Jack arrived back at the house at the same time as Sam.
With Kamness occupied preparing supper, he pulled his second in command into the main living room. "What do you know?" He whispered.
"Well, other than the fact that no one wants to talk about the children, not a lot sir," Sam sighed. "What about you?"
"Same. Everyone's clammed up."
"All Kamness told me was that they had been sent away to learn. I tried to press her but I was making her angry."
"All we got was the same story, no emotion. It was as if everyone had been brain washed." Jack said looking around to make sure Kamness wasn't listening.
"I must admit I thought the same," Sam agreed. "Actually, I'm not sure anyone will tell us. I think the books hold the key."
"Yeah, me too. We need to get Daniel on his feet as soon as possible."
"I agree. I have been checking on him – he was fast asleep last time I looked."
Jack nodded. "I think I'll go check on him now. See if you can give Kamness a hand. We need to keep them agreeable."
"Understood," Sam nodded and quickly made her way back to the kitchen area.
Jack shrugged out of his jacket and then hurried up the stairs. Whether Daniel was fit enough or not, they needed him.
xxx
The weather was drawing in as Daniel slowly made his way down the winding path that led to the ivy covered imposing building which housed the Tambraian literature collection. The billowing wind stirred the overhanging branches of the trees that framed the moss-covered path. Candle lanterns hung from the lower branches lit the way and Daniel was grateful for the light, as dusk had fallen. He'd hidden in the shadows of the forest when anyone had passed him but the deeper he journeyed, the more alone he felt. Although he was grateful to go unnoticed, it did make the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The only sounds he could hear were the rustling of the leaves, what he assumed was soft the rumbles of thunder in the distance and the calling of owl-like birds.
The added darkness and musky atmosphere made the scene very eerie to say the least and he was now thinking that he'd been foolish to come on his own without his team's backup. He actually felt a strange sense of foreboding, as if something awful was about to happen. The need to get out of the coming storm and into familiar surroundings made him quicken his step.
The library was bigger than he'd remembered. The wooden, misshapen building was tucked away in the corner of the clearing, almost hidden by the mighty trees that surrounded it. It was obviously the oldest of the Tambraian-made houses. Overgrown ivy-like vines crept all over the walls almost camouflaging it with the rest of the forest. Ornate carvings of bird-like creatures and woodland animals decorated the large main door that Daniel was surprised to find unlocked. He'd collected a large rock and a fallen branch on his way, just in case he had to force the door but not only was it open but the torches hanging on the walls of the main hall had been lit too.
It was almost as if someone was there already but when he called out, no one answered. Satisfied that he was alone, he cautiously made his way to the corner where he knew the old books were kept. As he took a seat, he shone his lantern round the room. Floor to ceiling shelves housed the books that made up the Tambraian literacy collection and, if he had the time, Daniel would have loved to lose himself in their pages but the need to translate the ancient books that Dakan had shown him when they had first arrived was his priority. So, he reached for the large ornate black wooden book, which was just where he'd left it and opened it.
His eyes burned so much, he could hardly keep the symbols and writing in focus. After feeling uncomfortably cold on his way over, he was now overly hot and the torches' flame added to his discomfort as they made the room feel stifling warm. Hopefully the herbs would kick in soon and lower what he knew was a climbing temperature.
He rubbed the sweat that had trickled down is face, out of his eyes, pushed back his robe's hood and undid the wooden toggles. He used the thick woollen material as a fan as he turned the page but it did little to take the heat enveloping his aching body away. After shaking his head to try to disperse the murky feeling of fever, he traced the words with his finger, finally finding the pattern he'd discovered when he first perused the pages of the book.
"Okay, so – that's Tambraian and that's moon..." he mumbled as he translated, "...and that's death." He quickly jotted his translation down in the notebook he was happy he had the forethought to bring with him.
At last, he seemed to be making progress.
xxx
Jack climbed the stairs two at a time, calling Daniels name as he did. He was hoping that his friend was feeling up to doing some translation. They really needed to find out what was going on as soon as possible.
"Daniel?" He poked his head round the door, expecting to find the archaeologist in bed but the bed was empty save for the rumbled sheets and quilts bunched up on the end. "Daniel?" He looked round the room, behind the door and under the bed, his heart thumping in his chest as he half expected to find him collapsed in a heap – or something.
"Dammit, Daniel. Where the hell are you?" He grouched when he found Daniel's discarded sweat soaked clothes at the side of the bed.
Crossing the room, he checked the toilet but nope, there was no sign of him.
Perhaps Daniel had had a relapse? Perhaps Dakan had taken him to a healer and not informed Sam? Well, whatever had happened, Daniel was missing and Jack needed to find him.
Dammit. Couldn't he just put a leash on that man?
After double checking everywhere again, Jack quickly retraced his steps, stood in the kitchen doorway and beckoned Sam over.
Sam quickly excused herself. "Sir?" She frowned, taking in Jack's look of concern.
"Daniel's gone." Jack whispered, pulling her out of the doorway and into the hall where Kamness couldn't see them.
"What? " Sam said shocked. "What do you mean, gone?" It was Sam's turn to frown.
"Gone as in not there, as in vanished, as in..."
"I get it," Sam sighed. "Where could he have gone? I mean, he was so sick. He couldn't have gone far."
"That is if he went under his own steam, Carter. Where's Dakan?"
"He's, he's...,"Sam thought for a moment, struggling to recall where she'd seen him last. "Didn't he go on the hunt with you sir?"
"Nope."
"Shall I," Sam pointed towards the kitchen, "ask Kamness?"
Jack shook his head. "No. I'm gonna round Teal'c up, check a few places first. Daniel's disappearance might have nothing to do with Dakan. I don't want to arouse any suspicion at this stage. He may have just taken himself off to do some snooping under his own steam. You know what he's like."
"Yes, sir," Sam chuckled in agreement.
"Right." Jack grabbed his jacket. "Tell Kamness that I've gone to fetch Teal'c and we'll be back before supper."
"Yes sir."
"You stay here in case Daniel comes back."
"Yes sir."
Jack sighed and pulled his cap over his eyes. "Dammit, I wish our radios worked."
"Me too, sir. Me too," Sam agreed.
After grabbing his coat, Jack proceeded back out into the night with a heavy sigh. He looked up at the sky and noticed dark clouds racing by and the wind starting to gust. Storm coming, he thought to himself.
He needed to find Daniel and fast!
xxx
Chills wracked his body and nausea rolled his stomach.
Daniel put his pen down and wrapped his cloak tighter round him. He had managed to translate three pages before his condition started to deteriorate and he was now shivering violently and trying desperately not to pass out.
Coming here, on his own hadn't been a good idea.
Knowing that he was no condition to translate anymore, he closed the book and returned it to where he'd found it. He needed to get back to the house and back to bed. He pushed himself up on to very shaky legs and went to step away from the desk.
Suddenly, somewhere in the distance, a bell sounded and the last thing Daniel was aware of was the thud of his notebook as it hit the floor...
xxx
The storm hit by the time Jack reached the clearing and he was glad that he'd remembered to pick up his pack. Quickly routing through it, he grabbed his flashlight and activated it. "Teal'c?" He called as he shone it through the trees.
"O'Neill."
Jack jumped when the Jaffa appeared at his side from nowhere. "Don't do that big guy! You almost gave me a heart attack."
"I am sorry," Teal'c said bowing his head slightly.
"Don't sweat it." Jack shone his flashlight round the clearing. "Where is everyone?" He asked when he discovered they were alone.
"The prayer bell sounded and they left."
"Oh?" Jack frowned when he suddenly realised he could hear the sound of a slow tolling of a bell. Why hadn't he noticed that before? "How long has that been ringing?"
"Meer minutes O'Neill. It is most disconcerting."
"In what way?"
"At the first toll, the Tambraians left as if an invisible power guided them. They suddenly stopped what they were doing, put down their tools, stood up and began leaving."
Jack frowned, puzzled why he hadn't passed them. "Which way did they go?" He asked, training his light back down the way he'd just come.
"They left through the forest. I did try to question them but it was if I was not there."
"They ignored you?"
"Indeed. They acted as though I was one of the trees." Teal'c said with a slight frown.
"Things are just not adding up."
"I concur."
"Listen, we've got another problem." Jack said toying with his tac vest.
"Another problem?" Teal'c asked. "What is that, O'Neill?"
"Yeah. Well, Daniel's disappeared." Jack began to look thoughtful as he turned the problem over and over in his mind. Daniel missing. The Tambraians acting strange….
"In what way?"
"In as vanished, as in... Never mind," Jack suddenly said as slung his pack over his shoulder. "We've got to the end of the prayer meeting to find him and I've got a hunch where he is. Follow me." Jack shone his lamp down the path leading from the clearing.
Hopefully, his hunch was right and if it wasn't, they were in deep trouble.
xxx
Sam had been staring out of the windows of the kitchen area where she and Kamness were working. The wind had gotten stronger and some of the branches of the nearby trees were swaying back and forth and occasionally knocking against the window, which had startled her.
"Samanatha." Kamness's voice drew her back into the room.
"These are fresh from our garden." The Tambraian woman stood holding out a bowl.
"So," Sam pulled herself together and smiled as she accepted a bowl of salad leaves from Kamness, "you really are self sufficient." She carried the bowl over to the table and placed it in the middle. After speaking with Jack she had gone back into the kitchen area and continued to help Kamness with preparing the evening meal. She hoped that Kamness had not heard the conversation between her and Jack. From her surreptitious glances, Sam didn't think Kamness had heard anything and mentally sighed in relief. There definitely was something going on and Jack's normally suspicious behaviour was rubbing off on her. She put her attention back on what Kamness was saying.
"Indeed we are. Is there any other way, Samantha?"
"I suppose not," Sam shrugged, turning back to pick up a basket of bread. "In our world, everything is mass-produced. We have large manufactures who generate food, clothing in huge quantities – most things actually." She turned back again. "I must admit our worlds are very different, Kamness..." Sam's comment was cut short as she then heard what sounded like a church bell ringing and paused to frown as she watched Kamness slowly put her bowl down. With a blank look on her face, Kamness then made her way to the door. "Kamness?" Sam called but the young Tambraian totally ignored her and walked out of the house.
Sam followed her, continuing to call her name but to no effect. She stood in the doorway and watched as other women just walked out their houses and, totally ignoring each other, they slowly made their way to the great hall as if in a trance.
The sight was macabre to say the least...
xxx
Teal'c and Jack hurried through the forest, searching for the path that led to the library. Jack, knowing Daniel like he did, was almost certain that that was exactly where the archaeologist would go and was rueing the fact that their radios didn't work. If they had, he'd been yelling at Daniel to get his ass back to the house, that was for sure!
"O'Neill."
Jack turned when Teal'c called his name and then jogged back to where the Jaffa was knelt on the floor tracing the outline of a footprint in the moss. "What ya got?"
"I do believe that Daniel Jackson has been this way."
Jack knelt and shone his torch around the area. "Can you make out any other tracks?" he asked as he brushed away some of the moss, looking for signs that Daniel might have been followed.
Teal'c stood and took a few steps backwards, shining his own flashlight on the path. "I cannot," he confirmed. "There is only one set of footprints, O'Neill. The tracks show a great variation in direction, however."
"In what way?"
"Daniel Jackson appears to have been unsure of his footing."
"Yeah, well," Jack joined Teal'c. "Hopefully something of his albeit miniscule training kicked in and he was being extra careful." He shrugged tracing the steps that seemed to lead in and out of the forest. "At least we know he's alone. And, at least we know where he was heading." Jack shone his light through the trees. "It think it's this way," he stated when his beam illuminated a cleared path in the distance. "Come on. Let's drag his scrawny ass back to the house and get him back into bed. He's probably still sick as a dog." Jack groused.
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed and Jack led the way, both men on high alert at all times.
"Why the hell is that damn bell still ringing?" Jack grouched as they walked. "Daniel would know what it meant. Trust him not to be here when we need him!"
xxx
Where the heck was Kamness going? Sam asked herself. And why was she acting like she had been put into a trance? Looking around, Sam quickly grabbed the Tambraian robe from the back of the door and put it on. I'm going to find out what's going on. she decided.
What was going on in the great hall? There was no time and no way to get a hold of Jack or Teal'c for backup. Besides, who knew where they were? Damn! What a time for their radios not to be working.
She pulled the hood up and ducked her head as she followed the others into the hall where she made her way to the back corner so she could be hidden by the shadows. She couldn't risk being seen. She tried to imitate their movements as best as possible so that there would be no suspicions.
The Tambraian men slowly, almost mechanically merged with the women at the forked crossroads by the main hall. No one spoke, and there was no acknowledgement of each other whatsoever. They just strode, heads down, hoods up until they arrived at the main door.
They then filed into to the room, each bowing towards the altar before taking a seat. There was a heady scent of dusky perfume coming from the candles that adorned the altar, the flickering flames creating a misty, eerie atmosphere. The bell continued to toll, it's steady beat echoing round the room, calling the people to worship. Once seated, the Tambraians began to chant as they rocked backwards and forwards. Their chanting increasing in speed and volume until a figure dressed in white approached the altar.
"People." The priest held up his hand and instantly the chanting ceased. "It is time."
Sam watched as the priest then pulled back his hood and she sucked in a breath when she saw who it was.
Dakan stood in front of congregation.
Dakan was the priest.
"Our Goddess, Vaneth, awaits. Come forth, Gwenda Manrea." Dakan intoned holding out his hands.
From the back of the room, a woman slowly made her way to the altar, the Tambraians chanting as she walked.
Dakan stepped forward to greet her. "It is your time, Gwenda," he smiled gently. "Are you ready?"
"I am." Gwenda nodded and slowly undid her robe, letting it fall to the floor to revel her swollen stomach. Gwenda was obviously heavily pregnant.
Dakan placed his hands on her stomach and looked up at the ceiling. "Vaneth. We commit this seedling to your glory. We honour you with one of our own."
Sam looked round, expecting someone to object but only noted ghost-like smiles on people's faces. The chanting began again and she turned her attention back to the altar.
"Go about your business, people of Tambraia. Vaneth will reward us all." Dakan helped Gwenda back into her robe. "Life is good!"
"Life is good!" The congregation chorused back and then slowly began to leave the hall; heads bowed once more, the tolling of the bell accompanying them on their way.
xxx
"Daniel? Come on. Snap outta it." Jack snapped his fingers in Daniel's face.
The relief of actually finding him in the first place had now turned to concern about the catatonic state he seemed to be in.
"Teal'c? You got anything?"
Teal'c strode back into the room. "I do not, O'Neill. The area around the building is clear."
"What the hell is going on around here?" Jack shook Daniel's shoulders, hoping to get a response from his friend but Daniel continued to stare at the floor. He could feel the heat of Daniel's high temperature bleeding through the woollen robes and was amazed that he was still on his feet.
"Perhaps the answer lies in the books, O'Neill," Teal'c suggested.
"Yeah, maybe," Jack sighed, scrubbing a hand through his hair in frustration. "Any idea which book?" He glanced round the room, noting the hundreds of books that filled the shelves.
Teal'c looked down and saw something underneath the table where Daniel had been sitting. He reached down and grabbing it, recognized it. "I have found Daniel Jackson's notebook," he said as he held up the archaeologist's book. "It appears that he was making progress."
"Okay," Jack held his hand out. "Lets see if this can tell us something. Daniel sure as hell isn't gonna." He took the book and started to flick through it, one eye on Daniel at all times who continued to stand as still as a statue in the middle of the room.
Daniel's scribbles didn't really make much sense to him but he did recognise the words 'death' and 'plague' and his worry meter suddenly crept up a few notches.
xxx
As the last of the Tambraians filed past her, Sam turned and watched Dakan as he led Gwenda to the altar where Kamness joined them.
From her position as the back of the room, she couldn't quite make out what they were saying, only that Gwenda was obviously agreeing with them as she nodded in response several times.
Two more Tambraians appeared from the back room and handed Gwenda a white robe. Kamness helped her into it and then picked up a candle from the alter. She then led the small procession down the aisle and out of the hall.
Sam quickly ducked behind a stone pillar as the passed her and then waited a few seconds before slowly following them out into the pelting rain.
The town square was now deserted. There were no lights coming from the houses and other than the sounds of the storm, the only thing that was heard was the tolling of the bell. The procession walked with heads bowed down the path towards the library with Sam following hidden in the shadows of the forest. As she walked she suddenly realised that not only were there no sign of the other Tambraians, all the wildlife had seemed to disappear too.
xxx
Teal'c, having patrolled the outside of the library once again slipped into the building "Someone approaches, O'Neill."
"Dammit." Jack said, quickly pocketing Daniel's notebook. "Give me a hand." He quickly stood and made his way to Daniel's side. "We need to hide."
Teal'c flung the non-responsive man over his shoulder and Jack shone his torch round the room. "Over here," he called when he noticed a small alcove near the entrance to the room and they quickly made their way over. Teal'c gently lowered Daniel to the floor. Daniel was still withdrawn and his eyes were still open but unseeing.
Jack scooted in and sat next to Daniel and supported him as he began to list to one side. "What did you see?" He whispered to Teal'c who was hunched on Daniel's other side.
"Torches approach. It appears to be a small procession."
Jack nodded in confirmation, his hand automatically going to where he normally housed his side arm, forgetting that Dakan had forbidden them to bring weapons into forest dwellings. Jack suddenly realised that they were sitting ducks. He wished he had ignored Dakan's order and secreted a zat or some other weapon on him.
With one hand resting on Daniel's shoulder, keeping him in place, Jack waited for the procession to arrive. He could just about make out voices over the muffled claps of thunder that echoed round the forest.
"It is a good thing that you do, Gwenda."
"Yes, my priest."
"Vaneth will be most pleased."
"I live to serve my Goddess."
"Good. It's time."
Jack could see the feet of the procession as they slowly made their way into the room. He counted five people as they passed followed by a familiar pair of Air Force-issued boots bringing up the rear. He carefully put his head round the alcove. "Psst. Carter," he whispered, grateful that Sam, who was soaked through, immediately turned at his voice.
"Sir?" she whispered back with a look of surprise. After glancing at the procession, Sam quickly joined the others in the alcove. "What's going on, sir?" She asked as quietly as she could.
"I was going to ask you the same thing," Jack replied, straining to see what was happening.
"I think it's a sacrifice, sir."
"What?" Jack said raising an eyebrow.
"The lady in the middle is pregnant. They are offering up her child to their Goddess."
"Of course they are," Jack sighed sarcastically.
Sam scooted back slightly so she could train her flashlight on the slumped figure between Jack and Teal'c. "What's wrong with Daniel?" she asked, placing her hand on her teammate's forehead.
"Dunno. Found him staring at his feet. He's outta it." Jack replied.
"He's burning up, sir." Sam remarked.
"I know. Not a lot we can do about it right now, Carter." Jack snapped back in frustration, his attention trained on the scene in front of him.
Dakan and Kamness flanked Gwenda as the two, what he presumed were Tambraian guards of some sort, pulled the candlesticks either side of the main bookcase. The wall immediately opened, revelling a torch-lit corridor. The guards then led the way as the procession disappeared into the wall
Jack was quickly on his feet to follow, but was too late as the wall closed behind them and as it closed, the tolling of the bell ceased.
Jack hurried over to the wall and pulled on the candlesticks, hoping to open the wall but nothing happened. He patted down the books in search of a trigger but found none. The wall was sturdy and showed no signs of a doorway whatsoever.
"Dammit," he kicked the wall in frustration.
"Sir!"
He turned at the sound of Sam's urgent call. "What's up?" He asked as he jogged back to the alcove.
"Daniel's waking up," Sam told him and he quickly knelt at his teammates side.
"How's he doing?"
Sam removed the hand she had pressed to Daniel's forehead. "His temperature is still high, sir."
Jack gave his ailing teammate his full attention. "Hey, Daniel," he smiled when Daniel managed to blink and look at his teammates. "How ya feelin'?"
Daniel frowned and bought his hand up to pinch his nose. "I don't know," he mumbled softly. "Where am I?"
"You're in the library, buddy." Jack laid a supportive hand on his friends shoulder. "What ya doin in the library, Daniel?"
"I don't know," Daniel continued to frown as he shook his head slowly from side to side.
"You came to translate the books, remember?"
"I did?"
"That's what we figure but you tell us."
Daniel blinked again slowly as he sluggishly lifted his head to look at Jack. "I I c-can't remember," he stuttered. "W-why c-cant I r-remember?"
Jack could see that his friend was on the verge of panicking so gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I don't know Daniel. Let's get you back to the house then we can figure everything out."
"Sir," Sam interrupted as she stood. "Shouldn't we go after Dakan and Kamness?"
"Negative, Carter," Jack shook his head. "The passage way closed behind them."
"But...What about the pregnant woman? I'm sure they're offering her up as a sacrifice sir."
Jack looked up at his second in command. She had a point but he knew that it would take time to find a way into the passage and the way Daniel was beginning to look, it was time he wasn't willing to waste. They needed to get some medication into him as they couldn't risk the chance of him seizing. He was priority. They'd figure everything else out in the morning.
"Daniel is priority," he stated almost firmly and then turned to his stricken teammate. "Think you can stand?" He asked softly.
"I don't know," Daniel sighed, his chin dropping to his chest. The fact that Daniel didn't even argue in favour of a rescue mission spoke volumes to Jack about how he felt.
Jack sighed and turned to Teal'c. "Give me hand, T." He requested and between them they gently eased Daniel to his feet. Daniel immediately sagged as his knees buckled. "Easy, easy," Jack soothed as he took most of Daniel's weight. "Can you carry him?" He looked over and asked Teal'c.
Daniel slowly shook his head. "No, no. Give me a minute. I'll be fine."
Jack glanced round the room, looking for any dangers and then lifted Daniel's arm and wrapped it round his shoulders, nodding to Teal'c to do the same. "We'll take it nice and slow," he stated as they slowly made their way out of the library.
"There's no rush. Carter, take point."
The storm had died down and the clouds had parted leaving the glow of the full moon shinning through the branches of the trees.
As SG-1 left the library, woodland animals scurried at their feet, and night bird calls echoed round the forest. All of them stood there for a second in surprise. The whole ambience of the world around them had changed completely at the final toll of the bell.
Jack looked at the rest of SG-1. "We need to regroup and compare notes," he told them. "Find out what the hell was going on here."
"Indeed" Teal'c intoned.