Author's Note: I would like to thank my beta reader, Nika Dixon, for her guidance. Any mistakes here are purely my own.

I would also like to thank all those who are reading this story and especially those who take the time to submit a review. It makes me a happy person to see the continued interest. I do appreciate the patience that you have all shown in sticking with it given the slower publishing rate.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Stargate Atlantis or the characters. The only thing that is mine are any original thoughts or characters that you may find here.

Chapter 10

Ronon heard the sound of more boots approaching and quickly pulled Teyla into the shadows of the nearest building. So far they had managed to avoid any encounters with the locals and they were both keen to keep it that way. They waited as another group of uniformed men marched passed their position and continued towards the outer edges of the village.

"Where are they all going?" asked Teyla

"The gate maybe," replied Ronon.

"Let us hope not."

"We'd better move," replied Ronon.

They kept to the shadows and moved as quickly as they dared. Candlelight still shone from the occasional window as they passed forcing them to keep away from the buildings to avoid being seen by anyone who might look out.

They picked up their speed as they left the village buildings behind and entered the surrounding farm lands. Here the buildings were set back further from the road and it was unlikely that any of the occupants would be able to see them passing in the dark. They kept close to the path certain that they would hear the sounds of approaching troops long before they posed a threat. They needed to report back to Atlantis quickly and the path was the quickest way back to the gate.

The sound of an animal baying drifted to them from somewhere in the distance. Neither paid any heed until a second animal answered from much closer followed by another more human sound. A man's voice raised in anger and close enough for them to make out the words. Too close for them to remain where they were. Teyla touched Ronon's arm before signalling to the tall crops that grew near the path on the other side from where they stood.

They quickly made their way over to the tall grass like plant and pushed their way passed the thick leaves. The sharp edges caught at their clothing and tore at exposed flesh. Teyla was grateful for her thick Athosian coat and the protection it provided, she only hoped that Ronon's tunic sleeves were providing him with the same.

They crouched down and waited for the Dalerians to pass confident that the thick grass would shield them from the eyes of anyone on the path. The sound of footsteps grew closer and another sound could be heard. Teyla recognised the sound just as her eyes made out the shape of a cart being pulled by a large animal.

As they drew closer she could see the outline of a man sat on the cart attempting to control the animal with the reins he held. Walking alongside were several more men. All wore the same black uniforms that they had seen on the marching men. Her attention was drawn back to the animal as it reared up on its hind legs before dropping back to all fours with an audible thud.

"Keep that animal under control, Tarin."

"I am trying, Master. Something has it spooked."

Teyla watched as the animal reared again nearly tipping the cart over in its panic. The movement had thrown Tarin from his seat at the front to where he now lay sprawled on the ground, in mortal danger from the hooves of the frightened animal. Without someone holding the reins the animal was free to continue its destruction. It reared again deliberately pushing against the harness that held it. The cart tipped on a precarious angle allowing Teyla to see that it held several bodies on board before the snapping of timber could be heard. The cart fell back to earth as the animal managed to break free and run off towards the village. A low growling sound came from the grasses on the other side of the road as a pack of animals leapt from the grass and chased after their prey, disappearing into the distance quickly.

Teyla turned her attention back to the men by the cart, barely more than thirty feet from where she and Ronon hid. One man was crouched next to the fallen man checking his injuries.

"He is gravely injured, Master."

"Put him in the cart with the bodies," replied the Master before turning to the man beside him. "Sakara, take a man with you and go back to the barracks; bring back another cart and a healer. And do it quickly."

"Yes, Sire," replied Sakara before turning to the other men. "I will take Yelek, he is the fastest runner."

The Master watched as the two men took off at a run before returning his attention to the remaining two men. "Keep a watch, men, there may be another hunting pack attracted to the smell of decomposing bodies."

Teyla shared a glance with Ronon, with the Dalerians on alert it was unlikely that they could move out from their position without being spotted or heard. They had no choice but to wait awhile and hope that the Dalerians would lose their current alertness. It would be almost two hours before the replacement cart arrived to take the bodies and the other Dalerians away. Her thoughts drifted to the bodies she had spied within the cart. Could they be the other members of Lorne's team? She hoped not. If it were then it was possible that Sargeant Clarke was the only survivor and that Doctor Weir was also dead. Only time would tell, for now she had to bide her time. Another glance towards Ronon was all she needed to see he felt the same way. His weapon was already in his hand waiting for his chance to make a move. His anger under control for now but ready to find an outlet should the opportunity arise.

ooOoo

Elizabeth barely noticed what was happening as she was dragged back towards her cell still in a daze from Jaymar's last blow. She tried to support her own weight but dizziness hounded her and she would've collapsed had her guards not grasped her arms forcefully and pulled her along. She could only hope that Atlantis would find and rescue them before she had to return to that room and learn the purpose of those terrible instruments that she had seen. Just thinking about them was scary enough.

The queasiness in her stomach intensified with the swaying movement of the guards, threatening to overwhelm her. Lorne would not be happy to see her in this state. She was aware that Sheppard had extracted a promise from the man to keep her safe and that Lorne took his promise seriously. She knew he would see this situation as his fault and that he would do anything to put it right. She could not let that happen. Not when it would only end with Lorne in that room of horrors, at Jaymar's mercy. The memory of Jaymar's hand caressing the leather handle of a cat-of-nine-tails whip as he lifted it up for closer inspection sent shudders through her. She made her own promise that she would do whatever she could to keep the others from seeing that room.

The movement stopped as the guards arrived at the cell door pulling her from her reverie. The door creaked open and then a heavy hand to her back pushed her into the cell where she stumbled and crashed to the stone floor before anyone could move to catch her. She cried out as pain shot up her wrist as she reached out to save herself from hitting the stone face first, failing as momentum slammed her into the stone and knocked the air from her lungs. She was vaguely aware that someone was at her side as she heard the cell door slamming closed.

TBC

A/N: Oh no Weir is hurt and Sheppard isn't near to provide comfort. I wouldn't want to be Jaymar when Sheppard finds out that he's hurt her. Will she be okay? Will Teyla and Ronon be discovered by the Dalerians? You'll have to keep reading to find out, so why not sign up for an alert today.