Chapter 10

Jack reconnoitered the area. He tried to acquire some food but wasn't very successful getting a full meal but did managed to sneak some holiday samples. His guide, Sudral, appeared and advised him to take advantage of the baths, which he did. Sudral mentioned to Teal'c that the Jaffa would be pleased to offer him their hospitality for the ritual preparation for the celebration of the feast day.

The baths were delightfully warm and O'Neill, following the lead of the others there, stripped off and walked through a room with a gentle cascade of water. Thus rinsed the men proceeded to the large pools of warm water. Most of the attendants were men but Jack found disconcerting the young giggling women who were constantly walking through, supplying fresh towels and cleaning up the wet ones. It wasn't the giggling per say but the fact that they seemed to be appraising the men and then the giggling ensued.

After a good long soak Jack was handed a towel by one of the giggling girls and led to the barbers. A hot towel was slapped on his face as the man sharpened the straight razor on a strop. Jack was somewhat uneasy to have a stranger, or anyone for that matter, so near his throat with such a sharp blade. What was even more unnerving was the man offered to shave his head as well as the rest of his body. It was only then did he notice the assorted peculiarities of some the other traders, some hirsute, some completely hairless. A few gestures and the 'Thanks but no thanks' was conveyed.

Next one of the women led him to the masseuse. This man had fingers of iron and O'Neill wasn't sure he would survive the process. How could something be both excruciating and incredibly pleasurable at the same time? So much warm scent oil was used O'Neill was sure he would slide right off the table if it weren't for the strong hands rubbing it deep into every inch of his skin. When the massage was done Jack's muscles felt gelatinous yet his back hadn't felt this good in years. If he could he would have fallen asleep right there. That's of course if it weren't for the smell. He was not overwhelmed at the thought of smelling like a Cinnabon. Although all things considered it could be worse but the aroma made him salivate for a piece of pumpkin pie and a cup of coffee.

The women appeared at the foot of the massage table and provided Jack with a set of clothing special for the festival. The clothes consisted of drawstring pants and a simple tunic made of white homespun and even the clothes had the all pervasive scent. He actually was glad for the clean clothing; the others had gotten a tad funky. Jack considered rinsing off the oils but settled for a quick wipe with one of the towels before dressing.

O'Neill left the baths and again wandered around looking for Carter. It was impressed upon him ,by not less the a few guards, that the interior of the temple precincts, as well as the priestesses, were strictly off limits to the general public. He grew bored with the crowds and wandered back to the room.

Teal'c chose to spend the day much the same as O'Neill, only in the company of the Jaffa. And there he attempted to learn as much as he could about the defense system in place in and around the planet. Teal'c, in contrast, had the faint aroma of sandalwod about him.

And Daniel, when he had learned as much as he could in the Scribes domain, sought out Jack to share this information.

Daniel opened his mouth and was ready to expound excitedly at Jack when he sniffed. There sat Jack bathe, shaved and reeking of scented oils. Daniel's eyes darted about. He glanced at Teal'c, who seemed to be examining the ceiling, and he thought it better to ignore the strong aroma.

"Jack, I don't know how but we need to get Sam out of here."

"How do you expect me to do that? You and Teal'c both told me this place was closed tight as a drum. Anyway, why?"

"It's the festival. I told you about the order of the Scribes – priests, accountants… oh and look, if you do any trading, you better not try to pull any fast ones."

"Daniel, you're all over the place. I can't trade; don't have any thing to trade with, they impounded all our gear. This was just a 'getting our credentials' visit. What's the problem?"

"Any financial malfeasance and you are invited to join the cult of Cybele."

"Wait a minute" O'Neill was wincing.

"See, see, I knew you knew some of this stuff."

"These are the guys that cut their own balls off!"

"Keeps the accountant quite honest."

"Okay, what the hell is going on tomorrow?"

"I wasn't sure before the mission but I think this is a fertility cult or at least tomorrow is a fertility festival."

"Well, that sounds like a bit more fun. No accountants I take it."

Daniel carried on "For the most part I guess it is. There are special delicacies and holiday music…but there is something else…"

"Christmas carols... fruitcake?"

"…damn it Jack. The sun will be eclipsed by the moon around noon tomorrow and it is the vernal equinox to boot. The god Lugalbanda is symbolized by the moon and his consort Ninsun is symbolized by the sun. "

"Yeah and"

"Don't act so damned dense. The union of the sun and moon equals sex and the whole population gets to play. You have got to protect Sam."

O'Neill blanched. All the stories of the temple prostitutes came flooding into his mind. Sam was with the priestesses and he put her in that position.