When they got to the Palace gates they were stopped by the guards. "Halt. What purpose do you have with the Palace?" Alibaba didn't recognize the guard, he might have been a new recruit. Alibaba gripped the wrapping around his face, flinching when the guard tensed. He quickly uncovered his face before the man decided to strike first and ask questions later. The man didn't react, but the other guard with him did.
"I am Alibaba Saluja, Third Prince of Balbadd and Rashid Saluja's son." It felt really weird for Alibaba to say that. "I've returned from my travels." The first guard visibly paled and looked to his partner who was quickly standing straight and holding his forearm across his chest in salute. The guard scrambled to copy, sending his helmet askew in the process.
Alibaba and Morgiana entered the Palace with no trouble after that. Alibaba ducked his head nervously as he heard the whispers of the guards and the passing nobles in the courtyard. Morgiana looked around with a curious eye, taking it all in with a blank look. Alibaba couldn't tell if she was impressed or not.
At the end of the courtyard next to the main doors was Barrack. He was waiting patiently with a stern look, filling Alibaba with guilt. He left the letter behind to try and mitigate any worry or fears for his absence, but he knew that it would only do so much. Barrack likely was angry that Alibaba thought himself strong enough to leave even though he technically hadn't mastered the royal swordsmanship. Barrack didn't know of Alibaba's experience from the other timeline and that he had the tutelage of Master Sharkann, the greatest swordsman in the world, under his belt.
"Young Prince." Barrack greeted, eyes shining. Alibaba smiled up at the man. "It's good to see you've returned in good health." Alibaba chuckled and shifted on his feet. When he left, Alibaba didn't really put much thought on how he'd be received upon returning. His only thoughts were for Amon and Morgiana. Barrack looked both angry and relieved, and if he was this affected by his absence then Alibaba's father was going to be worse. It kind of made his wary to see his father once again.
"A-ah." Alibaba floundered. He turned to Morgiana who was standing there with her usual poker face. She looked more out of place with her plain dress and the large bag strapped to her back. Barrack looked at her but didn't comment, waiting for Alibaba to introduce her.
"This is Morgiana, she's my new friend. I met her in Quishan." Alibaba didn't go into further details. He didn't want anyone, even those in the Palace, to know about his conquering of a Dungeon. He thought that it would be better to keep it as an ace up the sleeve. It was always better to be underestimated after all.
"And what about Kassim?" Barrack asked. The captain stepped back and led the two into the Palace. He was leading them towards a familiar section that Alibaba was hoping to avoid for a bit longer. They were heading towards his father's study.
"Kassim is in the city now, he wanted to see to his house and catch up with some friends." Alibaba wondered if Barrack knew anything about the rise of the Barasi. It was unlikely, the upper half of the city didn't normally concern itself with the slums unless it had to. Unless the Barasi were attacking the nobles themselves they would be largely ignored.
When they got closer to his father's study, Alibaba felt his stomach drop. There was no avoiding it then. "Barrack, will you please show Morgiana to a room that is close to mine? I need to speak with my father." Not that Barrack wasn't planning on doing just that in the first place. Otherwise, he'd have taken a different route through the Palace halls.
Morgiana didn't look like she agreed with the request. She fully planned to stick by Alibaba's side, which gave him a boost of confidence. He was really happy to have Morgiana back at his side, she never failed to make him feel like he was stronger than he actually was. It was a special power that she and Aladdin possessed.
"I have to do this alone." He explained to her. "I'll see you in a bit and give you a tour." Morgiana pursed her lips unhappily but nodded her head.
"Fine." She said. "I'll see you later then." This was not an option, Alibaba could tell. He smiled and nodded his head, knowing that she would hunt him down if she felt it was needed. A comforting and horrifying thing to know.
Barrack led Morgiana away and Alibaba paused at the door to his father's study. He took a deep breath and steadied himself. He trailed his fingers on Amon's sheath to help center his mind. When he was ready he knocked on the door.
"Enter." Alibaba opened the door and slipped inside. Rashid was sitting at his desk, but he wasn't looking at any documents. He sat back in his chair with his hands clasped together on the desk. Alibaba swallowed his suddenly dry mouth. Right then, his father looked his title. A King of Balbadd. Alibaba shuffled forward and bowed deeply.
"I've returned from my travels Father." Alibaba didn't rise, staying still while he waited for his father to respond. A few beats passed, and Alibaba feared the worst. Then:
"Alibaba." Rashid's voice was heavy, stern and scolding all in one. Alibaba flinched. "You left the Palace in the middle of the night without any word and continued to not send any word for half a year. What have you to say of yourself?" Alibaba rose and looked into his father's eyes. They were cold, angry. There would be no getting around this. Alibaba wouldn't be able to conjure some tall tale to convince Rashid. He'd see through it and it would just make things worse.
He couldn't say the truth either though. His father would never believe it. If Alibaba said that he had come from the future from the fallout of two Djinns fighting against one another while he was in the throws of death and he wanted to get his Djinn back to be prepared for a dangerous unseen enemy Rashid would have him committed or thrown onto the street for being insane.
Still, lying wasn't the answer. Alibaba had to compromise. "I cannot tell you all of the reasons why I left, but it was important for me." He kept his head high as he spoke and maintained eye contact. He hoped his father could read the feelings in his eyes so that he could understand all that Alibaba couldn't say.
"Kassim followed me so that I would not be alone. We never planned on being gone for so long, but there were complications. I apologize for how I left and how long it took to get back home, but I am not sorry that I did leave." It was a lackluster answer for Rashid, and it wouldn't hold up forever, but it was the best that Alibaba could offer. He didn't like lying to his father, not after getting to know him better in this second life.
"It was important to you?" Rashid's lips were thin as he spoke. Alibaba tightly nodded his head. "And you cannot tell me the full reason?" Alibaba shook his head. Rashid's face soured more at that. Alibaba grimaced but held true. He couldn't tell his father the full truth, no matter how much he wanted to. He couldn't without an proof of had happened.
They held eye contact for a bit more before Rashid sighed heavily. "I suppose I cannot force you to explain yourself if you feel that strongly about it." Alibaba relaxed minutely at the admission. Rashid sent a sharp look that halted Alibaba's smile. "However, you are a Prince of Balbadd and you have responsibilities. You cannot just run off and do as you please. Do you understand?" Alibaba straightened and nodded his head. Rashid nodded his in return.
"You will attend all of your tutors and will complete all the assignments they give. It will be triple the workload for the time you missed." That was going to be a pain. Alibaba was busy enough as it was before he left. Tripling the workload was going to swamp him. He didn't complain though, only nodded his head. He would do as his father asked. He was right. Even though he was only the third Prince and not eligible for the throne, he was still a Prince. He couldn't just ignore his responsibilities without care.
Alibaba went to leave after his father dismissed him. As he reached the door his father spoke once more. "Alibaba," He started. Alibaba turned and was surprised to see a smile on his father's face, eyes warm and inviting. It was as if nothing had happened. "Welcome home my son." Alibaba's breath hitched.
"I'm happy to be back!" He squeaked, a blush on his cheeks. Alibaba then scurried out of there. Sometimes he just didn't understand his father.
Triple the load of homework was as exhausting as Alibaba expected. He had to do triple the paperwork, deal with tutors like Veimir triple the amount of time, and had little time to himself. In what free time he had Alibaba showed Morgiana around the Palace and trained with Barrack. Kassim hadn't showed and Alibaba was starting to worry about the lack of communication. He was thinking of asking Morgiana to hunt the other boy down and drag him back to the palace. He knew she could do it too, since she did that to him once for Aladdin.
Alibaba put his plans of kidnapping to the side as he went to attend dinner. Normally he would avoid the main gathering of the royal family and eat in his rooms, but his father had requested his presence. Morgiana was with him, attending as his official guest. She now wore a cleaner and less tattered dress, though it was still plain in design. In fact, she looked somewhat like she did in the future after her freedom.
"So this is where you grew up?" She commented as they walked through the long hallway to the private dining room. Alibaba chuckled as he looked at the extravagant decorations on the walls and the servants that were silently scurrying around with their heads downwards.
"Not at all." Morgiana turned her head to him in surprise. "I grew up on the streets with Kassim. I'm an illegitimate son to the King." He shrugged idly as he explained. Once admitting that would have embarrassed him. Not for his mother, because she was a light in his life that would never go out. No, he'd be embarrassed because he used to never think himself worthy of calling himself son to the King. It was too impossible for someone born in the streets.
"Where's your mother?" Alibaba's smile faltered, tinged with sadness. Morgiana watched him carefully as he looked away.
"She died when I was young. It was a sickness I think. I can't remember all that well." He just remembered crying over her body with Mariam, Kassim standing behind them with a darkened face. It then became just the three of them against the world after that. Alibaba would go off doing odd jobs to make money, dragging Mariam and Kassim when he could. Kassim created his own gang and would steal to make up for what Alibaba couldn't get with honest work. It wasn't a good system, but it had kept them alive in their childhood.
"I'm sorry." Alibaba blinked back the memories and looked at Morgiana. She looked truly sad, eyes unfocused. She was likely thinking of her own parents. Alibaba wondered if she knew them or had any memories of them. He hesitated to ask, not sure if it was his place. This was a Morgiana that barely knew him after all, not the one from the future.
"It's okay. I miss her, but I keep her memories in my heart. I know she's watching over me." Though if she knew he and Kassim entered a Dungeon on their own accords she might have had a heart attack. Morgiana didn't say anything, but she didn't look as sad anymore so Alibaba counted it as a win. They were getting closer to their destination. He paused before the doors and looked to Morgiana with an apologetic expression.
"I just want to warn you, this might be a bit uncomfortable for you. If you want to leave, you can at any time." Alibaba was selfish when he asked Morgiana to accompany him to the dinner. If everyone he thought was going to be there, then he knew it was going to be a strained event. Morgiana raised her eyebrows at the warning.
"What do you mean?" She asked, eyes darting from him to the door. Alibaba grimaced, not sure how to explain it without putting anyone in a bad light.
"You'll see." That was all he could come up with. They were running late as it was and the sooner they entered the better. Still, he wished his father hadn't asked for him to attend. Alibaba opened the door and walked inside. The room was small but homey, with vibrant colors from the lush decorations. The floor had a red rug with plush carpet that felt nice to the feet and was covered in feather-stuffed pillows and cushions to sit on. In the center of the room was a large round table with six chairs that was covered with covered dishes. At the chairs the rest of Alibaba's family were sitting.
Alibaba held the door open for Morgiana and led her to the table. He was seated next to Sabhmad thankfully, but it had the down side of placing Morgiana next to the one person he did not want her to experience. Rashid's lawful wife and Queen of Balbadd, Anahita.
She was a beautiful woman with sharp features. Her hair was a mix of black and white strands, the only indication of her age. Anahita had no defining wrinkles like Alibaba's father, and her figure was that of a twenty-year-old's. She was wearing royal colors with a red and gold sash over the shoulder of the dress. Her circlet crown was fitted perfectly on her forehead, the side tassels framing her face in an elegant manner. She looked like a true Queen of Balbadd. That would normally be okay, but it was known that the family dinners were supposed to be informal and that normally the royal family dressed down for them. Alibaba knew for a fact that when he didn't attend she was in more casual wear.
And that was the catch of it really. When Alibaba wasn't there, Anahita was a lot different he assumed. It didn't matter in the end, since he was there. Only now he had Morgiana with him. Alibaba looked at the set of silverware next to the covered dishing and mentally grimaced. He didn't think they'd be doing a multi-course meal. He doubted Morgiana would know what silverware went with what meal, and he couldn't tell her now.
"It's nice of you to join us." Anahita greeted coldly, looking at Alibaba and Morgiana with a distasteful expression. Rashid sighed from his seat next to her as Abhmad snickered and Sabhmad gave Alibaba an apologetic look. Alibaba smiled and bowed his head in thanks, his hands fisted on his knees beneath the table.
"I'm sorry for making you wait. I wanted to take a longer route to show Morgiana more of the palace." Anahita sniffed haughtily and waved her hand. The servants who were attending them that dinner rushed forward and uncovered their plates for the first course of the meal.
"Thank you for coming Alibaba." Rashid said warmly as they ate. "I truly wish that you would come to this more often." Judging from the dark look Anahita just sent him, Alibaba was assuming it was only on Rashid's part that he was missed from the dinners. Still, it warmed his heart and he smiled cheerfully.
"I know, but I've been busy with my tutors and I didn't want to leave Morgiana on her own until she got more comfortable in the palace." Rashid nodded his head and turned to Morgiana with a kind smile. Morgiana for her part was dutifully eating her soup. She was using the wrong spoon, but Alibaba refrained from correcting her because he knew it would embarrass her. He knew because the first time he went to one of these dinners he had done the same thing and Anahita took great pleasure in telling him just how barbaric his eating habits were.
"I'm curious to meet Alibaba's new friend. I've never gotten the chance to meet Kassim in person, so I'm happy that he invited you to join us. Are you enjoying your time in the palace?" Anahita's lip curled as Rashid spoke, refusing to look at Morgiana.
"It's very pretty." Morgiana nodded. "Alibaba has been showing me his favorite places and helped me read books about my homeland from the library." There weren't that many books or scrolls about the Dark Continent in their library, but Alibaba was happy to read them to Morgiana when she asked.
"Alibaba also let me train in the courtyard with him and the guards." Rashid chuckled at that, a twinkle in his eye as he looked to Alibaba.
"Ah, I heard about that. Barrack was telling me how he was enjoying whipping the troublemakers into shape by having your friend practice with them." Alibaba winced with a smile as he thought about those poor souls Barrack delivered to Morgiana's tender mercies. Morgiana never meant to hurt any of them, and she always held back, but she wasn't Fanalis for nothing. The guards were quick to wisen up and stay on Barrack's good side to avoid training with her.
"So not only is she staying in rooms next to yours but she fights amongst the guards?" Anahita asked. "How unbecoming." Alibaba's breath faltered and he had to fight against himself from standing up in anger. He knew how it might have looked when he requested that Morgiana was kept near his rooms, but he knew that the palace was a large place and he wanted her to be able to be near in case she needed anything in a hurry.
"Don't worry Mother." Abhmad spoke, his squeaky voice piping up after he finished eating his soup. "At least he's not as bad as Lord Ervin. Bijan was telling me about his latest blunder of the week today." Abhmad and Anahita then took over the dinner conversation with gossip that was running within the nobles. As they spoke Alibaba leaned close to Morgiana.
"Are you okay?" He whispered. Morgiana's face was tight and her face slightly flushed. Anahita's implications didn't go over her head. "Don't let what she said get to you. It doesn't matter what others think." Alibaba assured her. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel alienated. He really shouldn't have asked her to come with him.
"After this, let's sneak out to the city and see Kassim." Alibaba hadn't been in the city for some time and he wanted to talk with his old friend. If they survived the rest of dinner it might be a good way of blowing off steam from dealing with the tension they currently were sitting in. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this." He really was. Morgiana looked at him with confusion.
"Is she always like that?" She asked lowly. Alibaba frowned and shrugged, turning to his soup. Anahita normally belittled Alibaba in whatever way possible when he attended these get-togethers. It was why he avoided them when possible. She would dress to her station to remind Alibaba of her status and how he wasn't a true heir because of his mother. It was a petty grudge she held against him but Alibaba never said anything against it. She had the right, Alibaba represented something that she hated to think about. Rashid's infidelity.
"Not always, and normally it's targeted more at me. She's a nice woman I hear, the servants and guards have nothing but praise for her kindness and my Father does care for her." Alibaba couldn't give Morgiana a true opinion because he had never seen that side of Anahita before. She was always bitter and angry when it came to him. Alibaba didn't want to cause her that pain, so he tended to stay away from her.
Morgiana and Alibaba managed to stay out of the spotlight for the most of the next two courses. Abhmad and Anahita took up most of the conversation, With Rashid making his own comments and attempts to pull Alibaba and his friend into the topic. Every now and then Sabhmad would speak up his own opinion with a nervous titter.
"Ah, a-about that." Anahita paused in her speaking when her son spoke. They were discussing what parties had been held that month. She and Abhmad were rating them on a scale of how good they were while Rashid sighed in distaste and vocally wished that the nobles partied less and did their actual jobs. It made Alibaba silently snicker.
"L-Lord Bardok said that he was going to host a party but couldn't after one of his ships were raided." That perked Alibaba's attention. He hadn't heard of any attacks on the docks. That kind of news traveled fast, and normally the King was informed immediately. Rashid looked just as surprised at the news as everyone else though.
"Really? Avner didn't say anything about an attack." Rashid had already finished his dessert and was leaning back in his chair as everyone talked. He leaned forward at this, wrinkles forming as he frowned. "When did this happen?"
Sabhmad silently quailed at the attention but still answered. "I-it happened two weeks ago. I d-don't think Avner said anything because it happened outside of our waters." Outside their waters? That would mean it was while the ship was still in transport. Pirates? Alibaba frowned at that. Just how long had it been since pirates attacked Balbadd ships? He didn't know.
"Have other ships been attacked?" Sabhmad jumped at Alibaba's sudden interest. "Does he know anything about the attack itself? How it happened?" Alibaba stopped his questions when he saw Sabhmad sweating nervously. He held in a remorseful sigh. He really felt bad for his half-brother sometimes. His nervousness was really not suited for him. Still, Alibaba knew that when the times called for it his older brother would come through. It was just who he was.
"I-I don't know for sure. I think I heard some others complaining about their ships not bringing in all that they could, but t-that could be different. There hasn't been that many that I know. L-Lord Bardok didn't give any details, just that the ship was attacked." That was worrying. If Balbadd merchant ships were being attacked then people might start avoiding Balbadd for dangerous waters. Alibaba wanted to ask where on the map the ship was attacked. They might be able to mitigate the damage if they can tell ships to avoid that area. He hesitated to do so because Sabhmad might not know and he looked like he wanted to fade into the background.
"Why the interest?" Anahita asked archly. "Perhaps some of your acquaintances from the lower echelon found themselves a new line of work in piracy?" Alibaba bit his tongue at the jab. Rashid turned to his wife sharply.
"Anahita, that is uncalled for." She gave Rashid a droll look, unbothered at his anger. "Alibaba has nothing to do with those attacks and you know that." Alibaba appreciated Rashid's defense of him, but he knew it was useless. Anahita scoffed and set her silverware down and glared at her husband.
"I never said that he was involved, but can we truly know that? The boy ran away without any thought and is gone for six months doing who-knows-what. He refuses to say where he's been and what he did, dragging a ragged girl in his footsteps who could be a thief." Her dark green eyes were glittering with anger. Alibaba prepared himself for what she was going to say next. He could tell it wasn't going to be good.
"What else could we expect? You know where he was raised, what they breed down there. Thieves and uncouth people who have no respect for honest work. For all we know, his friends are the ones who attacked that ship!" Alibaba stood from his chair with a screech. Everyone's eyes turned to him, but it was Anahita's that burned the most. She stared at him with pure hatred.
"Father, please excuse me. I just remembered that I have an essay to prepare for Reimir." Alibaba bowed and stepped away from the table. Morgiana stood up after him, following him out of the room without a word.
When they were out of the room Alibaba picked up his pace, almost running down the hallways. Morgiana didn't have any trouble keeping up, worried eyes staring at him. Alibaba's mind was a mess of emotions. But one thing was prominent in his head. As much as he was angry at Anahita for her words against his friends in the slums, she gave him an idea. Dexia said that the Barasi were powerful. Lord Bardok and other nobles were complaining about their ships being attacked outside of Balbadd waters. Anahita said that someone from the slums might be behind it.
Alibaba knew his friends weren't a part of that. He knew it in his bones. But. The Barasi were people he didn't know. They grew in power within a relatively short time while Alibaba and Kassim were gone. And now nobles were being attacked. Alibaba couldn't be sure, but this was suspiciously looking a lot like when Kassim first got the magic tools. He needed to speak with Kassim, but he couldn't leave the palace. Especially after what Anahita suggested. While the dinner was a private affair, Alibaba wasn't a fool. Abhmad will be retelling the whole affair to his friends the next day, and the servants will be gossiping in the night. Alibaba couldn't risk being seen in the city now.
When they reached Alibaba's rooms he sent out the maids that were cleaning and sat on his bed. Morgiana walked up beside him and watched as he tried to think. He felt bad for her. For dragging her into his mess once again. If he had known how the night was going to end he would have just asked her to stay behind.
"She's a cruel woman." Alibaba started at Morgiana's comment. The Fanalis girl was frowning with disapproval. Alibaba sighed, body deflating and his bones feeling suddenly weary. He could see where she got the impression. Anahita wasn't kind in the least at dinner.
"No she isn't." He said tiredly. "The Queen is likely angry that my Father let me back into the palace after being gone for so long." With nothing but a slap on the wrist for a punishment too. It showed Rashid's favor onto Alibaba, which was dangerous when he had yet to officially name an heir. Currently, it was a common assumption that Abhmad will inherit the throne as he is the eldest. However it was tradition that the King of Balbadd would name his heir both verbally and in writing. Rashid had yet to do either, and he was getting on in age. He looked healthy now, but Alibaba knew how quickly that could change.
"She's just worried about her sons, and for what's happening to the nobles." Because what was happening was a worry. If left unchecked Balbadd could be in trouble. Whoever was leading the attacks were smart. They keep the attacks out of Balbadd's waters to keep the notice away from the King for as long as possible. The nobles will complain but will just think its random pirate attacks.
Which, Alibaba admitted, that could be all it was. He needed more information. How many confirmed ships have been attacked? Whose ships were they, what were they holding? Where were they attacked, in what order? He was missing too much information to make a complete theory of what was happening.
But he couldn't help but feel the Barasi was involved. He thought about Ithnan from that day, the sudden rise in power and now this. It was a similar story that Alibaba had no interest in seeing through to the end. That ended in a treasury fire and the beginning of Balbadd's demise. If it was happening again, Alibaba needed to put a stop to it. First, though, he needed to find out if his hunch was even correct.
"Morgiana, can you do me a favor?" He stood up and began to pace. This was a risky idea, but he didn't know what else to do at the moment. Alibaba needed to know what Kassim had found out. "Can you go into the city and find Kassim? Something's going on and I'm sure he has an idea of what it is." No one knew the slums better than Kassim. Even if he no longer lived a life of crime, he still had ties to those who did and had an ear to the ground of what was happening in the streets.
"You don't think what she said was true do you?" Morgiana asked. Alibaba quickly shook his head. There was no way Kassim or the others were involved. Kassim didn't have the ability after being gone with Alibaba for so long, and he knew that Zainab and Hassan had gone straight.
"No, but what she said wasn't a complete lie either. There are people in the slums who would do a lot to get back at the nobles." While the tension between the classes wasn't nearly as high as it was during Abhmad's reign the slums were still angry at the nobles for not helping when the sickness swept through the streets.
"You mean the group that man had talked about." Alibaba nodded his head. Morgiana was starting to see it too then. Good. "You want to know what Kassim found out then." She crossed her arms and tapped her left foot idly with a calculating look.
"Yes, but I also want to make sure he's okay. If he got to Mirno's place then he should be fine but I'm worried." If the Barasi were as powerful as Dexia implied then there was no telling what streets and corners they had claimed as their own. If Kassim wasn't careful he could have gotten himself into some trouble. Alibaba hated not knowing how his friend was doing.
"Okay." Morgiana stated all of a sudden. Alibaba jumped and watched as she walked towards his balcony. At first, he didn't know what she was doing, and then he realized. Alibaba's eyes widened and his face grew chalky as she stepped on the balcony's railing without fear.
"W-wait!" She either ignored him or didn't hear him because Morgiana bunched up her legs and jumped into the night. Alibaba froze, arm out stretched to the balcony comically. She was gone. He just let loose a Fanalis into Balbadd's streets with no map.
Oh Solomon, what has he done?