(Wow, this was really late, sorry! My muse burned out a little and I had a lot of RL stuff going on... still it's here at last. Next up is Sinja chapter to write!)

The nightmares didn't really stop, but somehow he endured them better with his old friend by his side. Friend? Could he even still consider Cassim as such anymore? Impossible. His brain struggled to come up with another title though – and he fancied Cassim himself would reject the term lover for what they were.

Cassim may have submitted to him that night; may have been surprisingly gentle but it didn't last. He hadn't really expected it to. He was colder again the next day, more distant. His eyes still would fix on the djinn weapon, unerringly. Alibaba had brought it back again, despite his earlier hatred of the thing. He reasoned with himself that it was not Amon's fault for the chaos that had been caused. But really, it was his own weakness that made him take it back – without Amon wasn't he as good as useless? Useless enough for Cassim to get rid of him, he was sure.

Already, it seemed like his life outside of Balbadd before now was another person's, far away and separate from himself. Mor and Aladdin – they no longer existed in his world now. He tried to push away the lingering sense of guilt that really, this was accomplishing nothing, and he was breaking his promise with Aladdin.

Cassim left earlier that day than usual, leaving Hassan and Alibaba in charge. There was little to do really without Cassim's orders and so Alibaba had spent a fairly peaceful day, scavenging for food in the slums with the children. He didn't worry so much around them; easygoing as they were. Still, with their leader gone everyone was more nervous and ill tempered. Did Cassim really hold so much influence over them that his very disappearance would unsettle them?

When Cassim did return later that evening though, he wasn't alone. A tall figure, cloaked in heavy robes loomed by his side. Perhaps it was because he could make nothing of the person's face, masked and obscured as it was, but he made Alibaba shiver. This person... he didn't seem right; not at all. The masked figure's eyes settled on him and he thought he could sense a mocking smile there, from the slight crinkling of skin on show. He didn't speak; his silence only worsening Alibaba's sense of discord, so he forced out words instead.

"Cassim," He said, voice dark. "Who is this?"

If Cassim felt any sort of unease about being around the masked stranger, he certainly didn't show it. Was he crazy? Alibaba wondered. The man screamed wrong to him. But Cassim's hand was resting easily on the stranger's arm in that careless way of his, a smile curling his lips.

"What's the matter, Ali?" He said, voice the normal sardonic drawl. "Aren't you going to greet our esteemed guest? He's travelled a long way to help us out, you know."

Alibaba's eyes flashed and he felt a faint stirring of the djinn in his dagger, where it lay strapped inside his sash.

"Cassim," He repeated. "A word. Please? Alone."

He accentuated that, his eyes fixed on the other man. Cassim visibly looked unimpressed, but followed him anyway; casting an apologetic look at his companion. Only when they were a few paces away and out of hearing did Alibaba turn around. He wanted to look angry, to at least look vaguely intimidating even, but he suspected that the effect was rather a failure. He had never yet managed to hold power over Cassim and even now in the heat of his rage; he didn't really expect to start now. Still, he can at least listen to me.

"What, in all of Balbadd, are you making such a fuss about?" Cassim snarled and there was real anger there, painted on his features. Clearly, he'd been embarrassed in front of his guest by Alibaba's words.

"Him. Who the hell is he? He... Gods above, Cassim – you have to know that man is trouble! The mask... I've heard of people who wear those. The Al-Sarmen. I've heard that name whispered in the shadows even as far away as where I came from. Are you insane, getting involved with the likes of them?"

Cassim's face looked tense, as if he were struggling to hold back some emotion and not entirely succeeding in the effort.

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear, little Prince. That man supports our cause – is offering his organization's aid, in fact. Do you have any idea how much that will help us? This could help us win, Ali."

He could see the fervour now, shining in Cassim's hazel eyes but he couldn't stop the sinking feeling in his chest, the pinprick that said that no good could come from this.

"And, at what price, Cassim?" He asked softly. "You of all people know that a bargain never comes for free. Or cheap."

The memory of their first meeting after he'd returned came back to him, painfully – his reckless promise, Cassim sealing it with a kiss that still held him tight to those words, Cassim taking whatever he wanted from him, even after that. It was with distinct bitterness that he wondered, What is the Al-Sarmen's price?

Cassim avoided his eyes though, his whole body resistant and tense.

"Let me worry about that, Alibaba. All you have to do is wave that magic dagger of yours around. I have it under control."

But you don't, Alibaba wanted to say, if he thought Cassim would even listen to him. Even now, it was obvious the conversation was closed; Cassim's face set in a stubborn scowl. He wanted to trust in him, to trust that Cassim knew what ht was doing. But he didn't; couldn't condone this thoughtlessness.

"You're stupid," He blurted out, words stumbling. "Would you trade your soul just to win this battle?"

Cassim laughed at that, but the words he threw back froze Alibaba right down to the bone.

"Silly Prince – what makes you think I even have a soul left? Maybe it departed long ago." He leant in then, gripping the boy's chin so tightly, Alibaba tried to pull away from the pain. "Listen to me now. There is no price I would not pay to save these people. Best you start thinking the same way or I'll start to lose my trust in you."

He let go with a jerk and Alibaba took a step back, away from him. Cassim nodded, as if satisfied, but there was faint pain in his eyes.

"Now, I am going to negotiate with my friend over there, and I don't want to be disturbed. Go play with the kids or something, why don't you? Let us adults talk in peace."

And then, he was already going, a pale figure moving away from him. Yes, always away from him. Alibaba's fist clenched on air over the jibe, but he didn't go after him. He knew when it was useless to try any further.

"This is a mistake," He murmured to himself. "Cassim, you must know, this is a mistake."

He watched as the two entered their tent, the flap closing behind them. Only then, did he turn away with a sigh. Useless. I'm still useless. Even now, Cassim must find help with another, with them. It strung a little and a small, childish voice inside him kept asking why it was, that he alone wasn't good enough.

Stupid, he told himself. I really am just a kid, like Cassim said. It's long past time I grew up; time I did something. If – If Cassim no longer has a use for me, than I must make a use. His fingers slid around the cool metal of his blade; felt the answering heat rise there against his skin. With this... yes, I can save them. Save them all – the people of Balbadd... and Cassim too. I can.

He looked back once more at the tent; lighted now from the inside. He could see the faint shadows through the thin fabric, of the two figures. Felt a stab on his chest of jealousy that he pushed aside resolutely. He's made his choice, Alibaba reminded himself. But, I'll get you out of this somehow, Cassim.

Just watch me.