Decisions Made(A prince of persia story)

Chapter 5

For Dastan, nights were not easy. Some days he could sleep through but others, he wakes up in cold sweat at the nightmares of losing his family and worse not being able to save Tamina. However he looked forward to the days he will get to spend the hours with his princess. For over a week now, Dastan and Tamina had been going on the agreed schedule. he would pretend to sleep if it is a day to lie together hoping to makes it easy and for Tamina and when she is asleep, he would look at her especially when his nightmares which are all but true, , keep him up. They spoke endlessly about all topics but he felt Tamina avoid any discussion on the Dagger of Time and her order. For Tamina, this routine has morphed into her life, she did not see this as any special occurrence she needed the information and Prince Dastan had it. This was a contract that needed to be honored and a duty nothing more nothing less. Alas, they are only mortal and mortal plans are as perishable as their bodies. Soon, Tamina was feeling more drawn to the prince, waiting eagerly until they meet a fact so easily hid by the princess.

Dastan did not forget his duties in Alamut. Garsiv has sent his men to track the Hassansins and Koshkhan. He awaited intelligence and spent hours of his time in the Persian camp strategising for any attack. The fear that the Dagger of Time would be discovered and the wrath the warlord would unleash was too much. He also knew this was a secret he had to keep. Any word of Hassansins or Koshkhan's knowledge of the Dagger would send Tamina to returning it taking her life with it. Tamina noticed these worries in Dastan. They would be speaking to each other and suddenly sadness will take over his eyes and he would trail off. Several nights he has heard his muffled cries of her name which she never understood. 'Tamina', he says in his dream...the only time she hears him call her name void of any title. She found herself now interested in what Dastan had to say and began to miss his warmth when he was away from her.

The council meetings ended earlier than expected that day and Tamina decided to visit her chambers, perhaps change before meeting Dastan for lunch. "Where is Prince Dastan," she enquired and was told that he is in practice of sword craft outside the armour y. Tamina slowly stepped out alone through the library to the inner room where she can observe, unknown to him through the carvings of the window- the lion of Persia hunting.

Dastan stood on the sand in his attack stance, two swords in hand. He had no shirt on and his body, covered in sweat gleamed in the sun. "He is so tan," the princess thought, battle scars were worn as medals on his body. This time, his poor opponent was one of the palace guards. He maneuvered the swords in circular motion charging up to his opponent, each of the opponent's swipes caught so swiftly in his. There was a certain elegance and yet power in the way he moved, as he dodged, slid, leveraged off the wall. Tamina felt her lips part and her breadth quicken. He was indeed majestic. Yet he did not cling to his pride, showing the young guard better defense moves and gentle in practice. Call of duty brought Tamina from her prince to the real world and as she walked off, she counted in her heart now long it would be for her to set her eyes on him.

Another day, she had been looking everywhere for him as the allotted time he wished to see her has come until Asim informed that he was on the fig tree at the back garden.

"Under the tree you mean." Tamina corrected.

"No your highness, err...," Asim replied.

"At the tree?"

Asim shook his head.

"Oh gods!" she exclaimed as she walked to the garden and went under the umbrella of leaves of the massive fig tree.

"Prince Dastan?" she looked up searching for him. Suddenly he hung himself upside down on the branches using his bent knees to grip the branch.

"Hello Princess," he said to the startled princess.