The next day Ardeth came out the door and climbed the steps that led to the execution platform. The platform was a structure made of stone with an executioner's block in the very center. Ardeth had explained that for treason there was usually no other penalty except death especially when the person involved had tried to kill the king. For other crimes depending on how serious they were the penalties ranged from community service to banishment. The only crimes that required the death penalty was murder, attempted murder depending on circumstances or treason and unfortunately for Tarique he had committed two offences instead of one. He had not only committed treason he had also attempted to murder the king. One offence would have been bad enough, but would not necessarily have required the death penalty, but both together had sealed Tarique's fate. That was what Ardeth had meant the other day when he was talking to Tarique about the fact that his actions had made this necessary, Rick realized suddenly.

Rick stared at Ardeth for a moment from where he was standing just behind and to the side for he could feel his brother's emotions which were grim to say the least which Rick supposed was to be expected given the situation.

When Rick had asked Ardeth yesterday if the people wouldn't object to him being his second considering he was an American Ardeth had replied that some people probably would, but that most of them—those who had been present to see Rick's little display of skill that had saved his life—would not. And those who did object would know better than to cause trouble after what had happened to Tarique for they would not want to share his fate.

Rick had understood and the only thing left was to try to convince his family to stay away from the execution. To Rick's surprise convincing them was a lot easier than he expected it to be. When he had asked what had made them give in so quickly Evie had simply replied that you and Ardeth had it hard enough right now why make matters worse? Besides, I still have nightmares about what happened at Ahm Shere why give myself more of them when it is not necessary?

Rick had been relieved for if Evie didn't feel the need to see this man die then that meant she would be able to keep Alex away as well.

As Rick expected Alex had protested but only halfheartedly as if more for forms sake than anything else. Perhaps Alex remembered his experiences at Ahm Shere and didn't want to give himself anymore nightmares then he was already experiencing. Whatever the reason Rick was grateful for it for it was going to be hard enough for him to watch this man's death much less putting his only son through it. It wasn't that Rick hadn't killed before because he had, but it had always been in self-defense either of himself or those he loved. Never before had he deliberately caused someone's death or watched an execution and Rick had a feeling that after today he was going to have even more nightmares to deal with than the ones that had started after the events at Ahm Shere. However his sense of duty as well as his need to protect his only other family had gotten him to agree to participate as Ardeth's second even though he was aware of the likely consequences.

Rick looked up from where he was standing, as Ardeth came out onto the balcony that overlooked a large meadow type place. Rick found it rather strange to be standing on a balcony overlooking a vast area of grass on the inside of a mountain but he supposed anything was possible if you put the work into it and considering that the Medjai had lived here for almost 5000 years Rick supposed it was just a testament to their hard work. And actually from all Ardeth had said it wasn't just a mountain but one that had certain areas open to the sky although you certainly couldn't tell that from here. In fact, the only way to tell Ardeth had said was from the air. If the mountain was open to the sky, that explained the grass, the fresh air and how the Medjai were able to grow their own food. All these things after all needed sunlight and rain to grow.

"My people," Ardeth began in Arabic. A Medjai who spoke both English and Arabic quietly translated for Rick at Ardeth's request. The man's name was Kadin and both men had liked each other immediately upon meeting. Kadin was a big man with a friendly personality and someone who gave almost anyone the benefit of the doubt at least until you proved you weren't trustworthy. Once you proved untrustworthy in Kadin's eyes you made yourself an eternal enemy for Kadin was intensely loyal to not only Ardeth but his people.

"There is a grim duty before us this day and that is the execution of this man known as Tarique Nazari for he has committed the ultimate betrayal—a betrayal that has not happened in over three hundred years. This man not only committed treason by attacking one of his own people he also tried to commit murder. Would he have stopped if he had managed to kill me? Or would he have gone after people who have not ever done him any wrong just because of the color of their skin? If he had managed to kill me I have no doubt that he would be dead and that this execution would be unnecessary for if there is one thing I have come to know about my brother Rick O'Connell it is the fact that he is very protective and intensely loyal of the people he cares about and he is of the philosophy an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth. If I had been killed I do not doubt for an instant that if my murder had managed to somehow escape he would have hunted him to the ends of the Earth to bring my killer to justice. Tarique's hatred of those not Medjai has brought this day to pass and it is my duty to make sure he does not have a chance to try it a second time."

All the people gathered below listened as Ardeth described what Tarique had done to deserve the death penalty. Most of them, even the warriors gasped aloud as Ardeth described how Rick had caught the knife in midair just inches from his heart. The ones who had not been at the gate to greet the king's return had a hard time believing that someone had actually caught a knife in midflight, but people who had been there and seen it happen assured others that it was the truth and that if it was still hard to believe they were more than welcome to go see the knife that was still sticking out of the gatepost, embedded in it almost to the hilt.

The knife Rick had thrown was still embedded in the gatepost and would remain there for now. Even once it was removed the large chunk of wood that would more than likely come with its removal would remain as a mute testimony for years, perhaps centuries to come.

Rick had no doubt that stories would be built up around his actions until centuries down the road the Medjai would probably regard him as something of a legend. It was a good legacy, Rick decided, better to be remembered by a people he respected and who respected him then to be forgotten entirely or remembered only by people who hated him.

"And now my people, it is time."

With those few simple words, the entire crowd fell silent and watched half in horror and half in respect.

Ardeth paused and Rick calmly handed him the axe he had been holding during Ardeth's entire speech. Rick had found out almost at the very last minute that as Ardeth's second it was him that handed the executioner a very sharp axe used to chop of the condemned man's head. Ardeth took the blade and calmly tested the edge with his thumb. A thin line of blood immediately appeared on Ardeth's thumb from the cut the edge of the blade created. The blood then started flowing down Ardeth wrist to disappear into the cuff of his robe. Ardeth ignored the blood and just nodded in satisfaction at the sharpness of the blade and immediately turned and walked until he was directly behind Tarique. Ardeth stood unmoving for a moment and Rick figured he was probably nerving himself to make the swing that would end someone's life—and to make matters worse that someone who had once been his friend.

Finally, what seemed an eternity later—at least to Rick—but was no more than a minute at most Ardeth moved but so fast that even Rick who was watching his brother intently barely had time to register the fact that Ardeth had moved at all before Tarique's head was rolling away from his neck. With one powerful blow Ardeth had severed Tarique's head from his shoulders.

Ardeth stood there for a moment holding the axe then calmly turned around heading for the door that led back inside handing the axe to Kadin as he passed. Rick shot Kadin a look, waited until Ardeth was a few feet in front of him then followed.

~~~Rick and Evie~~~

The next few days were hard on everyone, but especially Ardeth. Ardeth had accepted that the death of Tarique had been necessary intellectually anyway, but in his heart—well that was a different matter. Rick knew that his words could only do so much and that his friend would have to figure out the rest of it himself, but most of all Ardeth would have to forgive himself before his heart could finally be at peace.

Finally, after three days, Ardeth seemed to finally be on the way back to his old self although Rick knew it would be awhile before Ardeth could think about having to execute his onetime friend as anything other than his fault and probably longer still before he would stop blaming himself for Tarique's change in personality that had made having to execute him necessary.

After three days, Ardeth came to the O'Connells quarters and offered to show them around his home.

"I apologize for that dreadful incident when you first arrived," Ardeth added. "Most of my people are not like that."

"We know that, Ardeth," Evie told him gently touching his arm. "You cannot control everything that happens. After all, people will be people whether English, German, American, Arabic or any other nationality. The Medjai are just like anyone else. It's true they have a stronger sense of duty and honor then most other people, but they are still human and being human means that sometime personalities clash and turns into…incidents like the one when we arrived."

Ardeth stared at Evie for a moment looking at her as if he was seeing her for the first time then threw back his head and laughed, a genuinely amused sound. The sound of laughter was so out of the ordinary that all three O'Connells stared at the Medjai for a moment then relaxed when Ardeth finally stopped several minutes later.

"Well, it's nice to see your sense of humor hasn't suffered," Evie said with only a slight quirk of her lips to show her amusement.

"Well, what do you know Mr. Stoic actually has a sense of humor," said Rick trying to hold in his own laughter. "I never would have believed it if I hadn't just witnessed it."

"Rick!" Evie protested. "Don't tease the poor man. It's not like he's had much to laugh out in the last few days."

"You're right and I'm sorry," Rick conceded looking contrite. "Come to think of it I have seen you laugh a few times before this, but it's such a rare event that I can't help teasing you at least a little."

"It's alright, Evie," said Ardeth with a smile that reached all the way to his eyes. "Some people believe that laughter is the best medicine for whatever ails you that and good friends to help you when you're down. It is time I stop mourning Tarique's death or in actuality mourning the man he used to be before he changed from someone who used to be my friend into the man that was willing to commit an act that before he changed he never even would have considered."

"People change, Ardeth," Evie said gently. "It is a fact of life."

"I know, Evie," said with Ardeth smile. "Anyway let us not waste the rest of your vacation on my problems. I invited you here to show you my home and to let the people see that you were Medjai."

"And those tattoos you wanted us to get?" asked Rick.

"That has been arranged to take place in about a week but for now let me show you my home."

"All right," said Rick. "We've done quite a bit of exploring on our own but I'm sure you could tell us about all the things we saw."

Ardeth nodded unsurprised that they'd been looking around on the own after all they were his guests not his prisoners free to go where they wanted.

"Yeah this place is neat," said Alex enthusiastically.

"And beautiful," Evie added.

"I thank you. This is the first time I have been able to show somebody around who was unfamiliar with my home."

"Yes, I suppose the opportunity doesn't come up very often," said Rick dryly.

"No it does not," said Ardeth with a completely straight face but with laughter sparkling in the back of his dark eyes. "Let us go. There is much to see and to do."

~~~Rick and Evie~~~

One week later, it was time for the tattoo ceremony and all three O'Connells knew it would be painful for Ardeth had explained on their trip here that the way his people did tattoo was cut out the shape of the tattoo on whatever portion of the body it went on and then using a needle and thread dipped in paint to sew the design into the skin. It was a method of doing tattoos that was at least 5000 years old if not older.

The room they entered just a few minute later was large and circular with dozens of torches around the room. There were also dozens of Medjai in a rough circle who were standing around another circle of Medjai all elders sitting on the floor. In the exact center of the circle of elders was a rug that was to kneel on when the tattooing of the arm began and standing beside the rug was a lady who was holding what looked like instruments of torture but were actually the tools of marking.

Rick stepped forward as the drums started beating out a tattooing sound for this was the signal that the ceremony was about to begin.

"Who offers this man for this honor?" asked a voice in the language of the Medjai

"I do," answered Ardeth in the same language.

"What is this man to you?"

"He is my brother by blood," Ardeth answered firmly his hand on Rick's shoulder

"What has he done to deserve such an honor?"

"He defeated the Creature—twice. He defeated the Scorpion King. He risked his life to save mine."

The head elder studied Rick for a moment then nodded. "He is Medjai," The elder proclaimed from where he was sitting in the circle right in front of where Rick was facing.

Rick knelt down and drank down the sweet smelling liquid he was offered which he had been told would help ease the pain. He then held out his arm as a lady whom he knew was named Sana, gripped his arm firmly and took a sharp edged stylus and cut a design into Rick's arm just below the elbow deeply enough that the dye would become a permanent part of his skin.

Rick winced slightly but that was only reaction he showed for even though the liquid he had drunk cut down on the pain it did not take it away completely and it still hurt like hell. Finally, quicker then Rick thought possible Sana was done and was putting some kind of cloths over the wounds and instantly Rick felt most of the pain fade away. Must be some kind of healing salve he figured. Whatever it was Rick was grateful for it not only for himself but his family who he would spare as much pain as he could.

Finally, Rick stepped back and Evie came forward.

"Who offers this woman for this honor?" asked the elder.

"I do," said Rick in the language of the Medjai. It had taken him a few days to get the pronunciation down but now he had it.

"What is this woman to you?"

"She is my wife," said Rick the love obvious in his voice. "And sister by marriage to Ardeth Bay."

"What has she done to deserve such an honor?"

"She defended our home from Lock-nah and others who would steal the bracelet of Anubis. She fought Anck-Su-Namun in order to protect our son. She risked her life to save mine." The pride in Rick's voice was obvious to everyone present.

The elder studied Evie for a moment then nodded. "She is Medjai," the man proclaimed.

Evie knelt down on the same rug Rick had used just minutes earlier in the middle of the circle of elders

Sana gave her a cup of the same sweet smelling liquid that Rick had drunk and Evie drank it down in one gulp. When the liquid had taken effect Evie nodded and offered her arm to Sana and she repeated the process she had just done with Rick.

The only way to tell that Evie was in any pain was her jaw delicately clenching as if to hold back her cries of pain. Rick had never been prouder of her at that moment and wanted to take her in his arms to soothe the pain away but knew he could not or at least should not until they got back to their quarters. Finally, the process was complete and Evie stepped back after receiving the same treatment as her husband.

Finally, Alex stepped forward and stood before the elders calmly.

"Who offers this child such an honor?"

"I do," said Ardeth stepping forward and placing one hand on his nephew's shoulder.

"What is this child to you?"

"He is the son of my brother," Ardeth answered firmly.

"What has he done to deserve such an honor before his time?" The last question was asked in a slightly different way due to Alex's age

"While in the presence of the Creature he showed great foresight by leaving a trail so we could follow him to Ahm Shere. He showed great bravery and courage in the face of terror. He used the book of the dead to return his mother to life after she was foully murdered by the reincarnation of Anck-Su-Namun."

The elder studied Alex longer then he had for either Rick or Evie but apparently he saw in Alex's face what he wished to see because he nodded. "He is Medjai," the elder proclaimed with finality as if daring anyone present to argue with him.

No one did much to Rick's and Evie's surprise. Alex knelt on the small rug and drank down the same potion his parents had and when it had taken effect he held out his wrist. Sana gripped it and started cutting into Alex's skin. Just a few minutes later before anybody realized it Sana was done and she had slapped the patch with healing salve onto his arm.

During the whole process Alex never made a sound and both Evie and Rick were so proud of their son that they thought they would burst.

Alex walked back to his parents side still looking slightly dazed his arm probably still hurting like hell yet if it was he gave no sign of it and that made his parents even prouder of him.

"I'm very proud of you, Alex," Ardeth told him quietly putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. Alex beamed at him for praise from Ardeth was a very rare event and it was never given unless it was meant.

"We're proud of you too, son," said Evie restraining herself from giving her son a hug because she knew he would probably be embarrassed if she showed him such affection in front of all these warriors.

"Very proud," Rick added putting a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Thank you, mum, dad," said Alex with a smile that wasn't half as bright as the one he had given Ardeth.

Rick supposed it was only natural that Alex had given Ardeth such a bright smile after all he didn't get to see the Medjai that much and he knew that Ardeth rarely gave compliments.

~~~Rick and Evie~~~