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When Aladdin met his father, it didn't go quite as smoothly as his meetings with other Induslan people had. Here was his father, a sub-chieftan. Yet he, Aladdin, was now a prince. Who should honor who? There was a long silence after Aladdin rode up and dismounted in front of his father. 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 not-quite-of-age boy. 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 child speech, it was princely speech. Those watching got a bit more relaxed, 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 his 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, I have been commanded by your son to help you drive off the 'Iron Men'. The command is valid, so I will attempt to do this. However, I as I have told your son, there are limits to my powers. I am magical, but not all-powerful magical. Therefore, I can assist you, but only assist. You, too, will have much to do if we are to be successful.
"Am I understood?"
Aladdin's father 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 in that fight? 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?"
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, I will help." Aladdin's father grinned, and Aladdin looked surprised.
"Excellent!" said the genie, "May I suggest some refreshments to help us with our planning?"
Aladdin's father waved to a servant, but before the servant could come up, the genie raised his hands and said, "Oh! Please allow me! This is something my magic has full mastery of." The genie grinned, waved his hands, and a luxurious pavilion appeared in an empty open space near the men. Music came from inside, as did the smell of fresh fruit and other sumptuous goodies. Servants could be seen moving back and forth in the light shade 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. Aladdin's father looked angry and did not take a step. "This is way, way too fancy for my people... especially my people at war!"
The genie answered quickly and with a just a hint of command in his tone, "This is to properly accommodate your son, who is now a prince. Would you dishonor him? Lower his station in these times when you need all the reputation and confidence you can muster?"
Aladdin's father relented; the men moved inside; the planning began in earnest....
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