The next day they arrived at the mountain that somehow Rick instinctively knew concealed the entrance to the city. Perhaps it was Farook's memories coming to the fore or something else altogether, although what else it could be Rick didn't know. Ardeth led them to the main entrance which was very well concealed by a stone door the same color and kind of stone as the mountain. "This door is on a pulley system," Ardeth explained. "All you have to do is find the correct crack and pull. This door is almost impossible to find unless you know exactly where it is."

"Or even know exists?" Evie suggested with wry humor.

Ardeth nodded in confirmation at Evie's statement. The door came slowly opened as Ardeth pulled on a certain crack.

"Neat," said Alex as he observed the elaborate pulley system on the inside of the door.

"This system was put here by our ancestors," said Ardeth as he was led into the wide main entrance. "How they created it is unknown since pulleys weren't invented at the time."

Ardeth led the way down a narrow tunnel that was mostly dark once the stone door had shut behind them.

Rick who was rarely claustrophobic began to feel the effects of the narrow tunnel that seemed to stretch on into eternity.

Finally, they reached the end and they entered a huge cavern where Rick breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Rick's discomfort had not gone unnoticed but Ardeth did not comment for he probably would have felt claustrophobic to if he hadn't grown up here.

Ardeth led the O'Connells through the cavern and then through another shorter tunnel this one lighted and once at the end Ardeth went first, then the O'Connells. Once out of the tunnel they came to a wide open gate where hundreds of people stood waiting.

"My people," Ardeth said in Arabic. "This is the family that helped put the Creature back in its grave. Meet Rick O'Connell, my brother by blood and by reincarnation, his wife Evelyn and son Alex. From now until forever let it be known that they are Medjai!"

Evie calmly translated all this to Rick who didn't understand more than a few words.

The crowd surged forward to greet the ones they had heard so much about over the last few years. Suddenly an angry voice shouted in Arabic and several things happened at once. One, Rick felt Ardeth's emotions surge from a happiness at being home to instant alertness. Two, both Evie and Alex shouted in alarm, but before they could get more than a word in Rick was already moving forward to put himself between Ardeth and harm.

Suddenly, a knife seemed to come out of nowhere headed towards Ardeth, but Rick who had just gotten through the people in his way caught the knife in midair by the hilt just before it would have hit Ardeth and perhaps injured him fatally. All the Medjai gasped at this for none had ever seen such a feat as catching a knife in midflight.

"Rick, no!" Ardeth shouted as Rick was about to throw the knife back at the Medjai who had tried to kill not only his friend but his brother.

"And why not?" Rick wanted to know practically radiating fury. "Unless it has escaped your notice he just tried to kill you!"

The other Medjai who spoke English shrank back at the American's words and even some who didn't recognized the tone for what it was pure fury.

"Rick, my brother," stated Ardeth calmly able to feel Rick's fear underneath the fury—fear of losing him. "It is my responsibility to handle this. What happened is not unknown, but it hasn't happened in almost three hundred years."

"All right, fine, but you had better handle it and fast, because I'm not going to leave your back unguarded until then," and with those words Rick threw the knife over the Medjai heads where it turned three times in midair until it embedded itself in one of the posts of the gateway into the city so deeply that it would be almost impossible to extract without leaving a large splinter of wood missing.

All the Medjai both male and female stared at the still quivering knife for a few seconds almost in awe for not a single one of them was sure they could have done the same even in similar circumstances.

Even Ardeth stared at the knife for a moment where it still quivered in the wood of the gatepost before turning back to the man who had thrown it and who was being held by two other Medjai. Ardeth spoke to him in Arabic for several minutes and the man replied the rage in his voice obvious even to Rick who didn't understand more than a few words of the language. Rick tensed his hand going to his gun as if to draw it but was held back by Ardeth. They seemed to communicate silently for a few minutes then Rick nodded and though he did not lose any of his alertness he did remove his hand from his gun.

Finally, Ardeth shook his head and ordered the two Medjai to take him to the palace where they were to wait for him.

"So what exactly did he say?" asked Rick relaxing a little but still radiating fury although not quite as strongly as just a few minutes before.

Ardeth shook his head and gave Rick a look that said not here. Rick nodded and fell into step beside his brother his expression still grim and foreboding. Ardeth to a certain degree was also radiating anger but not quite as much as Rick was throwing off in waves.

"Rick, Ardeth!" Evie called from where she and Alex were standing back by the horses being guarded by at least five Medjai.

"Dad!" Alex called running into his father's arms.

"Evie, Alex," said Rick giving his son and then his wife a hug.

"Well this is not exactly how I intended to introduce you by my home," said Ardeth dryly.

"It's not your fault, Ardeth. How were you to know what would happen?" said Evie.

"I'm afraid I'm going to be quite busy for the next few hours so if you want to go and rest I can have a couple of Medjai escort you to your quarters."

"I'm staying with you," said Rick. "I'm not leaving your side until this is resolved."

Ardeth stared at Rick for a moment then nodded. "That is your right. Not only did you save my life, which I will be forever in your debt for, but you are family and deserve the to stand at my side if that is your wish."

"It is," said Rick. "I would ask however, that someone show Evie and Alex to our quarters."

Evie didn't look happy but knew it was probably for the best.

"But dad—" Alex protested.

"No buts Alex," Rick said his tone unbending. "This is not something you need to witness. Do you want even more nightmares then the ones you have now concerning Ahm Shere? The ones you still wake up screaming from?"

Alex nodded, not looking happy

"It will be done," said Ardeth gesturing to two Medjai who came forward. "You will escort Mrs. O'Connell and Alex to guest quarters in the royal wing. You will then stand guard. They are to be shown every curtsey for they are my guests."

The two Medjai nodded in acknowledgement.

"Come along, Alex," said Evie firmly taking her son firmly by the hand. "Let your father do what he must."

"Yes, mum," said Alex not looking happy but complying nonetheless.

An hour later

Rick stood just behind Ardeth leaning against the door his arms crossed over his chest as his brother again questioned the Medjai whose name was Tarique, which meant conqueror, Rick had discovered. Figured that the man's name would mean conqueror, Rick snorted to himself. Although he knew that the meaning of a person's name did not necessarily fit that person, in this case the name fit perfectly.

Ardeth finally said his voice full of cold menace, "If you do not start answering questions I will turn you over to my brother. He's been wanting a piece of you ever since you tried to kill me. So far the only thing that has prevented him from killing you outright, like you deserve is me."

"How can you call this…this American, your brother," Tarique spat the disdain and disgust in his voice so thick that it almost made Rick furious all over again. Tarique then spit a big glob of saliva in Rick's direction and as soon as it left Tarique's mouth Ardeth backhanded him so hard that the skin separated from ear to jaw and blood flowed out onto the floor. "You will keep your comments to yourself or you will go to the executioner's block missing all your teeth."

What did he do that was so bad? Rick asked Ardeth silently as he watched the blood dripping from the eight inch gash on Tarique's face.

Spitting on someone is the greatest insult anybody who lives in the desert can offer you. In the desert you learn to conserve water so you don't suffer dehydration. To use your body's moisture on anybody, even an enemy, is to say that you are nothing—less than nothing. It is even more of an insult when it happens to the brother of the king.

Ah, I see, said Rick finally understanding and he did. It was like insulting an Englishman's honor over something he considered important. Why don't you leave me alone with him for five minutes? Rick suggested. I'll get you the answers you want.

I might be willing to consider it if not for the fact that it might not be a good idea for you to get involved until my people get a chance to know and accept you.

I see, said Rick having to accept Ardeth's explanation.

"How can you bring those outsiders here?" Tarique's asked ignoring the blood and the pain from the gash.

"They are not outsiders, Tarique, at least not in the way you mean," Ardeth said. "Rick is a Medjai, which makes his son one as well. And even if he wasn't he has helped defeat the creature twice not to mention the Scorpion King and nearly lost his life and that of his family's. You must realize that without them the world would not be going on normally."

"Why can't you see that they are a danger to the Medjai and to our way of life," said Tarique.

"Change is a good thing," said Ardeth quietly. "The Medjai must change with the times or risk dying out."

Ardeth turned away for a moment to hide the look on his face which was sad, but resigned. When he turned back however his expression was back to being inscrutable. "I am afraid, Tarique, that your actions have guaranteed you the death penalty. I know we used to be friends, but even if I wanted to that friendship would not save you from being executed."

"So it comes to this," said Tarique appearing resigned to his fate. "You choose these foreigners over one of your own people."

Ardeth shook his head appearing resigned as well. "I have done no such thing your own actions have brought you to this not anything I've done. Perhaps someday, if you are ever reincarnated you will understand."

Tarique apparently disagreed for he tried to lunge forward seeming almost to be quivering with rage to grab Ardeth by the throat. Rick started forward his hand going for his gun holstered at his side and he actually had it half drawn when the ropes binding the prisoner's wrists to the wall brought Tarique up short. He was just inches away still pulling on the ropes trying to get his hands close enough to strangle his king but finally he seemed to give up and slumped back in defeat. Ardeth meanwhile had watched all this calmly not even moving an inch while it was all going on and Rick inwardly marveled at his brother's courage or perhaps he had known how long the ropes were.

Ardeth looked sad and Rick could feel his emotions very strongly—defeat, determination, resignation, a grim sense of duty because he knew what lay before him and sadness all these emotions were mixed together in such a jumble that Ardeth although appearing outwardly calm was anything but.

Rick couldn't help but feel sympathy for his friend for from what he could tell Ardeth and Tarique had used to be friends. What had happened to change Ardeth's friend to the extent that he was willing to commit treason by trying to kill his ruler, someone who had once been his friend?

Ardeth sighed and turned to leave the chamber putting his back to the prisoner. Rick followed behind his eyes never leaving the prisoner's face until they were both out the door.

Once the door was closed, Ardeth gave a few instructions to the two Medjai standing guard out the door in Arabic. The Medjai nodded and then Ardeth headed down the hall his outwards appearance calm and controlled but inwardly Rick could feel him still seething with emotion.

"So are you going to tell me what the problem is?" asked Rick. "Look I realize that I'm meddling here, but this is upsetting you more then you're probably willing to admit. Maybe talking about it will help."

Ardeth was silent for a long moment and then headed towards a room where they could talk for Rick was right he did need to talk to someone if only to sort out his own emotions and give himself some peace of mind.

Once the door was closed Rick leaned against it to prevent anyone from entering while they were having their conversation. Ardeth was quiet for a few moments then without preamble began to talk, "Years ago when we were growing up we were the best of friends and we would often practice being warriors together. One day, when we were both eighteen we were out patrolling Hamunaptra with some other Medjai when we came across a group of archeologists determined to start a dig and make their find known to the world. We couldn't permit that, so we did our best to scare them off. There was one lady, however, who was not easily scared and although the rest of the archeologists and workers were scared away she stayed." Ardeth paused seeming to be gathering his thoughts.

"Let me guess," said Rick able to guess where this was going. "Tarique fell for her like a ton of bricks."

Ardeth smiled briefly then sobered. "He did, but unfortunately, she did not return his feelings. To her he was just a boy—for she was at least in her late twenties possibly early thirties—that had scared her workers and colleagues away."

Rick winced almost beginning to feel sympathy for the man now—almost. "Ouch that rejection must have stung."

He then remembered his feeling of terror and his frantic race to protect a man that was his brother afraid that he would be too late to save Ardeth's life. And although he had never said the words out loud he loved this man, just as much as his wife and son. A man he would gladly give his life to protect.

Rick's attention was pulled back to Ardeth's as he continued, "It did, and he became very bitter over the years. It has however, developed from simple bitterness into an obsessive hatred of anyone not Medjai. Unfortunately, it only got worse when it became known that not only had I not killed you when we first met but that I had maintained a relationship with you and that we had become friends. It was to Tarique's way of thinking the worst kind of betrayal."

"So this lady archeologist is the cause of his bitterness."

"Yes, I'm afraid instead of working out his feelings either by himself or talking to someone he let them fester until it came to this," said Ardeth his expression resigned.

"Look, Ardeth," Rick began. "I know you feel this is your fault and I know it's really none of my business, but you have to look at it from someone else's point of view. Tarique instead of just getting over this lady let the hurt fester all on his own. I mean he could have talked to someone but he didn't. Instead he let the wound fester and that means that he is guilty of letting it turn him into a traitor."

"But I should have known that he had never gotten over her," Ardeth said.

"Ardeth," said Rick moving away from the door to put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "You have responsibilities as leader of the Medjai. You can't be everywhere and even if you could be you're not perfect. Besides, you have more people to worry about than one man. What I mean is that Tarique kept his bitterness well hidden and you'll have to forgive me for saying this, but you have a larger responsibility to consider. I know Tarique was your friend once, but people change some for the better while others do not. I mean just look at me I've changed a great deal from when we first met." Rick's attempt at humor fell flat so he continued, "Ardeth you can't blame yourself for Tarique's actions. I mean I know you'll probably always feel guilty, but you can't let your guilt eat you alive or in the long run you will end up just like the man you're going to have to execute."

This last statement made Ardeth raise his eyes to meet those of his friend's. "You're right," Ardeth conceded. "Tarique is no longer the boy I grew up with. The boy who was always ready for an adventure and who could almost beat me at sword practice and the one who got into more mischief then ten boys put together. Perhaps if he had never met this lady he would still be the boy I once knew and then again perhaps not. I suppose we'll never know for sure and in any case it no longer matters. I'm afraid I have the rather grim duty tomorrow of executing him and I would ask that you stand with me as my second."

"What exactly does this involve?" asked Rick.

"Well as king of the Medjai it will be my responsibility to take care of the execution personally and the one doing the execution has a right to choose someone to stand with him as a kind of backup in case the first is unable to fulfill his duties for whatever reason."

"You have to do the execution personally?" asked Rick his surprise obvious. "Why personally?"

"It goes back to the first king of the twelve tribes of the Medjai—" As Ardeth explained the story Rick listened intently then nodded after Ardeth had finished.

"I see," said Rick thoughtfully. "So in other words it is your duty."

"Yes," said Ardeth.

"Can't you pass it onto someone else?"

"I could, but I won't," said Ardeth his expression determined. "I will not have anyone think me weak and you know that some would if I did not do it myself, whether or not there was any truth to it."

Rick sighed and nodded as if he had known it all along. Once Ardeth had decided it was his job to do something he didn't slack from what he thought of as his duty no matter the kind of detrimental effect it had on him and his emotions. "Very well I will be your second. I just hope we can keep Evie and Alex away from the execution. Alex especially for he still has nightmares about what happened at Ahm Shere."

Ardeth raised an eyebrow at that for he had not known of the nightmares until just then. "Yeah, after Ahm Shere he started having nightmares about Evie's death and about Imhotep killing me and destroying the world and although they are less frequent then they were when they first started rarely does a week go by that he doesn't have at least one where he wakes up screaming."

"I see," said Ardeth. "Perhaps I can have word with him after this business with the execution is done with."

Rick nodded and the two men left the room, Ardeth first then Rick guarding his friend's back like always.

~~~Rick and Evie~~~