CHAPTER ONE

The morning was warm and a haze shrouded the landscape. Commander Adisa Thoril looked back from her vantage point behind the trees near the giant stone circle wishing she could return to the cool artificial air within the city. She had been suspicious of the visitors from Earth and had specifically requested this mission today. She doubted that they would return as promised, having seen that the military and technological might of the planet far exceeded what they had expected, but she was equally sure if they did it would be for no other purpose than to demand it at the point of a weapon. Years of isolationist behaviour had bred in them a distrust of anybody from the outside. The one who called himself Jackson had stirred her curiosity perhaps more than the others. His interests did not seem to be as clear as his companions. They claimed to be explorers and yet he had called himself an archaeologist, with an interest in their history, as though he were looking for a connection, something that would bind her people to his; a connection she was certain could not exist. A ruse perhaps, but he had been granted access to the archives. She had objected but had been assured that the curator would be cautious.

As the stone ring activated she signalled her patrol to fan out. Several long seconds passed before the first of the off-world visitors appeared. She recognised Samantha Carter, and two of the three men with her. The fourth had not accompanied the group on their last visit. She waited, out of sight until the shimmering circle dissipated and she was sure that there were no more off-worlders; no invasion force. She holstered her weapon, pulled off her helmet and stepped out of cover. Carter stared blankly for a moment until Adisa remembered that she was still cloaked. Quickly pressing the button on the wrist of the body armour she wore, she apologised.

"Don't worry," Sam smiled warmly.

"Who is this?" Adisa demanded, indicating the stranger in their midst.

"This is Major Davis," Carter introduced quickly, glancing down to see that Adisa's grip had tightened around her weapon. "He is with Stargate Command and works with us. He helps to facilitate off-world negotiations."

Adisa raised her hand, signalling to her guards to lower their weapons and Carter visibly relaxed.

"Major Davis, this is Commander Adisa Thoril." Carter continued.

Davis stepped forward with a confidence he didn't feel. He was a good negotiator, a great facilitator but not the best inter-galactic traveller. It made him feel nauseous and edgy. He felt the female officer examining him, taking in every detail. An uneasy smile flickered on her lips for a moment when their eyes finally met.

"Welcome to Kvenla, Major…" she faltered.

"Davis," he said, his hand held out in greeting. Despite the severe manner in which her hair was pulled away from her face and the epicene uniform, he couldn't deny she was an attractive woman.

Her stomach flipped as they touched, and he wrapped his fingers firmly around hers. A confusing flurry of images flashed through her mind and she snatched her hand away, swallowing back the lump in her throat.

"If you would all follow me to the city, the Vinor is waiting for you," she said, turning sharply and marching ahead.

"Wait 'til ya see this!" Mitchell chuckled.

They walked through the trees to a clearing on the other side. Adisa removed a small hand devise and pressed a button. A wave of blue light flashed through the empty space before them and the city became instantly visible.

"Makes the central locking on your SUV look boring now, huh?" Mitchell nudged Davis who was still staring slack-jawed.

"This way," Adisa said, glancing over her shoulder directly at Davis before marching on at pace.

.

The room they were led to was not the same as on their first visit. This time it was a more formal setting. The room itself was circular, as was the stone table which sat in the exact centre on what appeared to be a hand woven carpet with a large golden symbol beneath each seat. Windows ran from floor to ceiling giving a view of the city beyond. The walls were a dark purple colour and made the cool room feel warmer. Vinor Erlend stood as Adisa entered the conference room ahead of SG1. She bowed to him before approaching. He had already spotted the stranger in their midst and the look he exchanged with his commander was not subtle. She whispered something to him before announcing the guests.

"Vinor, allow me to present Major Davis. He has been sent to negotiate on behalf of Earth," she said. The Vinor turned towards Davis, examining him before finally deciding he was acceptable.

"Welcome to Kvenla, Major Davis. I am Vinor Erlend Thoril. The people call me Vinor Erlend and you may do the same. Will your companions also be staying for our talks?"

Davis cleared his throat. "Colonel Carter and Colonel Mitchell will. Doctor Jackson, I understand, has arranged to meet with one of your historians."

"Yes. Laren said he would take me through some old documents to help me better understand your civilisation," Jackson supported.

"Take Doctor Jackson to the repository," Erlend called to the guard on the door. "I hope that you do not mind but I have asked Commander Thoril to remain. She will be your liaison. Commander Selanus is my personal guard and is with me wherever I go. I hope you understand. We have been too much alone, possibly." Vinor Erlend chuckled to himself before indicating that they were all seated. "I imagine that we sent you away after your last visit with the impression that we are a cold and inhospitable people."

Carter started a half-hearted objection but the Vinor held up his hand. "We wish to hold a banquet in your honour this evening. I appreciate that it is unexpected but as our days are shorter than yours it should not delay your return by too much."

Major Davis glanced at Adisa, suddenly aware that her attention was fixed on him. "We would be delighted," he replied.

"Good," Vinor Erlend said, slapping his hands down onto the surface of the desk. "I hope that we will all become good friends."

.

Daniel Jackson sat in the repository reading through dusty old manuscripts that he been retrieved and presented to him. Unlike the other places in the city that he had seen, the repository was exactly as he would have imagined. Dark and gloomy. Slightly dusty, which did nothing for his allergies, warmer than the main city areas he had passed through on his way here. Laren never left him alone; not even when Jackson had asked for more documents. Laren has sent a subordinate scurrying through the maze of shelves, but even so, Jackson had the distinct impression that Laren was holding something back. Numerous times he had asked if he could have a look around but had been very politely told that anything he requested would be brought for him. He'd given up.

The language in the older documents was vaguely familiar to him but not clear enough that he could translate. Carefully he copied down passages from the old scrolls into his notebook whilst Laren looked on, his brow furrowed.

He had been sat for around an hour when there was a sudden exchange between Laren and the younger man Jackson had come to see as the runner. Laren's voice was raised and the younger man appeared chastised, staring at the ground and nodding. Laren fell silent and the young man disappeared into the depths of the repository. Laren glanced furtively about before slowly approaching and slipping a piece of paper into Daniels notebook. Jackson spun in his chair and opened his mouth to speak but Laren shook his head and raised a finger to his lips before resuming his position as overseer. Daniel removed the paper under cover of his palm and placed it carefully into his pocket before returning his attentions to the parchment he had open on the table.

Seconds later the runner appeared again, with armfuls of dusty old papers and lay them carefully on the desk.

"You may leave," Laren said to him. The man hesitated for just a moment, then bowed and did as he was asked. "Doctor Jackson, the Vinor asked that I make available to you facilities in which to refresh yourself before the banquet. When you are ready, I will show you the way."

"Laren, what is this?" Jackson asked, retrieving the paper from his pocket. Laren looked around quickly, his brow furrowed.

"Not here. I will find a way," Laren whispered, stepping away. Jackson stuffed it back in his pocket with a resigned sigh and continued his work.

.

Vinor Erlend warmly greeted SG1 as they entered the banqueting hall. It had been carefully decorated with embroidered banners and coloured swags. There was something about the symbols and decorated drapery that, again, pulled at a memory buried deep in Jackson's mind and it was frustrating him more and more.

"Doctor Jackson, have you had a productive day?" Vinor Erlend asked, noticing the pensive expression on the face of his guest.

"What? Oh, yes, Thank you. You can call me Daniel. Laren was very helpful and very accommodating." Jackson replied.

"Your companions are to return to continue our talks. Will you be joining them? Laren is very proud of the repository. It has been his lifes work."

"I would like to. I suspect that there's still a lot I can learn about your people and this planet."

"Then we shall look forward to seeing you. I notice that Major Davis is not with you?"

"He'll be along soon," Mitchell replied. "I think he was just taking in some of the sights. We've been locked away all day and he's not great with confinement."

"As you say. Well, you must eat and drink." Vinor Erlend said, pointing at the table heavily laden with local delicacies and wine at the far end of the room. He waited until they were out of earshot before calling to his guard.

"Where is my daughter?" he demanded.

"Vinor, I believe she is…"

"I am here, father," Adisa replied. The Vinor dismissed the guard with little more than a wave of his hand.

"Adisa, where have you been? You should have been here to greet our guests," he reprimanded.

"I am sorry to be late, father," she replied irritably.

"Major Davis seems to have taken himself on a tour of our city. I should like you to locate him and…bring him back to the correct path immediately."

"He can do no harm, father. We have a beautiful planet. Why should he not wish to explore it? What harm can he possibly do?"

"Do not argue with me, child."

"Why not send one of the guards if you are so concerned?" Adisa retorted.

"Because if I send guards he may grow suspicious. He may think we are keeping secrets, hiding things from him."

"Father, what could he possibly…"

"I gave you an order…as your leader," Erlend said in a low growl through a fixed smile.

"Immediately, Vinor," Adisa spat petulantly before bowing and heading from the hall.

.

Major Davis walked slowly along the path and away from the city, his eyes fixed on the night sky. Adisa had no difficulty locating him in the light of the twin moons. She tried to call out but her throat constricted and mouth had gone dry. She couldn't understand why she was finding his presence so difficult. She didn't know him but she recognised in herself that she needed to. She stood still, filled with a sudden trepidation and watched as he meandered towards the trees. She could not recall ever having been unsure of herself, but this man drove in her an insecurity that was bewildering.

"Major Davis," she called out in a strangled whisper as she approached him.

Startled, he spun around and simply started at her for a moment, eyes wide and eyebrows raised. "Commander Thoril?"

She nodded. "My name is Adisa,"

"Paul," he mumbled, holding her gaze. Flustered, Adisa turned her attention to the night sky but he could not take his eyes from her. Her dark hair was loose and fell softly to shoulders that looked so pale against the fitted black leather bodice of the gown she wore. Red-gold flecks in the gentle curls shone in the moonlight. Her eyes were green; a vivid green that could not have been possible in any person from Earth without the help of coloured contact lenses. The transformation from soldier could not have been more dramatic and it took his breath away.

"I often wish that I could walk among the stars…as you do I think," Adisa said, turning to face him again.

"Not me, not often anyway. I leave that to Colonel Mitchell and the others," Davis replied. "You have a Stargate though. Have you never used it?"

She shook her head. "It was buried until the landslide uncovered it, but I very much doubt that my father will allow us to use it," she sighed.

"Why?"

"As he said, we have been a long time alone here. He is an old man now and I think that he is too afraid to allow it. Perhaps one day…in the future."

"Is that why he asked you to stay during the negotiations? He's expecting you to take over from him someday?"

"I requested he allowed me to remain," she said, then frowned before continuing. "And the Vinor is elected. It is not passed from father to son...or daughter."

"Why?"

"It is not appropriate to assume the bloodline will always produce another who is strong enough to lead the people."

"I'm sorry, I meant why did you choose to stay?"

"I don't know. I just...felt that I needed to be there." Adisa was silent for a moment, her attention returning to the sky. "I would like…" she began again, the stopped abruptly and looked back over her shoulder towards the city. "I have kept you too long from your friends already. Please forgive me."

"Don't apologise. It's all very well to visit new places but it's good to talk about something other than business."

"Yes, I'm sure." She held his gaze for just a second too long before tearing her eyes away as she felt the crimson heat creep up her chest and neck.

"You have a beautiful planet…well…from the little I've seen," Davis smiled.

"The view of the moons from the mountains is stunning. It is a hard climb but well worth it. Legend has it that it was where many of our ancient religious ceremonies took place. If you saw it…" She stopped suddenly "However, I was sent to return you to the banquet."

"Are you okay?" Davis asked.

"Fine," she replied flatly.

"No…you're not." He lunged forward and took her hand. She stared down at his fingers, wrapped authoritatively but gently around hers and his touch felt like a static charge through her body and she grimaced as a pain shot through her temple.

He released her hand and apologised, wondering why the hell he'd done it in the first place.

"Really, it's nothing. We should return." Behind her icy stare, he could sense apprehension, fear even. He could hear her breathing; quick and shallow. They set off walking in silence, Adisa's mind racing. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat before speaking again. "I understand that you are expected to resume talks tomorrow."

"That's right," Davis replied.

She stopped. "Major Davis…my father may not be the most welcoming man but he is not stupid and if you are able to make him a reasonable offer I believe that he will be willing to share some of our research and technology with you."

"Will we see you tomorrow?"

"I'm afraid not. I will be on training with my unit."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Perhaps, if the negotiations go well, you may visit us again one day." She smiled at him with all the warmth of an avalanche and picked up her pace.

.

Erlend insisted that Adisa accompany him to the Stargate to bid their new friends farewell for the evening.

"We would have been glad to offer you accommodation overnight," Erlend said as Jackson dialled Earth on the DHD.

"We've taken up enough of your time for one day," Mitchell replied as he watched Adisa determinedly avoid making eye contact with Davis, even as they shook hands.

"I shall ensure that you are met here tomorrow by one of my men," Erlend said, directing his comment to Carter.

"Until tomorrow," Carter smiled and led the way through the gate. Erlend and the small armed detachment that had accompanied him started back to the city. Adisa hesitated a moment. Davis glanced over his shoulder, briefly catching Adisa's eye before disappearing into the wormhole.

.

Landry was waiting in the briefing room when the team returned, watching from the window overlooking the gate room. They still found the transition from night to day strange. Walter's voice came over the tannoy requesting that they went for immediate de-briefing. As Carter and Jackson headed off, Mitchell held back for a moment.

"Davis," he called quietly

"Sir?" Davis replied.

"Look, off the record – what's going on with the Vinor's daughter?"

A frown crinkled Davis' brow. "I don't know what you mean, Colonel."

"I saw the way she was trying not to look at you. Is there something you want to tell me? What happened when she followed you?" Mitchell asked confidentially.

"Nothing," Davis snapped.

"I'm talking to you as a friend. Let's face it, she's easy on the eye, right?"

Davis immediately recalled the moment he had laid eyes on her as they emerged from the Stargate on Kvenla, the connection that had taken him by surprise when they touched. "There was nothing like that, Colonel Mitchell," he said, turning and heading out of the gate room.

Mitchell rolled his eyes and sighed, following him up the stairs towards the briefing room.

Landry sat forward in his chair, leaning on the table and waiting, not terribly patiently, for Davis and Mitchell. They each took their seat to the sound of Landry's deliberately loud exhalation.

"Sorry sir," Davis said as he opened the file he had brought with him.

"So, what happened?" Landry said. Davis passed his notes up the table to the General who quickly scanned the contents. "Doesn't seem to be anything much agreed?"

"No sir. They were very reluctant. Vinor Erlend wanted to know about our civilisation and our weapons capability before they would even consider speaking about themselves. I believe that they are concerned that we will attempt to force them to hand over their technology under threat of war. What they did tell us was very scant. They clearly are more advanced than we are from a medical and scientific perspective. They seem to live long lives and remain perfectly healthy. Vinor Erlend claims to be 170 years old. I would suggest taking a medical expert but…" Davis began.

"They wouldn't agree to that," Jackson interjected

"And why not, Doctor Jackson?" Landry asked.

"Because they're distrustful of strangers. I think Commander Thoril was ready to have Major Davis shot on sight, except for Carter's intervention," Jackson began.

Mitchell glanced over at Davis who quickly looked away.

"If we start turning up with more outsiders they may not react too kindly and it could jeopardise the entire mission," Jackson replied.

"Explain," Landry pressed.

"They allowed me access to their repository but I was watched every second I was there. They don't want us to be wandering around alone. Erlend thought we couldn't hear him but he was very keen that Major Davis wasn't allowed to wander around on his own. They may think that we are trying to obtain their knowledge covertly. Erlend offered a tour of the city and the planet. In a more relaxed situation we may be able to tentatively introduce the idea of specialists. "

Landry took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "That sounds reasonable."

"I still say there's something strange going on there though," Mitchell muttered. "I don't know what but…"

"They're just wary," Carter replied.

"They claim never to have heard of the Goa'uld. Don't you think that's a little peculiar?" Mitchell persisted.

"The Stargate was buried, perhaps for centuries. It's not impossible to imagine that the Goa'uld never reached them," Carter suggested.

"There's naquadah in the mountains and they were mining it until around century ago. I can't see the Goa'uld missing an opportunity like that."

"I guess." But Mitchell was unconvinced. "I don't suppose you…you know…sensed anything in them?"

"Are they Goa'uld, you mean? No," Carter replied.

"Laren gave me this," Jackson said, holding aloft the slip of paper his host had been so determined to give to him. "He was very concerned that nobody saw him pass it to me so it must contain something that the Kvenla people would rather we didn't know…or didn't find."

Carter stared at him, eyebrows raised quizzically, waiting for him to elaborate.

"I don't know what it says…or is even. This part looks like some kind of map. The etymology seems to be old Norse but the differences, whilst subtle in configuration, must change the entire language or this makes absolutely no sense."

"Keep working on it Doctor Jackson and see if you can get this Laren to give you more information. In the meantime, I suggest you all get some rest. Embarkation is set for zero four hundred hours to account for the time difference. I understand that you should arrive just in time for lunch." Landry smiled and, placing his hands on the table, he pushed himself up out of the chair. "Dismissed."

Mitchell held back as the others drifted away from the room. Landry watched him, sitting with his finger against his lips, pensively.

"Did you want something, Colonel Mitchell?" Landry asked.

"Hm?" Mitchell mumbled, suddenly aware that he was sat alone. "No, sir…well…it's just that…Would Doctor Lam have any way of…could she tell if someone had been…you know…altered...mentally?"

Relieved that the Colonel had finally got to the end of his sentence, Landry exhaled loudly and shook his head.

"Who are we talking about, Colonel?"

"Davis, sir,"

"Major Davis? He seemed fine."

"It was just that there was this woman on Kvenla, the Vinor's daughter. They spent some time together, alone. When we left, they wouldn't even look at each other but he is really touchy about it."

Landry started to chuckle. "You don't suppose that our Major Davis has been involved in negotiations of his own with this young woman, do you?"

"They weren't gone long enough for that!" Mitchell seemed horrified at the suggestion.

Landry rolled his eyes. "I just meant that perhaps he's a little…taken with her. He knows the rules. He's not about to admit it to a senior officer, is he? But nor is he going to jeopardize his career."

"I guess not."

"Don't give him a hard time, Colonel. This will all be over soon enough, and he'll be back in Washington and will have forgotten all about her." He patted Mitchell's shoulder. "Perhaps you should get out more."