being seen. It caught the light, glimmering gently.
"Hello there, beautiful," said Iago, fluttering closer. He learned over, picking up the gem. He looked around hurriedly, "Well no use leaving such a beautiful looking piece of scenery just lying around…" His claws wrapped around the jewel, and flew over to hide it in one of the spice bags.
He never noticed that the bag had already been opened, and the lock on the wooden box had been broken.
