19. Destiny

Bis:

Prince Dastan! Prince, Dastan!

Dastan:

Bis? You're here!

Bis:

Of course I'm here. Our men surrounded Alamut's palace, battle is over.

Dastan:

Not yet.

Dastan:

Wait! Wait!

Brave soldiers of Persia, we have been deceived into attacking this holy city! Alamut, has no weapon forges!

Tus:

Dastan! Have you gone mad?

Dastan:

I cannot stand silent in the face of treachery.

This war was set up by one trusted above all else. Our uncle Nizam.

Nizam:

Dastan has fought hard today, perhaps too hard. What he needs now is to get out from under this burning sun, to rest. Gather his wits.

Dastan:

The weapons we've found are forgeries!

There are no weapons here uncle, and you know it!

And the spy, who supposedly intercepted them, was hired by you, to persuade all of us, to invade Alamut!

Nizam:

What is this, Dastan? Victor's remorse?

You yourself led the attack, brought us this great triumph.

Dastan: 

I should never have let the attack happen. I knew in my heart that it was wrong.

(To Nizam) It will never be you.  You'll never been king, you don't have the heart.

You will die in a shadow of a great man.

Tus: 

Get him down from there, before he makes even bigger fool of himself!

Dastan: 

Tus, before we left Nasaf, father told you this: "That the true king, considers the advice of the counsel, but he always listens to his own heart."

Tus: 

Father and I were alone. How could you know that?

Dastan:

He's right, he knows us and he knows what we are capable of. Just listen to your heart.

Nizam:

He defies your order, leads attack and now wants to turn back, Tus... Take action here.

Tus:

The spy knows the truth, find the spy! Bring him to me, we'll wring it from him.

Dastan:

You had what every man could ever dream, love, respect and family.

But that wasn't enough for you, was it?

Tus:

Princess of Alamut. I was misled to attack your city. Forgive me, Your Highness. Let me try to make amends?

It would be to our mutual advantage, that our nations be united by a bond stronger than friendship. Marriage. Your marriage to one who is both conqueror and savior of your city. Dastan.

Royal blood or not, he's every bit a son to our father.

Every bit a brother to Garsiv and me. The true prince of Persia.

Garsiv:

Get up there, before I take your place.

Dastan:

Hello, princess.

It's a customary to accompany a proposal with gifts but, uh...I was surprised and unless I'm unprepared.

I've nothing for you, save...that which is already yours.

Tamina:

Walk with me, Prince Dastan.

How can I trust the man who breached the walls of my city?

Dastan:

But I'm starting to think that I'm no longer the same man who breached those walls.

Tamina:

That's a short time for a man to change so much.

Dastan:

Perhaps.

Tamina:

It sounds as if you've discovered something here.

Dastan:

What might that be?

Tamina:

A new spiritual awareness.

Dastan:

A destiny.

Tamina:

Yes, exactly.

Dastan:

I believe we make our own destiny, princess.

Tamina:

You have an unfortunate lack of curiosity.

Dastan:

With no doubt, one of my many flaws.

Tamina:

Please don't mock me, Prince.

Dastan:

I hardly think we know each other well enough for that, Princess.

But I look forward, to the day that we do.