A Tale That Could Not Be
Chapter 17: Princess Balaura

Sultan Ali Baba was a man of age, wisdom, and worldly experience. Sinbad informed Red and the others that he had sustained a vast amount of wealth by finding a thieves’ den and discovering their hoard inside. His faithful slave girl had alerted him to a plot to kill his son after he had been found out but she had managed to stealthily kill the leader of the thieves and thwart the plot. In gratitude, Ali Baba had freed her and given her great riches.

“She now resides in the southwest province of Sauradia known as Ra’ik,” Sinbad said as they waited outside the audience chamber for the Sultan to address them. “It’s a beautiful province with a tropical environment and plenty of security as most of Sauradia’s richest families live there. The Sultan had asked her if she had wanted to marry his son but she had politely declined, choosing to live out her life of freedom first before tying down with a husband.”

“Where is his son now?” asked Belle as she leaned against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest.

“He is in charge of Sauradia’s treasury and is seldom seen.”

“So he’s not anyone we can try and persuade to help us?” Hook asked gruffly.

Sinbad shook his head. “I have never met him but I doubt he would be willing to spend a single coin for us.”

Prince Aladdin had left them in the hall after entering the audience chamber to speak to his father-in-law and Red wondered what he was telling him in there. Was he speaking of them and attempting to deny them a ship? He had appeared generally concerned upon hearing news of The Writer but it could have been a farce to give them all false hope. He appeared to despise Sinbad and Red wouldn’t be surprised if he had raised their spirits only to take delight in watching them crumble, especially Sinbad’s. Red scratched behind Bigbad’s ear as the large wolf lay down and rested and hoped that the fearsome-looking prince could be trusted.

“What about the slave girl?” Cindy asked. “You said she is quite wealthy. Do you think she’d be willing to help us if the sultan doesn’t?”

Sinbad shrugged. “I have met her only once and…we did not do much speaking.”

Red rolled her eyes and sighed. “Who did you anger now?”

“No one as she was with no one. She has yet to find herself a husband, despite the urgings of the Sultan himself to do so. He does not wish for her to spend her riches foolishly as that would paint him as a fool and Sultan Ali Baba is no fool.”

“The mayor of Kenmard is a fool and his people call him one all the time,” Cindy noted with a raised eyebrow. “Why does he care so much if he is called a fool?”

“A Sultan always has those wishing to take his place. High Flame Gaphir’s desire for power is known to all and though for now he is on the Sultan’s side, I would not put it past him to take his place if the people began to lose faith in him. He cannot force Marjeneh, his former slave girl, to wed as though he has the power to do so, it would be seen as an insult to the common folk.”

Jack yawned. “All this political talk is making me sleepy. Can we just barge in? I don’t hear much happening on the other side of these doors.”

“You don’t want to ruin our only chance at getting a ship, Jack,” Hook said with a growl. “I don’t like waiting this long either but we have to follow the rules for now if we want to get what we came here for.” He shook his head and slammed his right fist against the wall, the pound echoing down the halls around them. “Damn Pan for taking everything from me! To have to take such extensive measures for the simple acquisition of a ship is ridiculous.” He then calmed somewhat and sighed sadly. “Wendy had always pushed me to keep some of my riches somewhere on shore, away from the dangers of the sea, but I had wanted them with me at all times. I should have listened to her…”

Red thought of the meagre savings she had accumulated for the purchase of her own ship and how they were hidden in the Old Forest in Midea. She didn’t have enough for a frigate like Jolly Roger and the return journey to Midea would take too long thus she had kept the information a secret. If Sauradia proved fruitless, however, it may be their only hope.

Finally, a servant opened one of the double doors and ushered them inside the audience chamber. Once inside, Red took a moment to admire the silk drapes hanging from the ceiling between two rows of marble columns, waving slightly in a breeze that blew through the massive, glassless windows on either side of the audience chamber. Balconies overlooking the city extended outward from both windows and offered a magnificent view of Arababyl and all it had to offer. At the far end of the audience chamber was a golden throne with two smaller ones flanking it. Prince Aladdin sat on the throne on the left and a young woman dressed in vibrant silks with long black hair, thick brows, and sparkling eyes sat on the throne to Red’s right. In the middle sat an old man with a white beard, white brows, and a weathered face with many wrinkles. His blue eyes shone like ice and stared them down without blinking. He was dressed in pale blue silks and his elbows rested on the throne’s armrests with his hands steepled before his face. Though he was old Red felt intimidated by him nonetheless.

Was everyone here so scary? she wondered.

Sinbad instructed everyone to offer the sultan a deep bow and they all obeyed willingly. As Red was lifting up from her bow she noticed a large form rise up from behind the young woman’s throne. Red immediately recognized it as the tiger Sinbad had spoken of. It was as big as Bigbad, more heavily muscled, and was now approaching her large wolf with its golden eyes fixed firmly upon him. Bigbad watched the huge feline approach, his ears bent back and the fur at the back of his neck standing on end. Red whispered to him, urging him to calm down, but the huge wolf did not listen. She understood that he was just being cautious as he had not growled or shown any aggression yet but she knew how quickly the situation could change and did not want to lose their chance at gaining the sultan’s favour. The tiger circled Bigbad warily, briefly pulling back its lips to reveal its fangs but making no sound. Bigbad never averted his gaze, keeping his glowing blue eyes on the tiger’s golden ones. After the tiger had made a full circle around the horse-sized wolf it stared at him directly and neared its face inches from Bigbad’s. Red’s heart raced and her skin crawled, hoping beyond hope that Bigbad did not lash out. The two beasts eyed one another for several minutes, motionless as statues, as if speaking mentally. The silence in the room was deafening and Red worried about breathing too loudly, not wanting to do anything to startle or anger either animal.

After what felt like hours, the tiger walked away from Bigbad and lay down beside the young woman. She scratched top of its head and said, “Well done, Namuran.”

The sultan opened his hands and spread them wide, smiling wide. “Welcome to Arababyl and Sauradia! I apologize for the tense moment but Namuran is the reason you see no guards in this room. He has a keen sense of detecting danger and if he is pleased then I can lower by guard and welcome you here. I have been advised by Aladdin that you are here to request some naval aid for a quest of yours? Is that correct?”

Red breathed a sigh of relief as Hook stepped forward. She gave Bigbad a scratch and a rub of gratitude on his shoulder and smiled when he wagged his tail at her. He was relaxed once more and sat down on his haunches, completely at ease. Red relaxed as well, more than pleased with how the situation was currently going. If only it could keep going this way…

“You are correct,” said Hook. “I am Captain Hook and I come here with my companions because I am in need of a worthy vessel capable of pursuing the one who kidnapped someone dear to all of us. My own was destroyed, along with all I own, and I have no means of paying another captain to sail be about, other than manual labour.”

Sultan Ali Baba nodded in understanding. “Finding a willing captain in these dark times must not be as simple as it once was.”

“It is not,” Hook agreed.

Red remembered the foolish captain they had sailed with before getting boarded by Captain Silver and despite her distaste for pirates was rather glad that they had been parted of the foul, portly man and his dangerous crew. She doubted Hook would have survived the trip had they remained aboard anyhow.

“The prince has brought to my attention that one of your own has been kidnapped by none other than Peter Pan,” the sultan stated more than asked.

Hook nodded, his jaw firmly set. “He is right. I claim it as my duty to set things right and end that wretched fiend’s life which is why I come to you in the hopes that you can offer me a ship. In return, I shall pay you whatever you wish once I acquire the funds.”

“I am rich beyond my wildest dreams, captain. I am not concerned about the price of a ship. I am more concerned with the ability to spare one.” The sultan then stood up and walked toward the group. He was shorter than Hook but carried himself like a giant. Hook held his ground well but Red could tell that even he was feeling the weight of the man’s gaze. “War is coming, Captain Hook, and that you cannot die. The Empress has been mobilizing a massive force and is possibly preparing for another invasion. King Charming’s spies had discovered a possible alliance between Empress Rhiannon and the young Queen Svala of Sworden. If this proves to be true then my sultanate is at risk. The Empress has made it clear to all that she desires Sauradia for herself and if that is the case then I will need every naval vessel at my disposal. If I can stop her navy from invading my lands I can end the war before it ever starts. King Charming will reinforce my navy with his but it will take time for it to arrive and his proximity to the Snow Queen’s kingdom will force him to leave a substantial portion of his navy behind to protect his own lands. Every single ship makes a difference and I assume you desire something a little swifter than a simple fishing vessel.”

“This quest holds importance to everyone,” Hook reasoned. “The fate of all of Faeryum depends on its completion. I need to rescue our friend so that she can save us from this Writer.”

“I understand that, captain, I truly do. I know little of The Writer but if my mages shy at mentioning his, or her, name then I am certain whatever it is, it is a force to be reckoned with. Empress Rhiannon is also such a force, however.”

“It’s just one ship!” Jack called out, receiving a fearsome glare from Hook in return. To Red’s surprise he ignored him and continued. “How much difference can one ship make? Pan has Selvina and for all he know he’s already killed her! We’ve wasted enough time coming here and now you’re wasting our time by making it seem like one stupid ship is going to make a difference in an entire war when you’ve got hundreds of others! Just give us what we need and if you want the ship back then we’ll return it too.” Jack then looked up and pointed at Aladdin and the princess, his brows pinned together in a deep frown. “You go ahead and sit on your asses while we try and save them! Don’t bother helping us out! It’s only the fate of the entire world, no worries!”

“JACK!” Hook boomed, startling everyone and making them all jump.

Sultan Ali Baba raised a hand and glanced sidelong at Hook, wordlessly ordering him to calm down. He then fixed his gaze on Jack and narrowed his eyes. “Aladdin has warned me of you, Jack. He told me that you held no respect for rank or stature and I am inclined to believe him. I could have your head for speaking in such a tone to the ruler of all of Sauradia. You understand this, do you not?”

Jack nodded, still frowning. “Of course I understand.”

“Then why do you speak to me thusly?”

“Because Pan has Selvina,” Jack replied without hesitation. He pursed his lips, paused, as if reconsidering what he was going to say, and then continued. “She means everything to me, sultan. This isn’t just about saving the world or stopping The Writer or even stopping Pan. I just want her back. I want her safe… I can’t bear another second not knowing what she is going through right now. I’m sorry for speaking out of line but her life is at stake and all we need is a ship to find Pan and get her back. I know she means nothing to you but she is everything to me. Cut off my head if you want but I won’t stand silent anymore. If I die today it’s because I’m willing to stand up to a sultan to save the woman I love.”

Red’s heart warmed at the words and though she feared for Jack’s life, she couldn’t help but smile proudly. Jack had grown up a simple peasant with nothing but a horse as anything of value and here he was now, standing up to one of the most powerful people in all the kingdoms, fighting for the one he loved. It might gain him nothing but he was willing to put his life on nothing but hope that maybe, just maybe, it would pay off. Red remembered the stray feelings for Jack she had experienced on their trek down the desert road. She had initially assumed that she was falling for Jack but she knew better now. She envied Selvina. Red envied the powerful bond Selvina and Jack had, despite only being together for a few short weeks. She wanted that. Perhaps once the ordeal with Pan and The Writer, and perhaps the war, was over she would focus on finding that special someone to share her life with. Thinking back to her dream of owning a ship, she imagined herself at the wheel, guiding a swift schooner through the waves, Bigbad laying on the deck and her love at her side.

Every captain needed a good quartermaster, after all.

Red exchanged a glance with Belle and noticed that she had a tear in her eye. Had Jack’s words moved her so much as to summon tears? Red thought of how Belle’s true love sat trapped within her own body and considered that perhaps Jack’s willingness to risk his life for Selvina reminded her of how she and Beast had risked their own for a few cherished moments of peace. Empress Rhiannon perhaps knew of a way to separate both their bodies and for Belle’s sake, Red hoped that she did. Everyone deserved to be with the one that they loved.

“Remove yourselves from my presence,” Sultan Ali Baba suddenly hissed, his face red with anger. “I will not be spoken to this way by a nobody.”

“Your highness,” Sinbad pleaded.

“OUT!” the sultan cried, silencing any other arguments.

Exchanging glances of surprise and shock, the company reluctantly turned and left the audience chamber, their heads bowed low and their hopes vanished. Jack’s valiant effort had failed. Their journey here had all been for nothing. They were no closer to reaching Selvina as they had been when Jolly Roger exploded.

The double doors of the audience chamber closed behind them with a thud of finality that echoed for many long seconds. The six humans and wolf stood in a circle and waited for directions from anyone. Where do they go now? What do they do? Do they try and find a captain to sail them where they need to go? Do they try and acquire the funds to purchase their own ship? Do they give up?

“We could head back to Port of the Sun,” Sinbad suggested glumly. “Perhaps we can find a captain that can help us. Manual labour is all we can offer but I believe it is our only chance at getting anywhere. Selvina is still waiting for us…”

“No captain is going to give a damn about our situation,” Hook grumbled. He glanced at Red, Cindy, and Belle. “And I don’t want to think about what some will ask the women do for payment…”

Sinbad sighed hopelessly. “What do you suggest?”

Many minutes passed before Hook replied. “I…I do not know…”

Red thought of her money back in Midea. If there was a time to bring it up it was now. It might only get them a small vessel, perhaps nothing more than a boat, but it would be theirs at least and they could sail it wherever they needed it to. Whether it had the ability to sail all the way from Midea to wherever Pan was holding Selvina was up for debate, however. Ships as mighty as Jolly Roger still sometimes sunk in ocean storms. A small boat wouldn’t last long in large waves, let alone a storm.

But what else was there to do?

Red opened her mouth to speak when one of the double doors opened slightly. Slipping between the crack was the princess of Sauradia. She closed the door behind her and eyed them all in turn. Her face, like her olive-coloured skin, was smooth and unblemished and her long eyelashes beat prettily. On her forehead she wore a golden tiara with the signature Sauradian ruby in its center, glimmering enchantingly. She had a slender figure but carried it well, as if she was far more capable than she appeared. She eyed everyone in turn but settled her gaze on Jack.

“Your words carried great weight, Jack,” she said softly. “My father may not have seen it that way but I did. I too was initially denied the permission to see Aladdin, due to his low birth, but with enough convincing I managed to persuade father to give me a chance. I am now married to him and I couldn’t be happier. I understand that he may have seemed rough and inhospitable with you earlier but he is very protective of both me and Sauradia itself.” She glanced at Sinbad briefly. “He is also slow to forgive.”

“Thank you, princess,” Jack said, his eyes on the floor. “It doesn’t matter, though, as we are no better off than when we arrived here. Your father isn’t going to help us.”

“My father isn’t the only Sauradian with money, Jack.”

Everyone stood straighter and eyed the princess intently, captivated and deeply interested with her words. Even Bigbad had his ears angled toward her and remained still. The princess smiled at their reaction.

“I cannot purchase a vessel myself as my father would never allow it to happen. I am but a princess and as much as I may not approve of it, he still holds final say in what I do. However, I know of someone who is a dear friend of mine and she would be more than willing to help someone reunite with the one they love. She is also quite rich.”

Sinbad smiled, recognition evident on his face. “You speak of Marjeneh.”

The princess nodded. “I do, Sinbad. If you give me but one day I can persuade one of the mages to allow me to speak to her and I am certain that I can get her to help you. My father may be able to control what I buy but he can do nothing about what Marjeneh does with her money.”

“Lest he looks like a fool,” Cindy said with a roll of her eyes.

“Precisely.” She held her hands before her, pleading. “So please, I ask of you, do not lose hope. I give you my word as Princess Balaura of Sauradia that I will do all in my power to help you acquire the finest vessel available so that you may rescue your friend and complete your quest. My only wish is that I could be there when you are all reunited.”

“You are certain that you can speak with Marjeneh?” Sinbad asked, his brows furrowed in concern.

Princess Balaura nodded. “I am. Father will soon be in a meeting with his generals and admirals and Aladdin will be with him, as well as High Flame Gaphir. That will give me a chance to speak to the lower-ranking mages, those eager to gain royal favour, and one of them will conjure me a scrying spell. I have done it many times, Sinbad, and Marjeneh always answers.”

“I don’t want to let my hopes get up to only have them crash down again,” Jack said warily. “What if you get caught?”

“I am stealthier than I look,” Princess Balaura assured, giving Jack a wink. “Namuran will be with me and he will let no one do me any harm.”

Red gave Bigbad a pat on the head. “If he’s as dependable and loyal as Bigbad then I can safely say that we can trust you to do what you propose, princess.”

Princess Balaura gave Red a nod and sincere smile. “Yes, Namuran is indeed my most loyal companion. I do not believe I know your name…”

“Red.”

Balaura nodded again. “Well, Red, I must say that Bigbad is simply beautiful and that one day I we will have to go riding together.”

“Oh, well, Bigbad doesn’t like deserts too much… I am honoured, though.”

“Then I will have to come to you, then.”

Red only smiled back, not knowing what to say.

The sultan’s voice was heard, calling the princess back into the room, and Balaura backed away toward the doors. “I will make this right for all of you, I promise. Oh! Before I forget…” She then produced a small leather pouch from one of the folds of her silken robes and tossed it to Hook, who caught it deftly. “There are enough coins in that pouch for a comfortable stay in any of the most expensive inns in Arababyl. Make yourselves comfortable, please. I am sorry for how matters transpired in the audience chamber but I will do all I can to help you.”

The entire group thanked the princess and she gave them all a smile before slipping once again behind the doors and closing them behind her. The friends moved away from the doors as Hook hid the pouch in one of his pockets.

“I do hope that we can place our trust in the princess,” Hook said. “I do not wish to be caught in a trap of some sort as I do not imagine that the sultan will forget about Jack’s outburst any time soon…”

Jack lowered his head slightly but frowned in defiance. “I am sorry for that but I had to say it. I needed to say it, if not for him then for me.”

Hook looked at Jack as he walked beside him and grinned proudly. “You stood up for what you loved, Jack. You should never apologize for that. I know I was angry with you but that’s only because I wasn’t strong enough to do it myself.”

“Beast was so proud of you, Jack,” Belle said, smiling fondly. “He says that he couldn’t have said it better himself.”

Hearing that, Jack stood a little straighter and grew that familiar smirk of his.

“Princess Balaura is a capable woman, Hook,” Sinbad said, returning to the matter at hand. “If she says that she will help us then she will do just that, I assure you.”

“Fair enough,” Hook replied.

“I don’t know about you all but I’m hungry,” Cindy blurted as she rubbed her stomach. “Today’s maelstrom of emotions has given me such an appetite…”

Red eyed Sinbad. “Where’s the most expensive inn in Arababyl?”

“It is not too far from here, actually,” Sinbad replied with a wink. “Let us put that money to good use.”

“Why don’t we just use it to buy us a ship?” Belle asked curiously.

“There isn’t enough,” Hook answered. “I checked.”

“Besides,” Cindy added, “In case you didn’t hear me, I’m hungry!”

Bigbad growled and whined, adding his own input to the discussion.

“I guess he’s hungry too,” Red said with a chuckle.

The companions were laughing joyfully as they left the palace and followed Sinbad’s directions to the inn. Their spirits were high, their backs were straight, and their pace was steady.

The sun may have been setting on their day but their hopes had only just begun to rise.

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