Madacran

Chapter Nine

"Captain Joherner?" And that was going to be harder than ever getting used to. Whenever anyone called him Joherner, it was always on the tip of his tongue to correct them. John Sheppard. And now it was Captain and not Colonel. But he knew he'd be wasting his breath. Not that he minded the demotion. But these people were wary of him, moved around him like… damn, like he was some god, some deity who was going to bring them their salvation. He hated the revered looks that made him out to be something special, something he wasn't. Nothing but an accident, pure chance had brought him here.

"Yeah," he nodded. The man carried a pile of stuff topped by a plumed helmet. This was his uniform then. He made way for the man at the tent's entrance, where he'd been standing, watching Loryeffi's campsite, watching Jaleen and the other women cooking at a fire.

The man spread out the uniform on the low bed and stood, hesitating, "Your woman will help you dress?"

"No, she won't. And... she's not my woman."

"Then... you wish for me to assist you?"

"I'm sure I can figure it out." Though he wasn't sure. A quick glance to the bed showed him a whole heap of straps and buckles and metal pieces. And he wasn't sure if he even wanted to wear any of it.

"It is usual for an officer to be dressed by his aide," persisted the man.

"I'm ok with this. There's no hurry," he said, trying to put this off... like till tomorrow... or the next day.

"General Loryeffi wanted me to ensure that it fits."

"Joherner?" Jaleen was at the tent entrance, carrying bread and a bowl of something steaming on a tray.

"And see... my supper... so the general and you will have to wait..." said Sheppard, very politely but very relieved for the lucky appearance of an excuse, showing the man the way out. And yeah, the smell of savoury something was suddenly making him feel hungry.

"Your uniform?" noted Jaleen, setting the tray down on the small table by the bed. "You should really try it on. It is approaching the time of the general's evening inspection. It would please him immensely if you would present yourself as he passes by." The two of them were ganging up on him now? "I have helped Lord Recito to put on his uniform on several occasions. Let me-"

"No!" surprising all at the firmness in his voice. Himself included. But Jaleen had dressed – and undressed him too many times now. Too many embarrassing times now. "The guy here..." inviting the man's name.

"Vaez." And the man bowed.

"Vaez says he'll help." And Vaez looked smugly at Jaleen, so smugly that Sheppard could nearly change his mind.

"Oh... I understand..." and Jaleen picked up the tray. "Though the armour fits over the tunic," she explained, showing that she really did understand. "I will keep this warm for you." And Sheppard sorrowfully watched his meal depart the tent, back to the campfire. He smiled a crooked smile at Vaez then, who smirked back, with an expression that showed he understood also. The renowned and famous Joherner is a little shy of women and getting himself all naked, huh?

"Let's get this over and done with," growled out Sheppard.

"Certainly." And Vaez handed him a red neck scarf. "The shoulder strips chafe at the neck," he explained and then set to, busying himself over the bed with the strips of metal and thick leather laces. "This isn't just ceremonial but for your protection. We have vast numbers joining us now. Many will, unfortunately, not have the luxury of being supplied with armour."

"Yeah, I'm grateful," said Sheppard sarcastically. He'd seen the other guards. The armour looked too damned heavy and bulky to do any serious fighting in. Arms and legs were left bare and vulnerable. Necessary he knew in Madacran's heat. And any more armour would really slow a guy down. He tied off the kerchief, feeling too hot already under the canvas.

"The first time of fitting is difficult," continued Vaez. "There is the assembly, and adjustments have to be made. Thereafter, it becomes easier. The body then slips on in one piece, much like an over-tunic." Sheppard watched the man deftly threading the laces and knotting the pieces of metal together.

"What's the metal?" He'd never come across this bluish gold before, and he might as well be conversational, might as well get some idea of what the armour could actually do. Very few guards carried the Traveller guns, but it'd be nice to think the armour could stop a bullet.

"Cer naqualon. It is an alloy of illion and-"

"Naquadah, yeah, I know." Sheppard had guessed. So Madacran had access to Naquadah. If he ever made it out of here... "Loryeffi wears a breastplate," he added.

"Ah, if you make it to general... perhaps you aspire that way?"

"Too much damned paperwork," he mumbled. "Tell me about Loryeffi." Some intel on the guy he was about to work for would be good too. "He seems young for a general." Certainly for one on Earth and he couldn't imagine it was much different here.

"True," and the man shrugged. "But he has proven to be exceptionally gifted and talented. Perhaps it would have been different if the others had lived..."

"Others?" Sheppard was sharp to question the man.

"We have an academy in Madacran City specifically for the gifted and talented. Loryeffi attended as a youth. One fateful night, the dormitory was set on fire, killing all who slept there in the flames. Very tragic. We lost a whole generation of able young men. I am certain we would not now be facing our current situation if they had lived. Our government, for one, would have consisted of a more superior calibre of person. Are you ready?" And Vaez indicated to the completed armour on the bed. A waistcoat made of layered strips of metal across the chest and back that laced up, with further strips over the shoulders. "It's rather heavy," Vaez said ruefully, "it's best if it is slipped on in one move."

Sheppard nodded and turned round, offering his arms each in turn as Vaez heaved it up with a grunt and hitched it up to his shoulders. The man stood back and examined his handiwork.

"How does it feel?"

"Like you said. Heavy." It weighed a ton and was damned uncomfortable. He was suddenly missing his tac vest.

Vaez came round to the front and set about tying up the dozen or so laces there.

"But Loryeffi survived?" quizzed Sheppard.

"He'd been sent home with the sickness. It seemed all rather convenient at the time... that's why his brother was first suspected of the arson."

"His brother?"

"Yes. His brother was accused and found guilty and executed. The family lost their fortune trying to defend him... but... I need to adjust the laces at the back... they need tightening." Sheppard obliged by turning round.

"Hey! Not too tight. I need to breathe you know." It felt like he was being shoehorned into some corset.

"If there is too much free movement, you will get sores."

"Right... " He'd have to live with that then. "Loryeffi's brother was innocent?"

"Oh, I think he committed the crime. But the family argued mitigating circumstances. He was weak and had come under the influence of another, who had supplied him with drugs and those had sadly altered his mind. He had been such a good boy... They said that Selemon had actually put him up to it, simply because one of the victims had turned down Selemon's sexual advances but nothing could be proved."

"The same Selemon we're fighting?"

"Yes. The same... There. The rest is easy now." Vaez handed him the belt, with scabbards attached for a dagger and short sword. Sheppard awkwardly wrapped it round his waist. It wasn't as easy as Vaez made out. Twelve inch studded leather strips hung down at the back and at the front, like a skirt and got all tangled up with the scabbards. Vaez straightened them out for him.

"You'll get used to it. They protect your-"

"Yeah, I know what they're supposed to protect." Remembering Recito's hall where they hadn't made a very good job. Not if the attacker was determined enough.

"You have a dagger and sword?"

"In the corner." Sheppard had dutifully gone and collected them from the armory earlier. Vaez handed them over, and he placed each in their scabbards. Everything was getting heavier and heavier. He'd seen these guys training in full kit and he wondered if he shouldn't too.

Vaez was flapping and shaking out the creases of a red cloak, and then set about fixing it to the back of the shoulder straps of Sheppard's armour.

"So all this... is just Loryeffi trying to get his own back?"

"Oh no. Loryeffi is above all that. He is a good man that sees after his own and has always served Madacran and its people. We are right to fight Selemon. He is an evil that needs to be expunged. In government, he seeks nothing but power for its own sake. Rewards only those that will advance his own personal position. And the arson was only the first of his crimes." Vaez picked up the helmet. "His brother, Jocimus, mysteriously went missing. Some say the two had been lovers."

"Selemon? With his own brother?" And Sheppard pulled a face.

Vaez nodded. "Shortly after the disappearance, his mother was raped and strangled. There were always rumours that Selemon was responsible for the deaths of both. His father, despairing, sent him away. When he returned, years later, his father was found poisoned. Selemon said it was suicide. No one could say otherwise. And there have been many disappearances since and he has never been called to account."

"Not the sort of guy to meet on a dark night, huh?" And Sheppard, being taller than Vaez, lowered his head so the man could place the helmet there. Sheppard hated it instantly. Side pieces bit into his cheeks and it was so heavy it felt like it was going to take his head off.

Sheppard lifted up his chin so Vaez could fasten the chin strap for him. "Hopefully, on a battlefield, he shall meet his match and justice. I see you do not like the helmet. Too ornate for you perhaps." It did have a couple of those vulture birds, the secrids, embossed on the sides and the red plume was as good as a target on anyone's radar. "But my cousin makes these and they come with the guarantee that no one will be able to slice open your brains," said Vaez with a grin.

"Thanks for that. So it doesn't matter if I damage my neck and spine wearing the damned thing."

Vaez chuckled. "Go outside and show your woman. The females all love a uniform."

"I told you, she's not my woman." But he went out, ducking under the tent flap, aware of the precarious balance of the helmet on his shoulders. He straightened up. And flushed instantly. Vaez had been right. He could see it in Jaleen's eyes from across the camp fire. He turned away.

To his left suddenly. Shouting from the direction of a cluster of soldiers. All congregated round a wagon. He couldn't make it out. There was no threat judging by the way they were standing. Most even seemed subdued.

He frowned. It didn't feel right somehow. "What's going on?" he asked Vaez who'd joined him at his side. But Vaez asked his own question of Jaleen who'd now come over and they both turned to her.

"Is not our new captain impressive?" Vaez asked proudly.

The sound resembling that of a cracking whip pulled Sheppard's attention away once more. Jaleen was saying something like noble... a leader... he didn't hear, prising off his helmet, almost tossing it to Vaez as he stormed over to the men, pushing his way to the front of the group.

A man, stripped to the waist was lashed to a wagon wheel. Being whipped by an officer. His back lay open, cut and bleeding. As the officer raised his arm once more, Sheppard stepped in and wrenched the whip from the officer's hand. The man stumbled back, surprised, having lost momentum, and then grabbed for his sword, believing he had been attacked by one of the onlookers.

"Don't even try it," seethed Sheppard. Yeah, he was angry, so angry he could nearly give the guy a taste of his own medicine and even lifted the whip in his hand a fraction in warning. The officer's hand stayed on the hilt, hesitating, uncertain what to do next. He recognised Sheppard as a fellow officer. As Joherner.

"What did he do?" minced out Sheppard. To deserve this punishment. And Sheppard nodded down to the injured man still gasping for breath. "And this had better be good."

"Amongst other lapses of duty, he came in last in the morning run. It is customary. A lesson to the others. Five lashes to those so slow-"

"That's it?" he couldn't keep the disbelief out of his voice.

"It is the only way to train the slaves." Ex-slaves. Loryeffi had freed them all the day before.

"Untie him. Give him a decent meal, and then perhaps he'll run faster." It hadn't gone unnoticed by Sheppard that the man's ribs were clearly visible.

"Captain Wenum was simply doing his duty." Sheppard spun round. Loryeffi. Athlum and a couple of the other military bigwigs standing behind him. Loryeffi smiling slightly. "You were assigned, I believe, not as a common brawler, but as an officer, to assist in leading my men."

"I am." And Sheppard pushed the whip into Loryeffi's chest, forcing the general take hold of it, because he hadn't simmered down yet. Athlum went for his sword, but Loryeffi waved his aide down.

"And in that duty, I'd advise you not to beat the crap out of your volunteers, otherwise there won't be an army to lead." With that Sheppard walked off.

"Captain Joherner?" Loryeffi called after him.

Sheppard stopped and turned. He guessed he'd simmered down enough now to do respect. "Sir?" Though he also guessed he was about to get fired. And he'd just been fitted out with a new uniform...

"I stand reprimanded once again. They'll be no more whippings in my army." Loryeffi handed over the whip to Athlum. "Burn them all." And he came close to Sheppard. "You are a good man, Joherner. Nothing you could do now would ever make me doubt the wisdom of accepting you into my army. I know that you will never let me down." And he tapped at Sheppard's chest. "It suits you well, this uniform. You see our emblem?" And Sheppard followed the General's gaze up to the flag flapping in the breeze above the camp. "A feeding secrid. It may eat the flesh but never touches the soul." And he placed a palm over Sheppard's heart. "What is important is what lies beneath the uniform, is it not?"

-oAo-

The next morning, he started running again. Early. When the mists still clung to the pines of the small valleys of the Gamsco foothills. He kept a steady pace at first and it felt weird... the last time he'd run like this, had been on Atlantis...

And it felt weird too, that so close to the desert of Madacran, there could be such a place as this, twenty degrees cooler, where his breath came out in clouds and he could be glad of the chill of air against his clammy skin.

But it felt good to get back into some sort of training. The perimeter of Loryeffi's camp. The old estates of the Loryeffi family he'd been told. A landscape of ivis plantations that had fallen into disrepair, with crumbling granite-like terraces, moss covered and overgrown with brambles, gorse and ferns. Untended pine woods, thick with saplings, and strewn with fallen trunks and branches. Animals, like sheep or goats still ran in herds, providing extra provisions for the army. They also trampled a maze of trackways and paths along which, Loryeffi's men went on their long training runs, and in the distance, through the trees, Sheppard could see one such group. He kept clear of them finding his own track to run.

He needed to be alone.

And ran harder than ever.

Yeah, he was beating himself up and didn't know why.

He was going to do himself an injury, he figured out that much. The ground was uneven, holed by rotten tree stumps, hidden rocks and shrubs that snagged at his feet. He tripped more than once, but didn't care, keeping the pace hard and fast, enjoying the challenge of clearing obstacles like some hurdler, feeling the pain burn into his lungs. He didn't care. He just wanted the rhythm of the run. The steady thudding of his feet on decades of decaying pine needles.

This was crazy? That he was trying to be alone to kill the pain of loneliness? Punishment? What was it he was trying to punish? Life wasn't going how he'd planned? Dr. Pat Cornwell would be proud of him.

'You think I'm some sort of control freak?' he'd asked her once.

And she'd just smiled.

'I'll take that as a yes.'

'I think control is very important to you. In my profession, however, I'm not permitted to call anyone a freak. And I'm certainly not about to call you one either.'

He ran through fern fronds that spread high over his head, slowing him down as he batted them aside, showering him with dew, soaking his tunic already sticking uncomfortably to his skin with perspiration.

Suddenly, a pool. An abandoned well with some rusty iron machinery on one bank that must have once served as a pump. Overhung with a single aurora tree.

Jaleen. Bathing. Standing knee deep in the water. Back to him. Who hadn't heard him, though hell, he must have been making enough noise. He stood still. Trying to catch breath. Heart pounding loud and furious in his ears.

This was dangerous for her. To be on her own like this. There were those in the camp, Athlum and his cronies included, who considered her easy, couldn't take their eyes off her. And yeah, he was staring too… the way her long hair, washed and wet, clung to her bare back…

He pulled back into cover abruptly. And this was crazy too. Gawping like some school kid. But she'd seen him naked often enough. It was nothing. He could be grown up about this. He could either cough discreetly to let her know he was there or just keep quiet and watch out for her without her knowing.

A sudden noise in the undergrowth to his right made him turn.

So he wasn't the only voyeur, huh? That's the trouble with the colour red. Too easy to pick up in the green. He'd got to give Loryeffi a lesson or two in camouflage.

He stealthily made his way low through the bushes, willing his feet not to make a sound, keeping his eyes fixed on the man's leering face and was swiftly at the guy's side, grappling the man's arm into lock before the guy could even blink.

He heard Jaleen splash out of the water as the man called out, groping with his free arm for a knife held at his belt. "I'll relieve you of that, I think." And Sheppard flung it left-handed far into the undergrowth. Out of the corner of his eye, he was relieved to see Jaleen quickly slipping into her robe.

"Where I come from, it's not considered polite to watch ladies bathe," he hissed into the man's ear, now wrapping an arm round his neck, holding the struggling man tight. "You deserve a broken windpipe at the very least but since I'm in a good mood this morning, I'm feeling benevolent. Now scram, and don't let me see you within a half-mile of her again." The man nearly fell with the force of Sheppard's push away from him and staggered off, white-eyed, crashing through the ferns, eager to get away, no doubt, before Sheppard had a chance to change his mind.

"Thank you," said Jaleen, breathless, who'd now hurried the thirty or so steps over to his side of the pool. "I thought... I thought you were going to kill him."

"No. Scare him." It'd been easy enough. "You should be more careful. It's not safe…" He flushed.

"I thought if I came early and far from the camp, I would not be disturbed. It is not easy to find privacy," she replied, almost apologetic.

"It's pure chance I came by when I did. I'm supposed to be protecting you. I can't if you don't tell me first where you're going or what you're doing."

"I'm sorry," she said, those brown eyes looking down.

"Hey, I- " He hadn't meant to give her a lecture. But it'd come out that way. He reached forward and lifted her chin. "Don't…" Don't what? Don't look at him at way. Don't make him feel this way. And he thought his breathing had calmed down. She'd not dried and her robe clung damp to every damned curve of her body. She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, wanting this to be more than a touch as much as he did. He pulled his hand away sharply, letting it fall uselessly to his side.

Her eyes sprung open. Disappointment. "You can… if you want…" Kiss her. Take her. That would make him no better than the other guy.

"No. No, I can't," he said softly, looking away into the tops of the trees. Anywhere but at Jaleen. "Get your stuff. We'd better head back."

"Joherner. John-"

"Look, this isn't going to happen." Hands on his hips now. "And we're not going to speak of this again." Huh. Another one of those lectures. But he'd been stranded in a world beyond a time dilation field once and had made love with Teer. And it'd been needy love. He wasn't about to do that over. Not with Jaleen.

She touched his arm and he turned looking down at the hand, then at her face, looking into his with concern, holding his gaze. "What is wrong? What is wrong with this? I offer myself freely. It is not under bondage of slavery. Recito... Toplon even. Loryeffi has freed the slaves in his camp. This is free will. Something that I have chosen to do. Under a new bond, that of friendship. Companionship. Unconditional. I expect nothing in return only friendship. How can this be so wrong? I sense your loneliness, Joherner. I sensed it the second time that I healed you. I am sensing it now." He looked away to the tree tops again. "What is so wrong? You have a need that I may fulfil. You are ashamed? Embarrassed? After what happened at Recito's? What is wrong? Is this not the way of your people? You believe you should have more self-control? You have a strong will. How can anyone question that?... Joherner?"

He swallowed hard. "You deserve better." Was all he could say. "We have got to go," he repeated hoarsely. He really didn't want to talk about this. Hell, he'd never wanted to talk about this.

"Yes. Perhaps. But, Joherner, how can I assure you that I would not feel... used? We won't speak of this again unless you so wish, but... if you should ever change your mind... I will never refuse you, for it is my belief that I have found the best that I... deserve. And what of you? Do you not deserve better? If you remain on Madacran, do you intend to remain womanless forever? There is no one waiting for you on your homeworld, is there?" He guessed that she'd sensed that too.

"But you're married," he countered.

"I was given to Toplon in slavery."

"He'd..." and Sheppard coughed, his voice broken when he continued. None of this he was comfortable with. He really did want to return to camp. Right now. "He'd do anything for you. I... I can't... I can't come close." And he couldn't hurt the guy either.

"I think Toplon knows he has lost me... after all these years..." she shook her head, sadly. "But time moves on and we have to change, don't you think? And you took my side with Athlum – oh, I know... you'd do that for anyone..." and she smiled. "So much of a gentleman. But I told you. Unconditional. I expect nothing in return. Respect is enough. I know that you offer that... And you are right. I do deserve better. I do deserve for once in my life to be selfish. Let us tell Toplon that I think the world of someone else. That I'd do anything for this someone." She suddenly fell quiet. Looked to the ground, as embarrassed as he was, flustered by her confession. "I'll get my things now," she said abruptly. And as she turned to leave him, Sheppard caught her by the arm suddenly, pulled her to him and kissed her.

And he didn't feel like he wanted to let go for a long time yet.

-oAo-

Seldric joined Loryeffi's army. It wasn't his fight. But someone had to keep an eye on Joherner. Because Joherner still owed them a fucking ride out of there. And Toplon came too. He was looking for his wife, weren't he? They were among the first. Hundreds, thousands joined them. Slaves now took courage to run away and join the new army. Took courage to come to the side of Joherner.

And Seldric... yeah, Seldric, felt proud... because wasn't it them that had gotten Joherner into all this in the first place?

But all Joherner ever wanted to do was rescue Rodney McKay and get home. You could see it in his eyes sometimes. Seldric wasn't that fucking shallow.

And Joherner wanted to rescue Kelsoe too. Now why would he want to do that?

'He needs help... I promised... I promised myself I'd take him back to... my world...' he'd said to Jaleen one day. Seldric always stayed close so he'd overheard. He liked to think that he and Toplon were Joherner's bestest friends. And Seldric always liked shared glory. Would never turn a piece of that away. Always got them extra rations anyhow. If this carried on there never would be a need to leave Madacran. They'd be the new nobility. Lording it over others. They'd make this fucking Selemon their slave. See how he liked it. Executing him would be too good. Cut off his balls and make him eat them... yeah...

And Joherner's world? His home that he wanted to return to? This Atlantis? He never talked of it. But Seldric had heard the stories. Every kid of Madacran had grown up hearing the fucking stories. That's all they were, fucking stories. All the Traveller ships had been ancient ships. All old. Everything to do with the Ancients was old. Ancient ancient. It all had to be crap, didn't it? It all had to be crap what the Ancients could do. It all had to be crap what Atlantis could do. Otherwise... why didn't they ever kill all the Wraith? Otherwise… why didn't Joherner ever talk of it?

Yeah, as a kid, Seldric had dreamed of Atlantis. And when they'd found the jumper, yeah, they probably could have gone there. But now... nah... Seldric would stay put. He'd retire and lord it up. He'd get himself some concubines... no... not slaves... they were never going to have those anymore... no... Seldric was fucking friends with the one and only Joherner. Concubines were going to flock to Seldric's side. He was going to have to fucking fight them off. He'd stop fighting Selemon's men, and fight off women... yeah... that would be real nice, that would... And he'd make sure he got a good stock of moton. Fuck Loryeffi saying he'd ban it. No... no... fuck moton. A gent, a friend of Joherner's would get himself cer moton, top notch, best brand... oh, what that could do to a guy...

And Toplon, the stupid lovesick trowsy calf, only wanted his wife back. Hmmm... not much of an aim in life... He'd even gotten them a married couple's tent. He was gonna have problems with that. She was a freed slave now and could choose who she wanted to be with. And she had eyes only for Joherner. You could see that. And fuck, yes, wouldn't he make a good catch? What with status and good looks. No, Seldric wasn't a fucking Clada. But you'd have to be blind not to see the way the ladies swooned after Joherner. Very fetching indeed, when rigged out in that full uniform.

And Seldric had tried telling Toplon, let her go, you can't fight it. And Joherner being like he was, all moral like, was probably fucking clueless... and this guy led men into fucking battle? But Toplon respected him for all that... ah, respect... who fucking needs it?

But who would have thought a fucking Traveller would have made a Madacran soldier?

They'd quickly captured the main settlements of the Madacran world. Socan and Seismo. Touar and Imkasus. Fevrum and Tapacava.

Razachan.

Razachan, Joherner took himself with five hundred men, when General Loryeffi lay wounded after Tapacava.

There was now only Draulan and Madacran City itself to take.

And it was all looking good for the good guys. But not for Joherner. Fuck, he'd got the girl, hadn't he? They'd been round the camp fire. Joherner always came and chatted with his men of an evening and shared their jokes and ate their food, enjoying copos and dried kligtins... no, fuck... who the hell enjoys dried kligtins?

And he and Toplon had got talking... 'If you find your friends, if Rodney McKay survives the taking of Madacran, though this will be doubtful as all force will be directed at Selemon's own villa, if Rodney McKay cannot repair your craft, then... there are no immediate means to escape from this planet. It will be some time before the Travellers land once more. These are the uncomfortable truths that are facing you.'

'I know.' And even in the light of the flickering fire, you could see it... the way that he bit his lip... not liking the fucking sound of those uncomfortable truths one iota.

'What will you do, Joherner?'

'We could still get rescued. Our people won't ever let us down.'

'It has been a long time now... '

'McKay... McKay said we might be here for the rest of our natural. I guess... I'll just have to get used to the idea.'

-oAo-