The Mercy of Mot
Chapter 4
Jack took another drink of his water as he sat in the sparse shade of a scrubby tree. If you could call it a tree. More like a shrub. But it was the closest thing to a tree he had seen for the last hour. The vegetation had gotten sparser the farther they had gone from the ruins. Jerob assured them that they would soon cross this dry area and return to a greener landscape.
He spotted Teal'c standing in the blazing sun, his eyes searching over the terrain they had just traversed. Jack recognized the body language. Something was wrong.
Jack reluctantly left his spot in the shade and moved to Teal'c's side.
"What is it?"
"I am not sure. I have an uneasy feeling about leaving Major Carter and Daniel Jackson."
"I think the only thing they're in danger of is getting a sunburn. Or being bored to death."
"I do not agree, O'Neill."
Before he could respond, the radio that the archaeologists carried crackled to life. He heard static and then some indistinguishable words.
Suddenly Jerob was calling to him. "Colonel O'Neill! Come quickly!"
Both Jack and Teal'c immediately left their spot and headed for the people gathered around the radio.
"Colonel O'Neill, our colleagues at the ruins say they have been attacked by an unknown group of people!"
Jack glanced quickly at Teal'c before asking, "What's their status? Anyone hurt?" A knot of fear began to form in his stomach—he knew before he heard the answer.
"Hiram and Tanit are dead. Six were taken prisoner, including your people. They say both Daniel Jackson and Major Carter were injured."
He knew it. Nothing was ever simple—or boring—when it came to his team. If something happened, they would be in the middle of it.
"Are the attackers still there?"
"No, they say that the invaders left with their prisoners, heading into the forest."
"Okay, Teal'c and I are going back to the ruins. We'll contact Earth and see if we can get some help for a search and rescue. I think you'd all be safer if you continued on to your base."
"We would be glad to return with you and help however we can."
"No, that's not necessary, but thanks for the offer."
"We will contact our base and ask for assistance to be sent to you."
"That'll work. Make sure they know not to shoot me and Teal'c."
"Good luck, Colonel."
"Thanks." We're probably gonna need it.
~oOo~
Two hours later found Daniel and Sam's group still walking as the sun began closing in on the horizon.
Surely we aren't going to walk through the night. The ache in Daniel's chest was increasing with every step and the effort of keeping Sam upright was sapping all of his strength. Sam stumbled again, almost bringing both of them down, but Daniel was able to regain their balance and keep them from falling.
"Just a little further," he told her, hoping it was true. He was hot and starting to feel a little dizzy himself. She didn't respond, but kept putting one foot in front of the other.
Finally the group came to a halt and Daniel saw they were in a small clearing where tents were already set up. A fire ring was in the center and a couple of people began setting logs in it, while the three women went into one of the tents.
Adon put a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Over here," he said, pushing them towards one side of the clearing. "Sit."
Daniel helped Sam to the ground before following her down. He was relieved to get off of his feet, even though he still felt hot and dizzy.
He looked around and saw that the prisoners were being separated into groups of two, spread around the circle so there was too much space for them to converse. A man was moving from group to group, handing wooden stakes to the people guarding them. When he reached Adon, the young man took the stakes and began pounding them into the ground with a mallet the man also handed him. He took another piece of rope and began tying Sam's already bound hands to the stake, leaving just enough room for her to lie down. Next he grabbed for Daniel's free hand and wound the rope around it and then tied it to the second stake.
"That's not necessary," Daniel said. "I don't think I could get up if I wanted to."
"So you say," Adon responded. "Still, I think we will be cautious."
"Adon, we are no threat to you. We are peaceful explorers."
"Where do you come from and why were you in the sacred city?"
"We come from a place far away. We were exploring the ruins—we didn't know they were sacred to your people. If I could just talk to Philo—"
"Adon! Do not converse with the prisoners," Melqart admonished his son as he approached.
"Sorry, Father." Adon moved quickly away from Daniel.
"I gave you a warning," Melqart said, facing Daniel, "but I see that I must silence you."
"No! Wait!" Daniel pleaded, fearing that he was about to lose his tongue.
Instead, Melqart quickly pulled a rag from his belt, folded it, and stuck it in Daniel's mouth, pulling it tightly at the back of his head and tying it.
Relief washed over Daniel, even though the gag was cutting into the sides of his mouth uncomfortably and tasted rather nasty. He could live with that. He saw Adon watching with what Daniel thought was a hint of sympathy, but it quickly disappeared when his father turned back to him.
"Watch them closely."
"I will, Father."
Feeling the last of his strength waning, Daniel maneuvered onto his uninjured side and lay down. Sam had already lay down and appeared to be asleep. He hoped sleeping no longer posed a risk with her head injury. He knew she had to be as exhausted as he was. And it wasn't like he was in any position to keep her awake.
That was his last thought as he drifted off to sleep.
~oOo~
Someone was patting his cheek. He opened his eyes to see a woman bending over him. Her dark hair fell over her shoulder and her brown eyes were shining as she smiled at him. For a moment he thought . . . but memory came flooding back and he knew it wasn't her. It was the woman he had spoken to earlier. A fist squeezed his heart as he realized that he would never again wake to see Sha're's face looking down at him.
"Good, you are awake. Are you in pain?"
Yes, but she had no medicine that would heal it. He merely nodded his head.
"You must eat something, then I will treat your wound."
He shifted, trying to pull himself up without the use of his hands, groaning at the pain it caused his shoulder. She quickly put her arm under his and helped him into a sitting position. Dizziness hit him and he closed his eyes. He was hot and his whole body ached.
He opened his eyes, almost saying 'thank you' before he remembered he couldn't speak. She reached behind his head and untied the gag, pulling the rag out of his mouth. The corners of his mouth were cracked from the tightness of the cloth, and he ran his tongue over them.
"I am sorry Melqart was so rough. Please do not think all of our people are like him."
She looked at Adon who was standing nearby. "Please untie him so he may eat."
Adon hesitated, seeming to debate whether or not he should, before moving to the stake and untying the rope.
"I am Yara," the woman said, handing Daniel a small bowl.
"I'm Daniel, Daniel Jackson." He took the bowl which was filled with some kind of broth. He thought of Sam and looked over to find that she was still asleep.
"My friend, she needs to eat something. Could you help me wake her?"
"Yes, I will make sure she is fed. But you need to eat also. Go ahead," she encouraged.
The smell was inviting, so he took a drink. He didn't know how long it had been since he'd last eaten, but the broth was good and he drank until it was gone. Taking in his surroundings as he ate, he realized it had gotten dark, and that everyone else appeared to be finishing their meal.
Yara handed him a water skin and he drank deeply before handing it back. He then used his right hand to help pull himself over to where Sam lay.
"Sam, it's Daniel, wake up."
He was rewarded with a flutter of eyelashes and a small moan. She managed to open her eyes and look up at Daniel, who smiled at her.
"That's it. There's some food here for you. Let me help you sit up."
Yara helped him get Sam into a sitting position and Adon untied the rope holding her to the stake.
"I don't know if I can eat—not really feeling good."
"Just try a little—you need something."
Sam tried to take hold of the bowl with her still bound hands, but couldn't maneuver it to drink.
"Could you untie her long enough for her to eat?" Daniel asked Adon.
"I am not allowed to do that."
Daniel turned back to Sam and held the bowl up to her lips. "Let me help you."
Sam acquiesced and took a few sips of the broth. She pulled back and Daniel encouraged her, "Can you take any more? Who knows when we'll get another chance."
She took two more sips and said, "I can't. I'm afraid it's going to come back up."
"Okay, how 'bout some water then?"
Sam managed a few sips of water before turning her head away.
Yara took the bowls and water as Adon retied Sam and Daniel to their stakes. He picked up the rag and moved to place it back in Daniel's mouth when Yara intervened.
"His mouth needs to heal. Can you leave it off?"
Adon looked unsure but asked Daniel, "Will you remain quiet?"
Daniel nodded his head in response, hoping that would placate Adon.
"All right, I will leave it off for now," he agreed, tucking the rag in his belt.
Yara set the bowls by the fire ring and returned with another one and a cloth.
"Lie down and I will take care of your wound," she said, helping him lie down on his back.
She picked up the cloth and poured some water onto it, then wiped it across his face and neck. The cool water was a contrast to his hot skin and it made him shiver. Yara then began to undo the strips of cloth holding his arm to his body. She was gentle, and Daniel closed his eyes, remembering a time when Sha're cared for him when he was sick. Sha're's hands had been so soft as she'd washed his fevered skin, her voice soothing as she comforted him. He mourned the fact that he would never feel her touch or hear her voice again.
"Leave him!" No question who that voice belonged to.
Daniel opened his eyes to find Melqart standing over him.
"He has a fever. I need to clean and tend his wound," Yara replied, continuing her ministrations without looking at Melqart.
Melqart reached down and grabbed Yara's arm, swiftly pulling her to her feet. "You should be tending Tabouk's injuries instead of wasting your time on this one. Now go!" he ordered, releasing her arm and giving her a shove.
Yara looked furious, but bent and picked up the bowl before walking away.
"Why is his mouth uncovered?" Melqart bellowed.
"The cloth cut his mouth, Father, so I left it off. He has remained silent."
"Oh, he has?" Melqart said, a nasty grin on his face. "You have decided to be quiet now?" he asked, placing his boot on Daniel's arm tied to the stake. He slowly put more and more of his weight on the arm and Daniel bit the inside of his mouth to keep from crying out.
"Stop it!" Sam's voice rang through the air. The pressure on Daniel's arm eased as Melqart turned to face Sam.
"So this one has a voice, also!" Melqart moved to Sam's side and grabbed her chin in his hand. "I should have used the other end of my spear on you. You would do well to keep quiet like your friend."
Sam had no idea what the big man was saying, but out of the corner of her eye she could see Daniel shaking his head at her. Deciding that provoking the man wouldn't help them, she remained silent.
"Melqart!" Another voice broke the silence, and Daniel saw Philo walking towards them. This was the man he needed to talk to—the man who might listen to him. But did he want to risk Melqart's wrath by doing so?
"Is there a problem here?" Philo asked.
"Just making sure the prisoners are secure."
"Do not injure them in the process. And do not forget that their fate will be decided by Eshmun, not by you and not by me. Now, your son is capable of guarding them, and I wish to speak with you. Come."
"As you wish," Melqart replied reluctantly. He cast a hateful glare at Sam and then Daniel before giving Adon a pat on the shoulder and following Philo to the other side of the fire. Daniel almost called out to Philo, but decided to wait for a chance to speak when Melqart wasn't around. Besides, he couldn't muster the energy to talk right now. He just hoped he would get another chance.
~oOo~
Sam watched as Melqart walked away, then switched her attention to Daniel. He was lying on his back, eyes squeezed shut, breathing hard. She couldn't believe what Melqart had just done to him. She was pretty sure Daniel had a fever. She could also see the unwound strips of cloth that the woman had removed from his shoulder. Sam knew he was injured, but she had been so out of it she couldn't remember what the injury was. She just remembered him supporting her while they walked, keeping her from falling, guiding her. And all the time he had been injured himself.
"Daniel," she whispered quietly, trying not to attract any unwanted attention. Adon seemed to be caught up in the stories that were now being told around the fire.
He didn't respond and she tried again. "Daniel, are you all right?"
His eyes opened a slit. " 'm fine." The eyes closed again.
She was frustrated that she couldn't get to him and check him out herself. She still had a killer headache and some dizziness, but was feeling slightly better. Maybe eating something had been a good idea after all. Now she was more worried about Daniel. The clearest sign that he was seriously ill was that he wasn't paying any attention to the storytelling that was taking place a few feet away.
In frustration she tugged on the rope tethering her to the stake, but it held fast. If only she could reach him and see how badly he was wounded. But she wasn't going anywhere. Headache pounding, she lay back down. Maybe the woman would return and take care of Daniel. Or, even better, maybe the colonel and Teal'c would show up and rescue them. That thought stayed with her as she drifted into sleep.
TBC