Rasoul knew maybe that Saluk had been the one who had taken the kids. He'd made a fool of him again! Not only was Cassim still alive, but now the children were missing! As soon as the Genie realized that, he knew that he would be questioned or something. Now what was important was to find that no good thief. And kill him for good this time!
Everyone met at the spot where they'd agreed to meet.
"Nothing, Al!"said Genie.
Carpet and Abu shook their heads.
"But where could be! Genie, are you sure you're searching right?"
"Yup. Nothing more than a bird feather appeared."
"But where could they be!"asked Jasmine.
"Maybe the guards had more luck."
Genie gasped.
"The guards! Why didn't I think of that. The only place in this Palace that hasn't been searched are the dungeons and the guards' headquarters!"
"What!"
"What would they be doing there!"
"Well, it's the only place left! They'll be there! Let's go."
"Maybe they got lost."suggested Cassim.
"How?"
"Maybe they wanted to see just see the rest of the Palace."he said.
"Dad, really! They couldn't have gotten lost! I mean, if the guards are right there, they could've led them back! Not to mention the fact that I've said many times before that Fahriha is too old to be leaving the haremlik! A girl belongs in her father's harem, not wandering around the place!"
They inspected the dungeons. Genie questioning people and almost removing the walls to see if they were hiding behind them.
"Nothing! Nowhere!"he said.
"Then where else can we look?"
"They couldn't have left! There's just no way! Maybe Iago, flying, but the kids?"
Genie shook his head and shrugged.
"Iago, I want to go home."said Rakim.
"Don't we all, kid! But in order to that, we gotta figure out a way to get out of here, and get passed that guy. Anyone got a plan?"
"I don't ever want to look for treasure again."
"I don't think I ever want to look for treasure again, either!"said Iago, as he began to sob.
"Shut up!"screamed Saluk.
"Ah!"
Iago flew to hide behind Ilyas.
"I-It was Iago."
"Yeah, tell him, so he'll get me!"
"All of you, shut up! Especially the parrot!"said Saluk. "Or else."
Maybe he should just have waited for Cassim. Or not taken the parrot, but he'd had no other choice. He'd carried all of them back to the lair. Surely no one would find them. He remembered that he had almost fulfilled his goal, and he would've if it hadn't been for Cassim. The old King of Thieves, had promised go give Saluk his post among the Forty Thieves, but the idiot had wanted to test Cassim in the Challenge, and had ended up dead. The other thieves had decided Cassim should replace the King.
"By now, they should be well aware that you're missing."
"Will we stay here forever?"
"Kid, be quiet!"sobbed Iago.
"There's someone here!"
"Over here! We're here!"Iago started to yell out.
Saluk ran to see what has happening, and who had discovered the hide out. He saw Rasoul coming in.
"I thought you would be here!"he said. "I know you must be the one who took the princes and princess. You're going to have to hand them over now!"he said. "You were supposed to kill the King of Thieves, not take the Sultan's kids!"
"Well, I changed my mind!"said Saluk.
Rasoul pulled out his sword.
"You're going to hand them over now!"
"And you are going to risk letting the King of Thieves go free again?"
Rasoul stared at him.
"I wouldn't harm these kids, I don't care about them. What they're here for, is to lead the King of Thieves to his death,and to help put you much higher in the Sultan's eyes. As soon as they realize that they are missing, I was going to hand you a note, and it would end in Cassim's death and you rescuing the young princes and the princess."
Rasoul's eyes opened wide.
"And you?"
"I'll just fulfill my mission and kill the King of Thieves."