On the morrow, King Sinbad and Prince Alibaba stood in front of Balbadd's king and deputy king, Ahbmad and Sahbmad Saluja. Ja'far, Masrur, and Zenobia stood behind Sin in support. There was a boisterous crowd outside that had gathered, interested and worried about their futures from the rumors heard and flyers pinned around town.
"It was the previous king's wish that Balbadd would be ruled by his son Alibaba after him," Sinbad announced to the kings and court.
Ahbmad rubbed his nose in disinterest. "No way some slum scum would be fit for this position. I'm afraid that I will have to ask you to leave. Your presumptuousness has solidified my decision. Balbadd will not be resuming trade with Sindria."
He waved his stubby hand for the group to vacate the throne room, but Sinbad wasn't done. Sindria's king held up a charred piece of paper. It had many creases in it like it was crumpled but later flattened. Gold trim and a splotch of wax at the bottom made it look like an official document.
"I have here the last will and testament of King Rashid, dated a few days before he passed away. This is proof of Alibaba Saluja's right to the throne! I'd let you look it over, but I'm sure you've already seen it. I'd wager you're to thank for its current condition. You are aware of what a severe crime it is against Balbadd to destroy the previous king's words like this, don't you?"
Ahbmad scrunched his already pig-like face as a hand squeezed his armrest. Sahbmad clung to the side of the throne, body shivering and halfway hidden behind the royal chair in anxiety of the judgements facing him.
"Hmph. You could have as well as forged that. I shall not tolerate this offense any more." Ahbmad hit the scepter in hand to the ground. "Guards! See them out! Willingly or by force, I don't really care as long as they're removed from my sight!"
The lead guard, Barkak hesitated as he looked at Alibaba, but the guards followed his example of raising their spears, waiting for the Third Prince to respond.
Alibaba implored, "My brother, Ahbmad, just think about it. You're people are suffering to death! You can keep the throne and I'll work to support the kingdom. Just protect the lives of the people!"
Ignoring his half brother, Ahbmad growled, "Now, Barkak! I have many arrangements to make in preparation for tomorrow and this trash has wasted more than enough of my time!"
Just then, a smooth voice lazily drawled while entering the court, "Ah man, what's with that crowd outside? They're making it hard to get any rest around here…"
Sinbad turned and was taken aback as he saw the dark magi saunter in. "Judar?!"
The black-haired priest of Kou lightened up as he saw who said his name. "Hey! It's Lord Moron! You did make it after all!" He ran over to him.
While rubbing his temple Ahbmad requested, "Judar! Can you get rid of these pests since my guards seem to be incapable of doing so? Especially that boy from the slums who thinks he can take my throne!"
"Why sure nothing would give me more pleasure!" Judar announced pounding a fist to his chest. Then in a quieter tone told Sin with a smile, "That is of course unless you'd rather join me so we can take over the world together."
"You know that's never going to happen," Sin growled.
"Have it your way," Judar sighed while scanning the group, "You don't have your metal vessels. Well that's going to make this boring. Oh well. I just so happened to have gotten myself another king candidate and brought him along." He waved towards the door as he called out, "Hey Jamil! I got a fun little task for you!"
Footsteps echoed through the room as the entitled lord entered, flanked by two of his slaves. The djinn seal on his sword began to glow simultaneously with Zenobia's jewelry. With a gasp a hand reflexed to cover her necklace, but her headpiece, ring, chain bracelet, and right earring also shone bright.
Sin turned towards her and gawked, "Neela…?"
Wordlessly she backed up.
He continued, "You're the dungeon conqueror working with the Fog Troop? Before, were you trying to set us up?"
She looked around, reevaluating the turn of events. She had not wished her true identity revealed until Alibaba was on the throne. But as it stood now, there was another conqueror and a magi to contend with on that path. Still, she shared a similar goal to Sin's, but he didn't look like he would trust her at this point. Plus without his vessels, he and his household would pose no threat to the magi.
One solution came to mind, although she loathed showing her hand. There was not much choice if she was going to see this through to the end though, so she turned and fled the room.
Judar's laugh brought Sin back to the present. "Oh man, she runs like a chicken! Hope you weren't expecting any help from her." The magi then ordered Jamil, "I want you to take out this blond pipsqueak here."
"That commoner? Hmph. My prized slaves could take him out easily," Jamil scoffed. He pointed his sword towards Alibaba. "Morgiana. Kill."
The young redhead girl beside Jamil shot forward and kicked Alibaba in the gut, sending him sprawling across the floor. Sin, Ja'far, and Masrur took up fighting stances but Judar held a hand up to stop them.
"Thalg Hajar!" He swished his wand, freezing the trio in place. "Now don't you go meddling in this, ya hear? Let's have this be a good old fashioned fight for the right of the crown. Whoever has the most might gets the throne!"
"If this really was a fair fight, then it would be Alibaba against Ahbmad," growled Sin.
Ahbmad almost laughed. "Don't be absurd. Why should I fight when I have them to fight as a proxy for me?"
Alibaba got up, holding his middle. "It's okay, Sinbad. If all I have to do is take out that spoiled troublemaker who can't even face me himself. I should be able to do this all alone."
I hope so, Alibaba, Sin thought to himself.
Judar leaned on Sin's frozen figure and traced a finger along his jaw. "Don't look so worried, Lord Moron. I've got my own plans for you after my king has taken out that pipsqueak!"
Alibaba stood to face the girl called Morgiana. She readied to run him again. He took on the Balbadd Royal Swordplay stance, preparing to dodge her next attack, but was instead surprised as not only was she strong, but faster than he accounted for. Before he knew it she side kicked him, sending him across the floor again.
He propped himself up and looked up the stairs to the throne at Ahbmad. He grunted, "Brother Ahbmad! If they fight for your sake, if I beat them then you will promise to ensure the lives of the citizens of Balbadd or...relinquish the throne to me?"
"Ridiculous! Trash like you has no such power to defeat them."
"But brother…" Sahbmad quietly pleaded, "perhaps we should listen to him? We could end this by not enacting slavery."
He responded with a low growl, "Unless you have another way to keep our kingdom from falling to ruin I suggest you keep your mouth shut. That is, unless you want to stand in front of all those people and explain it to them."
Ahbmad waved his scepter across the crowd below, reminding Sahbmad of the pressures he couldn't handle. The taller but younger brother whimpered as anxiety froze him while looking at the expecting faces below.
"Poor Alibaba, it doesn't look like he has much of a chance against the priest's friends," Sahbmad murmured.
It seemed like Morgiana had worn Alibaba down while the king and deputy king talked. The third prince again stood up, leaning against a column for support. It appeared he was rubbing his arm as she came at him again. This time, however, he did account for her blinding speed and ducked down before she made impact. Pulling out a whip that he procured by trading with the bandits, he laced it through the chains connecting her ankles and tied it around the pillar. He then popped up behind her and hit the back of her neck with the hilt of his knife.
It didn't quite knock her out as was intended, but she was now the one on the floor. Jamil marched over shouting at her, "You're so useless! Get up! Destroy him!" When he reached her, he swiped his sword across her back, beating her.
Dang, she's pretty strong but can't see her full potential the way he's beating her. Why does she let him treat her like that? This atrocity was more than Alibaba could bear. "Hey! You don't treat people like that!"
The blonde went to push Jamil, but the other slave rammed into him and held his sword out to him. He had a metal mask with only one creepy eye showing.
"Good job, Goltas," chuckled Jamil, "I'll give you some corn later. Don't fail me like this other one did!" He poked the end of his sword into Morgiana's shoulder. The girl with inhuman strength cowered beneath her master.
This provoked Alibaba as his knife clashed with the other slave's sword while they sparred. "Goltas, was it? Why do you take orders from such a brat?"
"You're wasting your breath, that one doesn't talk," Jamil laughed. "These are my slaves. They must do whatever I tell them, isn't that right, Morgiana?"
He poked his sword into her elbow, causing her to scream.
Slaves, thought Alibaba, Just like what is in store for the people of Balbadd. I can't let that happen! I can't let the citizens face a future of being treated like this!
He kept his gaze on Goltas as he addressed, "You might not be able to talk, but I'm sure you can hear and think."
In response, Goltas raised his sword above his head then swung it down. Alibaba was quick to dodge and grabbed the slave from behind. He held his knife to his throat and arm twisted behind.
"This isn't your fight. You don't owe this pompous fool anything."
To his surprise, Jamil's face lit up. The lord slapped his thigh in delight and pulled his sword away from Morgiana. "Wow you do have some skills. How about you become one of my slaves too?"
Alibaba looked at him like he was crazy.
This didn't phase Jamil though as he walked over and gutted Goltas. "As for you, you're so worthless! How much punishment do you deserve?"
Shocked, Alibaba pulled Goltas back, away from Jamil and his sword, and threw the huge body behind him.
"Just stay down. I've had enough with seeing how brutally this guy can treat another human being!" He straightened up with an arm behind his back and knife in front, pointed at Jamil. "Face me yourself you spoiled brat! Beat me and I'm no better than your slave any way!"