Chapter 4 – Special.

Athera's Home, Evening…

The day had worn on with Rodney mercilessly complaining, not even the abundant scrolls and their knowledge would quiet him, not the food Athera provided or the angry glares from Ronan. John was on his last nerve and ready to snap if one more complaint came from his-

'I mean, it's not like it's hard. A few extra feathers and a little less straw would make for a far more comfy mattress, wouldn't you agree?'

'No.' John snapped. 'I wouldn't agree, Rodney, I wouldn't agree that the food is too dry, that the weather is too hot, that the waiting game is too boring and that your shoes are too squeaky.'

Rodney stared. 'Jeez, Sheppard, lighten up – it's not that I don't like the place, it's just that I'm not overly keen on it, that's all.' He said simply. 'Oh! Oh, would you look at that! You know, that is just inconsiderate.' He moaned.

'What, what is it now?' Ronan growled.

'Oh, don't you start with the bad attitude, even though I know your so use to it.' Rodney shot at him. Ronan stood and growled at him before leaving the room moodily. Rodney looked slightly pale but recovered none the less. 'He just didn't have a good comeback.' He turned to his shoe. 'I cannot believe some one would just leave a tomato on the floor where I could step on it.'

'It's yours genius, it fell off your plate at lunch.' John said tiredly.

'Well why didn't you say anything?' He asked shortly.

'Because I didn't care?' John groaned.

John shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Teyla gritted her teeth. 'Rodney, perhaps you should go and rest, the sleep will do you good after a night of such excitement.' She insisted. Rodney scoffed.

'On that concrete death trap? I'd rather stay sitting here all night long.' Rodney folded his arms and John stood, the thought of Rodney remaining obviously too much.

Teyla looked to the window and saw the sun setting, pinks and oranges creeping in to the darkening sky. Athera walked in with a cotton bound bag at her side.

'My servant's son is ill and must remain at home, but I need dates for this evenings meal. Would you like to accompany me to the market before it closes?' She asked Teyla.

'Why Teyla?' Rodney asked shrilly. 'I've been stuck in here all-'

'Rodney!' John shouted. 'Take it down a pitch, would you?' He said irritatedly.

'I am afraid that you and your male companions look nothing like those on our world. Your hair is short and your skin too fair, your tall friend however may look the part, but his temperament is not that of my people. If we were to meet the guard, he would easily displease them and be executed.' Athera explained. 'But I believe Teyla can wander the streets with me and appear as though she belongs, if she wishes?'

Teyla looked to John. Although she would never let him stop her from doing what she wanted, she felt it best to seek his permission anyway. He gave a gentle nod and Teyla smiled.

'I would be glad to accompany you.' She replied. Athera smiled warmly.

'I will meet you outside in a moment.' She left and Rodney pouted.

'Shall I bring you something?' Teyla asked the Colonel, he looked up at her from his chair.

'Yeah, you, in one piece.' He said firmly. 'Are you armed?'

He glanced at the dress she wore, his eyes lingering for longer than he should have been allowed. Teyla felt her cheeks burn and nodded, turning to the window.

'In a manner of speaking.'

'And that manner would be…?' He prodded.

'Do not worry, Colonel, I can take care of myself.' She smiled and crossed the room to leave.

'I know that, but these guys have swords the size of…Rodney's ego.' Sheppard explained.

'Hey.' Rodney said defensively.

'Seriously?' John turned to him with a raised eyebrow and Rodney nodded reluctantly.

'It is not a flaw, but an asset. It only proves that I am a genius.' He stated.

'Yeah, whatever.' John stood and crossed over her to her, getting close so that Rodney couldn't hear. 'Get back in time to stop me from shooting him.'

Teyla nodded with a grin and left. John paused, and then called after her. 'Although if you're late, it would be better for everyone.'

'What would be better?' Rodney asked curiously.

John turned smiling falsely. 'Nuthin'.'

Teyla walked down the stairs and caught sight of a young face peeking at her from behind a door at the end of the hall. Teyla smiled widely and boy opened the door and smiled shyly. Teyla reached the bottom and looked around. There were no adults, or people of any kind. She walked over and the boy began to sway with an innocent shyness.

'Hello.' She sank to a crouch and smiled up at him. 'Where is your Mother?'

'She is cooking.' The boy mumbled. His short sandy blonde hair and vibrant green eyes marked him as a beautiful boy.

Teyla nodded. 'And your name is…?' She asked kindly.

'Diodorus Paramonos Thales.' The boy answered confidently, having rehearsed the saying of his full name time and time again. Teyla grinned.

'I am Teyla Emmagan.' She put a hand on his shoulder as the door opened further behind him and a woman hurried out. Teyla stood as she took the boys shoulders and held him against her.

'My Diodorus.' She smiled 'He did not bother you?'

Teyla shook her head. 'No, we were just talking.'

The woman nodded. Teyla saw the boy had gotten his green eyes from his mother. 'Athera awaits you outside the house.' She nodded to the front door.

Teyla thanked the woman and walked to the door, turning to see her take her son by the hand and walk back to the room. 'Come Dio.' She said sweetly. The boy turned and waved at Teyla who waved in return.

Teyla met Athera outside the front of the house and the two women went on their way as the day drew to a close. Athera picked up the pace, insisting that the market would be closing soon. She told Teyla of the various families and business's of the houses they passed, and of tales of the Gods.

'Are there no God's you worship?' She asked curiously.

Teyla shook her head. 'No, not Gods. We pay great respects to our ancestors, but we live free of religion.'

'Our religion does not make us slaves.' Athera smiled.

'But it does induce fear, does it not? Aresedys, the God of Chaos and War, is worshipped by your leader. This does not frighten you?' She asked.

Athera looked at the path in front and seemed oddly expressionless. 'Titus is our Emperor. We do not defy him. We do as he commands, and if he chooses to worship Aresedys alone, then we cannot stop him.'

Teyla nodded, noting that this was a subject that made her uncomfortable. She watched Athera for a moment and saw the woman frown before slowing to a halt. Teyla looked in front and saw they had entered into a large square with a fountain in the centre, a statue of a strong male figure carrying a spear and a harp.

Athera saw her staring and explained. 'Aprillis, God of Music, Wisdom and our Future. He is most beloved of the Gods.' She spun on the spot. 'This is most confusing.'

'What is it?' Teyla asked with a frown.

'The market is here.' Athera informed her.

Teyla looked around. It was empty, the buildings around it were dark with windows and doors shut. There were no people, and only vegetables littered the cobbled ground. 'This place is void of life. You are sure?'

'I come here often, and even when it is closed there are people – many people.' She seemed honestly baffled and slightly concerned. Teyla's alarms instantly hit alert.

'We must return to the house, we cannot be seen alone.' Teyla took her arm and knew that if they were seen by the guards, whether they were known to be traitors or not, they would still be questioned. Teyla didn't fancy telling elaborate lies if she didn't have to, especially since she knew little about this world. She turned Athera to the place from where she came and they stopped, Athera dropping her bag to the floor in fear.

Thirty armed guards flooded the square, surrounding them in full armour. A man gently walked up the street they had just travelled and wandered into the square and toward the two women. His long blue robes were shamed by the intense blue eyes that watched them.

Athera breathed heavily. 'It is the Altus Domino.' She said in horror, and dropped to her knees. Teyla glared at her back as she grovelled on the floor, Athera turned her head. 'Kneel, you must!'

Teyla considered this only for a second before knowing that to pretend would do no good. They knew who she was, otherwise they would not have come here, and a man of such prominence would not have been disturbed. Teyla lifted her chin.

'I bow to no man.'

The Domino smiled. 'Teyla Emmagan, Star Master. I am the Altus Domino, Kyros Praxiteles, the Emperors own hand.' He said arrogantly. 'And you will come with us to the High Steps.'

Athera turned her head again. 'The Emperor's palace!' She whispered desperately.

Teyla knew she couldn't fight her way out, but she wasn't going anywhere without looking even marginally intimidating. She bent over swiftly and lifted her dress to reveal a dagger strapped to her ankle, she snatched it from her hiding place and proceeded to rip both sides of her dress to the hip, allowing for movement when she needed to fight.

'Are you mad, Teyla? They will kill us both!' Athera hissed from the floor.

'Perhaps you should stand and call me mad.' Teyla whispered to her, the fact this woman was reprimanding her from the floor irritating her vastly.

The Domino smiled, approving of her insolence. 'The Emperor will take a liking to your temper, dear lady. He only wishes to speak with you.' He said gently, and then his face became cold with darker intents. 'You agree to sheath your blade and come with us quietly, and I will agree to let the girl go home. Stand Athera Kallias.' He said harshly.

Athera stood shakily and kept her eyes on the floor. The Domino pinned her with an unkind expression. 'Your husband would have been ashamed.'

Athera did not respond, but Teyla saw her fists clench from the corner of her eye.

If Teyla agreed, they would follow Athera to the rest of her team. If she did not, they would kill Athera and take her to the Emperor anyway. Teyla sighed. She hoped that John had saved his ammo and spared Rodney to fight.

'Athera.' She whispered. 'Go.'

Athera paused. 'But-'

'Go now.' Teyla said more harshly. 'And do what you can for my friends.'

'I swear, I knew nothing of this.' Athera insisted. Teyla nodded grimly.

Athera looked at Teyla with wide blue eyes and Teyla nodded encouragingly. The Domino nodded for the soldiers to give her a clear path and Athera ran, her sandals slapping against the floor.

'Someone knew.' She whispered. Teyla showed him the knife and then placed it back in the strap at her ankle.

The man nodded with a smile. 'Good.' The smile fell away and he turned, and as he did so the soldiers surged forward and seized her, despite her agreement to go quietly.

Athera did not stop running until she reached her home. She flew through the door and yelled orders for her servants to leave immediately in her own tongue, ordered them to spread throughout the city and await her commands. Ronan, Rodney and John came down the stairs in a hurry.

'What's going on?' Ronan asked.

'Where's Teyla?' John looked livid.

'The guard, and the Altus Domino himself, have taken her.' She said desperately. 'We must leave now if we are to evade-'

Ronan thrust her up against the wall. 'Where!'

Athera fought for breathe through her fear. 'To the High Steps! To the Emperor!'

'You set us up?' Rodney snapped.

'Not I! But they knew! They were waiting for us! Please, they will be here within minutes!' She pleaded.

Sheppard stepped forward. 'Ronan, let her down.' Ronan obeyed. 'We can't help Teyla if we get captured ourselves; let's get the gear and go.'

They left the house within minutes, following Athera into an alleyway a few streets from her house. John pulled her round and she gasped.

'Where is the palace?' He whispered.

'You cannot hope to penetrate it and save her.'

'That's not what he asked.' Ronan snarled.

'The palace is guarded by thousands of his soldiers!' She said forcefully. 'You would not pass within miles of it being who you are and not be captured!'

'There has to be a way in.' John insisted, his brown eyes searching her face in the starlight.

'There is not. All you can do now is wait.' She informed them.

'For what? Like we haven't done enough waiting today.' Rodney snapped.

'Her sentence.' Athera stated. 'The Emperor will not kill her; he is too fascinated by the power of the Gods, his own in particular. He will want to test her believing that she has powers for coming through the Astrum.' She paused. 'She will be sent to the Arena.'

'Alright, what is this Arena? I've heard people talk about it like it's some sort of looming apocalypse.' John scolded.

'You are not wrong.' Athera told him. 'It is a mighty building near the palace where thousands of people go to witness great fights in an arena below, the Emperor arranges one-on-ones to full scale battles for the crowds entertainment – and his own. She will undoubtedly be sent there.'

'And we're waiting why…?' Rodney prodded nastily.

'It will be difficult, but I can get you into the Arena without being seen when she fights, and from there you must decide your course of action alone. No one has escaped the palace or the Arena, but there are less guards in the Arena for certain.'

'How many?' John asked quietly.

'A few hundred.'

'Hundred? That's a few?' Rodney said shrilly.

'Be quiet!' John hissed. 'You're gonna have to do better than that.'

'Much better.' Ronan threatened.

'I cannot! You do not understand! To escape from the Arena is as difficult as…as…assassinating the Emperor! It cannot be done!' She said angrily.

John raised his eyebrows at Ronan and Rodney frowned. 'What?'

Ronan grinned and Athera looked pale and shocked. Rodney clicked. 'Oh come on, assassinate an Emperor, can we all say way too ambitious please? Not to mention insane!'

'Your scientifically minded friend is right. It cannot be done.' Athera said quietly.

'Look, you don't know anything about us so you're just going to have to trust me when I say we've done stuff like this before.' John said sweetly.

'No we haven't.' Rodney immediately contradicted.

'Rodney-' John began firmly.

'Well we haven't. Can you remember the last time we killed an evil-worshipping Emperor surrounded by thousands of guards with sharp pointy swords, mh?' He asked petulantly.

John paused. 'I'm sure we've done something close.' He nudged Athera forward. 'Come on.'

They left the alley way and Rodney moaned. 'What is it with these night time strolls in order to evade death?'

Teyla's knees hit the marble floor and the soldiers resumed their posts behind her. The room was large; it could fit a thousand people with room to spare. Pillars lined the edges leading onto a massive balcony overlooking the city below. But Teyla wasn't interested in scenery; she was too busy looking up at the massive marble throne in front of her with a massively attractive man sitting there and watching her with a large smile.

Titus stood from his throne and walked down the stairs toward her and Teyla stood.

'Welcome to my home, Teyla – Star Traveller.' He greeted with open arms.

Teyla rolled her eyes and Titus narrowed his.

'Your name is Teyla, is it not?' He asked simply.

She did not respond.

'And you have come to us through the Astrum, have you not?'

She did not respond.

Titus walked around her, inspecting her dress and the body underneath. Teyla clenched her fists.

'You travel with men through the great stone circle, bred from the dust of stars.' He stated soothingly, every world falling from his mouth with grace. 'You must be a great warrior, my goddess.'

'I am not a goddess.' She said firmly.

'Then what are you?' He said coldly. 'The Gods made the Deus Astrum and you have walked through it from another place – you are mortal, this I can see, but are you of the Gods? And from which in particular…?'

'I am not from the Gods, I am an explorer.' She said lazily.

'An explorer? And your friends? They explore with you?' He asked gently.

'I came alone.' She stated.

Titus paused. 'My sources say otherwise.'

'Your sources are either blind or hallucinating, I advise you get new ones.' She said sincerely.

Titus paused, and smiled. 'You do, do you?' He laughed and bounded up the stairs to his throne. 'How delicious you are Teyla Emmagan.' He nodded to the Altus Domino standing behind her. 'Take her to the Arena. Tomorrow, we shall see if she is blessed by the gods in a singles combat. And then I will decide on your fate…if you survive.'

The soldiers dragged her back and Titus proceeded to pop grapes into his mouth from a golden platter at his side.

Two days later, evening…

Teyla was thrown bodily into a large room full of people – scratch that – full of men. She had been brought to her new accommodation and these were the inmates that Titus had spoken of. Teyla smiled to herself.

These men were all battle worn – the survivors of the Arena who would be doomed to return. They watched her with interest, all of them filthy and scarred. Some cooed, others jeered, and some avoided her with eyes of paranoia. She stood shakily, rubbing her neck and looking the room over, suddenly realising that it was much bigger than she had first thought. It was a series of corridors attached to this one room which looked to be a gathering area and training arena. The corridors were lined with wooden cells where the inmates wandered freely. She saw straw stacks inside and realised the cells were being used as places to sleep, but there were too many men milling around in groups. She sensed a hostile atmosphere forged through fear of death. The stronger had leaders and picked on the weaker who were forced to cut their rations and sleep on the sandy floor.

Teyla looked to the ceiling and saw small rectangular windows running along the edge of the room, right at the top. She squinted and saw the sandy ground and massive stands with rings of fire and knew immediately that this dungeon was right beside the Arena itself – so the inmates would never be far from the action.

She stepped forward watching them as they passed her, looking her up and down, folding their arms and whispering to their neighbours. Many had injuries from recent battles, very few seemed clean and fresh – people that had only just been brought in.

Teyla walked forward with more purpose, seeing that at the end of the room there was a large stack of hay near the far wall. She could climb on it and get a better look at the Arena. It was easier to look for a way to escape from it when not fighting to the death.

Suddenly, a massive form stood in front of her, barring her way. Teyla paused with a look of malice, deliberately keeping her eyes down. She gritted her teeth and sidestepped. The man followed. Appreciative chuckles filled the room and Teyla narrowed her eyes and looked up. He was twice the size of her, Ronan's height, except the muscles his bare torso carried would have picked Ronan up and tossed him the length of the Arena – if Ronan would have let him. He was bald with a moustache and small brown eyes; his face broke out into a wide smile which made his crooked and repeatedly broken nose far uglier than when his face was relaxed. He looked over his shoulder to three men watching on. Teyla saw them and knew that they were his minions, and not surprisingly, they were smaller than him. The man looked back at her with folded arms and leant over.

'Are you here to provide entertainment?' He asked cruelly. 'Why don't you grace me and mine with a dance, little girl.' He laughed.

Teyla knew immediately that she would be a target in this place; the only thing to do was nip their attitudes in the bud. Teyla smiled sweetly, but her eyes spoke volumes of fury and promise. Without warning, she laid a hard back hand across his face and followed with a mighty roundhouse kick, sending him to one knee. Using the same foot, she kicked him mercilessly in the crotch and jabbed the side of his face with a sharp elbow. He fell to the floor desperate for air as he clutched his crotch. Teyla leant over him.

'Is that the kind of dance you had in mind?' She asked.

The mans minions looked momentarily stunned. They didn't know what to do now that they're leader had been sent sprawling to the floor by a woman a third of his height. The man growled and stood shakily, his eyes glaring at her.

'You dare to fight me, woman? I will end you!' He snarled, advancing. Teyla stood ready.

Another man intervened, stepping out from the crowd and in between baldy and Teyla.

'Enough, Boran. You have made your point…and our new addition has made hers.' He said firmly.

The bald man watched Teyla over his shoulder with malice before looking at the man in front of him. He smiled tightly.

'We'll continue this later.' He promised.

'I look forward to it.' Teyla responded sincerely. The man left with a smile, wiping the blood from his mouth.

The man in front turned and Teyla was momentarily taken back. He was tall and muscly with short blonde hair and bright green eyes. He smiled warmly, showing nice teeth and an even nicer curvature to his face.

'Not even two minutes in the Underworld and you've already made an enemy of Boran. I do believe it is a new record, I would congratulate you if I did not believe it to be something to worry about.' He lowered his head with a sympathetic edge and smiled again. 'But then, I suppose, you can take care of yourself.'

Teyla smiled and nodded. 'Thank you for your help, it was kind of you.'

'There is not much kindness down here, this you will learn quickly.' He paused and studied her a moment. 'I am Tycho.' He offered. Teyla nodded.

'I am Teyla Emmagan.' She replied. 'This place, you call it the…Underworld?' She queried.

'It is the place all people fear, the place from which there is no return. It was christened as such many years ago.' He turned to the now thinning crowd in the dim light of the many candles in the room. 'May I advise that you not sleep in the open, there are many here who will test you. Not only because you are new, but because you are a woman.'

Teyla watched them with a steely eye and nodded. 'I will be fine.'

'I have no doubt; your skills in the Arena are impressive. Boran reluctantly agreed also when watching you.' Tycho explained, indicating to the Arena above and the small windows they had watched through. Teyla looked up, the fight still haunting her mind, much like the place she had been thrown into.

'I did not wish to kill that man.' Teyla stated.

'I could see. But it is a sign of weakness that cannot be afforded.' He paused, his green eyes looking to the floor. 'My first kill was not easy, but soon after, I understood that it was necessary.'

Teyla frowned. 'How long have you been here? Fighting in the Arena?'

'Oh, many years.' He said wearily.

Teyla narrowed her eyes. 'You have never tried to escape?'

Tycho smiled. 'Your passion is admirable. No, I have not, because there has never been an opportunity to escape. People have tried, and they have died quickly. It only pleases the Emperor further.' He said stiffly.

'I see.' Teyla wasn't ready to give up just yet. Tycho caught her determined expression.

'They say you are a Star Master, that you came through the Deus Astrum, but are not of the Gods. This I can see. You would have been better never to have come to this world.' He told her gently.

'I have thought the same thing for the last few days.' She told him.

Tycho walked to the nearest wall and sat on the floor, picking up a piece pf straw and playing with it idly. Teyla watched him for a moment before sitting at his side. Two men from the many began sparring in the centre of the room, and like all in the dungeon, they were dressed only in brown trousers.

'The one on the left is Aegen, he fights tonight before you. The warm up to the main attraction.' Tycho informed her sourly. 'He has been here for only a week, and tonight he will die.' Teyla looked at him.

'How do you know the out come?' She asked suspiciously.

'As I have said, I have been here many years; I have seen his opponent fight before.' He paused. 'He will not survive.'

Teyla looked down at his torso and saw a long scar running from arm to hip. Tycho caught her looking and grinned handsomely. 'Two years ago, I faced a warrior of great strength. I injured him, but did not kill him, and he very nearly almost killed me. The Medicine Man worked his magic on me and I lived. Sometimes I think it would have been better just to let me die.'

Teyla watched the men fighting, their grunts of effort and the sand spraying across the room. Her mind drifted to when she was barely conscious after the fight and she had been taken to that same man. She could not remember him, and for some reason this tiny detail annoyed her. As if things weren't bad enough.

The man called Aegen downed his opponent with a wide smile before helping him up. Teyla smiled slightly. There was always hope, and hope could favour either man. Teyla turned to Tycho.

'Your opponent, the one who scarred you, have you fought him again?' She asked. Tycho smiled and looked at her lazily.

'No. Understand, Teyla Emmagan, that there are thousands of warriors. To face the same opponent would only be possible if the Emperor commanded it for entertainments sake, or if it were pure coincidence. As it is, the man who gave me this scar gave you yours.' He said with a slight grin. Teyla's eyes widened slightly in disbelief. 'You have killed him, and I would say that you have stolen my revenge, but the Arena does not know such things. Only blood and sacrifice.'

Teyla felt guilt rush through her again as she looked at the large healing gash on her arm. Tycho was still, watching her.

'It was him or you. You should not feel regret. You need to focus on tonight's fight.' Tycho told her gently. Teyla looked up at him with doubt. He didn't know her. 'The guard who told us of our gaming schedule, who told us Aegen would face an opponent from an Eastern land, also told us that your fight was of special importance.' He said pointedly. 'The guard repeats commands of the Emperor, and if the Emperor has prepared a special challenge for you, then I would fear the worst.' Tycho threw the straw on the floor and turned his body toward her. 'The Emperor is evil, Teyla, and all know this. He revels in others pain and suffering. You must show no mercy in this fight because he has planned something just as merciless.' He insisted.

Teyla listened and nodded slowly. 'I will consider it.'

Tycho seemed disappointed. 'Live through tonight with that state of mind, and I will call you a Goddess.'

'I will survive, Tycho, and then I plan to leave this place.' Teyla told him quietly. 'And you are free to come with me.'

Tycho smiled and shook his head. Teyla frowned.

'If you have heard of me, then you have heard of the others I travel with. My friends will not leave me to this fate, even if they should in order to survive.' Teyla told him. 'It is our way.'

Tycho paused and then nodded with a weak smile. 'We had ways such as yours before Titus's reign. When the true Emperor Graccus ruled the people.' He looked at her with intrigue. 'If you're friends do try to save you and they are of some higher power, they may succeed. I have heard that miracles can happen.' He said wickedly, and continued to watch the men fighting.

Teyla smiled weakly and laid her head against the cold stone. Escape was all very well and good, but as Tycho rightly pointed out, she needed to focus on tonight's fight in order to be alive for the escape.