Iago knew he had to approach Jafar like he was a mad dog. On the surface he would always appear calm and that was when he was his most deadly. On the other hand when his mad dog personality was triggered, then he was at his most dangerous. There was just no good side to Jafar.

He crept up to the top of the dune and peered over. Jafar was leaning on his staff staring hungrily at the entrance to the Cave of Wonders. Razoul was lying near Jafar's feet and if looks could kill, Jafar was dead ten times over. Razoul was encapsulated in a yellow haze and the dagger floated just over his left rib cage just below his shoulder, right over his heart.

The Astronomer Royal had put a small spell on Iago, borrowed from one of their observatory maintenance spells. With it Iago could see not only the yellow glow surrounding Razoul but the blue lines of force, one radiating from Razoul to Jafar and the other into the entrance to the Cave of Wonders and presumably attached to Aunty.

What Iago couldn't understand was how Jafar had the strength to maintain such a spell. If he'd had that power before, then he should've been able to take over the city. Well, come to think of it that was what Jafar had nearly done. From the looks of things it was like Jafar had all his powers tied up in this one spell. It was all or nothing this time. He was going all out. But what about the wild card in the game, Aunty?

Well, he wasn't going to learn any more out here. It was time to play the game. It was time to pay the piper. It was….time to shut up and get it over. Iago stepped over the top of the dune. "Hey buddy, I think you did it this time. She got in there. Congratulations."

Jafar whirled around. "Iago, what're you doing here?"

"Come on, Jafar, did you really think you were going to cut me out of the payoff after all we've been through?" Iago winked at him. "I see you used my idea as to who was a good diamond in the rough. The Princess is the perfect choice."

"I don't owe you a thing, bird brain." Jafar retorted, after taking a quick peek at the spell line running into the cavern.

"Oh, I beg to differ, buddy. Who did all the research on who was the diamond in the rough? Me! Who saved the pieces of the scarab when you threw them away as worthless? Me!"

"And who tried to keep the scarab for himself? You! Who tried to partner up with a new wizardess? You!" Jafar retorted. "I need your help like I need another head."

"Actually, you do, buddy. Need another head I mean." Iago shook his head sadly. "This has all the looks of a plan thrown together on the fly with no thoughts about the consequences. I bet it's going to blow right up in your face."

"It's a well-conceived plan, you moron." Jafar drew himself up haughtily and then did a quick glance over his shoulder at the cave entrance.

"Yeah? Then why don't you enlighten me. How is all this going to get you the lamp?" He gestured at Razoul who snarled at him. Iago winked at Razoul and then said. "Come on, Jafar, I bet I can find at least two problems with this scenario if you tell me what you've done wrong this time."

Jafar took another look at the cave entrance and while he did so Iago said. "Worried, Jafar? What's the matter? It's all not happening like you planned?"

Jafar snapped his head around. He started to lift a hand to throw a spell at Iago and then he dropped it to his side. Iago nodded as that confirmed Jafar had all his power tied up in this one spell.

"Oh, all right, I'll tell you." Jafar gestured towards the cave and started to explain what he and Aunty had done. He finished up with "So, we bound Razoul and sent the Princess in with my new friend. If Jasmine tries to use the lamp or attacks Aunty the spell will activate. So you see, bird brain, we have everything under control." As he said that there was a ripple down the blue line of magic from the cave entrance. Jafar didn't see it and Iago wasn't about to ask what it was.

"Yeah, right." Iago snapped back. "What happens if your friend decides to gather a few goodies for herself? I bet the Guardian swats her and it won't be any attack by the Princess that finishes her off. I bet you didn't install a feedback loop."

"A feedback loop? What're you talking about? If she dies then the spell activates." Jafar retorted.

"Yeah, just as I thought this is poorly thought out." Iago looked at his wing tip and blew some dust off. "And what happens when it does activate by accident? How does that get you the lamp, big fellah?" Jafar blanched and Iago continued. "What it gets you is a dead guardsman and a thoroughly enraged Princess who just happens to have a magic lamp in her possession and a strong desire for your blood. As I said. Poorly thought out."

Jafar muttered to himself. "I didn't think of that."

"Yeah, that's your whole problem in a nutshell, you didn't think. Why I bet you've got all your power tied up in this spell. But what about your friend's powers? I bet she still has hers. Am I right?" Iago leered up at him. "She then comes busting out with the lamp and blows you away."

"I'm not that stupid." Jafar snapped. "Both our powers are tied up in this spell and it will not deactivate until we both rub the lamp together."

"That's good to know." Iago flapped into the air. "Well, it's been fun rehashing old times together. We need to do it again sometime. Bye."

Jafar lunged and grabbed him by the neck. He drew Iago close to his face. "Oh, I insist you stay. The party is just getting started. Come on, Iago, what else is wrong with my master plan?"

"Do you have a pencil and paper? This is going to be a long list." Iago smiled but inside he was shaking. He was right where he didn't want to be.