The kingdom was quiet as the sun rose over the desert landscape. In the tall palace window, Ja'far watched some men approach the steps below leading to the main door. One of them was very tall, with broad shoulders, and although his face was covered from this angle, he could see enough of his red hair to infer it was Ren Kouen.

Behind the Kou Empires's prince was a shorter boy with the same color of hair; Ren Kouha. He was jumping around as if on a class trip. The middle brother, Koumei, was whispering with the priest next to him, better known as the Magi Judal.

Ja'far made a little gag noise, then chuckled a bit at himself. "Now, now," he muttered, imagining what Sinbad would say if he were here. "Place nice, Ja'far. He is used by Al Sarmen as much as we are." the clerk shook his head. Judal and Koumei had turned and we're making slight gestures to different points on the palace. He narrowed his eyes. If they were planning in getting in any time soon, they were sorely mistaken.

A knock interrupted his thoughts, and he turned his gaze over his shoulder to the door. "It's open."

It creaked open, Sharrkan's familiar shoe appearing around the edge as he stepped in.

"Hey, Ja'far." he greeted, smiling.

Ja'far dipped his head. "What brings you here?"

The swordsman shuffled his feet, gaze fluttering over to Ja'far's outer robe the was laying out on his bed. "The Kou princes are here, so I figure you should be the one to guide them. Seeing how his Majesty is passed out and you could kill them quickest." he laughed at the last part, once again looking at the green robe.

Ja'far wondered why he seemed so intrigued by his clothes-or lack of-and had he been standing naked he would have understood. But he was wearing his tunic, and so his confusion festered. "Okay." he made busy work of making sure his daggers were tucked into his clothing before adjusting the wires around his arms. Sharrkan watched curiously, and Ja'far realized that the general at never seen him without the green robe that hid not only his assassin weapons but his size, and he barely was able to hold in a laugh.

"Can I help you further?" he asked, letting his eyes slide up just enough to meet Sharrkan's.

The other man shook his head and smiled again. "See ya." he shut the door as he hastily retreated.

Ja'far still wasn't sure why the other generals sometimes acted like they didn't know him. Even though Sharrkan had never seen him in just his tunic, and therefore able to see his stature and weapons, it didn't mean he was any different from how he was in the robe. He sighed. Maybe they just forgot how deadly he was. Especially since he was so little.

He shook the thoughts away and pulled his robe over his shoulders. He fastened his keifka onto his head and then headed from his room, folding his arms together inside his sleeves.

Koumei stopped whatever he was about to say when the doors to Sinbad's palace opened. Judal and Kouha looked from the long haired prince towards it, and the Magi let out a laugh. The silver haired clerk, Ja'far, was standing there, smiling wide.

And fake, Judal mused to himself.

Ja'far folded his arms again and stepped aside. "Welcome, your Majesties."

Kouen stepped up first, smiling at the boy. Judal glared, feeling a flare of jealousy in his chest. There was something in the eldest prince's gaze that he knew meant Kouen knew had valuable Ja'far was here. To Sindria, to the palace.

To Sinbad.

And he also knew that meant Kouen had a plan to use him.

When Judal stepped infront of the clerk, he smirked and leaned up to him, hands on the door behind him. Ja'far barely flinched, but his eyes betrayed his alarm.

"I don't see your king. Where is he?"

"... Sleeping."

Judal laughed and said "You must not be taking good care of him if he can't get up to properly greet his guests." he jeered.

Ja'far didn't fall for the bait. He snorted and replied "Sinbad can take care of himself adequately."

The Magi sneered. He pushed off the door and joined Kouha further away. Kouen and Koumei were watching a servant carry some tablecloths down the hall away. Ja'far observed them only a moment longer before putting on his pretense host smile. "If you would like, I can show you your rooms now so you have time to settle in before dinner."

Kouen nodded, still smiling. Ja'far dipped his head respectfully. "Then come this way,"

Sharrkan watched the princes enter the room as he did from a separate door across the banquet hall. Judal was at Kouen's side like a dog, and he smirked when he swore he could see a leash around the Magi's neck.

Ja'far was standing at the foot of the table, smiling, as we greeted them. Kouen smiled back and let Ja'far point him to which seat he was to sit in. Judal sent the clerk a hard glare over his shoulder as he followed his prince, eyes blazing.

Seemed like Sinbad wasn't the only one bent on keeping things that he wanted to himself.

"Sharrkan, if you would please," Ja'far said suddenly.

The swordsman jolted and followed Ja'far's hand to the chair it was directed at; across from Koumei. The silver haired man nodded, pleased at his work, and then went on to talk to one of the cooks just outside the door Sharrkan had entered through.

Kouha was looking around excitedly, but the Sindrian knew he was probably feigning innocent so no one would think he was paying attention to the meeting.

The doors opened again and a loud voice declared "Please Stand while his Majesty, Sinbad, enters." there was no doubt who the voice belonged to, and Sharrkan did as instructed with a smile as his student came to stand beside him.

"How long has he been awake?" he quietly asked.

Alibaba snorted, trying not to laugh in the presence of their guests. "About ten minutes ago. Ja'far stormed in and told him Kouen was here and he jumped out of bed and got dressed before we could tell him it wasn't an invasion."

Sharrkan smirked, shaking his head. Sinbad took his seat one down from him, across from Kouen. Ja'far settled in across from Judal, and the Magi sneered, but his eyes looked unpleasant.

"Kouen," Sinbad began. "Its been awhile."

The eldest prince nodded with agreement, and folded his hands on the table. "Sindria looks well," the red head commented. "Do you have a Magi at your side yet?"

Alibaba made a slight moment forward, as if to see if Sinbad was going to answer. The blonde met his king's eyes just briefly out of the corner of his vision and he continued. "Aladdin has chosen myself as his King candidate. For the time being, though, we have been welcomed to stay here by our friend." Koumei gave his brother a look of unease. "If you recall... I am trying to work Balbadd into a Republic."

Judal was the one who reacted, his lip drawing up in what would have been a growl. Sinbad barely flicked his hand and Ja'far swiftly stood; in turn signaling the cook who was waiting outside the door to the kitchen. She turned and left quickly, and Ja'far smiled at the confused look the princes delivered him. "It would seem your banquet is ready."

Three plates of rotisserie chickens were brought in first, followed by some smoked fish and fruits. Judal seemed to soften when he saw peaches among them, and Sinbad smiled up at Ja'far. The clerk smiled back before he sat down. After all the food had been brought out, Aladdin came in from the door behind Sinbad. He took a seat beside Alibaba, respectively nodding toward the Kou.

Sinbad took his time setting his plate up as did everyone else, and Ja'far wondered if he was trying to think of small talk or if he was still tired. Luckily, Sharrkan had never been much of a person for silence, and so he started up a non-political conversation about swords with Koumei. The middle prince seemed pleased at being addressed directly, and smiled as they talked.

Ja'far looked at Judal over the rim of his cup. The braided boy was playing with some chicken and watching Kouen. Ja'far had never noticed before, but... The Magi looking so longing made him wonder; was he after Kouen's attention only to assure he didn't change from the man he had made his King candidate... Or was it something deeper?

The thought made him snort and he shoved a piece of fish in his mouth as he ducked his head, hoping no one heard it. Sinbad gave him a confused look, slightly grinning, before looking back at Kouen. Ja'far got a hold on himself and continued to eat his fish. No, there was nothing deep about Judal except his vanity.

The thought made him grin to himself. The raven glared in his direction, but Ja'far ignored him.

"King Sinbad," Kouen said softly. Everyone at the table glanced up to the two kings, and the tension was so thick Ja'far swallowed uneasily. "Might I borrow the guidance of your assistant?" he folded his arms on the table.

Sinbad raised one eyebrow, giving Ja'far little more than a blink of an eye. "You mean Ja'far?" he waved one hand toward the man at his right.

Kouen nodded. Judal once again gave Ja'far a nasty look. Sinbad smiled. "Of course, Kouen."

The red head stood and Ja'far quickly followed. He headed out the door behind Sinbad and the silvrette stayed on his heel. "Sir," he said. Kouen was taking long strides and suddenly stopped. Ja'far had to reign in his quick steps to stop without bumping into him. "Where-"

"I realized I don't know where I am going. Will you lead me-" Kouen smiled, turning to look at Ja'far . "-Ja'far was it?"

"Yes sir." Ja'far bowed. "Where to?"

Kouen's smile turned a little dark. "Where would you like to take me?"

Ja'far was a bit shocked. He met Kouen's eyes uncertainly. "... Sir?"

The Prince approached him carefully, as if afraid of what he might be hiding-as he should be. Ja'far didn't want to appear disrespectful, and so he didn't move away. Kouen put one arm up to touch the keifka, but before he could talk-

"Kouen."

The man in question slowly moved away, recognizing Judal's voice. He adjusted his robes a bit as he stoodand Judal crossed his arms over his chest,watching him go back into the room. Ja'far avoided the Magi's eyes.

"Don't touch my king."

"What?"

Judal cocked his hip out. "You heard me." he muttered. "I don't see why Kouen is suddenly interested in you, and I don't care. But I don't want to see you touching him. I don't need him being brainwashed into a treaty, or leaving Kou." his eyes held back something he didn't say, and Ja'far felt his heart lurch. He was obviously wrong. Judal was transparent in this private moment. He was no more tan a shy boy who wanted the affection and praise of someone he loved.

Just like Ja'far.

The Sindrian assassin cleared his throat. "Judal, I do not know how to brainwash, and even if I did Sinbad would not want me to use it on Kouen. As for touching him or whatever you seem worried about, I think you are reading into it too far."

"Whatever." Judal snarled. "Just stay away!"

He stormed back into the banquet hall without another word.