Hey all, feels good to be back with another chapter! I'm not used to not being in the "Memories" mindset, haha. Continuing Savannah's story has proven to be a slight challenge since her focus is elsewhere now, but, I'm enjoying it! Been busy with some work and school starting up again, just fun fun fun all around. So glad to see those who have Reviewed/Favorited! Thank you so much!


The Unveiling of New Hope

The sack clanged with chalices and golden goblets stolen. Later they would be traded for gold to purchase food and goods for his men. When pick pocketing money satchels didn't work Cassim resorted to thievery in other aspects; call him the "Arabian Robin Hood", if you will. His men rose from their seats and greeted their leader as he returned from his week old journey of seeking other lands to peddle from. Cassim turned over the hood, settling the cloth to rest on his shoulders before extracting the cape and tossing it on a nearby chair.

"Food smells good. Camel again?" He asked, taking place at the head of his table. Omar hurried to spoon him a bowlful of the stew. "You know," Cassim added, "If we keep going through Camel like this, we'll have nothing to travel with." His lips turned to a frown.

"If we didn't, the men would starve," Omar responded, rationally.

Cassim nodded and thanked his comrade before raising the bowl, not bothering with a spoon, and let the broth glide down his esophagus. "I'll have to find us something more useful, then."

"Agreed," Babkak stepped away from Savannah. "Two more died this morning, I'm lucky mine held out for as long as it did. Ya might want to check out this Agrabah ya told me about. This place is brimming with-"

"But does it have what I'm looking for?" Cassim interrupted.

"The palace might," Babkak suggested.

"They brought home a whore, instead. Far from useful, unless you're lonesome, Cassim," Sa'luk interjected and glanced up from his gleaming blades. The unnatural shine caused Savannah to shift with discomfort. Cassim glanced up from his broth to gaze up at this young woman dressed in men's clothing.

"A whore, you say?" Cassim inquired with a cheeky, charming grin. "A whore can often be treasure in itself."

Savannah stood still, wrapping the shirt around her as her eyes locked with Cassim's. They were like ice, but tender. How strange to combine the two, but that was the best way for her to explain. Perhaps it came from years of leadership. She swallowed, feeling Babkak's eyes on her as he cleared his throat to divert Cassim's attention.

"Bring the girl to my chambers after I eat." Their leader resumed his dinner after the comment was made. Babkak placed his hand upon Savannah's back and led her away from Sa'luk and their leader. The made in Savannah's charge felt a twang of guilt. She was no whore, but Sa'luk was trusted. Going against Sa'luk would have been damaging to them all.

Savannah contemplated her options in her head. She found little ways to escape in a den of forty men, not to mention, she was far from strong enough to outrun them. No, she would have to be cautious and clever. Feminine wiles were always a go-to trick. Men were foolish enough to be mesmerized by a woman's "treasures" on display. But to resort to such measures? Inwardly, she sighed. She was then escorted (and in derelict slang that meant bump and push) along the hall of the thieves den. Babkak nudged the other member out of the way to take hold over Savannah.

"He won't hurt you," Babkak murmured as the men eyed Savannah desperately, wanton yearning begging in their eyes. Babkak upturned his nose in disgust. They were like rabid dogs unable to control themselves. How long had it been since they last had women? He shook his head. With half of them, he didn't even want to know. "Look, I know Cassim. He ain't gonna hurt ya, ya hear me?"

Savannah nodded and Babkak peeled back the cloth to allow Savannah entrance into the room. It was clean for what it was worth. It appeared unused the majority of the time. A wrinkle in the barely passable covers to show a man slept here. She sat down on the bed and wiped her palms, waiting for Cassim to arrive. She would fight to the best of her ability, but that was all she was capable of doing. Looking around the room, it reminded her so much of Aladdin's hovel. The out of place treasures strewn on the shelves, she assumed from his greatest journeys worth keeping. She stared in awe, rose from the bed, her fingers collecting the dust that had nestled onto his lowest shelf. The colorful cloth was also another pleasant reminder, and she smiled. Wonderful memories dancing into her mind of a time where Savannah could remember happiness.

But then it occurred to her that she wasn't part of his. Perhaps maybe at one time there was a thought, a possibility, but Savannah chalked it up to fate that Jasmine came into the picture. She was a princess, a woman who could give Aladdin the life he always wanted. What kind of life would he have with her? Constantly risking their lives daily for a loaf of bread that went straight to her hips anyway. He could have lavish meals with decadence. He had nothing with her.

"I got that one in Egypt." Savannah blinked in surprise to see Cassim standing in the doorway. She swallowed and glanced to what he was referring to. She must have picked it up idly while she was in thought. A colored flower, of rare and unique gems. It was beautiful, certainly.

"Oh, I…" Savannah lowered the flower onto the vase where she must have plucked it from.

"Never mind that. No harm done." Cassim let the cloth close behind him. Savannah caught a glimpse of Babkak between the folds of the hallway and the cloth, his face stern. Perhaps he didn't believe his boss wouldn't hurt her after all.

"Look, I'm not what they say I am," Savannah began, placing her hands up.

"I know," Cassim replied.

"You do?" Savannah blinked incredulously.

"My dear, I have encountered many women. You do not appear to be a night dweller to me. Believe me, I know." He grinned mischievously at her and Savannah merely blinked. Something about that smile, and those eyes. "So, since you do not hold up to your little reputation, tell me who you are." It was not a question. It was an order. Cassim set down a bottle of wine and a glass that resembled the bowls outside. He blew the dust off the bottle and poured the red liquid into it. He offered the glass to Savannah, who slowly accepted it.

"My name is Savannah." To gain their trust, she must be honest. False names just didn't work the way they used to. "I come from Agrabah, the land your men speak of. I am nothing more than a thief, a street mouse, if you will. I scrape for bread and steal water from the fountain. I do not sleep with men for money."

Cassim's brow perked at the mention of Agrabah. She could be of use, he thought to himself. No one would ever suspect a woman, they were sneaky little vixens in their own right. He had to know for sure. "Are you aware of the Hand of Midas?" He inquired cautiously, downing his own cup.

"Hand of Midas? I've heard stories as a child, why?"

"The Hand of Midas is a piece of legend. It could solve all worries. I left my wife and son when he was very young to search for it. I wanted better for them. I wanted my son to grow up just like the other kids. These trinkets are nothing to the price the Hand could fetch me. Gold…piles of gold everywhere at the touch of that hand's fingertip. Could you imagine?"

Savannah heard the plea in his voice. She twisted the cup in her hand and lowered herself to sit on his bed while he continued on. So, he was just a good guy who missed his family. She could relate, and that urged her to lean forward to listen further.

"I know, this is crazy. But my men out there, none of them I could-"

"A loner truly only trusts themselves. Sometimes the ear of a stranger helps. I was that way for a long time. My mother died when I was young and my father and brother left without a trace. I assume they died out in the dessert, because they left and never came back. Although I like to believe they found better out there for themselves. Who would want to stay in Agrabah at the hands of Razoul? He abides heavily by Hammurabi's code. I was that way until I met another, like me. He had the eye of fortune himself, dreamed of better things than ducking guards and eating scraps. He found it, in a princess."

"A princess? Well, he did well for himself," Cassim commented as he poured another cup. Savannah shot him a look and took a long sip from her own. Cassim chuckled. "A wounded heart is a heavy burden to bear. Letting it go will-"

"There's nothing more I can do. He made his choice. He found someone who shared his vision. He went through so much to get her."

"Well, Savannah, if I may? It seems there's nothing left for you in Agrabah. Stay as long as you'd like until you can get back on your feet. Babkak and Omar seem to have taken a shine to you. They'll keep you safe. You have my word." Cassim nodded and corked the bottle. His eyes fell upon the woman who appeared so lost, and so dismayed. She hadn't a place to call her own now. "You should rest. You're pale." Just like a father commanding his daughter, Savannah mused.

Savannah rose. "Thank you," she murmured before setting her unfinished cup down. She prayed with all her might that Aladdin survived the torture of Jafar.

"One more thing," Cassim called to her, feeling at ease from the zest of wine. "Just out of curiosity; what was his name?"

Savannah turned to him; Babkak held the folds of cloth open for her to leave. "His name? Aladdin."

"Oh Aladdin!" The feminine voice traveled down the hall. But, Aladdin wouldn't be in the room made up for him in his own wing in the great palace. Jasmine would call for her beloved four times more before reaching his room and realizing he was nowhere to be found. Aladdin was not in the garden, or with the horses, as he contemplated going out for Savannah. Jasmine had to talk him out of it because if Razoul could not find her in the dessert, then Jafar had sent her where no one could find her.

Aladdin was in the hovel he had shared with Savannah for months before meeting Jasmine. Yes, life was splendor and everything he could have dreamed, but his best friend couldn't share it with him. He sat at the hovel opening, watching the people below, glancing up to the palace where he was certain Jasmine was hunting for him. She was so supportive towards him. After the Battle of Jafar, Aladdin searched far and wide for her. His heart was heavy with guilt and punished himself for not being better to her.

"Where could you be?" He asked into nothingness.

Genie promised to return if he heard word or found her. For days he delayed his vacation to scour where Razoul could not. Eventually Genie left and all he had was Abu and Jasmine. He had been oblivious to her feelings and all she must have been feeling when she saw him and Jasmine together. How he wished and played pretend when all Savannah had done was attempted to make him open his eyes.

"You were right. I should have never played pretend. I should have been honest with Jasmine from the start." He laughed to himself. "You were right. I bet you'd put it in my face if you...were...here."

He closed his eyes and laid his head against the cool wall. He had thought of a life with Savannah, back in the cave and wonders. He thought of the family they could have raised, but what kind of life would it have been? Their kids would have had nothing. They would have had nothing. Of course he'd provide and make the most of it. But that couldn't be the only reason he was with Jasmine. To better their lives. No, he loved Jasmine, honestly and truly. All his mother wanted was for Aladdin to be happy and he truly believed he had happiness with the Princess of Agrabah. The fact she was wealthy was mere coincidence.

"I promise I'll be better, Sav...just come back home."

"There you are, street rat," Razoul sneered as he strode up the stairs and sneered around the ripped cloth and dusty mess. "The princess has requested you back at the palace for an audience with the Sultan to discuss your," He paused to look Aladdin up and down. "Future."

Aladdin rose from the hole in the hovel wall and dusted his pants. He hadn't the energy to come up with some witty retort for Razoul, although he certainly had one coming once he was considered royalty.

"Lead the way, Razoul," Aladdin said, knowing that would provide security that Aladdin wouldn't run away. They had played that cat and mouse game for far too long. Back on the streets of Agrabah, Aladdin eyed the kiosks and peddlers. "You're out there somewhere...I know you are."