When Abu saw Iago he screeched happily, scrambled up onto Cassim's shoulder, and hugged the parrot.
"I'm happy to see you too, Abu."
Genie pulled Abu off Iago.
"I don't think the boss likes having your tail in his face, Abu."
The moment he put Abu down the monkey went right back up on Cassim's shoulder.
"Abu,..."
"It's okay, Genie."
Cassim put both animals on the ground then walked over to another group of men.
Iago saw one man stand up.
It was Rasoul.
He performed a stiff, akward bow.
Cassim spoke to him for several minutes before he came back.
He sat down and took an apple.
"Genie."
"Yeah?"
"Have Sabeek, Al'Hatal, and Kazzere made ready. You, Rasoul, and I are going to the Land of the Black Sand after breakfast. We're going to try to convince Mozenrath to help us during the war."
"Okay."
One of the younger soldiers ran off to where the horses were kept.
He came back a few minutes later leading Cassim's magnificent, chesnut stallion, Sabeek, Rasoul's bay stallion, Al'Hatal, and Genie's brown stallion, Kazzere.
A little while later Cassim, Rasoul, and Genie mounted.
Iago, who had insisted on going along, was perched on Cassim's right shoulder.
"Open sesame!" Cassim yelled mightily.
The mountain entrance opened, and the three horses galloped out.
They raced across the sand towards the Land of the Black Sand. They slowed their horses to a canter once they crossed the border.
Mozenrath's magic detectors flashed as Genie passed by.
Four mamluks were waiting for them at the doors of Mozenrath's castle!
Three of them took the bridles of the horses, and the fourth led Cassim, Iago, Genie, and Rasoul to Mozenrath's throne room.
The young sorcerer sat on his throne. His eyes traveled over them and came to rest on Cassim.
As powerful as he was, Mozenrath knew that Cassim was *not* a man he should reckon with!
The man's muscular figure showed he was as strong as two champion fighters!
They stopped in front of the throne.
"What brings you to my land?"
"The war."
"Ah, yes. I have heard much about it."
Iago felt Cassim become a little tense.
"We have come to ask you help us fight against Jafar. That's all we're asking, for you be our ally against him."
"Why would help Aladdin?"
Cassim was silent for a moment.
"You won't be helping Aladdin."
"He is the sultan isn't he?"
"Not anymore?"
"Why is that?"
Cassim became more tense.
Mozenrath was pushing his luck!
"Aladdin was killed by Jafar two days ago in battle. His last words to me and on earth were, "Dad, you are sultan now until Ali is ready. Tell Jasmine I love her." Then he died."
"Wait. You're Aladdin's father?"
"And the new sultan."
"I wish I had been there to watch Aladdin fall to the ground, to watch him die."
Cassim's tense muscules loosened into a sudden leap forward! He grabbed Mozenrath by the collar of his shirt, pulled him off his throne, and hurled him into the wall!
In the process Iago had fallen off Cassim's shoulder, but Genie caught him.
Mozenrath slowly got up and stared at Cassim.
Cassim grabbed him again and lifted his off his feet!
"Listen, Mozenrath! If you don't help us everyone, even you, will die! Jafar *will* kill you! Even you wouldn't stand a chance against him. If he destroys you quickly or slowly and painfully isn't my problem! I could care less! But this war is *everyone's* problem! If you don't help us everyone single person will die, even you!"
Mozenrath didn't answer. He merely zapped Cassim into the wall!
"Cassim!"
Cassim leaped to his feet, his anger getting the best of him, pulled out his hand of Midas dagger, tackled Mozenath and raised the dagger above him!
He could see the terror in Mozenrathh's face and eyes. His hand shook.
He sighed, lowered his hand, and let Mozenrath get up.
The sorcerer stared at him again.
Cassim put the dagger back in its sheath.
"Let that be a warning, Mozenrath. Aladdin may have been much more patient with you, but I won't be. If you threaten me, any of my men, or friends I *will* kill you!"
"I'll help you."
"Alright. That's more like it."
Mozenrath gathered all his mamluks, got his horse, and they set off for the layer at a smooth trot so the mamluks could keep up.
"Lets lay out some rules."
"Like what?"
"First of all, make sure your mamlus don't attack any of my men or friends, second, you will receive orders from me and are to follow them without arguement, complaint, or heasitation, third, you will not mock any of us or talk of Aladdin has you back in your castle, because if you do I'll tear you apart, forth, you are not to use any of your powers at the layer, only in battle when needed, and fifth you *will* leave Jasmine alone, do not touch her, do not speak to her, don't even look at her! Is that clear?"
"Yes." Mozenrath mumbled.
"Is that clear?!"
"Yes."
"Yes,..."
Mozenrath sighed.
"Yes, sir."
"That'll do."
Seven Deserts War and Afterwards by Cassim fan