Chapter 13
After the young serving girls cleared away the pottery and debris from the noon meal another visitor appeared before the bars of the cell. She was a slender woman covered head to toe in simple dark cloak but peaking underneath were brilliant rose-colored garments. The warden of the cell block had accompanied her to SG-1's cell. He bowed his head for her blessing which she bestowed graciously and then bade him leave her. He expressed his duty to protect her but she demurred. As a priestess of Helios, he assured her, she was of a privileged class and well-respected but these, the prisoners, were slaves with no respect for the gods. The prisoners were dangerous and his life would be forfeit if she were to come to any harm. She smiled at the man and asserted that the gods, who were all-powerful would protect her as well as the stout bars. The warden left muttering.
When the warden was out of earshot the priestess turned to the prisoners. They were an odd group; a Jaffa with the gold emblem of a First Prime of the god of the underworld, Apophis, a young man and a woman clad in men's clothing. They were his companions so they would know.
"Is he the 'one who is to come' or shall we look for another?"
Carter approached her slowly not wishing to frighten the woman with the very strange question. "We are peaceful explorers, there has been some kind of mistake. If you could help us get out of here."
"Is the man before Phaeton the promised one?" the priestess was insistent.
"I don't understand your question." Carter said. "I'm Samantha Carter and these..."
"The one before Phaeton, it is he, that I need to know about." The priestess looked down the cell block to reassure herself that they were alone.
"The novice at the chappa'ai said that he, whom the glory of Helios shone upon, would not let her kneel to him. She was frightened and did not obey but he did not strike her down."
"I heard, too, from my sisters that the Oracle herself gave messages to you all. I was told that she gave dire warning yet thought the silver-haired one was to be a blessing on our world and not a curse."
She tried to speak in more hushed tones. "Phaeton is a monster, he is no god. There are prophecies that another will supplant him, that Phaeton is the cause of his own destruction. He will go down in flames for usurping his beloved father and for that abomination - his practice of the blood sacrifice."
"The oracle, the former oracle the one beloved of Helios, suffered at the hands of Phaeton. Her daughter has assumed her role as is our custom. She has spoken of these things but only to those initiated in the mysteries. I should not be speaking to you of these things but I must know – is he a god, will the power of god come upon him?"
Teal'c understood the priestesses questions. "O'Neill is just a man, he is no god but neither is Phaeton. If he can he will free you from this false god and give your people freedom."
"Please do not speak of this. If Lord Phaeton learns of my inquiry, the mere interest...I am not that strong. I fear he will learn of the subversives looking forward to one who will replace him. If he found out he would gladly slaughter all of us and our families."
The woman had a moment of panic, wondering if she had been foolish to speak to these strangers, to put herself and so many others in jeopardy.
"We will tell no one. Be assured." Teal'c, calm and dignified, sought to bring peace to the woman.
"May Helios warm your hearts and light your path." And with that she fled.