Of Souls and Negative Confessions
“What are you reading?” he asked.
“The 42 negative confessions, just making sure I haven’t committed any.”
“And have you?” Mozenrath mumbled still looking out the window. He had read them once, but found he had committed almost all of them. Not very promising for his afterlife, but then again he was planning to live eternally.
“I’m not really sure.” Nefret said thinking over a few she had read.
“Well read them to me and I’ll be the judge.” Mozenrath said settling down in his chair, maybe if he took his mind off of the power of the genie for a while a good solution to his plan would come to him. Nefret sighed and rewound the scroll, starting from the top.
“1. I have not done iniquity.
2.I have not robbed with violence.
3. I have not done violence to any man.
4. I have not committed theft.
5. I have slain neither man nor woman.6. I have not made light the bushel.
7. I have not acted deceitfully.
8. I have not purloined the things of the god.
9. I have not uttered falsehood.” Mozenrath laughed a
little. Nefret rolled her eyes and continued.
“10. I have not carried of goods by force.
11. I have not uttered vile words.” Moze’s laughter
grew.
“12. I have not carried off food by force.
13. I have not acted deceitfully.”
“Haven’t you already said that one?” Mozenrath asked.
“It is repeated because it is important.
14. I have not lost my temper and became angry.”
Mozenrath started to crack up.
“15. I have invaded no man’s land.
16. I have not slaughtered animals which are the
possessions of the Gods.
17. I have not laid waste to lands which have been
ploughed.
18. I have not pried into matters to make mischief.”
Mozenrath laughed so hard he nearly fell out of his chair.
“20. I have not given way to wrath without due cause.
21. I have not committed fornication, and I have not
committed sodomy.” Nefret stopped long enough to look at Mozenrath, daring him
to say something. Mozenrath was about to ask her if she was guilty but was smart
enough to keep his mouth shut.
“22. I have not polluted myself.
23. I have not lain with the wife of a man.
24. I have not made any man to be afraid.
25. I have not made my speech to burn with anger.” Moze
stifled a laugh.
“26. I have not made myself deaf unto the words of right
and truth.
27. I have not made another person to weep.
28. I have not uttered blasphemies.
29. I have not acted with violence.
30. I have not acted without due consideration.” This
time Xerxes laughed.
“31. I have not pierced my skin.” Mozenrath raised an
eyebrow, looking from one ear to the other. Nefret tugged on an earring slightly
worried, but continued.
“32. I have not multiplied my speech beyond what should
be said.” Mozenrath’s laughter echoed throughout the Citadel as she said
that one.
“33. I have not committed fraud, and I have not looked
upon evil.” Nefret stopped for a moment making a mental note never to look at
Mozenrath again.
“34. I have never uttered curses against the king.
35. I have not fouled running water.
36. I have not exalted my speech.
37. I have not uttered curses against God.
38. I have not behaved with insolence.
39. I have not been guilty of favoritism.
40. I have not increased my wealth except by means of such
things as are mine own possessions.
41. I have not uttered curses against that which belongeth
to God and is with me.
42. I have not thought scorn of the god of the city.”
Nefret took a deep breath and set the scroll down.
“Well I counted 7 rules you have broken. Is that passing?” Mozenrath inquired. Xerxces slid under his master’s hand.
“Girl bad!” The eel hissed.
“As long as I deny the sins when I am before Osiris my heart will be light.” Nefret said giving Xerxes an evil look. “As for you, what are you thinking about?”
“Just a way to get the Aladdin’s genie. But….” Then an idea dawned on him. If he could be in two places at once, he could lure the hero away and capture the genie! And he knew exactly how to do it.
“But…?” Nefret asked waiting for him to finish. Mozenrath jumped up.
“Yes…that’s it! When Aladdin and his royal pain of a girlfriend are alone you will get there attention while dressed as me. They will run after you and there won’t be anytime to get the genie and they will have to leave him behind! That will leave time for me to sneak in and capture the power of the semi-phenomenal nearly cosmic genie! Yes this plan will work!”
Nefret interrupted, “Wait let me finish this one!” She said sarcastically. She took a deep breath and let out her most evil laugh. “BWAAAA HAAAHAAHAAHA!” She smiled at him sweetly. Mozenrath rolled his eyes and headed to the lab to make preparations.
***
Mozenrath and Nefret stood in a dark back ally of Argrahba. Mozenrath had removed his cloak and pointy collar and helped Nefret into them. He then removed his turban and placed it onto her head, remembering to carefully tuck her hair into it. He stood back and looked at her.
“Hum,” Mozenrath mumbled and drew the cloak closer to the center to hide the exposed flesh of her abdomen. “It will do, just make sure he only sees you from the back and keep you face turned.
“What about the Gauntlet?” Nefret inquired with a sigh. She really didn’t want to do this, but she had to. She had made a deal with Mozenrath and owed him an obligation. It was only her presence and corporation that kept her beloved priests of Dendera safe. And Mozenrath was always reminding her of that fact. If she left him or refused to do his bidding the agreement would be broken and he would be free to return to her temple to complete the task he had set out to do years earlier.
“You can’t wear the gauntlet, I might need it!” Mozenrath was surprised.
“I wouldn’t touch that thing if my life depended on it!” Nefret snapped. “I mean don’t you think Aladdin will notice it’s gone?” Mozenrath thought for a moment, this was not something that had accrued to him. He stepped out into the marketplace and grabbed an old dust leather glove from the table of a vender who was assisting another paying customer.
“Here.” He said, tossing her the filthy garment. Mozenrath slipped on some old brown robes, and they both went on their way. The palace guards had passed and there would be a span of a few minuets before more came this way. Nefret climbed over the palace wall and popped her head over the other side. Mozenrath of course could just levitate. They both looked into the menagerie, nothing moved, but they soon heard voices approaching. Mozenrath ducked low and forced Nefret’s head lower.
“Oh Aladdin, do you really mean it? A date in the marketplace, just the two of us?” Jasmine said holding onto the arm of Aladdin as they both came through the door.
“Of course I mean it! Just you and me!” the street rat said looking lovingly into his princesses’ eyes. Nefret felt a pang of guilt, they looked so nice, and she didn’t want to hurt them.
“Perfect.” Mozenrath whispered. “It was if I planed it myself!”
“Yeah, great” Nefret moaned.
“You know what to do.” Moze whispered into her ear. Nefret dropped down into the palace grounds and hid behind a tree. The couple seemed to be alone. When they where still far away Nefret jumped into their path and threw a small vile in their direction, it shattered upon impact and there was a cloud of smoke.
“Hey, it’s Mozenrath!” Aladdin yelled choking on the smoke. “Get him!” Aladdin suddenly burst through the smoke in full stride. It was a rather fighting site and Nefret turned tail and ran as fast as she could. As soon as they had disappeared out of sight Mozenrath appeared in the menagerie. He smiled to himself and confidently strolled into the palace.
Nefret was running at full speed, but Aladdin and Jasmine was hot on her tail. She was approaching the main palace gate and Aladdin yelled to Ralsole to stop her. Luckily the head guard was big and slow-witted and she was able to duck under his arm as he drew his sword. Nefret now lead Aladdin and the princess through a planed path the marketplace. She forced her way though the thick crowd knocking over several barrels and causing some collisions of carts, but each time Aladdin was able to predict her moves and never waned. Nefret was tired and her heart was about to jump out of her chest but she continued. Suddenly she ducked into an alley and flew up a latter nailed onto the side of the mud and brick building. Several girls screamed as she passed their window. The sound alerted Aladdin to where who he thought to be Mozenrath was. Nefret reached the rooftop. She had led Aladdin completely though the marketplace and they were now on the outskirts of Agrahba. This was supposed to the stopping place, the point where she was to lose Aladdin and wait for Mozenrath to return. Thinking she was home free, Nefret dropped to her knees trying to catch her breath, but when she looked up there was Jasmine coming up the latter, followed no doubt by Aladdin. She got to her feet, but it was to late, Jasmine grabbed her from behind. Terrified she would be killed if she were caught Nefret yelled and snaked out of Jasmine’s grasp. Nefret jumped off the roof landing on a well-placed canopy. Jasmine only stood confused.
“What wrong with you?!” Aladdin yelled as he looked over the edge of the roof to see Mozenrath run into the crowd.
“That wasn’t Mozenrath!” Jasmine said lost in thought.
“What do you mean that wasn’t Mozenrath?” He yelled over his shoulder.
“Since when is Mozenrath a woman?” Jasmine joined him on the roofs edge.
“A woman?” confused Aladdin whistled. Carpet, having exceptional hearing, was there within minutes, and all three took off in the direction Nefret had taken. It didn’t take long to find the midnight blue turban bobbing though the crowd. They descended and Aladdin took a flying leap at Nefret. Surprised as Aladdin fell on her Nefret yelled. Pinning her to the ground Aladdin ripped of the turban and flipped her over. He looked confused at the young girl beneath him.
“Hey take it easy! I’m sorry, but you don’t have to crush me! If you plan on killing me I’d appreciate it if you go with the standard practice of beheading!” Nefret yelled wiggling underneath Aladdin’s weight. Aladdin muttered a quick apology and took his knee off her chest.
“No one is going to kill you.” Jasmine said as she demounted Carpet. “Just tell us who you are.”
“There is no time. Aladdin you must get back to the palace. Mozenrath is after the..” She didn’t have to finish; Aladdin knew exactly what she was trying to say. He leapt up but Nefret caught him by his pant leg.
“Don’t tell him it was me who told you” Nefret said both begging and warning him. Aladdin shook his head, then hopped on Carpet and raced toward the palace. Jasmine helped the girl up and lead her to a low wall nearby. They both sat.
“You must do this a lot.” Nefret joked as she breathed hard and rubbed her sore limbs.
“A little to often.” Jasmine sighed. “But please tell me who you are!”
“I am the slave of Mozenrath.” Nefret said her breath slowing.
“Slave? But I thought all of Mozenrath’s slaves were Mumluks.” Jasmine said looking Nefret over.
“Not me! Not yet anyway, after this I don’t know what he’ll do to me.” Nefret winced; hoping against hope Aladdin wouldn’t tell Mozenrath she warned him. “You see I wasn’t always like this. I used to be a priestess of Hathor in the temple of Dendera in Egypt.” Nefret said proudly looking Jasmine in the eyes to show she was not evil. “And enter Mozenrath stage goodbye life. I made a simple deal with him, I would serve him if he let the priests of Hathor live.” She chuckled a little. “And so began my new life! Fabulous isn’t it?” she asked sarcastically as she threw Mozenrath’s turban to the corner of the wall.
“I’m sorry. Sometimes heroic deeds result in pain. It’s not fair, but you did a good thing.” Jasmine looked at her feet, she felt bad for the girl, she seemed so young and sweet and hardly deserving of the life she was given. “What sort of slave are you?”
“Oh, I think you have the wrong idea!” Nefret laughed. “I’m not that sort of slave. I do a bit of everything, almost everything. I help in the lab and do some domestic sorts of things. He hardly ever takes me on his little “trips”, only when he needs me to do something, like now.”
“Hum, and you are treated well?” Jasmine asked trying to envision life at the Citadel.
“Yes, very well.” Nefret wondered why this woman cared when she had almost hurt her so much. “Mozenrath isn’t all he seems. You may only see him when he’s up to something but I see him all the time. You might say I have a front row seat!” she laughed. “I can’t say he’s good or nice, he’s not, but he isn’t evil through and through. He’s just dark and angst. He has a lot of hate in his heart, hate given to him when he was very young.” She looked at Jasmine who was deep in thought mauling over this new insight on Mozenrath. “Well do you think Aladdin has defeated Mozenrath yet?” Nefret asked hoping to break the somber mood. As if on queue there was a disturbance in the crowd. The sea of people parted as Mozenrath blasted his way through. Aladdin was right behind him. Mozenrath was carrying a small blue cube, and as he approached Nefret could see that the cube was clear and had something blue in it. She squinted and suddenly realized there were two eyes and two hands crammed to the side of the tiny cube, the genie. Nefret and Jasmine where now on their feet.
“Nefret! We’re leaving now!” Mozenrath yelled as he reached his hand back and shot magic at Aladdin. Aladdin dodged and leapt to the ground, catching Moze’s ankles as he did. Mozenrath was brought to the ground and the cube flew out of his hand. Everything was in slowmo as Al and Moze came crashing down and Jasmine gasped. The cube hit the ground and rolled, coming to a stop as it hit Nefret’s foot. She bent down and picked it up. Nefret looked around, Mozenrath signaled for her to give him the cube, Aladdin made the same gesture, Jasmine looked on with fear and suspense marking her face, inside the cube Genie gave her a begging look. A thousand thoughts raced through Nefret’s head, but ultimately she knew there was only one option she could live with. She sighed and opened the box. In a flash Genie was out and partying. His lips billowed out and he gave Nefret a big wet kiss on the cheek.
“Ah!!! Who’s my girl? You’re my girl! Girl in the house uh hu yea!” Genie started to break dance and shake his grove thing. “Get down with it! I’m burning up! Oh yes!” Nefret started to laugh at the antics.
“ENOUGH!” Mozenrath raged. Everything was brought to a halt. He slowly started to walk to Nefret.
“Oh yeah, I’m dead!” Nefret said under her breath.
“No!” Aladdin yelled running in front of Nefret to protect her. But he was thrown against the wall by Mozenrath’s gauntlet. Jasmine also tried to defend her new friend, but when she tried to move she found she was stuck in place with a spell. Now both heroes could only look on as Mozenrath stood over Nefret. Moze just looked down into his slave’s eyes for the longest time, but Nefret never looked away and regarded him with the same anger and determination. Finally he spoke.
“Do you know what you have just done?” he asked.
“I do.” Nefret was said with confidence “I did the right thing.” Mozenrath thought for a few moments then a strange grin spread across his face.
“What could I really expect from you?” He asked himself. Mozenrath grabbed Nefret cheek and shook it, saying in a childish voice. “What else could my good and merciful Nefret to do? Yes good and sweet, but far from innocent.” Nefret scowled and knocked his hand away, rubbing her sore cheek. Mozenrath raised his hand and opened a portal to the Land of the Black Sand. Now that his attention was elsewhere the spells holding Aladdin and Jasmine were broken. Jasmine seized the opportunity to whisper a summarized version of Nefret’s story to Aladdin. Aladdin became outraged and called out.
“Hold up Mozenrath. You are free to go this time, but your not taking Nefret!” Aladdin growled taking Nefret by the arm and placing his body before hers.
“But she is my own possession. I gained her fair and square.” Mozenrath stated matter-of-factly.
“She is a woman not a rug! And you will take her over my dead body!” Aladdin stated boldly.
“That proposition sound rather tempting.” Mozenrath mused. But he was rather worried; this street rat had been able to take so much away from him, now would he add Nefret to the list? He would not allow it! They both took a stand ready to strike. But Nefret interrupted. She pulled Aladdin’s arm back forcing him to listen to her.
“No, no fighting. I will go back.” Nefret said.
“But..” Aladdin started, but Nefret raised a hand stopping him.
“I choose to go back. I have not yet paid my debt. But someday it will be done, I will be free and my loved ones will be safe. Until then I will live the fate the 7 Hathors have set for me. And who knows, we may see each other again, gods willing.” She smiled a little sad and turned to go, but turned back. “I do thank you, for the attempt. Goodbye Jasmine, Genie.” She joined Mozenrath and they both stepped through the portal.
“I don’t understand.” Aladdin said as he watched the portal dissolve as if it had never been there. Jasmine took his arm and rested her head on his shoulder.
“She likes him.” She whispered. “And he likes her.”
“Huh?” Aladdin breathed as he looked down at her. “Mozenrath hates everyone! And as for her liking him, why?”
Jasmine laughed. “Didn’t you notice Mozenrath got a little scared when he realized he could lose her? And maybe, just maybe, Mozenrath is better than he appears on first glance.” Aladdin shook his head and they all headed back to the palace.
***
Nefret plopped down in the chair exhausted. She stretched and took a pair from the bowl on the table, munching on it thoughtfully. Mozenrath sat across from her. He placed his chin and his hands and stared openly at her.
“You mad?” Nefret asked with a mouthful of pair.
“Of course I’m mad. I’m furious. I have been trying for a long time to get my hands on the Genie. I could have had him, if you hadn’t set him free. But… what else could I have expected out of you? Your really no better than that sappy love sick hero of Agrahba, how can I expect to convert you?”
“So you’re not going to kill me?” Nefret asked swallowing the last bit of fruit.
“What kinda man would I be if I killed you?”
“The same kinda man you have always been.” Nefret mused as she set down the pair core.
“True. But I refuse to kill you. You have served my well in the past, this little slip can be allowed. Besides, as much as I hate to say it, I have grown to like you Nefret. Not to mention you chose to come back, a brave thing to do, and rather surprising. How could I kill a woman who chose me over freedom?” Mozenrath sat back and took a pair for himself. Nefret smiled to herself and picked up the scroll she had left on the table. She read over it again, but this time her heart was lighter, for she was sure this time her heroic act would not go unrewarded.
Of this Arabian night anyways...
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