Chapter 9:
The next day, I am surrounded by diplomats from the other deserts, being congratulated on my heroic actions. The pendant us burning on my neck. Many marriage proposals come my way, and I politely decline. After all, they'd only receive a something unreal. Although, the king of Quirkistan isn't that bad looking. But I keep getting this weird vibe from him, so I steer clear of him and the other Quirkistanian politicians.
I'm dressed in all white, a sign of heroism in some countries, and the crowd cheers as the Sultan presents me the medal of honor. When we all sit down to eat at the feast that has been prepared in my honor, I see Iago and Abu talking with some of the diplomats.
"We swear! She sang and Mozenrath and that crazy eel of his turned just as mindless as his mamluks. I can prove it, here, I heard a little bit of what she sang." Iago opens his mouth and Onyx tackles him.
I stand up and lift Onyx off of Iago.
"I'm so sorry, he must just be annoyed by your talking. Hey, Iago, Abu. Could you come and talk with me privately." They look a little scared, but still follow me into the next room. I look around to check and make sure it's empty.
'The coast is clear. I'm going to take care of a major problem.'
"Onyx, guard the door."
"Why does the dog need to guard the door?" Iago asks nervously.
"Because," I leer at him through my teeth.
"You two won't be able to get away if Onyx is guarding the door. Now, you keep blabbing about how I defeated Mozenrath. Well, it's true what you saw. My singing did incapacitate him and his eel. But that was so I could protect you guys, cause from the looks of it, he was a bad guy. Unfortunately, I should have done the same to you."
"Why?" Iago says nervously.
"You two keep talking about how I did the deed. And if you don't stop blabbing your big mouths, I'm going to be revealed. So, it's your choice. Agree to stop talking about how I did it and just go along with my story, or keep talking and end up just like Mozenrath."
"Um, you know what Abu? THIS GIRL IS NUTS!" They try to make a break for the door, but Onyx stops them.
"I'm really sorry guys, but you leave me no choice. I can't have you exposing me. Onyx, don't listen."
I open my mouth, and the same haunting melody comes out. Iago and Abu's eyes glaze over and they stop resisting Onyx's grip on them.
"Good. Now listen to me. You will act exactly like you usually do. But, whenever someone asks you about how I defeated Mozenrath, you'll just go with my story of how he thought I was a demon and submitted to me out of cowardice. Got it?" They nod their heads.
"Good. Onyx, release them. So guys are we good?"
There eyes are still glazed over, but they still act with all the energy they had before.
"Yeah, we're good. Come on monkey. I'm starving. Do you think they have any grapes?" My secret is safe, for now.
...
We're feasting when a servant comes up to The Sultan and whispers in his ear.
"Oh my. Well have the guards tried to stop it." The servant whispers something else.
"I guess we'll just have to deal with it somehow." He turns back to his food. 'Odd. There is clearly something wrong. Why doesn't he say something to the other rulers?'
"Excuse me, Sultan, but I couldn't help but overhear. What is the problem?"
"Well, there appears to be a young woman at the palace gates trying to get in. She says there is something of great importance that she must warn me about. But she is a sworn enemy of the Seven Deserts. We simply cannot let her come in."
"Oh, Sultan. You should know by now. I don't need an invitation to come in." All the guests turn to the direction of the voice.
A young woman stands in the doorway of the dining room. She has short black hair, tan skin and dark eyes. At first, you would guess she was a noblewoman. But when you really look at her, you can tell she hasn't lived nobly in a long time.
"Nasira." Aladdin growls at her.
"Nasira, I have told you many times before, you are not welcome here. Guards! Arrest that woman." The guards come running at her. She raises a hand and the guards go flying back.
"I'm afraid dear Sultan, that you might want to hear what I have to say before you arrest me. You have all been deceived here. The girl you call Evangeline is nothing but a lying, treacherous snake."
"Evangeline what is she talking about?" Jasmine asks me. Nasira laughs.
"Princess you will soon see. But only when I reveal it. So my dear Evangeline, you are cursed to never reveal your secret until I do. But, I'm not here for you." She turns her attention away from me to the Sultan. A wicked grin creeps across her face.
"As you all know, my brother Jafar was defeated by your street rat prince, Aladdin. But not all of you know about Destane." The guests mumble about Jafar and Destane.
"Destane was the previous ruler of the Land of the Black Sand until his traitorous apprentice betrayed him.
So, you must all be wondering why I bring up these two men. Well, I'll tell you why. By the next new moon, both of them will be back, and more powerful than ever. None of you will be able to stop us from ruling the Seven Deserts. Now, I bid you ado."
She laughs wickedly and vanishes into thin air. The guests start to panic and scream, asking what to do.
Genie materializes above the table and blows a giant air horn to get everyone's attention. He smiles sheepishly and disappears again.
"Thank you Genie. Now could someone please tell me what the big deal is about Jafar and Destane?" I ask shouting with my arms above my head. A diplomat yells at me,
"How about you tell us what she meant by you being a liar?"
"If you didn't hear her, she already has placed a curse on me, preventing me form telling anyone. Now who are these two men?"
"Jafar was the old vizier. He tried to take over Agrabah, but we defeated him, twice already. In the end his greed was always his downfall." Aladdin tells me.
"Yeah, you bet. His greediness always prevented him from giving me a well deserved paycheck. But, boy am I glad to be rid of him. But Destane, all I know is that not even Jafar would go near him, he was supposed to be a real hardcase."
"Yeah, I mean the only person who knows about Destane is..." Genie swallows loudly.
"Mozenrath." Aladdin finishes for him, grinding his teeth.