The Barque of Heaven Page 8

  "So your companions have said. Choose your weapon."

  The youngster sighed. He fingered a short, slender sword thoughtfully. "Did they also tell you... never mind." He picked up the sword, testing the delicate balance between blade and grip.

  Jehen'u picked up the sword's partner, saluting Daniel Jackson with it. "A fine weapon. You have chosen well."

  There was hesitance in the human as he examined his weapon, seeming to pay more attention to the carved hilt than the polished, lethal blade. He fears. The thought stole through Jehen'u, planting the foundation for deeper concerns. All warriors had fear in them-those who did not lived short lives and did not die well. But all warriors learned how to conceal their fear, push it deep inside until it turned into a fire that fuelled the desire to survive.

  Unsettled, he led the way to the arena, Daniel Jackson a step behind and immediately beginning to talk.

  "Over three and a half years ago the Chappa'ai on our planet was, well, rediscovered and we got it to work. We only had one address so we dialed it up and went through."

  "You were searching for your god then."

  "No, not at all. We knew nothing about the Goa'uld or Jaffa. We were just exploring. We ended up on Abydos. We met the people there. They were... very nice. We were distressed to find they were being used as slave labor in the mine. You see, on our planet, slavery is regarded as cruel and unlawful."

  They moved between the rows of spectators and onto the black slate arena. Jaffa surrounded them and Jehen'u walked proudly to the center. Two large bloodstains were clearly visible on the surface. Jehen'u turned to face Daniel Jackson, bringing his sword up in a readiness salute.

  "The second day we were there, Ra arrived. He landed his ship on the pyramid." Daniel Jackson tore his eyes away from the bloody pools and nervously looked at Jehen'u, but kept his sword hanging point-down by his side. "How long have you served Ra, Jehen'u?"

  "In my twelfth year I entered Ra's service as an apprentice, and for one hundred and forty-six years my duty has not wavered," he replied proudly, wondering when this chattering boy before him would realize he was expected to fight, not spend the day gossiping.

  "Wow, that's very commendable. You must have served in many different positions in that time. Did you ever actually meet Ra?"

  "For sixteen years I served in our Lord's personal guard, before being rewarded with this post." Jehen'u swallowed the inevitable pang of regret that he had not succeeded in rising to a rank higher than Fourth. He repeated the signal to commence the combat, but again, Daniel Jackson started to talk.

  "So you would have spent time on Ra's Ha'tak ship?"

  "I had that honor."

  "The one with the ram-headed statue behind the ring transporter? The huge throne room with the long billowing curtains and pillars everywhere?" Daniel Jackson asked eagerly. "The throne was flanked by two huge Horns statues, their wings outstretched, and behind the throne were two incense braziers."

  Jehen'u eyed him speculatively. "Such words do describe our Lord's vessel," he admitted. "Enough, we must begin." He brought his sword down in a sweeping, testing arc, expecting the boy to follow suit.

  Daniel Jackson danced back out of reach and kept talking, his hands and sword flapping through the air in emphasis. "There were children, all ages, not wearing very much. He kept them close to him. They were his personal servants, even helping him bathe and dress. And cats! Huge, brindled cats all over the place."

  I may be wrong about this one. He is not as powerful as I thought. He may even be the opposite. He does not engage me in battle. Is he a coward?

  Confused, Jehen'u prowled toward his opponent who again backed away, all kinds of emotions flittering across his features. "How could you know this?"

  "Because I've been there. I met Ra. I talked to him face to face."

  Anger fuelled Jehen'u's lunge at the boy. His sword flashed in a glittering arc through the air. "No servant who does not belong to his personal retinue has ever been gifted with the sight of our Lord's true face."

  Daniel Jackson ducked and danced back, his own sword gripped tight but only half-raised in defense. Above them, the gong belled flatly across the snow.

  I have made an error.

  Jehen'u swung again. With a grimace the boy deflected the blow, the sword handle twisting in his grip with the force of the strike. He grabbed it with both hands and sidestepped away.

  This fight' insults me. He is no more than a chattering boy. My men shall lose all regard for me. They see now, I have chosen the weakest opponent. The others were strong, honorable warriors. I shall face a challenge when this day is finished. My misjudgment has undone me.

  Not really listening to the human's babble, and resolutely ignoring the niggling doubt that it would be dishonorable to win such an unequal fight, Jehen'u attacked, driving Daniel Jackson back and back with a succession of solid blows. Yet, still the boy avoided any aggressive moves and chattered on and on.

  "Ra was very young, very beautiful. He had long black hair which the children pinned up when he bathed. His eyes were dark brown, but sometimes they would glow bright white. He was slender, moved very elegantly." Gasping against the shock of the strikes but, apparently undaunted, Daniel Jackson continued to rattle on. He evaded another sweep of Jehen'u's sword and kept bouncing around the arena, leading him in a bizarre, frustrating dance.

  "He had a device on his hand that he used to shred the brain of anyone who displeased him."

  As Jehen'u's sword swept over his opponent's head, the boy dropped into a crouch and craned around, trying to keep the weapon in view while he struggled back upright. To Jehen'u's mounting exasperation, the boy continued to talk.

  "You know I'm speaking the truth, Jehen'u. We were prisoners on his Ha'tak. We were exploring on Abydos when Ra came in his ship. We were captured and brought before him."

  Jehen'u's sword whistled toward him again. Desperately, the young man blocked it, wincing as the blow reverberated up his arm.

  "Ask yourself this: why would prisoners who had been captured and beaten by Ra want to go through this Trial to serve him?"

  "Your reasons for seeking the blessing of our god are no concern of mine."

  Jehen'u swung wide, forcing Daniel Jackson to skip sideways. He halted, not even breathing hard and tracked the young man with his eyes. Movement flickered beyond the sweating, still-talking boy: a brief flash of pale brown behind the ranks of Jehen'u's men. He swatted at Daniel Jackson, kept him moving and continued to watch. There. A glimpse of pale hair and sand-colored clothing. It was the woman, out of the recovery tent and skulking behind the lines of his warriors.

  Jehen'u toyed with his opponent, sending him dancing in a circle with wide sweeps of his sword, not bothering for real contact as he searched for the other two. Sure enough, the first prime and the older man were sliding through the snow, crouched down but maneuvering with intent, no doubt to rescue this burbling weakling.

  Why should they bother so? His opponent was no fighter. Did he have worth that would warrant such risk when the three had already won their freedom? A scholar, the older one had said. They had value in certain circles, but to deserve such devotion from warriors seemed wrong... then again, his own people did protect the weaker ones of their society, the women, children, those of great age.

  Confusion and annoyance mounting in equal measure, Jehen'u swung his attention and sword at Daniel Jackson, delivering a series of hard, well placed blows. After eluding the first, the boy surprised him all over again by suddenly returning the attack, parrying each strike with graceful strength and skill. He handled his weapon well and Jehen'u found a force of determination in those dazzling eyes that once again confounded his assumptions. This man was no weakling. He had the skills of a considerable warrior, but chose instead to wield his tongue as a weapon.

  yy?

  Jehen'u backed off his attack and began to listen properly.

  Slowing as the assault died off, Daniel Jackson dragged air into his lung
s. His hands were white with the pressure of his grip on the sword and his clothing bore several slashes from Jehen'u's attacks. He stumbled away as Jehen'u stalked toward him. Instantly, the boy's tongue started again.

  "Okay, answer this then. How long has it been since you last heard from anyone in Ra's empire? Have your supply shipments stopped? Have any other supplicants come through the Stargate on the Trial recently?"

  "It has been three years and three months since we last received supplies," Jehen'u admitted reluctantly. "And you and your companions are the first to engage the Trial in four years."

  Ugly realizations began to build in his mind. Not wanting to confront them, Jehen'u lunged, but pulled the blade down at the last second. Daniel Jackson countered, missed by a sword's length, then froze, the tip of Jehen'u's sword pressing lightly on his groin. The spectators cheered at the prospect of at last seeing blood shed in this odd duel.

  Daniel Jackson gamely pressed on, flinching only slightly at the pressure of the sword. "Ra's empire has disintegrated," he said quietly, earnestly. "I'm sorry, Jehen'u, but Ra died on Abydos three years ago. His death upset the balance of power amongst the System Lords and there have been many battles to try and gain dominance. For a while, Apophis was in control but he suffered heavy losses and was caught and killed by Sokar." He gasped as the sword pressed a little harder. Jehen'u was impressed with the young man's courage as he held still, fighting the instinct to pull away.

  "You are free, Jehen'u. All of your men here are free. Unless you want to seek service with another System Lord, you can go home, be with your families. No-one else has to die here."

  Shock rippled through Jehen'u, echoed by a murmur from those Jaffa closest to them. A god cannot die. The thought came automatically, but even so, it was filled with doubt. He had misjudged this young man twice, assuming him the strongest, then the weakest. Now he did not know what to think.

  "You and your men are trapped in this Trial as surely as we are, Jehen'u," the soft voice persisted.

  Past the panting man, Jehen'u saw the woman rise from concealment, her weapon reclaimed and aimed squarely at his own heart. A flicker of brown to the other side told him the other two supplicants were prepared to fight to the death. For the life of this young human... or for the truth?

  And he was not.

  There was no honor in this fight. He could dispatch the boy, no, man, with a flick of his wrist, but it would be no worthy victory. After a lifetime of dutifully following the orders of his god, Jehen'u knew, this time, he wished to follow the honor of his heart. He snatched the blade away so abruptly that a little yelp escaped Daniel Jackson.

  Jehen'u turned to his men and bellowed, "Jaffa! Kree! This combat is postponed. Return to your quarters."

  Stunned, the Jaffa slowly obeyed and moved away from the arena. Suddenly, commotion erupted within three different sections of the crowd as the supplicants were discovered. Jaffa milled uncertainly together, until Jehen'u shouted them on their way.

  Daniel Jackson closed his eyes in relief, backed away and headed shakily out of the arena toward his people, keeping a reasonable distance from Jehen'u and his sword. "Hi guys. I'm okay, actually. You don't need to, um...." He indicated the round object in the older one's hand. It was unfamiliar to Jehen'u but seemed to be a weapon.

  His protector's eyes raked Daniel Jackson from head to toe. Sighing, he secured the weapon. "Keep you from being turned into a eunuch?" he finished bluntly.

  Jehen'u ignored them and walked up to the first prime. "The b... young man says that Ra and Apophis have perished. Does he speak the truth?"

  "Tec'ma-te, upon my honor as a Jaffa, his words are the truth," he replied gravely, offering the honorific of Master.

  "I'm sorry, Jehen'u," Daniel Jackson began.

  A slashing motion of Jehen'u's sword cut him off. "You will leave here now."

  "What?"

  "Swell. Thanks a bunch. Be seeing you," the loud one interrupted. He indicated for the first prime and the woman to head for the Chappa'ai, snagged a handful of Daniel Jackson's clothing and began to tow him along.

  "Wait, Jack... Jehen'u, if you believe me, then can you tell us if there is a way out of this Trial?"

  "There is not. You must complete your quest."

  "There's a surprise," came a loud mutter.

  Jehen'u trailed them to the Chappa'ai, dismissing his shamefaced troops who were supposed to have been guarding the tent.

  "Well, what about you?" Daniel Jackson persisted. "If the Stargate only leads to the next planet in the Trial, do you have any way of getting home?"

  "We do not. This planet has been our home for many years. It shall continue to serve as such."

  Daniel Jackson's protectors swiftly repacked the equipment vehicle they had brought with them and had raided in their attempted rescue. Jehen'u's eyes met the young man's gaze.

  Daniel Jackson walked over to him and gravely presented his sword, hilt first. "If we make it through the Trial is there someone, somewhere we can contact, let them know you are here?"

  Jehen'u regarded him solemnly, a small smile tugging the corner of his mouth. He would like to see his home planet once more. "Should you find yourselves on Dashani you may find the Jaffa there disposed to bring a ship to collect us."

  "Dashani? Dashani. I'll remember. Thank you, Jehen'u"

  "Go before my Jaffa realize I have lost all my faculties."

  Daniel Jackson nodded and shivered, now clearly feeling the cold air. He joined his people who smiled at him, pleased with his survival, although they did make him carry his own equipment. The loud one attached a heavy sack to Daniel Jackson's back and thus prepared, they clustered around the first prime as he dialed the coordinates and read the password from his tablet.

  "Semetu. "

  The Chappa'ai belched to life. The first prime bowed gravely to Jehen'u and stepped into it. The woman guided their machine forward while Daniel Jackson gave a tentative smile and nod of farewell before following her. The loud one sketched a salute and hopped quickly into the vortex.

  The Stargate snapped off, and Jehen'u found himself alone in the deserted, snow-covered field, a sense of change looming over him, his maturing symbiote shifting in its pouch.

  GATE THREE

  Destroyer of Fire

  he cold nothingness of the wormhole resolved into warm, breathable air as Teal'c emerged from the event horizon. Even before his eyesight had cleared he extended a leg to take that first step, and found himself falling. He caught a fleeting glimpse of water underneath him and then he hit the surface, sending up a huge, briny splash.

  Dark water closed over his head. He sank until reflexes kicked in and he struggled for the surface, his pack and staff weapon weighing him down and his broken thumb throbbing with the strain. He broke the surface, twisting around to find the Stargate, just in time to see the FRED emerge and perform a perfect nosedive, its weight dragging it straight down. Making a mental note of its position, Teal'c swam to one side. Seconds later Major Carter emerged and fell with a squawk and a frantic wriggle.

  Paddling to the spot where she had disappeared, Teal'c extended his staff down into the water and moved it about, hoping to locate her. It bumped against something solid, then was pulled downward. Left hand stroking steadily to keep his head above water, Teal'c pulled the staff up and Major Carter followed, gasping and spitting out water.

  "Teal'c? What...?"

  His answer was cut off by Daniel Jackson's arrival, whose momentum carried him out several feet before he dropped in an ungainly flail of arms and legs, his yelp of surprise swallowed by the water closing over his head.

  O'Neill tumbled out of the wormhole seconds later, unable to do anything but hit the water in a stunning belly flop.

  "Ouch." Major Carter winced in sympathy, treading water and trying not to drag Teal'c down.

  Daniel Jackson shot gracelessly to the surface, head stretched back to suck in great gulps of air. O'Neill popped up right in front of him, spitting water
and curses with equal abandon.

  "Sonofabitch! What the hell happened to the ground?"

  Teal'c cranked his head around as far as he could; there was little to see but water stretching in all directions. The Stargate seemed to be perched on thin supports just above the surface; the DHD also sat on stilts. The usual platform was obviously missing. Further away, what looked to be roofs or pillars extended from the water. There was no dry land in sight.

  "We must remove our equipment," he said.

  Together they struggled back to the now-deactivated Stargate, finding a small foothold on its supports. Major Carter heaved herself up and draped over the ring like a sack of wet laundry. Teal'c hooked an arm next to her and looked anxiously back at their teammates as they splashed and spluttered their way over, weapons and waterlogged packs doing their best to drag them under.

  Daniel surged up onto the ring, throwing one leg over to sit side-saddle. Major Carter wriggled around to face him. They stared at each other, a pair of drowned rats with water streaming off them. They grinned.

  "Glad I cut my hair," she said, shoving wet strands of hair off her forehead.

  "Me too," Daniel admitted wryly.

  Teal'c handed his staff to Major Carter and levered up to sit behind her. O'Neill aborted heaving himself onto the ring and launched back through the water, swimming several furious strokes to recover his floating forage cap before splashing back to the Stargate. He hoisted himself up behind Daniel Jackson, shaking his head like a wet dog.

  They sat there for a time in bemused silence.

  "Well," O'Neill said finally. "This is different."

  "There are no people in sight," observed Teal'c.

  Daniel, shading his eyes against the sun's reflected glare, stared intently at the few structures showing above the water; here and there the skeletal limbs of trees reached forlornly to the sky. "Whatever happened here, it happened a while ago," he said. "The trees are all dead."

  "Found the moon-clock, sir."

  Teal'c twisted around, peering down at the rear of the Stargate. The device sat snugly attached to the outer ring, just above the water level.