P3
The sultan felt awed by the warrior though showed signs of confusion from her title. "Templar? Here? In the desert? And… Chan-what? No matter, no matter! Mozenrath has been a problem for us for years. It would appear he has met his match, finally. Although I must ask, what business do you have in Agrabah? I somehow doubt you came all this way just to battle." As he spoke, the short stuffy man lifted folds of the Templar's plate armor, astounded by the unique foreign blacksmithing. Lady Holly stepped back to avoid his inspection whilst replying. "From across the vast deserts, war has turned our forests in desolate zones of war. Our kingdoms lie in ruin, friends and family are missing, and a demonic threat pulls at the threads of order held up by the Chantry. In my persistence to honor and duty, I crossed your lands to seek out this Mozenrath. You call him a sorcerer, but my people know him as an apostate. He doesn't just agitate your kingdom. He leaves his trademark of black-sanded mischief even in the reaches of Ferelden. It's knowledge to the Chantry that he has ties to our enemy: the Darkspawn, an army of filth-ridden damned. Furthermore, as a Templar, it's my duty to slay apostates as their magick abilities tend to lure out demons. I was sent with a party to take out Mozenrath. To be honest, it felt more like a suicide mission. Not many have crossed the desert and made it back out. But this man has to die. It would give relief to Ferelden—even to Agrabah—if the apostate was put down." The sultan continued his look of awe and admiration. "And your party?" he asked, only noting her single presence. "They died along the way."
The palace guards finally managed to pry the doors open, leaving one of the grand doors limp on a single hinge. Though it was apparent the woman was no trouble, the guards still carefully held up their arms against her. The sultan made a flailing motion with his stubby arms to get his guards to lay down their swords and spears. "She's a guest. From Ferelden she hails—looking to put an end to Mozenrath." he proclaimed. Most of the guards turned their heads. "Ferelden…?"
From atop the palace barrier, Aladdin sat watching the commotion below. He didn't have much of an opinion or reaction to the sight. Abu, on the other hand, had some curiosity ready to burst. The tiny monkey scaled the walls down into the courtyard to get a better look. "Abu!" Aladdin whispered. But his companion was already far from sight. He scaled down after him and tried to keep out-of-sight by hiding behind the sultan's animal topiary. But the street rat was caught by the cat eye of a single guard. His presence was alerted as they surrounded Aladdin with a barricade of intimidation. Both the sultan and Lady Holly took heed of the commotion from across the courtyard while the guards readied themselves to administer arrest. "Hey, you, you're that street rat from earlier! Didn't think we'd catch you but it looks like you just made our jobs a lot easier." Aladdin arched his legs out defensively as the guards began to close in. But once they pounced, so did he—upward. Like a frog, he kicked off the belly of a guard to launch himself out of the circle. Once free, the male reached for his blade: a worn scimitar with cracks and chips all along the blade and loose linen wraps holding the oak hilt together. It was petty compared to the generic royal arms the guards took up. That fact was even apparent enough to force a raspy cackle out of one of the guards. "Wait! There's to be no more trouble and no more violence behind the palace gates today! Bloodshed is NOT allowed in the courtyard! Think of my topiary!" the sultan grasped for control of the situation and made it apparent that his alignment of green healthy bushes shaved to resemble exotic animals was too important to stain with blood and sand. The guards were peeved to let off so easily but word of the highest royal order overpowered even the law. "My boy, my people ran off in fear from the commotion and you decided to get close to it? Out of curiosity?" said the sultan as he approached Aladdin. The male placed his blade at his side, using his sash to hold up the hilt. "I suppose you could say that…" To be honest, it felt too awkward to relieve an answer of 'I was looking for new excitement'. Lady Holly watched from a distance and assessed the situation. "Perhaps he could accompany me in search of Mozenrath. I don't know the area very well and I could use a combative companion such as he." she proposed. Aladdin was quick to reply. "No way. Life isn't grand here in Agrabah but I'm not going to throw my life away to help a foreigner track down a sorcerer."
"Would you rather 'throw your life away' by rotting in a dungeon? I'm sure the guards are eager to accommodate you with that scenario rather quickly." She pointed over the male's shoulder. Aladdin examined the guards who all stared back with the grimy grin of a hungry vulture waiting to peck at their prey. "Well, I guess I better throw my life away with you then."
The sultan looked pleased by the arrangement and walked the pair towards the inner palace doors. "Come, come. Before you depart, I'll have you served. It's the least we can do for you pushing Mozenrath back. Plus, I would like for you to meet my advisor, Ja'far. I'm sure he'll be a powerful adversary towards helping both Agrabah and Ferelden."