"Rafiq!"
Rafiq awoke, at the sound of his Leader's voice. He quickly rose and left his tent, wondering what was wrong so early in the day.
"Yes, Walid?"
Walid felt his blood boil as he looked at the older Med-jai. For this man to have murdered his uncle—ruining the lives of his aunt and cousin—and then for fifteen years live as an honorable Med-jai…
"Walid! What are you doing?!" Rafiq exclaimed, when Walid grabbed him by the front of his robe, and dragged him roughly towards the tent housing the others.
Alanur heard the commotion, and placed a hand on her son's arm. "Frank!" she whispered, trying to wake him up gently before Rafiq was thrown into the tent violently, which she considered a very real possibility.
Frank opened his eyes, just as Rafiq was propelled through the tent opening, landing in a heap in the middle of the 'room'.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Rafiq exclaimed, more in bewilderment then anger as he rose to his knees.
Walid walked in, and stood over him. "Is there something you need to tell us, Rafiq? Something you've kept secret far too long?"
Everyone saw the fear on Rafiq's face, as he looked to see who else was in the tent. When he saw Alanur, his gaze rested on her.
Alanur put her arm around Frank, who was now sitting up, an unreadable expression on his face as he stared at his father's murderer.
Ardeth stood, with Safti's help, and walked over to Rafiq. "You once asked for my daughter's hand," he said. "And I told you she would marry whomever she chooses. Do you remember that, Rafiq?"
Rafiq said nothing, his face starting to pale.
"Who was the tribe that captured you, fifteen years ago?" Walid asked him.
Rafiq blinked. "The tribe?" He hesitated. "It was…was…"
"How did you escape?"
Rafiq swallowed, nervously.
"And my most important question," said Walid, crossing his arms. "Why did you take a flight to America, during the time you were supposedly held captive?"
"F-flight?!" Rafiq squeaked. "I have never been to America!"
"Yes you have," said Frank. "You killed my father, I saw you!"
Rafiq laughed, nervously. "Ah, I see! Walid, your cousin has no memory, and you are going to believe what his injured brain is dreaming up?"
Walid threw a punch at Rafiq, knocking him onto his back. "How dare you call yourself a Med-jai! You dishonor the tribe with your murderous ways, you dishonor my cousin with your lies, and you dishonor the entire family of Ardeth Bay—the best leader the Med-jai has ever had—by killing his son-in-law!"
Frank could feel his body start to tremble, at the continued act of looking at his father's murderer. Rage, hurt, and more rage filled him, and he wanted nothing more then to have been the one to hit Rafiq.
Alanur suddenly tightened her grip on Frank, and he felt guilty that she was being strong for him, rather then he being strong for her.
"You killed the husband of the woman you supposedly love," Walid went on, shaking his head. "You are no better then our enemies. And so, you will be treated no better!"
Rafiq turned white as a sheet.
"Walid!" Alanur suddenly said.
The Med-jai leader turned.
"My husband's wedding ring," she said. "It was stolen off his body."
Walid looked at Rafiq. "Give it to her."
Rafiq sputtered. "What ring?!"Walid clenched his fists. "It has already been proven that you committed this sickening crime, Rafiq. Do not insult us further by continuing to lie!"
Jake jumped to his feet, followed by Alex. "You want us to search his tent?"
Walid nodded.
Jake and Alex both shot angry glares at Rafiq as they walked by him.
Rafiq sunk to a sitting position, in the sand. He was surrounded; there was no chance of escape.
The tent was quiet for a few minutes, while Rafiq sat unmoving, his head lowered.
"Why?"
Everyone looked at Alanur, at her softly asked question.
Rafiq stared at her, seeing the hurt that radiated from her eyes. He was saved from having to answer when running footsteps were heard, and Jake and Alex burst back in.
Jake held the ring up, and Walid grabbed it, holding it in Rafiq's face.
"You took no flight, Rafiq? You didn't go to America and kill my uncle, and steal his wedding ring?"
Frank's team watched Walid, feeling déjà vu at the calm, controlled sound of his voice; Walid looked and sounded much like Frank—the 'real' Frank, anyway—at this moment.
"It would have been better for you if you had sold it," Walid continued, disgust in his voice. "For we now need no further proof to label you a murderer!"
"It should've been mine!" Rafiq exclaimed, and then closed his mouth with an audible *thunk*, as if he hadn't intended to say that.
"Ah!" said Walid. "He incriminates himself!"
Rafiq sighed, realizing further defense was impossible now. "I love you, Alanur, I always have! You should have been my wife." He looked at Frank. "You should have been my son."
"I would be ashamed to have a father capable of cold-blooded murder!" Frank exclaimed, his anger showing.
Walid grabbed Rafiq by his robes. "Come, it is time to exact punishment!"
Rafiq panicked at that, pulling himself back.
Walid let go of him, and went over to Alanur, handing her the ring. Tears slid down her face as she took it.
Walid grabbed Rafiq again, and hauled him to his feet, pulling him out of the tent, while Jake and Alex jumped up and followed, in case he needed help.
Ardeth, Safti, Monica, and Cody went over to Alanur and Frank, as they sat staring at the ring.
"It is like it only just occured…" Alanur whispered, with a sniff.
Ardeth took her hand, holding it as tightly as a man of 100 could.
Frank looked at Safti. "What will be his punishment?"
"Death," Safti told him. "And as the person who was wronged by him, you have the right to carry out his sentence, Frank."
Cody and Monica's eyes widened, in alarm.
Frank just looked at him, saying nothing.