Night 24- Alibaba and Sabhmad

Magi © Shinobu Ohtaka

Shahra © Me

Alozza © Darkdarling98

Alibaba stood in surprise upon seeing his half-brother exit the carriage with Balkirk. As anyone could tell just by first-glance, Sabhmad was usually afraid of his own shadow…so what in Solomon's name possessed him to come all the way out here to the backstreets?

"Uh…Alibaba, remind me," Alozza said. "Who is he again?"

"That's Sabhmad," Alibaba answered. "He's the Viceroy of Balbadd. He usually has little to do with governing and rarely ever shows himself to the people. To put it simply- and I mean no offense- he's usually a sniveling coward."

"That right~?" Alozza asked in her singsong tone. "So what's he doing here, then?"

"I dunno," Alibaba answered before he approached Balkirk, "but I'm about to find out."

"Whoa! Hey!" Alozza exclaimed. "Be careful, now! They could be out to get you, you know!"

"Don't worry," Alibaba assured. "I don't think they're here to capture me." He then turned to look at Balkirk. "Balkirk…it's me, Alibaba! You remember me…right?"

A pause…but then Balkirk smiled warmly as he placed a hand on Alibaba's shoulder.

"How could I ever forget you, Prince Alibaba?" he asked. "After all…you were my pupil, back in the day!"

Alibaba laughed before he respectfully shook hands with Balkirk.

"What are you doing here?" the blonde-haired teen asked.

"I came in secret," Balkirk replied. "The viceroy insists on speaking with you."

As he spoke, Sabhmad came staggering toward Alibaba, almost pitifully.

"Sabhmad…" Alibaba whispered. "What are you doing here?"

Sabhmad shook like a fragile little leaf in the wind, fiddling his hands nervously and practically sweating buckets.

"Alibaba," he finally spoke after what seemed like an eternity. "You…you are…amazing…!"

"Huh?" Alibaba muttered, but then he gasped worriedly as his older half-brother fell to his knees.

"You…led all these people," the viceroy continued. "I…I, myself, could never do what you did! I-I would shake, too much…just like I am, now! When I am around strangers…m-my legs, they start shaking…and I feel as if I will faint!"

Just when Sabhmad was about to do just that, Balkirk put a hand on his shoulder.

"Despite his condition," the general began, "the viceroy has come to tell you something of great importance."

"And what is it that he wishes to discuss with us?" asked Alozza, crossing her arms. "You do realize this is a den of thieves, right? You're pretty much walking right in enemy territory."

"Alozza!" Alibaba barked.

"No," Balkirk said. "The woman speaks the truth. We shouldn't overstay our welcome…the viceroy is practically risking his life, coming to a place like this."

Sabhmad shakily nodded his head, to Alibaba's concern.

"Sabhmad…" he whispered.

"Well, well! If it isn't Sabhmad?"

The group turned to see Sinbad approaching, followed by Morgiana.

"K…King Sinbad…!" Sabhmad exclaimed.

"What are you doing here?" Sinbad asked. "You're usually afraid of your own shadow. Surely, Abhmad didn't send you, did he?"

Sabhmad slowly shook his head no.

"Don't worry," Sinbad reassured, speaking calmly. "I'll find a place where we can talk privately, and I guarantee your safety."

"Th-thank you," Sabhmad said. "However…I must apologize, King Sinbad."

"Apologize?" Sinbad repeated. "What for?"

"I…I subjected you to danger," Sabhmad answered.

"…Ah," Sinbad realized. "I see now."

"Huh?" Alozza muttered, confused.

"What are you talking about?" asked Morgiana.

"I knew he must be deep inside to have so much information," Sinbad said, "but now, it all makes sense. Someone has informing the Fog Troop about the military, as well as leaking the information that I was targeting them…and I now I see that it was your doing…am I wrong, Sabhmad?"

"…You could not be correct, King Sinbad," Sabhmad admitted. "I had to…I didn't think you could so easily crush them!"

"Does that mean you're a member of the Fog Troop, too?" Alozza asked.

"Oh, no, certainly not!" Sabhmad answered, nervously. "I've never even so much as met them…but I leaked information to help them…mostly because of you, Alibaba."

"Me?" Alibaba asked, surprised. "But why, Sabhmad?"

"Because I believed that if you were with them," Sabhmad began ,"you'd be able to change this country for the better! Do the things that I, myself, never could!"

"Viceroy…" Balkirk muttered in surprise.

"You see, Alibaba," Sabhmad said, "I want you…to put a stop to my brother."

"What?" Alibaba asked.

"Stop Abhmad?" Sinbad asked. "It's true, this country does have serious problem, and as king, it's Abhmad's fault…but that doesn't make up the fact that you're the viceroy and you aided thieves, Sabhmad!"

Sabhmad flinched as the King of Sindria spoke.

"So tell us…why are you afraid of Abhmad?!"

"A…afraid…?" Sabhmad whimpered. "Y-yes…it's true, I am afraid of Abhmad…but the truth is…I am more afraid of what he plans to do! It's true…something horrible is happening to this country!"

He then shivered as he covered his eyes, his voice breaking.

"The scariest thing is…I don't even know how it could end up like this!" he cried before falling to his knees, sobbing.

"Sabhmad…" Sinbad whispered, worriedly.

"…Such a pitiful man," Alozza murmured.

"Sabhmad always was like that," Alibaba said. "I know he tries his hardest…but…he's never had the confidence."

"Ahem!" Balkirk cleared his throat. "I shall explain the rest. The abnormalities of Balbadd all started when the previous king grew ill and the mysterious banker, Markkio, appeared."

Flashback

"Greetings!" Markkio exclaimed as he kneeled before Abhmad. "I am the banker, Markkio!"

"He arrived at the palace, claiming to be an economic advisor. He said he wandered from country to country, providing his services."

"So?" asked Markkio. "As the next king of Balbadd, will you entrust everything to us."

A pause…but then Abhmad nodded, and they both shook hands.

"Tread with Parthevia had stagnated, so the economy was in steady decline. The man boasted of helping other nations recover, so the king accepted his suggestions. Then…it happened."

XXX

Later, Markkio brought Abhmad to a room, filled with stacks of paper slips.

"What are all these?" Abhmad asked as he and the nobles and the bureaucrats investigated.

"They're Kou Bills," answered Markkio. "The currency, issued by the Kou Empire."

"These?" Abhmad asked. "But it's just paper!"

"Oh, no, no, my good King Abhmad!" Markkio corrected. "This is money! And it's value is guaranteed by the Kou Empire, which has been gathering strength throughout the Central Plains! Use this the next time you trade!"

XXX

Later, people are seen, trading the Kou Bills at the docks for goods.

"At first, Abhmad was skeptical…but then, he, as well as the other noblemen and bureaucrats began to use the Kou Bills more and more. The paper money exerted immense influence on trade with nations neighboring the Kou Empire. Mere paper was able to purchase expensive gold treasure, works of art, furniture, and so much more! We were amazed at its power, and had decided to use it in Balbadd. When our country imports goods, we pay the merchants with Kou Bills, and when export goods, we received Kou Bills in turn."

XXX

"Banker!" Abhmad shouted. "We need more Kou Bills! I just spotted the most perfect golden lion statue at the docks, and I simply must have it!"

"Of course, of course!" Markkio said. "Take as much as you need, my good King Abhmad!"

Abhmad laughed before he gathered handfuls of Kou Bills and ran out.

"The banker lent Abhmad as much as he needed, albeit at the cost of a little interest. Before we realized it, Balbadd's economy had become completely dependent on Kou Bills."

Flashback end

"So that's how the Kou Bills showed up here in Balbadd," Alozza mused. "I thought something was a little screwed up here when they stopped using the usual gold coins."

"It's foolhardy to let another country determine your economy's value," Sinbad chastised.

"You are not wrong, King Sinbad," Balkirk agreed. "The value of the Kou Bills fluctuated, and what cost one Kou Bill yesterday could cost two the next, meaning the currency had fallen to half its former value. Then, we would start to suffer losses."

"That's awful," Sinbad said.

"I'll say it is!" Alozza agreed. "What the hell was Abhmad thinking, using some foreign money?! It's just paper! It doesn't mean a thing to any other country except the country who printed them in the first place!"

"That's why Sindria has convertible metals only for use within the country," Ja'Far added, "and forbids interest on currency from the Central Bank."

"Before long," Balkirk went on, "our nation's debt had mounted to unbelievable proportions, and even repaying the interest proved to be difficult. When the Fog Troop took action, military expenses grew. We went deeper and deep into debt to pay previous debts, but Markkio was no longer so open-handed. Various assets were seized as collateral: marine rights, air rights, land rights, and eventually…trade rights, as well."

Hearing this caused Alibaba, Alozza, as well as several other members of the Fog Troop to gasp.

"However, the nation's royalty, nobles, and bureaucrats who control the government showed almost no concern," Balkirk said, "because their own status remained untouched. They didn't care that the people languished under high taxes and the collapse of social services."

"That damned pig, Abhmad!" Alozza cursed. "He and his noblemen buddies are so wrapped up in their own greed, he doesn't realize what they're hurting their own country! Dumb-asses, all of them!"

"Calm down, Alozza!" Alibaba cried. "I'm angry about it, but you don't see me ranting!"

Flashback resume

The nobles and bureaucrats were in a state of panic, tossing Kou Bills into the air.

"Kou Bills!" one cried.

"We need more Kou Bills!" cried another.

"But how are we going to pay off all our debts?!" asked one more. "We've no more assets left to offer as collateral!"

Surprisingly, Abhmad remained calm as he looked down at the streets of hustling and bustling people down in the marketplace.

Then…a grin appeared on his face.

"No," he said. "We have one great assets left."

"We do?" asked a nobleman. "Where?!"

"Right there," Abhmad answered as he pointed to the people in town. "The citizens…we'll use them as collateral."

"EEEEEEHH?!" the noblemen and the guards cried.

"I have plenty of subjects!" Abhmad declared. "After trade rights, we can offer human rights! That way, we'll be able to borrow more Kou Bills! AHAHAHAHAHA!"

The noblemen stared at Abhmad in shock for a moment…but soon, they all smiled and laughed before they started to nod in agreement.

"He's right!"

"We'll be able to pay off our debts, after all!"

"We're saved! You're a genius, Abhmad!"

Little did they now…that Sabhmad happened to nearby, and he heard every single word his older brother had said!

'B…brother…what are you saying?!' the viceroy thought.

Flashback end

"Wait, wait, wait!" Alozza cried. "Back up! …He wants to use the human rights as collateral?"

"Yes," said a trembling Sabhmad. "My Brother…he plans to sell the citizens of Balbadd…to the Kou Empire, the Reim Empire, and the Parthevia Empire…as labor capital! Do you understand what I'm saying?! He intends to turn Balbadd…into a slave-producing nation!"

"He's gonna do WHAT?!" Alibaba questioned. "DEAR SOLOMON, IS HE OUT OF HIS MIND?!"

"Didn't you try to stop him?!" Alozza asked.

"Believe me," Sabhmad answered. "I wanted to object…but alas, I could find no words!"

"That's…that's horrible!" cried one of the Fog Troop.

"I-it's not true, is it?!" asked another. "The Kou Empire wouldn't really accept citizens as collateral, would they?!"

"They would," Sabhmad replied, grimly. "Not just that, but they will sell them as slaves to other nations!"

"Hey, wait a sec!" cried S Nando. "We're outlaws, so we sold slaves…but I've never heard of a whole country doing this kinda thing!"

"Is this true, Sabhmad?" Sinbad asked. "Is Abhmad really that corrupt?!"

"I…I just don't understand it…!" Sabhmad said, sounding close to tears again. "My brother and the noblemen and the bureaucrats just consume money like it was water! They can't see anything beyond their greed! They do what my brother says to preserve their way of their life!"

A pause…but then, Alibaba was pushed aside…by a glaring Morgiana.

"Lord Viceroy!" she exclaimed. "You came here…because you wanted us stop this madness from happening, is that right?!"

Sabhmad gasped…before he nodded his head in response, thus prompting Morgiana to whip around back to Alibaba and put her hands on his shoulders.

"All right!" she exclaimed. "Let's do it, Alibaba! Let's stop this awful plan!"

"Yeah! Let's do this!" Alozza agreed.

"M-Morgiana…Alozza…!" Alibaba whispered.

"Hey, Bro," whispered L Nando. "It's that monster girl!"

"I know," S Nando whispered back.

"She looks really mad, Bro," L Nando whimpered.

"Do you think she recognized us?" asked M Nando.

"Don't worry," S Nando reassured. "We were just thieves. I don't think she remembers us."

However…Morgiana then turned and glared at them.

"Oh, I remember you three, all right," she hissed. "You sold slaves, too."

"EEP!" the SML Nando Bros. cried.

"Dumb-asses," Alozza said. "She's a Fanalis. Of course she's gonna hear your whispering."

"What are you three doing in the Fog Troop?!" Morgiana asked as she stormed towards the three, causing them to flinch.

"Hold it, Morgiana!" Sinbad called. "Whatever grudge you have against those three, please put it aside. They're part of the Fog Troop now. Let's just go back to listening to what Sabhmad has to say."

"…Yes," Morgiana answered. "I'm sorry."

Alozza went over to Morgiana and gently put a hand on her shoulder, causing the Fanalis girl to smile.

XXX

"A SIGNING CEREMONY?!" Alibaba questioned, having heard Sabhmad explain Abhmad's plan.

"That's right," Sabhmad answered. "Abhmad is betrothed to a princess of the Kou Empire. The wedding is in five days, and at that time…they will sign a pledge, turning the citizens into collateral. I cannot stop it…so that's why I cam here."

He then grabbed Alibaba by his shoulders.

"Please, Alibaba!" he pleaded "You must use your strength to stop Abhmad! I beg of you! On my own…I AM POWERLESS!"

Alibaba stared at Sabhmad in shock while Sinbad sighed.

"I understand, Sabhmad," he said. "Leave this to me. I'll contact allies of Sindria and form a coalition to protest the government's actions. I may not be in time for the signing ceremony, but I can stop them from exporting the people as slaves."

"G…good," Sabhmad stammered before he glanced at Alibaba, "but…Alibaba…what are you…?"

"…" Alibaba didn't speak.

"Ahem!" Balkirk cleared his throat. "Lord Viceroy, we must be going, now."

"…I understand," Sabhmad answered before he boarded the carriage. Balkirk then turned to Alibaba, who gasped silently.

"…Prince Alibaba," he said, "we're all counting on you!"

"R…right!" Alibaba replied. "Leave it to me!"

And so, leaving the Fog Troop in an uproar, Sabhmad returned to the palace. Thus, the long night ended.

XXX

The following morning, Alibaba is headed to Aladdin's room to tell him about what had happened the night before. As he approached the door, he saw Alozza come out with an empty plate, save for a few bread crumbs and bits of rice.

"Hey, Alozza," Alibaba greeted. "Can I talk to Aladdin?"

"Well, you can try, but you won't get much of an answer from him," Alozza answered. "I just got through feeding him, but after he ate, he went right to sleep. Can't say I blame him. He was up all night, crying about his Djinn friend."

"Well, at least he still has his appetite," Alibaba joked before he entered the room. There, he found Aladdin, lying in bed, his head resting on his tear-stained pillow while Shahra lied beside him, staring at the boy with worry. The tigress turned upon hearing Alibaba enter, but she did not growl or roar at him. Instead, she just gave a blink or two before Alibaba smiled at her.

"Hey, Shahra," Alibaba greeted, softly as he sat on a crate, petting the big cat. "I guess Aladdin's still pretty down and out, huh?"

Shahra just gave a small groan in response. Alibaba looked at Aladdin, who still slept, then looked over to the nightstand, where his flute stood. The blonde teen sighed before he looked at Aladdin and smiled.

"Hey, little buddy," he whispered. "Sabhmad came to see me, last night. He wants me…to save this country. Can you believe that?"

All he got in response was Aladdin's soft breathing.

"I know you probably can't hear me," Alibaba said, "but…I feel like I've got no one to turn to, you know? Balbadd's in deep shit, right now…and someone's gotta do something about it…but…is that really my job?"

He sighed as he clasped his hands together.

"Aladdin…I did my best, didn't I?" he asked. "I led the Fog Troop…and I tried to change things…but nothing I did worked. I bet you were counting on me…you probably thought I was a hero…but I guess you thought wrong. Heroes really do exist in this world. Take Sinbad, for example. I mean…he's freaking amazing, right? He's courageous, talented, and respected! My skills pale in comparison to his."

Nearby, Alozza stood near the doorway, a concerned expression on her face. Morgiana stood beside her, also worried.

"Sinbad immediately united the Fog Troop," Alibaba continued. "He's a way better man than I could ever be…and if you were awake, right now, you'd probably agree…right, Aladdin?"

Aladdin just lied there, still asleep. Alibaba sighed before he pulled the covers up to the young Magi's shoulders.

"Get as much sleep as you need, little buddy," he told him. "I'll see ya later."

With that, he walked out, not noticing the girls standing nearby.

"…He really needs some help," Alozza whispered with Morgiana nodding her head in agreement.

XXX

In Sinbad's quarters…

"So, Sin, what's our next move?" Ja'Far asked. "Since the Kou Empire is clearly involved in all this, negotiating with allies may not result in anything."

"I'm well aware of that, Ja'Far," Sinbad said, holding a cup of wine and Masrur standing quietly behind him. "Even if it does, it won't be a final solution."

"The whole social order in this nation has completely collapsed," Ja'Far noted.

"Yes," Sinbad concurred, "therefore, it must be reborn anew…from the hands of the one who truly cares."

"Does that include deposing Abhmad…and making Alibaba the new king?" Ja'Far inquired.

"Alibaba," Sinbad muttered. "I'm not sure if we can rely on him, yet. At first, I thought he could do it…but he lacks skills and confidence. I don't understand why Aladdin chose for him a King's Candidate." He then prepared to take a sip of wine, but Ja'Far snatched the cup out of his hand.

"Give me that!" he barked. "Solomon forbid you should drink in the morning!"

"Oh, come on!" Sinbad complained. "I haven't had one drink since I got here!"

Just then, BAM! They froze at a loud stomping sound before they turned to see Morgiana and Alozza, the former glaring at Sinbad with her foot stamped in the ground and her signature pout on her face.

"M-Morgiana! Miss Alozza!" Sinbad exclaimed. "What are you two doing here?"

"Just thought we'd come to tell you that the wounded are recovering nicely," Alozza answered.

"Oh, good," Sinbad answered. "You two should probably rest now."

"Well, we would," Alozza said, "but first, we have to talk."

"Oh?" Sinbad inquired. "What about?"

"You seemed to know the one known as Judar and those who helped him," Morgiana pointed out. "Who were they?"

"Oh, them?" Sinbad asked. "We'll talk later. You're tired, so you two should rest."

"…Yeah, you're right," Alozza said. "Let's go, Morgiana. The sooner this mess is over, the sooner I can finally get myself a drink. I haven't had one for days!"

"All right," Morgiana said as she and the former Bandit Queen turned to leave, "but I want an explanation later. I have to know who I'm fighting."

"Y-yes," Ja'Far agreed.

"Oh, and…about Alibaba," Morgiana started, "it's true that he does seem to lack confidence…but it was because of him that I'm no longer a slave. He did that, himself."

She then turned to face Sinbad and his party.

"So…I believe with all my heart and soul," she said, "that he will save this country!"

"I agree with her," Alozza said. "Sure, he seems a little…well…timid…but from what Aladdin and Morgiana here told me, he's one hell of a guy…so I wouldn't go and count him out, just yet."

Sinbad stared at the girls in surprise.

"Well…I guess we'll be seeing ya," Alozza said as she and Morgiana walked out.

A pause…but then Sinbad sighed and scratched the back of his head.

"Ja'Far…"

"Yes, Sin?"

"Maybe…I was a bit too harsh. I think it's too soon to start ruling Alibaba out."

Ja'Far just chuckled.

"That wasn't you talking, Sin," he smiled. "It was the wine."

Sinbad just laughed.

Until Next Night…

Review, please!