The princess, the commoner and the sorcerer

[the commoner]

When Imaran had first stepped into the cave, he had not an idea of what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this. For though from above the beast was a giant, the inside of the cave was far greater, though it traveled downwards. And the commoner followed a path of sand stairs to the floor. Though one might expect such a large cave to be covered in patches of darkness, it shined brighter than the night sky. Shielding his eyes, the commoner climbed carefully down, marveling the heaps of treasure. But, though his mind was overwrought drinking in the sight of such glory and riches, and his hands ached to feel the weight of the treasures, his heart set him back on his path to find what he had been sent for. And so he searched. He dug through mountains of gold, heaps of silver, scattered diamonds and rubies upon the floor. Somehow he knew that he'd know when he'd found it. And though he came across many a lamp, tea kettles and cups of every shape and size, he knew that they were not what he had come for. He found shining lamps of glass and glittering jade, crumbling cups of rotted brass and rusty iron. Yet though he searched, bouncing between piles, he found not the lamp. But, after hours, he collapsed, every muscle aching and the lamp still somewhere in the massive cave. Suddenly, from somewhere in the cave, a gust of wind, terrible and strong, blew in, rattling the treasures, yet not disturbing the piles. It pushed him, gently but forcefully, along a path it seemed to know on its own. And when the wind finally died down, he found himself facing a river of fire, splashing, tumbling and hot, and upon a tall but small rock, teetering, was the lamp. A wave of what could be only described as magic washed over him, and he knew in that moment he had found it. It was most fortunate that Imaran had spent most of his life jumping from rooftop to rooftop of the market square for he had to do the same to reach the lamp. And though he was confident in his abilities, the lava flowing beneath made him gulp. When he leapt upon the rock holding the lamp, it teetered slightly on his impact and he carefully maneuvered his way up, gripping the rocks tightly in his hands, his knuckles whitening. Upon the rock was a small ledge, which he balanced on, not daring to look down. He carefully lifted the lamp, cool to his fingertips despite the heat of the cave, and gently, balancing on his toes, he slipped it into his shirt pocket. Then he made his way down. And just as the rhythm was setting in, the rock he had been holding onto crumbled to dust in his fingers, and he was left hanging from one arm. And the heat helped not, for his fingers were sliding out of the hold he had them in. Frantically, he searched for another handhold, his fingers scrabbling the rock desperately. Inch by inch, he fingers began to tumble out and he pressed himself desperately against the rock in an attempt to secure himself. But his fingers slipped out and at the last moment, when he was about to tumble down to a sure death, his fingers miraculously snatched onto a handhold. And he shakily climbed the rest of the way down, terrified. The minute his foot touched solid ground, he bent down gratefully, savoring it and kissing the ground with joy. For a moment, he lay there, kneeling and letting the tremors dissipate. But the commoner soon remembered the guard awaiting his return, and though his feet blistered and his eyes burned in the heat, he hauled himself to his feet and pressed on. The cool morning air was blessed on his sweletering face. In the glare of the rising sun he could see the figure of the guard, rooted to his spot. And as he approached, the guard called, "Have you the lamp?"
"Yes." said he in reply, voice laced with exhaustion. And though his face was hidden by a helmet, the commoner knew his face was wide with a grin. They rode across the desert, the journey hard and their bodies exhausted. When they reached the castle, the guard turned. "As reward for helping me, I shall provide you with sleeping quarters." And they snuck in. The guard showed him his room and extended his hand. Imaran passed him the lamp. "And what of your plan?" asked the commoner, as the guard made to leave. And the guard turned to him.
"You are to woo the princess," said he, "And someday, marry her."