Date : 09.11.2011
Title : The Hassansins' Secret
Author : ElaineDex
Chapter : 7 of ?
Rating : M
Pairings : Zolm/OC
Warnings : Some Sexual Content, Romance, Angst, Maybe Some Strong Language.
Spoilers : Possible references to Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time.
Disclaimer : I do not own anything to do with the Prince of Persia franchise. This plot and any O/C's are mine.
Summary : (AU) The Hassansins take on a mission that leads to the discovery of a secret from their past, one that could change their futures forever and Zolm finds out that maintaining emotional detachment isn't always quite that easy.
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Dasmine cried out in shock at the same time as the soldier leaning over her cried out in agony as Zolm's scimitar pierced him from back to front and Zolm gave it a vicious twist before dragging it from the man's body, pulling him backwards and off of Dasmine at the same time.
As his comrades' body fell to the floor, the other soldier released his hold on Dasmine's shoulders to draw his own sword, preparing to defend himself against the angry Hassansin.
Dasmine scrambled into a sitting position atop the table, her relieved eyes meeting Zolm's briefly as he advanced upon the other solider and she closed her eyes as he made light work of killing her other attacker, not daring to open her eyes until she felt the touch of his fingers against her chin and she winced a little as he turned her face to look upon the bruise that was blossoming from the slap she had received earlier.
"Did they harm you other than this?" he asked calmly, too calmly, his voice betraying none of the anger that she saw burning deep within his eyes and she shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
Zolm frowned, not used to seeing Dasmine so quiet unless she was annoyed with him and he held out his hand to help her down from the table, the sounds of battle around the fortress dying away as the Hassansins took back their home territory.
Dasmine placed her hand in Zolm's and lowered her bare feet to the floor, not expecting her legs not to support her and as she stumbled against him as her knees gave, his arm automatically went around her waist and she mumbled, "I'm sorry…" keeping her face averted from him even though her small hands fisted in his robes as though she did not want to let go.
Zolm's arm instinctively tightened around her, his frown deepening as she apologised for falling against him; normally she did everything within her power to get close to him and it concerned him that she suddenly felt the need to be sorry.
Sheathing his scimitar he raised his hand to her face and cupped her cheek, about to speak when Setam appeared in the archway to the kitchen, his eyes going to Dasmine with concern before looking at Zolm.
"We have control, the men are beginning the clean-up…" he said, glancing at the two fallen soldiers behind Zolm and Dasmine.
"See to it that they are removed…" Zolm said, then added, "…and check the tunnels…"
Setam nodded and backed away, missing the figure in the shadows that retreated from his hiding place, desperate to find a way out of the fortress without being seen. He needed to get back to Azzam to inform him that the Hassansins' servant girl appeared important to their leader…the information could be the saving grace for him after this disastrous attack.
Zolm meanwhile turned his attention back to Dasmine as she shivered and he released her to remove his outer robe and he wrapped it around her, pulling the two sides together with a touch that was almost tender.
"Thank you…" she said, her voice barely audible and he placed his fingers under her chin and tipped her face up to him.
"The men will need your assistance…are you…able?" he asked and she finally met his eyes.
"Yes…" she replied and he nodded, taking her hand in his.
"Come then, let us see what needs to be done," he said, leading her from the kitchen, fury still burning in the pit of his stomach. Azzam would pay dearly for what he had done…
OoOoO
Once Dasmine was settled helping the injured men, Zolm moved from her side and approached Setam who looked immediately apologetic.
"I told her to get herself and the young ones to safety…I do not know how…" he trailed off as Zolm raised a hand.
"She is safe…" he said, his eyes glancing back to where she knelt, still draped in his robe, to see to Nefrat's arm, "…if she were not, things would be different…"
Looking back at Setam he saw that his implied threat was understood and his Second lowered his head until Zolm said,
"The Queen awaits me in the cave, I will bring her back," sighing he lowered his voice. "She lied about what she saw in her vision…she saw this attack, but kept silent because she thought Azzam was sending the men to rescue her…"
Setam shook his head.
"What will you do? How did the meeting with Sharad go?"
"She is Ashtad's daughter…" Zolm confirmed, unwilling to divulge any more for now and with a nod of his head he began to move away. "I will return shortly…"
Setam bowed once and moved over to where Dasmine was just finishing up with Nefrat. She looked up at him as he came to rest by her side.
"I am sorry…I should have stayed with you," he said and she shook her head.
"Don't be silly…there was no harm done…" and she wrapped her arm around herself to hide the way her hands were still trembling.
"Thanks to Zolm…" Setam said and Dasmine looked away.
"Any one of you would have done the same," she replied and Setam reached out and touched her shoulder lightly.
"He cares for you more than you think."
Dasmine smiled and looked back at him, but he could tell that she did not believe him and he sighed deeply as she changed the subject and said,
"I should see to the others," and he nodded as she moved away, returning to his own duties and still berating himself for not escorting Dasmine to safety himself.
OoOoO
Zarina soothed her horses' nose as she heard hoof-beats approaching the entrance of the cave and she remained where she was until the figure that entered the cave became recognisable as Zolm.
Stepping forward she immediately asked,
"Is everything alright? Was anyone hurt?"
She had waited anxiously where he had told her to, the sounds of the battle reaching the cave and she had cowered until the sounds died away and she was left wondering who had won…though really she did not doubt that the Hassansins were not a force to be crossed; and now…now she had to deal with the knowledge that she was a part of them too.
Zolm eyed her for a moment without speaking, staring at her with a ferocity in his eyes that sent a chill through her.
"I'm…sorry…" she said and he angled his head a little.
"You should have told me," he stated and she nodded.
"I realise that now, but please, you have to understand…put yourself in my place…I didn't know who I could trust…"
Sighing, Zolm reached for her horses' reins.
"We should get back to the fortress…" he said and she nodded, following him back along the trail toward his home, knowing that she had much to think about.
They entered the courtyard and she gasped as she took in the bodies being piled up by the gates; recognising straight away that they were not her soldiers despite the fact that they wore her colours.
"I cannot believe that Azzam would go to such lengths," she said and Zolm looked at her.
"He wants the throne…he will do anything…"
Zarina shivered at the thought and followed Zolm inside, walking close to him as the other Hassansins glowered at her from their various positions and she hung her head as she was lead back through the corridors, through the kitchen and finally down to her cell.
As Zolm held the door open, she paused and looked at him.
"I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt…"
"Just be thankful…Majesty…that your cousin's hired killers were no match for my men and me…" and after a moment she nodded and walked into the cell, heading for the straw bed as he locked the door behind her.
Heading back up the stairs, Zolm immediately sought out Setam again.
"Report…" he said and Setam looked around.
"The injured are dealt with and resting, the clean-up is still on-going, but we are getting there…" he replied and Zolm nodded, his eyes searching for a small figure amongst his men and Setam interjected, "Dasmine has retired to her room…I think she is more shaken than she is admitting…"
Zolm nodded and turned away, heading for the stairs that led up to the sleeping quarters.
OoOoO
Dasmine stared out of her bedroom window at the pre-dawn light on the horizon, the fields opposite just becoming visible and she wrapped her arms around herself, Zolm's robe keeping her warm still.
She took a shuddering breath as she allowed herself to think about her ordeal with the two soldiers; an ordeal that could have been much, much worse had it not been for Zolm's arrival. Closing her eyes she covered her face with her hands and just breathed, trying to calm herself…it was over…they were gone…she…
A hand on her shoulder had her screaming out in shock and fear and she spun around to see Zolm behind her and she let out a huge sigh of relief.
"I am sorry…" he said quietly, "I did not mean to cause you any more fear…"
Raising a hand to her forehead she shook her head and said,
"Now really isn't the time to be practising your Hassansin stealth skills."
Zolm angled his head as he regarded her.
"I came to see if you…needed anything…" he said and she lowered her hand to look at him.
She wanted to be held, comforted, told that she was safe…but she didn't expect that from Zolm…it wasn't his way and so she turned back toward the window, shaking her head.
"I am fine…" she replied and Zolm frowned at her back as she added, "…you should go, I'm sure you have more important things to do than be here with me…the Queen…" she stopped as he cut her off saying,
"…Is not more important to me than you…"
Dasmine turned to face him slowly, hardly daring to breathe lest he take his confession back and her eyes grew large as he added,
"…no-one is more important to me than you…"
"Zolm…" she whispered his name as he reached out a hand and hooked it under her hair at the base of her skull, pulling her toward him and she went willingly, her hands going to his sides as he bent his head and took her mouth with his.
OoOoO End of Chapter 7 OoOoO