Into Agrabah

The city of Agrabah was seriously overcrowded. Multi-storied buildings crowded narrow streets overflowing with far more people than I would expect from a desert town at this tech level. It was very, very loud, and oh boy, the smells. The air of the city had its own character, you could practically cut, from exotic foods to the unwashed masses. I very much missed the boat and the quiet river before getting very far.

At least the two of us weren't in the press. Hilde had insisted we hire a palanquin as visiting dignitaries, and I had easily agreed. A small gem to a urchin at the docks had quickly caused a covered litter large enough for the two of us to be hauled into sight by three men on each corner and a small, greasy man who claimed to be the owner. I gave him three good-sized gems for the trip and to have the porters wait to bring us back. He didn't even haggle, so I know I grossly overpaid him, but I hardly cared. The seats were more comfortable than I expected, and there was even a small brazier burning incense that tried valiantly to fight off the smells of the city.

"We want to speak to Jafar, but we will have to see the Sultan as protocol insists." Hilde was coaching me as we traveled. There were seats on both sides, but she'd switched to press up against me as soon as we set off. After most of a week on the water, the gentle sway from the pole bearers was almost soothing. "I've long had correspondence with him, so even though this is our first time face to face, I should have no problem establishing who I am. He'll trust me as much as he trusts anyone after our business dealings."

I nodded along. Hilde's long-distance trade with the vizier was the only reason I thought this might work. Though even if it didn't it was still worth it as a distraction, keeping his eyes on us and not on what the girls were doing in town. "The Princess will be there as well?"

Chuckling as she leaned into me, the ravenette answered. "Almost certainly. Her father will want to show her off to visiting royalty. Don't let Jafar see your interest though. He's fixated on her, or at least using her to get the throne. If he sees you as a rival, what little trust he has will be gone, and he'll start scheming against you."

"Not to worry, I'm here with you as far as they are concerned." I was more curious which version of Jasmine she'd resemble. I was definitely hoping she'd be wearing the original outfit, but I could always fix that if I had to. "I'm counting on his fixation. His attempts with her always fail, desperation will hopefully lead him to accepting outside help."

"It will not be the first time we've played at being a couple." She smiled, clearly thinking of the time in Corona. "The potion may not be fully effective this time, so you'll need a good argument, but it should still help."

I kissed her quite thoroughly then, and let my hands wander a bit, but not so much as to muss up her appearance. The cats had actually managed to haul her makeup table to the boat so she could do herself up right. Not that I thought she needed it. I, of course, was still decked out in my somewhat armored princely gear with Phillip's sword at my side. "Don't worry, I can be quite persuasive on my own." Which she well knew, as I'd shown when I captured her.

Peeking out through the blinds, I could see that the streets had become much wider here. The footmen were making excellent time. This must be the road that 'Prince Ali's' procession would have been coming down. Not much longer to the palace then, and still no word from the search team. I held up my own bracelet and thinking of Cassandra gave a discreet cough. Soon, I heard her whispered response. "We're at the location. No one is guarding the scrap or even seems to care we're here. We have the Queen's description, but there are a ton of pots here. Even with her help, it's going to take time for the three of us to find it in all this."

"Take all the time you need, but be discreet, and remember to be careful how you handle the cargo."

"Not a problem. Will give the signal when it is in hand. Cassandra out." That seemed oddly modern militaristic, but whatever.

I leaned back and tried to relax. I really wanted to handle the search myself, but the girls could get it done, and I needed to be here. Hilde moved over to the other seat as we passed some high walls. The guards passed us through with no questions, so we were obviously expected. After the litter was set down on its wooden supports, there was a knock before the same greasy little man opened the door with a bow. Behind him were the steps up to the palace itself.

I got out and looked about, pretending to look for danger that I really didn't expect. I did spot a tall figure making his way down the steps, parrot on his shoulder. Greeting us himself? Interesting. I leaned back inside and gave Hilde a wink before giving her a hand down so we could face Jafar together. He was indeed very tall, matching me in height, but also quite thin. His black hair was hidden under a turban, but his thin pencil mustache and tiny wisp of a beard were on display. Even without his snake-like staff, he looked like someone only an absolute moron would trust. His parrot gave us the stink eye but stayed silent. "Your Majesty." He bowed low to Hilde. "And your highness." He gave me a subtle nod. "If you will follow me, I will lead you to His Majesty."

He started back up the steps, and we, of course, followed. "I'm glad to see you received the message then."

He glanced at me over his shoulder as we walked. "Yes indeed. We, of course, had word of your vessel as soon as it was visible, so something was expected, even if a note passed by a street urchin was less so... I am curious though, why you did not stop at the palace docks." Yeah, I bet you are.

"I did not presume such would be wise without word in advance." Hilde said coolly. "The ship can always be moved once we are welcomed."

Jafar managed to give Hilde a fluid bow of his head while he continued to walk ahead. A move that managed to make him look even more snake-like than usual. "But of course, such wisdom from Her Majesty. I am sure the Sultan will be more than welcoming once he knows the reason for your visit."

Hilde treated us to her full-throated villain laugh. "And I am so very sure that you are dying of curiosity yourself, my good man." He did his odd walking bow again, though he was smiling this time. A very evil smile. "It's no secret. I found out about a great crocodile laired nearby and set up an expedition to kill the beast. The parts of its carcass I needed lie even now in the hold of my ship."

He had stopped, looking stunned at the Queen. "You killed Lolong?!" He wiped his face with one hand and bowed to her again. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but that beast has been terrorizing the upper river for quite some time. The Sultan will be glad to hear of it." He turned and started on his way again.

"Indeed. And as we were nearby, I felt it only right to visit while in the area." In a much quieter voice, she continued. "And to give me a chance to make a private offer to you, knowing the troubles that beset you."

After another snake-like bow to her, he continued on, walking faster now.

Interestingly, after the people choked city, the palace's broad sweeping halls were nearly empty. Soon, Jafar swept us into an elaborate throne room. The Sultan himself was an affable-looking looking pudgy little man with white hair and a bushy beard. Nearby stood his daughter, who pulled off the light blue harem silks damn well. And sure enough, she had a full-sized fucking tiger with her. Damn, had Rapunzel gotten the short straw when it came to familiars.

Jafar stalked into the room with a sweeping bow for the old boy. "Your Majesty, may I present Her Majesty Grimehilde the Queen of Germonia and her consort His Highness Prince Guy of Fawkes."

"Welcome, welcome!" The old boy was bouncing in his chair in excitement. I bet Jafar kept him pretty isolated, so he was easier to control. Seeing people was apparently a big deal.

Continuing on Jafar intoned. "And may I introduce His Majesty Bobolonius the Second." Bobolonius? Really? King Bobo? Maybe King Bob would be better? Though to be fair, he did look a Bobo.

Sultan Bob himself waved over his daughter. "And this is my lovely daughter Princess Jasmine!" She bowed to the Queen and gave me a nod of her head, then gave Jafar an epic sneer. Oh yes, she did Not like him!

Jafar either didn't see or just ignored it. "Your Majesty, I have been informed that the Queen's people killed the dreaded beast Lolong! Freeing the upper river from his savagery. After the Queen decided to visit, being in the area, and to deliver the fantastic news."

"Marvelous! That will be sure to help traffic from upriver." He gave Jafar's sleeve a tug, and the tall man leaned far over. "Should we offer them a reward?" He 'whispered' where we could all hear.

Smiling his greasy grin down at the pudgy little man, Jafar 'whispered' back. "I shall discuss it with Her Majesty, but I believe her interest was in the body of the beast itself." Standing back up, he spoke more openly. "Shall I have rooms prepared for the Queen and her men? And make welcome of the palace's docks to her ship, of course?"

The Sultan bobbed his head. "Yes, yes. An excellent idea. We'll have a big dinner together!"

The vizier bowed. "Of course, Your Majesty." Turning back to us. "If you will come with me?" And he stalked off towards a different exit from the room, leading us on. I noted that the oily man had quite deftly maneuvered the whole conversation to keep Bobo minimally informed and with very little input from us. Well, I didn't want him to think we were rocking his boat, so didn't mind.

While we were following to our private meeting, a low whistle came from my bracelet. Jafar gave me an inquisitive look, but I just turned to Hilde. "The ship is ready, Your Majesty." Target acquired.

She played her part. "Very good, when our business is finished here, we can return and change docks to one more suitable."

I needed to remind myself not to rush through this next part, no matter how much I wanted to run straight back to my very own genie.