When Aladdin met his father it didn’t go quite as smoothly as his meetings with other Induslani people had. Here was his father, a sub-chieftain. Yet he, Aladdin, was now a prince. Who should honor whom? There was a long silence after Aladdin rode up and dismounted in front of Adnan. In the end Aladdin honored his father first. He did so partly because the old man was too amazed at what he was seeing to move. His son? Who when he last saw him a few months ago was a scrawny boy not quite of age? Now a rich and handsome Prince? It was too much to accept and react to on a few seconds notice.
“My father, I have come to aid our people and I’ve brought help. Wondrous help!” Aladdin bowed slightly to his father and his speech was humble, not commanding. But it was not childish speech, it was princely speech. Those watching relaxed a little but it was still a very, very odd situation.
“My son … I am surprised to see you like this … I don’t know what to say … What aid do you bring us?”
“I have a genie at my command!” said Aladdin proudly, and he motioned to the genie.
“Well … that explains your appearance, at least,” said Aladdin’s father. He turned to eye the genie carefully.
“Your kind is known mostly by legend, Sir Genie … may I call you that? You are the first I have seen … and I believe the first any of my family has seen.”
The genie’s reply was casual and friendly. “So I have gathered from my conversations with your son. ‘Sir Genie’ sounds just fine for now.
“As your son has mentioned, he has commanded me to help you drive off the Iron Men. The command is valid. However, as I have told your son there are limits to my powers. I am magical but not all-powerful. Therefore I can assist you but only assist. You, too, will have much to do if we are to be successful.
“Am I understood?”
Adnan was slow to answer. “I think so. You are saying that there is still a great fight before us but you will assist us through magic means? And if we are brave we will carry the day?”
“No … I think if this situation comes to blows, you will lose—even with my help. The armor of the Iron Men is very effective, and they are hardened warriors. What I am thinking is that you will have to go through much preparation, have much patience, and be willing to be smart rather than brave. But if the preparation is done well and you act patiently and cleverly, the Iron Men will think to themselves, ‘This is not the time or place for us to fight. There are greener pastures elsewhere.’ It will not be a spectacular victory for you but it will be one that allows you to survive for at least a year. Does that sound like a satisfactory end to this affair?”
“In itself, no. But a year would give us time to fortify the road to Induslan, and the city itself, making it a difficult challenge even to the Iron Men.”
The older man looked at his son, the Prince.
“It sounds like an old man’s solution. Did my son agree to this?”
Aladdin nodded.
“It also sounds like a very wise solution. Yes, Sir Genie, I will help.” Adnan grinned and Aladdin looked surprised.
“Excellent!” said the genie, “May I suggest some refreshments to help us with our planning?”
Adnan waved to a servant but immediately the genie smiled, raised his hands, and said, “Oh! Please allow me! This is something my magic has full mastery of.”
The genie gestured and a luxurious pavilion appeared in an open space nearby. Music floated from inside as did the smell of fresh fruit and other sumptuous food. Servants could be seen moving inside. In the center was a large table, well suited for men planning great and heroic deeds.
The genie bowed and motioned for the party to enter. Adnan scowled and did not take a step.
“This is way, way too fancy for my people. Especially my people at war!”
The genie retorted, “This is to properly accommodate your son, who is now a prince. Would you dishonor him? Would you lower his station in these times when you need all the reputation and confidence you can muster?”
Adnan relented and put an arm around his son’s shoulders. All the men went inside and the genie presented his plan.