The tiny craters were about three feet around. They erupted with hot steam with such a force that it could kill you!
Cassim dismounted, took the saddle bags off, and strapped them to his back, and turned Sabeek back the way we had come.
"Go home, boy."
He gave the stallion a clap on the shoulder as he spoke.
Sabeek took off back towards the lair of the Forty Thieves.
Cassim and I caustiously entered Volcano Crater.
The mini craters erupted around at different times.
We had been going for about half an hour when Cassim suddenly stopped.
"What is it?"
"Shh."
I listened closely but didn't hear anything!
Cassim turned around and looked behind us. His face turned pale!
"Rajah, run."
"Why?"
All of the sudden a tall, muscular, bald, gray skined man jumped down in front of us! He had three blades on his left hand!
"That's why!"
Cassim and I ran towards the other side of Volcano Crater.
"Who is this guy? What's he after?"
"Sa'luk, one of the Forty Thieves. He's after me. I don't get it, though. Aladdin and I saw him turn to gold. How is he chasing us?"
"I think I know. Mozenrath."
"Most likely."
Suddenly Cassim tripped over a rock and fell! I went back to him.
"Cassim, are you okay?"
"I sprained my ankle."
"Come on. I'll help you up."
Cassim looked back behind us.
"No. You go on."
"And leave you behind to face him alone with a sprained ankle? No way."
"Rajah, go! Sa'luk will kill anyone that stands his way! If I do end up beating him I don't want to have to tell Jasmine that you've been killed."
"I can't leave you behind."
"Go!"
"But,..."
"Go, Rajah! Run! Get out of here!"
I stood still for a moment.
"Go now! Hurry! Get out while you still can! Find another way back to Agrabah! Get as far away from here as you can! Go!"
As he yelled Cassim swung his fist at me! I turned and ran.
I was almost out of Volcano Crater when I heard a scream of pain then evil laughter!
I stopped, lowered my head, and let the tears flow freely down my face.
I turned around and ran back.
I pounced on Sa'luk from behind, determined to avenge Cassim!
I bit him in the back of the neck, killing him.
I got off him, spat the blood out of my mouth, licked the blood off my mouth, spat that out, and turned to Cassim.
He was laying on his back, his left side bleeding.
I carefully lifted him up onto my back and carried him out of Volcano Crater.