Side Quests In The Desert

As Jafar ushered us into his office, I took advantage of a moment when his back was turned and parrot not watching to down another of Hilde's golden potions. As she said, it couldn't hurt.

The room was certainly opulent enough, he seemed to have no want for riches, so it was just greed for power that drove him. No wonder Aladdin's gambit had worked so well. Of course he'd run straight for cosmic power without reading the fine print first. Getting a taste of it as a real mage first probably hadn't helped.

Instead of settling behind his big desk, which was covered in paperwork, he led us over to a corner with some nice plush chairs. I helped Hilde into her seat, then took mine while Jafar poured us all goblets of wine. Sitting, he made a big show of taking a drink from his first. Villain etiquette I suppose. "So, you can help me with my problem, your Majesty?"

Hilde had rolled her eyes at the obviousness of him taking the first drink, she knew all kinds of tricks to get past that, I'm sure, but took a sip anyways to show me she had assured it was safe by her methods. "No need for honorifics in private, Jafar, we've corresponded together for years and profited from our dark trade. How did the potion I sent you not work? It should have been child's play for you to slip it into her drink? She'd be overtaken with lust, and once you had sex with her, she'd have been yours."

The tall, thin man gnashed his teeth in frustrated anger and banged his staff on the floor, causing his parrot to fly off to another perch. "Luck! Sheer dumb blind luck! Her damned tiger ended up drinking it instead, and I had to avoid it trying to 'mate' with me for a whole month before the effects wore off. Every time, every scheme, something always happens! I hypnotize her, then something breaks the spell! I slip her a potion, and someone else drinks it! It's always something!" He was up out of his chair now with his rant, staff left behind. "I found an ancient scroll with a spell of domination written upon it. She would do anything I commanded once cast. I spent months translating the text, more finding the gem I needed as the focus of the spell. And when I cast it? I get fire! Fire that burned up all my notes, burned up most of the irreplaceable scroll, but not all! Just enough was left to figure out that the gem I used was the wrong damnable color!" He flopped back into his chair, looking exhausted. "Every time. I'm cursed, I swear. I have something else in the works now, a cave full of treasure if I can figure out how to open the entrance, and inside is something that will give me everything I want, but somehow something will happen, no matter how carefully I plan. I can just feel it." Was he cursed? I knew exactly how that cave would backfire on him.

"It sounds like you need more than just help in getting something you can use, but in putting it into effect." I had his attention then, so I pulled the two bracelets out and held them up. "And I have both."

He looked dubious, but also like he really wanted to believe. "And how will baubles help me?"

I held the two items apart, one with a fiery ruby, the other with a sapphire as blue as Jasmine's dress. "These are more than mere baubles, enchanted to bind fates. Get her to wear this." I waggled the Sapphire. "While you wear this." Now the ruby. "And within a week, she will be your love ****. She may hate you still, deep inside, but she will do anything for you. Now there is a slight drawback, you will come to care for her some as well, as there has to be some feedback, but I doubt it will slow your ambitions down."

"That's it? I feel 'some' care for her, but she falls for me completely?"

"She won't be able to live without you."

He gave an evil chuckle, looking reinvigorated. "And just how do you know these work as you say?"

I gave him my own smile back, then quickly glanced over to Hilde before looking him in the eye and discreetly tapped my bracelet where she couldn't see. "I can assure you that they work exactly as advertised."

He jerked back, eyes wide in startlement. But the shock was only momentary. "Indeed?" Jafar laughed a bark of joy. "Indeed! I must say I had never heard of you before, Prince Guy, but I do very much admire your style and courage. Very well, give me the bracelets and the Princess's fate will be sealed.

That's when the parrot's familiar voice shouted out. "Yeah right! You'll end up putting her bracelet on your arm more like."

Jafar glared at his feathered companion while Hilde looked over at the bird in shock. I pretended to be surprised as well, I was some. I hadn't thought he would break his dumb animal act. "Be quiet, Iago! I am not some bumbling fool!"

"But you did just talk about being cursed." I reminded the Vizier, who looked deflated again. "Fear not though, I did say I would help with both problems."

"How so?"

"Simple, I will give you the proper bracelet to put on now so there can be no mistake, and I will give the Princess hers myself as a 'gift from a foreign admirer' so there can be no confusion."

He perked back up then. "Yes, yes. She is far more likely to take something from you anyways. She has become far too suspicious of me after all my attempts. Very well." Jafar held out a hand, and I passed over the bracelet with the ruby. "You are sure this is the right one?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Of course, I make them myself. While my dear wife has great skill at potion making, enchanted jewelry is my specialty."

Hilde leaned forward, showing off her expansive cleavage in that dress. I thought Jafar was going to fall out of his seat. "I assure you, the Prince does not make mistakes. I trust him with my life and all that I have." She looked over at me and let how much she adored me show on her face. Love imposed on her by the Binding at first true, but it was possible some was real by now. It was always wise to treat your entourage well, in case something did break the Binding. Generally not possible unless you were dealing with another Company operative, but there were some who searched hard for chances at PVP, who made it their goal to enslave other operatives like themselves. Not that I should have to worry about that on the Gauntlet, but expecting the unexpected was how you survived working for The Company.

Chuckling at the display he rightfully attributed to her bracelet, Jafar pulled back a sleeve and slapped the silver band on his arm. Instead of reacting in shock or anger at seeing the latch melt away, he seemed to take it as a sign it was working, which was also true, just not as he thought. Standing, he pulled the sleeve back down to hide it and snatched his goblet back up, holding it as if to give a toast. I stood with him as did Hilde, and we struck our cups together. "To profitable friendships! I swear, Queen Grimhilde, when I am Sultan, there will be trade caravans once again between our kingdoms." He downed the rest of his wine, as did we both. "Now come, I will lead you to the Princess's chambers that you may seal her fate and then back to your palanquin."

Iago flew back to Jafar's shoulder, still muttering, as the tall man led us on. Soon enough, we came to an ornate entranceway into a sitting room. The Vizier pulled a rope, and a slight girl in much plainer robes than Jazmine's came from further inside what must have been the Princess's suit. "The Prince wishes to share a few words with the Princess before they leave for their ship. The Queen and I have other matters to discuss outside." And turning from the servant, he led Hilde back to the hallway. The serving girl gave me a deep bow, then ran back beyond the curtains. Not many doors in this place, I noted.

There were some seats in the waiting room, but I stayed standing. I was hoping this wouldn't be a long, drawn-out conversation. I wasn't sure how long the potion Hilde gave me would last, and might need it to get her to accept a gift from a foreign stranger.

She had a bright smile for me as she came out to greet me, so that was a good sign. "Prince Guy, a pleasant surprise. I had not thought to see you until dinner." Her tiger came after and gave me a once-over. It turned its head, seemingly in confusion, as if not sure what to make of my scent.

"I do still hope to see you there, but after spending some time with that Jafar fellow, I felt I needed a second with you alone."

"Why is that?" She didn't seem at all shocked at my negative reaction to the oily Vizier.

Looking back at the hall before turning again to her, I made it look like I was sharing a dear secret with her. "I will tell you that I am not just the Queen's consort, but also her protector. That man gives off unhealthy vibes, and I do believe they are directed at you. I would give you a charm to help ward off dark sorceries and curses. You are beautiful and seem kind, I would not see his plans for you come to fruition." I held up the silver band, sapphire twinkling.

She had been nodding along at my tale. She knew him for the rat that he was and had survived his schemes by chance more often than not. Seeing the bracelet though, she gasped. "It looks amazing! Such fine craftsmanship, and a charm of protection, you say?"

"Have you noted the band the Queen wears on her right arm?" She nodded. "It is the same enchantment. I would not see your brightness fall to his darkness. Please wear this for me?" Bleh, Performance Talent don't fail me now.

Smiling, she held her arm out to me. Ah, Disney Princesses. I was going to miss the gullibility of my targets here. I placed the band on her arm so that she didn't see the clasp change. "Thank you so much for your care Prince Guy. I will see you at dinner."

"Until then Princess." Strike two and three. Both side targets on timer, and now I could go scoop up the main prize. And all I had to do to get a bracelet on her arm was rub her bottle and ask.

I almost felt sorry for the Sultan, but maybe he'd find a better advisor once Jafar was gone for good.

Maybe I'd use a wish to set Aladdin up as the new Vizier. It was the least I could do for him, I supposed. Considering I was stealing his future wife.

I'd think about it.