Chapter Twenty-three: Confronting the Serpent
Aladdin waited behind a set of closed doors with Khaleel, Dalia, and Mozenrath. Jasmine was waiting for the Sultan in the chamber on the other side.
Finally, he heard voices approaching. He strained to hear them through the door.
"He was speaking with his advisor about returning with an army to conquer Agrabah," Jafar said.
"What?" Sultan asked, his voice somewhat fainter through the wood and gold.
"Now it appears he has fled in the night," Jafar concluded.
"Jasmine," the Sultan said, apparently just then catching sight of his daughter.
"You heard him say this, Jafar?" she asked. "You saw him leave?"
"Yes," Jafar answered coolly, even as his parrot squawked an "Uh, oh!" "With my own ears and my own eyes. So what's the problem now, Princess?"
"This is the problem, Jafar," she answered.
At that cue, Aladdin himself opened the doors and led the other three into the room.
"If what you say is true," Jasmine continued, approaching them, "then why is Prince Ali still here?"
"Your Majesty," Ali said in a tight greeting before shifting his wary eyes on Jafar. He was essentially declaring himself to be no more than a street rat parading in a magic disguise in the vizier's eyes. But he couldn't allow this twisted man an opportunity to destroy any number of kingdoms.
"Prince Ali," Jafar said. "This is a surprise."
"I would imagine so," Ali answered, turning once again to the Sultan. "Your Majesty, your advisor is not who he says he is."
Jafar's expression turned highly amused at the perceived irony. "Oh, I'm not who I say I am," he countered.
"Baba," Jasmine said from Ali's side, "he tried to kill Prince Ali."
"Jafar, can you explain this to me?" the Sultan challenged as Jafar turned to him.
"Yes," Jafar answered. "My Sultan, my loyalty belongs to you."
Ali felt Mozenrath tense behind him. Something was happening. But what? And where was it coming from?
"Your loyalty," the Sultan said, like one coming from a deep sleep. "Your loyalty." His face was expressionless. His eyes had taken on a reddish-yellow cast like fire.
"Yes," Jafar affirmed.
The Sultan turned, locking eyes with Ali. "Prince Ali," he said, his face furiously stern and his voice hard, "you invited yourself into our city, and we welcomed you as our guest. But I believe your intentions are . . . deceitful." The final word rolled out like a fire licking at dry scrubbrush. "You are a threat to Agrabah and you will be dealt with as such."
"Baba, what are you saying?" Jasmine asked.
"Enough, Jasmine," the Sultan ordered.
Aladdin agreed that this was indeed enough. They had to stop this before it got out of hand.
The Sultan then continued, "Jafar told me about Prince Ali's ambitions."
Jafar had his staff centered on the Sultan. A staff molded into the shape of a cobra.
"His staff," Aladdin breathed. He heard nothing more as he dashed forward behind Jafar and grabbed the golden staff from his hand. He vaguely heard Mozenrath voicing a question as he raised the staff high and brought it crashing to the floor with a cry.
A flash of light signaled the severing of cobra head from body. A sound similar to desert winds across the dunes echoed through the chamber as sparking and ashy magic bloomed out across the floor.
Aladdin stepped back from it, making sure none touched his boots. He turned slightly to see the Sultan waver a moment, as if thrown off balance. The Sultan's eyes cleared as he blinked like one waking from a dream.
"Baba?" Jasmine asked breathlessly.
"What happened?" the Sultan asked.
"He had you under his spell," Aladdin answered.
"He's not to be trusted, Your Majesty," Jafar said calmly, backing away.
"He wants your throne," Aladdin continued, "and to lay waste to Shehrabad."
A new layer of horror passed over the Sultan's face. "Jafar, you were my most trusted advisor." Still looking at Jafar, he ordered, "Hakim! Put him in the dungeon!"
It took only a moment for Hakim and two of his men to arrest Jafar and take him away.
The Sultan swayed again.
"Baba!" Jasmine cried, running to his side.
"I'm alright, Jasmine," the Sultan said, squeezing her hand that grasped his arm. "I just need an opportunity to sit down a moment."
A slap upside his head caused Aladdin to wince. "Ow." He looked to see his brother scowling at him. "What?"
"That was the most foolhardy thing I have ever seen," Mozenrath scolded. "One does not just smash a magic staff. There could have been mass destruction!"
"I was just supposed to stand there while a vile traitor controlled Agrabah's Sultan like his personal puppet?" Aladdin protested.
"No. I would have made the staff useless and then you could smash it," Mozenrath answered.
"And who is this?" the Sultan asked warily.
"Prince Ali's brother," Jasmine answered. "Lord Mozenrath of the Black Sands. He just so happens to be a student of the magic arts."
"Why are you not tied to Ababwa?" the Sultan inquired.
"We were estranged, Your Majesty," Mozenrath explained. "We are actually half-brothers. We didn't know of our relationship until three years ago, minutes before Ali's mother died yet seconds after she made a wish that we couldn't harm each other." His scowl deepened toward Aladdin. "Which only proved what an idiot of a brother I have since he decided it would be great fun to thus impale himself on my sword more times than I care to count."
"It finally got you to admit that you care about me," Aladdin returned, smiling.
Khaleel quietly stepped in. "They finally came to a truce about three months ago," he said. "They're still figuring out their dynamic now that they're no longer enemies."
"Something tells me that there is much to this story," the Sultan said. He sighed wearily. "But that must wait, for I feel most tired."
"Come over and sit, Baba," Jasmine said, gently leading him to some padded benches just beyond the chamber.
Mozenrath punched Aladdin's arm. "Still an idiot," he said.
"Still alive," Aladdin countered, rubbing his arm. Okay, so he was starting to get used to this big brother-little brother thing. Apparently, that didn't guarantee that he would enjoy all of it.
But, Jafar was arrested. Agrabah and its Royal Family were no longer in danger. Then why did Aladdin feel as though it had been too easy? Why did he still feel on edge as though they hadn't seen the worst of it?
Jafar didn't struggle as the guards holding him walked him into the dungeons. These dungeons were higher than the ones he frequented when he spoke to his guards, where he examined new prisoners for the diamond in the rough. In comparison, these cells were well lit and its air fresh, while the lower dungeons were dark and its air dank. But in the end, they were all the same. Just like the thrice accursed prison of Shehrabad.
Hakim opened a door with a shriek of metal on metal. A single gesture and Jafar was firmly pressed into the cell.
The vizier calmly turned as the door was swung shut yet again. The bolt was drawn and fastened with the jangle of a padlock's tumblers. They were so certain of his defeat. They didn't know about the Lamp and the Genie it contained. They had no knowledge of the masquerading street rat.
"You should think of how quickly the sands of power shift in a storm, Hakim," Jafar said. He knew how the Captain admired him. Of course, he had never dared employ Hakim and his guards in the more rigid duties. It would have never done if the Sultan had heard whispers of the harsher laws Jafar ensured were enforced. The vizier had Razoul for that. But, once he gained the throne, and he would, he would rather it be Hakim at his side, rather than the hot-headed Razoul.
"I am loyal to my sultan," Hakim retorted, equally as calm. "As you should have been." He slowly turned to leave. "The law is the law."
As Jafar was left alone, he rested his arms through the bars of his cell door. It was only a matter of time. Those fools would be sorry. But, soldiers like Hakim were like sheep. As soon as Jafar sat on the throne and claimed the title of Sultan, Hakim's loyalty would turn to him, leaving the old man and the Shehrabad mouse to suffer as Jafar saw fit.
A subtle smile touched Jafar's face as Iago flew from the shadows on near silent wings. In his beak the bird carried the master key. Those fools would never know what hit them.
Author's Note: Oo, sounds as though Aladdin has reason to feel wary. Any idea of just how bad things could get? Or do you think that Jafar is the one who will be caught off guard? I want theories. :-D
This early victory definitely felt too easy in the live action. I don't recall having that same feeling for the animated since Jafar slipped away before he could be properly arrested. And this Aladdin has more than enough kingdom rescues, adventures, and misadventures under his belt to recognize that this victory may not be complete.
So, what do you think the future holds for our heroes? Hm?
Happy New Year! And sincerely wishing and praying that it will be far better than the one before.