Amaya knelt quietly beside her father, who smiled broadly at the Sultan. The two had been discussing a peace treaty between Agrabah and their southern neighbor, Edom. At seven, Amaya and Jasmine sat still as they could. The only reason they were still present was that King Creon wished the girls to remain. After all, it would be good for them to see politics in action.
Jasmine glanced sideways towards the Grand Vizier, Jafar. He stood, stone-faced, a cold presence watching the proceedings. Finally the contract was signed. Jasmine leapt to her feet, embraced her laughing father, and asked if that meant she could leave the room until the feast. Her father looked at his little girl, a grin on his face. Nodding, Jasmine ran off towards the garden, waiting only a moment to tell Amaya. Though she hated leaving the other princess, Jasmine could not stay in that room any longer without suffocating. Sultan excused himself, and followed his daughter towards the garden.
Amaya rose, glancing at her father as if to ask if she were dismissed as well. Creon stood, about to follow Agrabah's sultan and princess to the gardens where the children would play and the two rulers could speak in a far more relaxed manner.
"Your Majesty," said a drawling voice from the doorway. "May I speak with you a moment?"
Creon looked at Jafar, a frown on his face, "As you wish. Amaya, gone on into the garden, it is not right that you keep the little princess waiting."
Amaya made her way from the room, the doors shut behind her. Silently, she crept beside the door to listen.
"What is it, Jafar?" she heard her father ask coldly.
"You are sending her to the Land of the Black Sand?" the sorcerer responded.
"It is for my kingdom. She will reside there with Destane for a time. In return he will not touch my kingdom."
"Are you sure this is wise? He is a powerful man, and what if he breaks this treaty?"
"You are not my advisor! She will keep this treaty, and she will marry who I, her father, choose!" snapped Creon. The sound of footsteps coming nearer startled Amaya, causing her to run off down the hall. Turning the corner just as the door opened she did not slow until she was again in the garden.
"Vizier Jafar, the Land of the Black Sand is our neighbor. I must do what I can to protect my people. She will marry as Destane chooses. Besides, that kind of power will keep her safe long after my passing. Even you fear his power, do you not?" Creon asked, turning to look at the man beside him. He could see fear in Jafar's eyes. The king doubted it was fear for his daughter, most likely he was afraid that Destane would lust for his position or use Edom to take away Agrabah from his control. Sighing, the King of Edom disappeared down the hall.
"Well that couldn't have possibly gone better. I mean simply wonderful! Destane is getting a kingdom handed to him while you and I sit here and..." a little bird sarcastically remarked. Jafar looked towards Iago, who promptly fell silent at his icy gaze. The parrot could sense that his master was not in a mood to hear his remarks and Iago was in no mood to be swatted at with bronze staff.
"Oh and he loves crackers! Come girls, do you want to feed Iago!?"
At the sound of Sultan's voice drifting down the hall Iago stiffened, "I think I'm going to be sick."
