Dedication: To Katie and Alex, jes cause!

Trials of the Heart

"Something is wrong."

Mozenrath, Lord of the Land of the Black Sands sat cross-legged on his throne, chin resting on his hand. It was late in the evening, and silvery light streamed in through the high windows of the Citadel throne room.

"I'm fine." Letha-who may as well have begun calling herself Lady of the Land of the Black Sand-lay curled on her side on a cushion by the fire. He skin was drawn, and her arms were wrapped tightly about her stomach.

"You're ill." Mozenrath persisted. "Any fool can see that."

"Very ill." Xerxes added.

"I'm not ill." Letha protested. "I'm pregnant."

"I'm well aware of that fact." The sorcerer snapped. "But you do not look healthy. You like as though you've been wearing the gauntlet for years, instead of me."

"I'm just tired. What do you think we should name her?" Letha asked, looking down at her now swelling stomach. But she looked far more than tired. Her skin was pale and tight around her face, and she had been losing weight. Dark hollows rested beneath her eyes, standing out in her parchment pale skin. Her once golden hair was pale, and almost brittle. It looked as though she had hardly eaten in months.

Mozenrath said nothing, but rose and crossed the distance between himself and Letha in three quick strides. He placed his right hand on her forehead, not giving her a moment to protest. He whispered the words of the delving spell, and sent a thread of magic through Letha.

The spell wound through the woman's body, and immediately told Mozenrath what was wrong. Letha looked so unhealthy because she was unhealthy, and a stronger delving told why.

"The child!" Mozenrath hissed, taking his gauntlet from Letha's head.

"What?" She asked, uncomprehending. "What are you talking about?"

"It's the child. It's too strong." Mozenrath explained, a frown marring his usually statuesque features. "It posses both my acquired magic and your wild magic. The combination of the two powers is proving too string for the child to maintain, even at this stage. It's drawing on your strength, instead."

"What does that mean?" Letha asked, her hands clutching protectively at her stomach.

"It means if this continues, both you and the child will die. But that isn't going to happen." Mozenrath said. He wouldn't lose either, especially since the child was to be female. Females were easy to control, and one this strong! A grin slid across Mozenrath's lips. "The child is too strong to lose. I won't simply let power like that slip out from under my grasp."

"Well what exactly do you plan to do?" Letha asked.

"I'm not quite sure." Mozenrath paced, thinking. He knew of no spells that would help, and at this point Mozenrath knew every spell that the Citadel held. But there were other things, other ways. Mozenrath wasn't the most powerful sorcerer that ever lived, but he was the most powerful sorcerer alive. He had gained his power through hard work and sacrifice. But others, those who had come before him had made dark deals to get what they wanted...

"What?" Letha asked. Mozenrath's face was betraying his thoughts,

"I have an idea." Mozenrath told her. He would not go into detail, as he knew Letha would not approve. "But, I must journey far away." He frowned again. He couldn't leave Letha alone in the Citadel, not in her condition. But what to do with her? He trusted no one, had no friends save his familiar and the woman who bore carried his child.

"You're not going to leave me here...?"
"I'm working on it." Mozenrath collapsed in his throne, one leg on the armrest. He had limited options. He couldn't bring Letha with him to Jehad, but he couldn't leave her alone. That only left one choice.

"I will leave you in Agrabah." Mozenrath choked out. He hated to do it, but it was the only way. And the street rat and his friends seemed to like Letha. They'd help for her sake, if nothing else.

"But..." Letha's face paled even more than it was. "What will we tell them? They're suspicious already, and since Iago left..."

"I don't care what you tell them, as long as they keep you alive." He rose, and fastened his cloak about him. "I will waste no time."

"Are you sure...? Why not just bring me..."

"No!" Mozenrath roared. "I have made up my mind, and my decision is final. You will stay with the princess in Agrabah. You are a queen, and will be treated with the respect owed to you."

"Queen?" Letha's voice was soft and not exactly a question. Mozenrath immediately realized his slip, and regretted it. He had gone on for months, convincing both Letha and himself that he saw her as nothing but a means to an end. A means to an end was not made a queen.

"You command the Mamluks as do I." Mozenrath said. "Though you hold no title, you are as much a queen as the Land of the Black Sand will ever see."

"That's not what you said." Letha's voice never changed pitch or tone. Her eyes were knowing, and not accusing in the least. Somehow, that infuriated Mozenrath more than if there had been accusation, or anger, or surprise.

"What? You want to be queen of the dead? You want to be Lady of the Land of the Black Sands? Ruling over sad, sick creatures trapped between life and death, no retainers, so subjects, nothing but sand and decay? If that's you wish, then I'll grant it. As soon as the child is born, you will be crowned my queen. Now, enough of this idle chatter. We leave for Agrabah now!"

***

Letha knew when to keep her mouth shut. Mozenrath had made a mistake, and he knew it. So, they were engaged, where they? Despite the weakness she felt, the young woman had to smile. Mozenrath's temper and unpredictability were half the reasons she loved him.

"I am ready now, my lord." Letha said smoothly, rising a bit awkwardly. She was six months along, and her pregnancy was beginning to show. Mozenrath offered her his hand, and she took it. Her fingers looked longer than they were, they were so thin now. She shuddered, noticing how much they resembled Mozenrath's skeletal hand.

"Come Xerxes." Mozenrath commanded, and the eel slid over to wrap about his masters neck. Mozenrath turned his black gaze down to Letha. "Be strong. For the child's sake." Mozenrath said, enveloping them both in a cloud of blue fire. Letha pressed her face to Mozenrath's chest as the blackness enveloped them.

***

Aladdin and Jasmine were playing a game of stones in Jasmine's room. Genie was waiting eagerly to play the winner, and Abu and Carpet watched on intently. Unfortunately, neither Jasmine or Aladdin were too into the simple game.

"I'm worried about Iago." Aladdin said. He had voiced his sentiments many times in the three months since Iago had disappeared, along with Letha and her advisor.

"I'm sure he's fine." Jasmine said. They went through the same conversation many times. "You know how much he loves to gamble."

"I can't help but think something bad happened. I know Letha isn't much for announcing her comings and goings, but she left without her box."

"I know. She seemed insistent she get it back..." Jasmine trailed off. A burst of blue fire had appeared in the room, and the all too familiar form of Mozenrath was visible in the center. Jasmine and Aladdin leapt up, ready for a fight. Genie yelped, and stood behind Aladdin, ready to use his magic.

Mozenrath solidified, and everyone in the room gasped. When the sorcerer lowered his cloak, there was no mistaking the woman leaning against him.

"Mozenrath!" Aladdin hissed. "I knew it!"

"Knew what, street rat?" Mozenrath hissed. The sorcerer looked more upset than he usually did, and his voice held a dangerous edge.

"I knew you had something to do with Letha's disappearing. What do you want with her?" Aladdin clenched his fists. Letha looked very ill, and Aladdin could only guess what the evil sorcerer had done to her.

"That's none of your business." Mozenrath snapped.

"Then why are you here?" Genie asked. "Or are you just gloating that you snuck in here and stole her out from under our noses, without any of us being the wiser?"

"Well, now that you mention it...but no." Mozenrath shook his head. Letha had remained silent throughout the whole exchange. What was going on? Mozenrath never passed up a chance to gloat. "She is ill. You will take care of her until I return."

"What?" Jasmine asked.

"Did you not hear me?" Mozenrath roared. "The woman is ill, and you will care for her until I return for her!"

"What's wrong with her?" Aladdin asked. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing she didn't ask for herself." Mozenrath said, an odd tone to his voice. "She may fill you in on the details, she may not. It makes no difference to me."

"We'll take care of her." Aladdin said, "But don't think we're going to give her back!"

"You won't have a choice. Now Letha, you are going to behave." Mozenrath said, tilting up Letha's chin and speaking down to her. "I want you on your best behavior. And don't overdue yourself, or I will be very, very upset. Hopefully, I won't be gone too long. If, by some strange occurrence I don't return..." Mozenrath paused, and a strange look crossed his features. "Shakira."

Letha only nodded, and Aladdin was disgusted to see tears in her eyes. What had the sick bastard done to her?

"Why can't you take care of her?" Aladdin demanded.

"Because I must find her cure." Mozenrath replied. "And I wouldn't leave her in this condition. If I came back and found her dead, I've wasted precious time."

"How can we trust you?" Genie asked. "How do we know this isn't some clever, intricate plan we could never begin to comprehend, hmm?"

"You can't. But you're all soft. You wouldn't let her die, and that's all I care about."

"Where are you going?" Aladdin asked. He wouldn't agree to anything unless he knew the conditions.

"If you must know...Jehad." Mozenrath said, shrugging. Aladdin tensed. He had heard the name. Jehad, the temple of the demon god. From Letha's sudden gasp, Aladdin figured she had too.

"You're going to Jehad...for a cure?" Jasmine asked, her disbelief as clear as Aladdin's.

"Yes."

"I don't trust you." Aladdin said. "If you're really going for a cure, you won't mind if I come with you?"

"What?" Jasmine, Mozenrath and Genie exclaimed.

"I'm going with you. I don't trust you Mozenrath, and I don't believe you. I know for a fact you can't travel there by magic, so we'll go on Carpet."

Mozenrath glared at Aladdin, his lip twitching. Obviously the sorcerer found the idea quite distasteful. But the sorcerer paused, and seemed to be listening to something. Was Letha speaking? Her back was too Aladdin, so he couldn't tell.

"Fine." Mozenrath said. "Princess, you will make sure Letha lives until I return."

"Of course." Jasmine said, stepping forward. Her eyes were full of pain and sorrow for Letha. "I'll have the best doctors see to her."

"Doctor's will be of no help. If I return, it will be within three months. We've wasted too much time already. Letha, if you die on me..."

"I know." Letha said finally, and Aladdin flinched to hear her voice so quiet. "You aren't the only one who wants me to live."

"If we're going, let's go." Aladdin said. He turned to Jasmine, taking her hands in his. "Don't worry about me, Jasmine. I can handle Mozenrath. You take care of Letha."

"I will. I love you Aladdin." Jasmine said, throwing her arms around the young man.

"I love you too. I'll be back soon, I promise."

"Can we please dispense with the romance?" Mozenrath hissed. Letha had not moved. Aladdin kissed Jasmine, and swung up onto Carpet.

"Take care Al." Genie said.

"You too. Well Mozenrath?" Aladdin turned to the sorcerer who only nodded.

"In a moment." Mozenrath hissed. He looked down at Letha again, a look of disgust on his face. "Damn you." He released her, and swung up onto Carpet. Aladdin was too focused on Mozenrath to pay close attention to Letha. He grasped the edge of Carpet, and leaned forward.

"Let's go!"

***

Letha heard jasmines gasp when she turned. But her eyes were only for Mozenrath. Jehad? Why in the name of the abyss was he going to Jehad? Kamzrael was a temperamental god, and not one to grant favors. But why else would he be going...?

"What...what happened?" Genie asked, and Letha turned her stunned gaze to the princess and the genie. She looked what was wrong.

"I'm going to have a baby." Letha said, a weak smile on her lips.

"Is it...Tahir's?" Jasmine asked cautiously. Letha had to think...Tahir? Of course! The name Mozenrath had used when he posed as her advisor.

"You could say that." Letha said, nodding. Jasmine looked as though she was going to cry, but the pregnant woman had no time to comfort. "Please, I'm starving."

"Of course!" Genie said, and was suddenly holding a tray covered in food. Letha fell upon it ravenously, after Jasmine led her to a low divan.

"What happened?" The princess asked. "You left without a word...Tahir, Iago, are they all right? What did Mozenrath do to them?"

"It's a long story." Letha said, sighing. She finished her meal, and sat back. "I can't tell you anything about Iago, save that he was fine and well the last time I saw him. Tahir..." She faltered. "Perhaps I should start from the beginning. I'm not a woman as other women are. I am, technically, a demon."

"A demon?" Jasmine gasped.

"Really?' Genie sounded more interested than aghast. "Which one?"

"The Khalidarha." Letha admitted, and Genie gasped. Obviously he had heard about her. "But, you needn't worry. First, I am bound. Second, this body is not strong enough to use my magics. Third, I am not what I once was. My power was lost, and then regained, and I am no longer under the curse that labeled me demon."

"You were cursed?" Jasmine asked.

"A very long time ago. I came to this place many, many months ago. Perhaps even a year." Letha had to think hard.

"How did you come here? I thought some wizard trapped you in a summoning spell?" Genie asked.

"He did. Mozenrath summoned me."

"Mozenrath? Then why would he..." Jasmine indicated Letha's weakened state.

"This wasn't supposed to happen." Letha explained. "It's the child I carry that's doing it. It's too powerful, and is draining my strength to support itself."

"Where did it get all the power from?" Genie asked. "Any power you have should be safely passed on to your offspring."

"Yes, but mixed with her father's magic, it's too strong for her to contain." Letha passed her hands over her stomach. She could feel Shakira stirring in there, and she smiled.

"Tahir had magic?"

"Tahir wasn't exactly what he appeared to be." Letha admitted. "Tahir was Mozenrath."

***

"You shouldn't have come, street rat." Mozenrath hissed. He was not pleased that Aladdin was coming, but he needed the carpet to get to Jehad quickly. "This has nothing to do with you."

"It has plenty to do with me. Letha's my friend, and whatever you did to her..."

"And why do you assume I did something to her?" Mozenrath asked. Technically, the sorcerer had done something to put her in this condition, but not on purpose.

"What else am I supposed to think? Are you holding her for ransom? Using her life-force to feed your gauntlet?"

Mozenrath had to suppress a growl. He hated Aladdin, and the street rat was only making it worse. The sorcerer was in a bad enough mood as it was, and decided to have a little fun with Aladdin.

"If you must know...Letha is carrying my child." Mozenrath said, his voice turning from deadly hiss to calm nonchalance.

"What?" Aladdin asked, taken aback. Mozenrath peered down at his hand, as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

"Letha. She's carrying my child."

"What...How?"

"Well, if you don't know by now, I'm certainly not going to tell you." Mozenrath snapped.

"You bastard!" Aladdin exclaimed, and Mozenrath just raised an eyebrow.

"First you tell me I shouldn't have my own kingdom, than I shouldn't have my gauntlet. Now I'm not allowed a child?"

"Not this way." Aladdin hissed. Mozenrath was surprised to see the revulsion in Aladdin's eyes that he did.

"What way..." Realization dawned, and Mozenrath threw back his head and laughed. "Aladdin, you're so naive. The girl threw herself into my bed. Was I supposed to kick her out? Besides, Letha is my fiancé."

"I don't believe you."

"You really think I'm so repulsive, so demented, that no woman would want me?" Mozenrath asked.

"Yes. Especially not Letha."

"And what makes you say that? Remember that box she brought you? Do you have any idea what was in there? My gauntlet! And when she and her 'advisor' visited, it was to get it back. She stole it because it was killing me, and then stole it back because being without it was killing me."

"She never stole it back..."

"But she did. After we'd already left, of course. Our visit was interrupted by an unfortunate incident in my father's lab." Mozenrath decided not to hold anything back. Perhaps he could overload the stupid street rat's brain/

"Your visit? Your father?" Aladdin was obviously having trouble wrapping his brain around the information.

"Yes. Oh, you hadn't figured it out? I was Letha's 'advisor.' You think Id' allow her to perform a task of such importance on her own?"

"You...but you...everything you said..." Aladdin struggled for words.

"Oh, everything I said was true. My dear, deceased father was a royal advisor. In fact, you may know of him." Mozenrath smiled a reptilian grin. "My father was Jafar."

***

"Well." Genie said, when Letha finished her story. "That's quite a tale, little lady."

"Mozenrath?" Jasmine asked, disgusted. She hardly believed her ears, but she knew Letha was speaking the truth.

"I don't expect you to understand, and I can't ask you not to judge." Letha said. "But that is the story."

"How can you love a man who obviously doesn't love you back?" Jasmine asked.

"I don't know. But I do. Perhaps I simply know a different side then you do." But Letha's tone betrayed her words. "I would speak with you more, but I am very tired."

"Of course. You can rest here for now." Jasmine said, rising. "I'll be back later."

"Here." Genie said, handing Letha the lamp. "Just give it a rub if you need anything."

"Thank you." Letha said, lying back, Jasmine saw the other woman grimace, and the princess frowned. She slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her.

"We can't let the child fall into Mozenrath's hands." Jasmine said to genie, as soon as they were in the hall.

"You're telling me. If that kid is as powerful as it looks..." Genie shook his head. "But then again, there's a curse on all sorcerer's you know."

"There is?" Jasmine asked, raising an eyebrow. She had never heard of that before.

"Oh yeah. The firstborn child to a sorcerer will be a son, and that son will rise against his father. It can't be avoided."

"So you're suggesting we let the child take care of Mozenrath? And Letha kept referring to it as a she."

"Maybe she just really wants a girl." Genie shrugged. "That's the curse. There's no way to go around it."

"Well, we'll wait until the baby is born. Then we'll figure out what to do with it."

***

"You can't be serious." Aladdin said, his mouth hanging open. The story Mozenrath had just told him was an incredible one, and Aladdin half thought he was making it up. "Jafar was your father?"

"Yes. When word reached me of his demise, I was distraught of course." Mozenrath said, and Aladdin wasn't sure what the tone of the sorcerers voice meant. "But we never knew each other, so it was no more than a passing pain. Oh, don't worry. I hold no grudge against you for killing my father. I hold a grudge against you for other reasons."

"Well, that's good to know." Aladdin turned his attention back to the landscape. They traveled in silence for a while, Mozenrath holding his right arm and mumbling to himself. Then, out of the darkness before them rose up a great red structure.

"Jehad!" Mozenrath exclaimed, rising to his feet on Carpet. The temple was high, and carved out of a red cliff. Two great pillars of obsidian supported the skull of a draog that grinned down over the heavy golden doors. Gargoyles reached out from the roof, and human skulls formed a fresco around the edge of the temple. There were no windows, and fires burnt all around the area outside the temple.

"It's disgusting." Aladdin muttered. It was a tribute to Kamzrael, god of demons and darkness. Carpet was shaking, and Aladdin didn't blame him. The temple gave off an eerie, evil feel.

"You cannot enter." Mozenrath said, leaping lightly off of Carpet as soon as he was close to the ground.

"Why not?' Aladdin asked. He intended to go as far as he could, for Letha's sake.

"Because you don't serve our god." Mozenrath said. "He doesn't take kindly to unfaithful entering his house."

"Oh." It made sense. Aladdin shifted. "Carpet and I will wait out here for you."

"I may be within the walls a long time. Kamzrael gives nothing without taking twice as much. If I do not return within three months, go back without me."

"Three months?" Aladdin demanded. He had no idea it would take that lone. It had only taken a few days to reach Jehad.

"You wanted to come, Aladdin. I didn't bring you." Mozenrath sighed, and turned. "I will return."

***

The inside of the temple was dark, and empty. The floor was obsidian, and two braziers of fire crouched in the two far corners, on either side of the altar. The altar itself was made of human skulls, sacrifices to the demon-god. An ancient black book sat on the altar, a single black candle burning beside it.

Mozenrath walked forward, and knelt before the altar. He removed his gauntlet, and lay it beside the book. He had to come before Kamzrael defenseless, to show his trust. With his skeletal hand, he drew out a knife and slashed his left palm, letting the blood stain the alter.

"In dark of night, I call upon you Kamzrael." Mozenrath recited. "I have a favor to ask of you, and offer whatever price you ask of me."

The fires went out, and an intense heat filled the inside of the temple. The blackness was oppressive, and smothering. Mozenrath remained kneeling, his eyes focused on the single dancing flame of the fire.

"WHAT IS YOUR REQUEST?" Came a deep thick voice that spoke of fire and rot. The voice of Kamzrael. It filled Mozenrath with a sense of wonder and awe, but he answered smoothly.

"A woman carries my child. She is a demon in her own right, and I a sorcerer. The child is strong, stronger than she who carries it. I ask you to give the woman the strength to carry the child to birth, and survive."

"THIS IS NOT A SIMPLE FAVOR YOU ASK OF ME." The voice of the demon god boomed down. "THE CHILD IS MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. AND THE WOMAN IS THE KHALIDARHA. YOU RISK YOUR LIFE IN COMING HERE. WHY? WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS CHILD?"

"As you said the child is powerful. That power is useful to me." Mozenrath aid, and the heat pressed down hotter on him. He could feel sweat pouring down his back, plastering his tunic to him. His skin felt as though it was on fire.

"YOU LIE."

"No." Mozenrath protested, but knew it was no use. "The child is important for its power. And the mother is important to me as well."

"YOU WOULD RISK YOUR LIFE FOR THE KHALIDARHA? ME DAUGHTER IS NOT WORTH WHAT I WILL ASK OF YOU."

"I will be the judge of that." Mozenrath said, honestly.

"I WILL CONSIDER YOUR REQUEST. BUT NO MATTER MY JUDGMENT, YOU MUST PAY."

"You would charge the price before the fulfillment?"

"YES." The voice faded, and the room was no longer hot. Mozenrath sat back on his heels, breathing heavily. What would it cost him, the chance to save Letha and the child? He knew he could not leave the temple, now that the bargaining had begun. He sat, crossing his legs beneath him to wait.

***

Letha wasn't able to sleep. She was frightened for Mozenrath, and for herself. Jasmine had seemed quite disturbed by Letha's disclosure. She was now thankful she had left out the part of Jafar's lamp, and her healing of Mozenrath.

She placed her hand on her stomach, and felt the baby kicking. A smile crossed her wan features. Shakira. It had been Mozenrath's mothers name. Letha approved. She turned over onto her side, looking out the window. Where was Mozenrath now? Was he well?

He will return safely. He is as near immortal as one can be. If he's lived this long, and survived what he has, I don't fear he can face the demon god and come out on top.

***

Mozenrath was getting tired of waiting. He had no way of telling time in the temple, so he placed himself in a state of meditation. It was better than staring at the flame, wondering if Letha even still lived.

The young sorcerer's concentration was broken by a low growling. He snapped open his eyes, peering through the solid blackness. He could see well in the dark, but this was not normal dimness. It was as if a wall had been erected around him, allowing him no glimpse of what was in the temple with him.

So, it has begun. Mozenrath thought, gliding to his feet. The snorting was growing louder, and Mozenrath heard scraping along the floor of the temple. He braced himself, and instinctively held his right hand before him. But instead of his gauntlet, bleach white bones filled his vision. Of course. Magic was forbidden in the Temple of Kamzrael.

Out of the darkness a creature charged. It was the size of a pony, and red as blood. One small, beady red eye peered out from under a great horny brow, and fangs poked out from between slack lips. The things long tail was barbed, and it's feet were half hooves, half claws. It's hide was scaled and gleaming, and great horns rose from its shoulders. A dangar!

"No...they're only legends..." Mozenrath breathed, backing away from the snarling creature. He had read of dangars, but they were extinct. Of course, extinction was no obstacle for god.

The dangar leapt, and Mozenrath stumbled backwards. He had relied so long on his magic, that his combat skills were less than was to be desired. As the creature leapt, Mozenrath shot out his leg to kick it, but that did little good. The scaled hide was impermeable, and Mozenrath had no magic. How could he defeat this creature? He avoided it as best he could, hoping perhaps he could tire it. But if legend was actually truth, dagnars had preternatural stamina. It would be a long time yet before the creature tired.

"What is it's weakness?" Mozenrath wondered aloud to himself. The only thing he could think of...the eye! That had to be it. But how? He had no weapons!

The sorcerer had little time to plan. The dangar leapt again, and instinctively shot out his hand, and one skeletal finger slid into the things eye with a sickly noise. Mozenrath cringed, and the dangar screamed in rage, falling backwards and clawing at it's injured eye. Mozenrath scrambled after it, and punched it on it's soft underbelly. The creature cried out, and Mozenrath continued to punch it, ripping into the soft skin until the dangar cried no more.

The sorcerer sat back, wiping sweat off of his face. He was sore, and his hands were bruised and covered in the monsters blood. The approached the altar, and with a groan knelt and bowed his head. He had passed the test, Kamzrael would speak to him now. Had to speak to him now!

"YOU HAVE DEFEATED MY PET. AND I HAVE MADE MY DECISION."

"Yes?" Mozenrath couldn't keep the hope out of his voice. His black eyes glittered, and a small smile just turned up the corners of his mouth.

"THE WOMAN WILL CARRY THE CHILD TO BIRTH. THAT WILL BE WITHOUT MY HELP. BUT SHE WILL NOT LIVE BEYOND THE BIRTH. THE CHILD WILL. DO YOU STILL ASK THAT I STRENGTHEN THE KHALIDARHA? THE PRICE IS HIGH."

Fighting the dangar wasn't even the price? Mozenrath sighed. But, if Letha died in this form, he could simply summon her back. The spell wasn't that difficult...

"NO." Was the god reading his thoughts? Most certainly. "THE KHALIDARHA IS NOT THAT WHICH SHE WAS. THE CYCLE HAS BEEN BROKEN. SHOULD SHE DIE NOW, SHE WILL DIE."

"How?"

"SHE WISHED IT SO. YOUR ANSWER! WILL SHE LIVE, OR DIE?"

"Live!" Mozenrath snapped, before thinking.

"TAKE THE BLOOD OF THE DANGAR. GIVE IT TO THE WOMAN. NOW GO. YOU HAVE BEEN WITHIN MY TEMPLE FOR NEARLY TWO CYCLES OF THE MOON."

"Two months? But what of the price?"

"YOU WILL KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME TO PAY! NOW GO!"

Mozenrath rose, unsteadily. The braziers were lit again, and the body of the monster lay in the middle of the temple. Mozenrath placed his gauntlet back on his hand, and knelt by the creature he had slain. A small vial of its blood sat next to it. The sorcerer pocketed it, and made his way unsteadily out of the temple.

"What happened in there?"

"None of your business, street rat." Mozenrath hissed. He would never tell what happened.

"DO you have any idea how long you were in there?"

"Two months. And I have no wish to waste any more time."

***

The pains in Letha's stomach could be nothing other than birthing pains. They were sharp, and came at evenly spaced intervals. She breathed heavily, trying to call for help. The child was early!

"What is it?" Jasmine asked, rushing to Letha's side.

"The baby. It's coming." Letha gasped, clutching the princesses hand. A midwife was fetched, and the door to Letha's room was locked. Birthing was solitary business, and Jasmine waited outside, chewing her bottom lip nervously. To think, Mozenrath's child was being born in her palace. Genie paced restlessly, moaning. He had taken a special liking to Letha, most likely since they were both creatures of wild magic.

"Oh! What if something goes wrong?" He wailed.

"Relax, genie. Women have been giving birth since the dawn of time. Everything will be all right." But Jasmines words were punctuated by a deep moan that rose to a piercing scream. It certainly didn't sound like everything was all right.

"Is that normal?" Genie asked, staring at the door.

"I think so."

Jasmine missed Aladdin. He had been gone so long now, and who knew what was really happening. What if Mozenrath...

"Look!" Genie exclaimed. Jasmine turned, and gasped in surprise. It was Aladdin, striding towards her...and Mozenrath!

"What's going on?" Aladdin asked.

"It's Letha..."

"What's wrong with her?" Mozenrath demanded, pushing past Aladdin. Jasmine cringed at the wild look in his eyes.

"Nothing is wrong. She's having the baby."

"Congratulations!" Genie exclaimed. "You're going to be a father!"

"We have to give her this." Mozenrath pulled a small bottle of reddish liquid out of his pocket. "Or she will die after the birth."

"No one can go inside." Jasmine explained. "Not until the child is born."

"I have to get in there!" Mozenrath screamed, lunging for the door. Aladdin and Genie held him back, holding him easily despite his struggles.

"It won't be much longer." Jasmine assured him, as Letha screamed again. The scream seemed to go on forever, until it was stopped, suddenly. Jasmine saw Mozenrath's eyes widen in fear, and she almost felt sorry for him. Then they heard the unmistakable wail of a n infant. Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie broke into smiles, but Mozenrath simply began to struggle again.

"The child is born. Unlock the door!" The sorcerer demanded.

"The midwife will open it." Jasmine assured him. And soon enough, the midwife did open the door.

"We're all set in here." She said, carrying out bloody blankets. Jasmine smiled slightly to see Mozenrath wince at the sight of them. The midwife paused by Jasmine, speaking so only the princess could hear. "I don't know how much time the mother has left."

Letha was lying in bed, looking worse than she ever had before. Her skin looked to be simply draped over her bones, and her bloodshot eyes stood out in her too-thin face. She hardly made a shape under the blanket, and her breathing was shallow and ragged. But her eyes ere focused in the tiny baby she held in her arms. Jasmine stood out of the way, allowing Mozenrath through.

"You couldn't wait until the proper time, could you?" Mozenrath demanded. Only he would assault a woman just after childbirth.

"It wasn't my choice." Letha said weakly. "It was hers."

"Drink this." The sorcerer thrust the bottle at Letha, who stared at it uncomprehending. Sighing, Mozenrath uncapped the bottle and held it to Letha's lips, letting the red liquid drip into her mouth.

"What was that?" She asked, looking at the sorcerer suspiciously.

"Something that will save your life."

"What did you pay?" Letha's voice went ragged, and she clutched at Mozenrath's arm.

"You needn't worry about that." He said, almost tenderly. "I took care of it."

"You did, didn't you?" Letha asked, She sighed, and pulled the blanket back from the child. "See our daughter. Isn't she beautiful?"

"Yes." Mozenrath breathed, and Jasmine had the feeling he had forgotten that eh was not alone in the room. The princess smiled, and wrapped her arm through Aladdin's.

"Who would have thought." She whispered.

"I know I wouldn't have. He looks...almost normal."

The sorcerer was sitting on the edge of Letha's bed, looking down in rapt wonder at the tiny baby she held. But Letha certainly looked healthier, and that's what mattered.

"She will be a powerful woman, when she reaches adulthood." Mozenrath said. "You've done well."

"We've done well.' Letha reminded him. Jasmine pulled Aladdin gently out of the room, wanting to leave the new parents alone with the child. The closed the door behind them, a smile on her lips.

"How long are they going to be here?" Aladdin asked.

"As long as they need. We can't let a baby go to that...that place." The princess said, shivering. "And Mozenrath has been behaving himself."

"I guess you're right." Aladdin shrugged. "But I still don't trust him."

"I never said you had to." Jasmine assured her fiancé. "But a few months can't hurt, and we'll keep our eyes on him. We did make sure Letha stayed healthy."

"You're right. But I don't like this. There's something going on here that we don't see, I'm sure of it."

"Well, we can't do anything now. Come on. I promised Letha a naming ceremony. She may be Mozenrath's child, but she's still a child."

***

"I never believed I'd have a child." Mozenrath said. He was in shock and awe, both that he was a father and that both Letha and the child were alive, and relatively well.

"We've been promised a naming ceremony. After that, we will return home." Letha said.

"The child must have tutors, and a nursemaid." Mozenrath decided. "We cannot be in charge of her education."

"That will be taken care of." Letha promised. "After she is named."

"Of course." Mozenrath kissed Letha on the top of her head, and closed his eyes. He was tired, and more worried about what price Kamzrael would demand than he wanted to admit. But as Letha had said, it would be taken care of. In time.

The End

To be continued....