Chapter Text
Sorcerer Mozenrath did not wait for the guards to push open the heavy doors to the city. He had little interest in slipping in unseen. Subtlety was never his strong suit and in his particular quest Mozenrath felt being open would give his bid more credence. With his glove raised the magic gained strength and shook the great doors nearly off their iron hinges.
He entered the threshold, head held high as he rode with his familiar Xerxes slithering ahead in the air. A small knot of guards greeted him with their swords held high. They posed no threat and in normal circumstances he would’ve knocked them aside without a second thought.
“Good morning, guardsmen,” Mozenrath managed to keep his sneer minimal. “You are looking well, better than last I saw you.” Indeed the last time he had them hypnotized or unconscious. Not that he even knew if these were the same guardsmen as before. He didn’t keep track of other people’s peons. “I seek an audience at the Palace if you would be so kind as to escort me.”
One guard bolder than the rest had the audacity to ask, “Are they expecting your arrival, Honored Sir? We were not told of an escort this morn.”
Pretty manners were no shield for Mozenrath’s wrath normally, but he needed to accumulate a small share of goodwill in his new endeavor. “Indeed they do not, guardsman. I am afraid to say I am the much maligned unexpected guest this morn. Nevertheless I shall bear the brunt of their displeasure not you, good guardsmen. Let us make way.”
There were mutters a plenty. “He is a black-hearted villain, we ought throw him out,” was one that reached his ears. “A more vile sorcerer there never was, you would not know it but he has done much evil in our city,” came another.
“Good men, do not judge me solely by my past deeds. I am quite reformed in my goals and need only seek a pleasant talk with Prince Aladdin and his wife Her Grace Princess Jasmine. If all goes well you shall see the back of me by nightfall or tomorrow morn with no ill change in fair Agrabah.” Each sweet word sat awkwardly in Mozenrath’s mouth.
The bold guard took the reins of Mozenrath’s stallion and nodded solemnly. “I shall accompany you to the palace, Honored Sir, if you would allow me the honor. We do not allow harm to come to our guests and our hospitality is a sacred charge.”
The others looked at him as though he were mad, but a touch of madness was needed when dealing with magic Mozenrath well knew. “Then let us be off. Do not touch Xerxes without his permission,” he cautioned with a sly grin. “He does have a propensity to bite strangers.”
On cue Xerxes twisted about the young guard’s arm on the reins and showed his fearsome fangs. “Greetingssssss, guardssssman.”
An audibly thick gulp hiccuped in the guard’s throat, but he lost none of his nerve as he walked ahead calling out, “Make way for the Great Sorcerer Mozenrath of Black Sands. Make way! Make way!”
At the dawn hour only the pious, the destitute, and the more industrious merchants were awake. They gawked, gaped, and whispered. It was impossible to gauge which actually recognized him and which were simply curious peasants. It mattered not. He favored some with an imposing glare, others with a smirk, but many he simply did not acknowledge. After all the peasantry had nothing to do with him. Part of what made the Black Sands so appealing was their distinct lack of citizenry.
Closer to the palace the wealthier merchants gave signs of genuflection. Some praised his name and others brought out wares and still others fawned and bowed as though he might favor them with a magic trick of two. The flattery was hollow though sweet making it hard to tell if it was more to his liking than pure fear.
The welcome was not so easy at the palace as at the city wall. A burly man that Mozenrath dimly remembered as one of the most prominent nuisances of past encounters in Agrabah ordered a halt and had two dozen men at his back with more archers on the walls. “Turn back, vile snake! We have suffered your presence too often. Do not forget we have the might of a genie and our army to face you.”
“Your army and your genie have never proved an obstacle in the past,” Mozenrath replied. “Now clear the way, man, and leave me to my business with Prince Aladdin of the Alleys and Ways. It is him to which I wish to speak and I recall your great dislike him readily. Surely it is nothing to you if he comes out of our conversation the loser.”
Perhaps it was the sun gaining height overhead or plain censure of his behavior but the captain of the guard turned slightly red. “I am sworn to protect the royal family and those who reside with them and you are a known enemy. If I must die in that duty, Allah has prepared my heart.”
“Your death is not sought by the Lord of Creation today, guard. Or at least not by my hand. I am a known enemy of the past. Today my business is quite dull and nothing nefarious. I do however need to speak with the newly appointed prince on a matter that is grave to me but trifling to you.” He dismounted from his stallion with the help of his young escort guard. “You may execute me on the Sultan’s orders later if it so pleases him, but the fortunetellers are not forecasting that event so do not become overexcited.”
The captain was holding his ground when the upstart prince himself came flying on his carpet to the gates. “Mozenrath! They tell me you wanted to see me so here I am,” Aladdin grandstanded in the fashion of particularly irksome heroes. One had to admire his style if nothing else.
“Indeed I am seeking an audience today,” Mozenrath gave a half bow of courtesy. “But the matter is best discussed within the palace walls and not in the streets. Bring you genie to the parley if you like. Bring twenty genies if you have them.”
Aladdin laughed, the sound infuriating to Mozenrath’s ears, “Twenty genies are far too much trouble. We are happy enough with our own Genie.” His eyes turned hard for a brief moment, “You are welcome as long as you keep your magic to yourself and do not so much as swat a fly.”
“You ought to have servants to do the fly swatting for you and any guests,” Mozenrath said. With a dismissive wave he led his steed be taken to the stables. “After you hear my tale you shall not worry about the issue of magic.”
Aladdin held out his arm indicating that Mozenrath should join him on the carpet. The young man was far too trusting. In the past it had worked to Mozenrath’s advantage and it still might. He took the proffered hand with hardly a twitch of his eyebrows even as the magic jumped and crackled around him. Each crackle a small needle of pain shooting up his arm and threatening to hurry down his spine.
The carpet rose over the walls surrounding the palace, extravagant gardens and pavilions passed beneath them. Servants were bustling everywhere, shuttling yards of silks, trays of food, and baskets laden with all manner of objects. It was the busiest he’d ever seen this palace. Being used to the emptiness of his Black Sands kingdom Mozenrath had scarce noticed it before.
“What’s all this commotion? Your castle is usually as vacant as my own.”
Now it was Aladdin’s turn to gawk. “You must be kidding. You really don’t know?”
Laboring in ignorance was not something Mozenrath had ever suffered. “Do not toy with me. I would not ask if I knew the particulars of your household.”
“Me and Jasmine’s wedding feast begins tomorrow,” Aladdin said. “I thought you were here to be a great big pain in the ass one last time. Maybe stop the wedding or give a creepy gift that curses the entire city.”
“The wedding feast at long last,” Mozenrath mused. “Now I do feel as though my visit will be a disappointment. I have no gift, cursed or otherwise, for you and the princess.”
“Fair warning, Jasmine will not be happy to see you. She’s already stressed out about the feast. I don’t think any unexpected guest is going to please her,” said Aladdin. “I’m always up for excitement as long as you’re not planning on killing anyone.”
“The princess has good reason not to welcome me, however my visit concerns you though she may have some words about it.” The carpet slowed to a smooth stop and the young men stepped off and into a pavilion where Princess Jasmine was giving instructions to her maids.
To her credit she did not scream or shout or even scowl. Instead she dismissed her staff calmly and stayed seated upon her cushions waiting for her husband-to-be to explain why such a personage was in their home. If he wasn’t immune to the charms of women Mozenrath would have made a bid for her long ago.
“Look who I found giving Razoul a heart attack out front,” Aladdin joked. “Claims he’s not here to curse our unborn children at the wedding or give a cursed enchanted object as a wedding present so I figured we could give him a cup of tea before Genie has to haul him out.”
“Mozenrath, how tired you must be. The Black Sands are a long way from Agrabah much to our pleasure.” Jasmine poured a cup of tea for him with a steely smile.
“Your Grace is all kindness,” he seated himself on the cushion opposite her. Aladdin stood over him for several long moments before retreating to his own cushion.
“What brings your notorious self to Agrabah this day? Surely we have nothing that would intrigue you that you have not seen here before. The wedding fare shall be splendid, but not enough to tempt a man who has his own magical kingdom,” Jasmine said.
“I am dying, Your Grace.” There it was laid bare. Well not quite as bare as could be.
“That is no secret to us,” Jasmine replied. “You refuse to give up that evil glove and it is taking the toll price of you. What has changed?”
“Several months ago I chanced upon a set of notes by an alchemist from a library I acquired around that time.” True enough when all was said and done. They did not need to know that the library was taken rather by force though they probably knew enough of his methods to surmise correctly. “My body may be restored with the blood of a close relation and provided I do not use the glove anymore should live a long and healthy life.”
Aladdin and Jasmine traded looks without a single word, but Mozenrath needed no interpretation. While they were soft-hearted creatures that never wished death upon even their enemies (more the fools them) they were hesitant to help extend the lifespan of an evil sorcerer even if he wouldn’t be able to wreak quite the same havoc as before.
“So what do you want with us?” Aladdin finally spoke. “I mean I’m not really crazy about helping you go on hunt to make you live even longer because you haven’t exactly renounced giving up your plan to rule the Seven Deserts while you’ve been sitting here asking for our help.”
“It would be much more difficult to conquer the Seven Deserts without my glove so I suppose I must focus on a different goal. Perhaps if I live I shall take up calligraphy or miniature painting,” he gave an exaggerated sigh and petted Xerxes who hissed happily in response. Thankfully Aladdin’s pet monkey was nowhere to be seen otherwise he’d have to call off Xerxes from his inevitable biting and that would certainly stall negotiations. “As for what I want with you? Well my dear brother it’s a bit of your blood I need to restore myself.”
Aladdin blinked and then laughed uproariously. “Brother? We are not brothers! I know you think I’m gullible, but I’m not that gullible. Give you my blood on your word that we are brothers? You must be dreaming. You tried to possess my body before. I’m not even going to mention all the times you’ve tried to outright kill me.”
“Summon your pet Genie. Let him take a bit of blood from you and I and he shall prove it so.”
A blueish mauve smoke flooded the pavilion for a scant few seconds and in a flash Genie materialized with his absurd grin and that mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Do my dainty little ol’ ears deceive me or did someone just drop a revelation so big it ought to have been prophesied? Brothers, oh brotherhood, to have a brother! If it’s true I can’t say I’m surprised; the two of you always had an evil twin vibe going on all through a glass darkly, am I right or am I right?”
Another poof and a shower of golden sparkles had the Genie shift into a solemn faced physick with a long gray beard and a medical scalpel. “Hold still and say ‘aaaaahhhh’, what am I saying? Skip the last part, but do hold still because this’ll hurt until I get the healing magic ready to go.”
Mozenrath’s good hand was de-gloved instantly and Genie made a clean cut across the pad of this thumb before collecting the droplets into a magicked up vial. The same process was repeated on Aladdin and both wounds were closed in the blink of an eye. For a significantly weakened freed servant class genie Aladdin’s Genie had marvelously effective healing powers.
Despite it already having been healed Aladdin sucked on his finger that was pricked, likely out of reflex. Mozenrath could feel his brow furrowing. That’s my brother, he thought as the realization finally hit home. The entire journey to Agrabah he had ruminated on how the plucky boy was his blood relation, but here and now seeing him in all his quirks and habits made it real. He’d spared Aladdin’s life before as he’d grown to respect him. Now there could be no question about it, Mozenrath would find it nearly impossible to let any harm come to him henceforth.
Foolish sentimentality! It had to have been a side effect of the curse or his own heart weakened from his existential despair. Brothers have killed each other for less than nothing in history. Still a protective urge was beginning to sprout dainty tendrils inside him. There were indeed some mannerisms they had which were eerily alike and others so distinct it was readily apparent how different their lives had been so far.
A great calamity of bells rang out and it took all of Mozenrath’s experience dealing with unpleasant surprises to keep himself in check and not blast everyone in the pavilion. Naturally the source of the commotion was Genie.
“Congratulations, Al! You’ve won the grand prize of one…” the Genie shone a beam of light upon Mozenrath and the sorcerer suddenly found himself atop a lighted dais, “Half brother! Yes, your evil half brother comes equipped with all the marvelous trappings found in stories and tales! Is he brooding? Yes! Is he cunning? As a desert fox! Is he tall, dark, and handsome? Aye and aye! Does he share a sire with you? Well yes indeedy he does! So Al, are you going to accept your prize of one half brother, of an evil disposition and megalomaniac ways? Or will you take what’s behind curtain number two?”
Naturally a heavy velvet curtain appeared on the dais next to Mozenrath. He’d let himself forget about the irritating nonstop showmanship of Aladdin’s genie. No wonder everyone wanted to kill this little band of do-gooders.
Aladdin circled the dais with a hand on his chin. “We’re actually brothers? This is unexpected. Hmm, what happens if I pick curtain number two?”
Genie chuckled, “That means you’re rejected the grand prize and he’s back on his merry way to the Land of the Black Sands. So what will it be, Al?”
Mozenrath had been so distracted by the banter and parlor tricks that he didn’t notice Aladdin climbing the steps of the dais until they were nearly nose-to-nose. This close he could smell the oils leftover from the prince’s bath, could count the birthmarks dotted here and there on his brother’s face, could see that the shape of their noses were identical.
Had we grown up together how much more would we be alike? Mozenrath wondered. Aladdin was three years younger by his calculations. Would Aladdin have toddled after him in their childhood? Worshiping him as his idol in all things? He’d probably been a cheerful laughing baby and exactly the sort to crawl after anyone he liked. Of course the entire train of thought was useless as that course of events had been impossible. Where would they have lived? Mozenrath could hardly imagine his mother taking in a child that was not her own. As it was she had only wanted a single heir and no husband to tie her down.
“I think,” Aladdin gave a crooked smile, “I think I’m gonna go with the grand prize after all. Or at least until it turns out he was playing us the whole time.” Quite unexpectedly he pulled Mozenrath into a hug and all the dais and its trappings disappeared in the pavilion. “Try not to get anyone killed, okay? I think I’d actually like to have a bigger family not have them exiled on a magical barge or something.”
Mozenrath kept his posture rigid and made of show of rolling his eyes, “I won’t make any promises about those standing in our way. However, I will take an oath not to harm you, the princess, the sultan, your genie, and your assorted pets unless I am attacked first.”
“Hugs aren’t attacks, just so you know,” Aladdin teased.
How dare he take this so well! Mozenrath wasn’t entirely sure what he had been hoping for. A bit more denial like before? An onslaught of dejection, revulsion, and fear that his greatest foe was of his own blood? On the other hand complete unassuming trust would make Mozenrath’s mission a great deal easier.
“Aw, this is just too much for a sap like me,” exclaimed Genie, who then had the nerve to embrace the two of them. “Bring it on in, boys. Brothers together at last and they’re not fighting for once!”
This. This was to be his life if he wanted to live.
Jasmine coughed delicately to get their attention. They were all immediately seated on their respective cushions with an alacrity that could only have been the work of the genie. “You were telling the truth about your relationship. Yet I noticed you only said the word ‘blood’ with no qualifiers. How much of Aladdin’s blood do you need for your spell? I will not let you drain him dry as I am still very fond of him as you might imagine. We are getting married on the morrow.”
“At the moment? I cannot give you an answer. My calculations were made before I began my travels towards Agrabah. If the curse hasn’t progressed he would only suffer weakness and lethargy for a few days. If I need more blood, we shall have to figure out a way around that.” Mozenrath knew he would never be allowed to get away with purposefully or even accidentally draining his brother’s body dry of blood. Even a reversal of the curse would leave him unable to use magic and the Genie would find a very ingenious way to make him regret ever coming to Agrabah.
Aladdin being Aladdin was nonplussed while his wife-to-be arched her eyebrows to showcase her displeasure. Luckily for Mozenrath the genie spoke up.
“Blood magic is a very old tradition, Princess. Before writing, before civilization, before even humankind old. It’s not easily performed and it’s hard to tell how well it’s going until it’s finished,” Genie explained, for once no shape-shifting or jokes to color his speech.
“That sounds dangerous. In fact it sounds like there is a greater chance of Aladdin dying more than anything else,” she said. “I don’t need to tell you I don’t care for those odds.”
“There is actually a greater chance of myself perishing than my brother,” Mozenrath paused to remind her of their familial bond. “If the ritual seems to be going poorly for him then you’ll simply stop it. These old rites are complicated and if you break the magic seal that will be writ upon the floor the whole ritual will come to a halt. I will either die on the spot or simply be uncured and go back to dying slowly while Aladdin will be fine. Again he may be weak from blood loss, but there are no magical side effects as he is the donor here not the recipient.”
“It’s true, Princess,” the genie added. “We would see Al’s suffering long before Mozzie here could receive any real benefit.”
“Jasmine, I have to try,” Aladdin turned to Jasmine, his expression doe-eyed and pouting. “He’s my brother. What would you do if you found out you had a sister that was dying? And you knew you could help her?”
“Very well, I have no wish to stop you from helping family. Just be careful,” she shook her head in apparent disbelief at the whole situation. Then Jasmine fixed her attention on Mozenrath. “I will not waste my breath voicing threats that you will think nothing of.”
Interesting, Mozenrath had been certain she would have talked up her imperial influence or spoke of a woman’s wrath when betrayed. Instead she was calm and left the consequences to his imagination. In time the princess would make a very fearsome sultana and Mozenrath found he was looking forward to her coming into her power. If he had to be related to the Agrabah royal family at least it could accumulate a bit more prestige.
“Let me escort you to your chambers, honored sir,” the genie appeared at his side, dressed impeccably as a steward. “You must be fatigued from your magical death curse, family reunion, and ride across the desert with only your existential thoughts for company.”
“He had meeeeee!” Xerxes took the time to try biting the genie. His teeth did not penetrate the genie’s form so Xerxes defaulted by growling at the creature before returning to curl around Mozenrath’s shoulders.
“Indeed, I had Xerxes,” Mozenrath petted his familiar fondly. “And the existential thoughts. I am unhappily possessed of the uncanny ability to divide my attention without loss of cognitive understanding.”
“If I were you I might want the existential thoughts as the company,” half-whispered the genie, “Did you know he bites?”
“He doesn’t bite me,” said Mozenrath. “He doesn’t bite anyone he likes. However that list is quite short at the moment so I would watch one’s extremities carefully when he’s in a sour mood. Lead the way, genie. I do indeed require some rest.”
Not to mention his brother and soon to be sister-in-law needed time to discuss among themselves whatever do-gooders worried about.
“Indeed you will need much rest since you will be at the head table tomorrow,” Jasmine said brightly.
“A thousand pardons, princess, but you have me at a loss,” Mozenrath said.
“Naturally as the elder brother of the groom you will be greeting our many guests and making them feel welcome to Agrabah. You will also dine at the head table with Aladdin, myself, and my father and during the feasting receive the attentions of our friends and thanking them for their generosity,” Jasmine’s smile was unadulterated sadistic joy.
Aladdin seemed to be stifling a laugh.
“You would introduce me as Aladdin’s elder brother to all and sundry? Why in the name of Creation would you do that?” Mozenrath stared in horror. He thought he’d be able to skip the wedding boredom and rest in his chambers, perhaps search their library for anything of use or seek out Jafar’s old rooms.
“Genie has proved you are indeed brothers and brothers attend each other’s important events,” Jasmine was clearly enjoying herself hugely. The revenge had already started. “Not to mention that your reputation might keep some guests in line.”
“Are you expecting such a disturbance?”
“This is Agrabah, Mozenrath, at this point I would faint from shock if my wedding wasn’t disturbed in some disastrous fashion. We have friends, acquaintances, and enemies all in spades. You are renown for your ruthlessness and magical prowess and being introduced as Aladdin’s very protective elder brother may dissuade some of those enemies from making a nuisance of themselves,” Jasmine replied.
“She’s got a point. You’re kind of a big deal, not that I need to tell you that,” Aladdin clapped his shoulder. “Your ego is already the size of this palace. But the point is I’m not ashamed of you. If we are brothers I want us to start without any deceit. Let everyone know. And if it also keeps some of our more insistent enemies at bay so much the better.”
“I think I liked you all rather better when you were more naive. You’ve all become too savvy and opportunist when those are my traits,” Mozenrath tried for an imperious tone and hoped it didn’t come out petulant.
“What can I say?” Aladdin joked. “You’ve rubbed off on me.”