It was almost a year before Khonsu's Jaffa appeared to collect more warriors. In that time Nai'R'da and I had gathered many allies and as much information as we could on our target. He'rak was supposedly a loyal Jaffa, but he was publicly known to support Khonsu's superior rather than Khonsu himself. Apparently this Jaffa had an overwhelming presence and a tone of voice that sounded very demanding.

When I met He'rak however, I found him fake and patronising. It was obvious he was a threat and even though I had Jaffa allies I knew I had to be very careful around He'rak. The man checked every Jaffa before him with an arrogant gaze that made even Nai'R'da want to break cover just to hit the man. Instead we remained expressionless and bowed our head in respect to the man. We obeyed the man as he instructed us to wait in the ships barrack.

All this waiting and our plan finally comes into play.

Not just yet. I responded. We were still nowhere near Khonsu and of course we'd have He'rak and the Jaffa loyal to him to contend with. If He'rak was indeed the Jaffa we were sent after, then we had to be extremely careful, this Jaffa whilst arrogant seemed to be a hell of a lot smarter than the Jaffa I had met before. If I started asking questions now, then I would raise suspicion about my purpose here. I would have to play the obedient Jaffa until the time came when I could conduct my investigation without attracting attention to myself.

"I dislike that Jaffa." I glanced at the man who had spoken and smiled minutely at him.

"Perhaps, but he is the first prime of Khonsu. He did not gain that place by playing nice." I replied. "We serve Khonsu, and in return we serve him." I added. "As first prime, he speaks for Khonsu. We must obey." Some of my fellow Jaffa smiled in clear approval but my 'friends' seemed to frown before smiling as well. Perhaps they do not believe?

It matters little whether they believe Khonsu is a God or not. Nai'R'da replied.

Perhaps but if we nurture their believes, they may prove incredibly useful when the time comes to collect information and to escape. I added.

That may be so. Nai'R'da agreed. But if we speak of anything against He'rak and Khonsu we will only be raising suspicion about us. We will have to leave it be for now.

You're not even willing to give the Jaffa a chance are you? I asked with mild annoyance.

We're not here to give the Jaffa a chance, we're here to discover whether our Intel is correct and what we can do to help Khonsu.

The Jaffa can help us.

I doubt it. I sighed mentally at the symbiote's behaviour but decided not to argue with him. Nai'R'da had every reason to hate the Jaffa. But still I was concerned, the hatred Nai'R'da had for the Jaffa could cloud his judgement about them. My judgement is fine. Nai'R'da replied.

I don't think so. Look I know the Jaffa have done some unimaginably cruel things but not all of them are bad.

We've had this conversation before.

Yes but you've clearly ignored it.

I have never ignored you, Cariad.

Cariad? I asked stumped.

It means beloved.

Oh. I answered. Look, the Jaffa can't all be evil just like not all symbiotes are evil.

I understand, but I am not willing to discuss it at the moment.

When will you discuss it? We both know that the Tok'ra needs all the help we can get, if we get the Jaffa on side. Just think of what we could do with their support.

And just think that they could betray us. No it's better we work in secret.

We don't have to reveal ourselves as Tok'ra; we can just sow the seeds of doubt.

And when they find out we started it? What do you think they'd do with us?

I know what could happen; I just think that we could use the Jaffa's help.

We don't need their help. Nai'R'da replied stubbornly.

You won't be convinced will you? You won't even give them a chance.

No.

But their dying for fake Gods!

It is their choice.

Not always!

We can discuss this later. Nai'R'da stated firmly and just like that I knew our conversation was over. Nai'R'da rarely lost his temper or patience but it seemed Jaffa was a topic I had to carefully avoid so as not to anger him. You need not fear my temper, Cariad.

That may be so, but you cannot deny that you're angry.

Not with you. Nai'R'da assured. You are right with what you're saying but I cannot simply get over what the Jaffa has done. It doesn't matter if their innocent or not, their all killers. They may have feared retribution from their 'Gods' but they could have stopped at any time or at least saved some people.

Perhaps. I agreed. But what good would it have done? We cannot save people and we do not even try. The Jaffa often have to do the same thing. There are Jaffa doing exactly what we're doing, infiltrating and collecting information in the hopes that it makes a difference and saves others.

That may be so, but it is not important right now.

When will it be important? I asked quietly.

I am not sure. Nai'R'da admitted. Please, let's just focus on the mission.

I paused at the symbiotes pleading and mentally agreed. Alright. I replied softly. I'm sorry for upsetting you.

You haven't upset me, I just. I'd rather not talk about it right now.

Alright. I stated quietly. I focused back on the Jaffa around me, listening to their conversations. Some were sitting quietly focused on themselves but some were talking about their future duties and the eagerness to solve their Gods.

"What do you think our first duties would be?" Arash asked curiously.

"I hope it is to meet our new Lord." I replied.

"That would be an honour." Arash replied, though his voice was hesitant.

"Lord Khonsu does indeed wish to speak to his new Jaffa." He'rak stated. We all jumped at his arrival.

How did he creep up on us like that? Normally we can hear a Jaffa coming. Their not exactly quiet.

It may mean he is a bigger threat then we guessed or it may be that our comrades were talking and moving too loudly for us to hear their approach. Nai'R'da surmised.

At He'rak's instruction, all Jaffa marched out of the ship and onto the planet's surface. It was hot planet, almost a desert apart from the forests that littered the landscape. This planet must not be far from the Jaffa home world.

Yes it only took a few hours at full speed. Nai'R'da replied. Though I do not how we can use this information.

It gives us an idea of the immediate areas, nearby to Khonsu. It is most likely that inhabitable planets near here are also Jaffa home worlds or planets full of slaves. I replied. And that would mean hundreds or thousands of warriors ready to defend their masters.

We're deep in enemy territory.

That's what I think.

It is a viable thought; we will have to investigate that if we can. When it comes time to escape we will have to avoid the other planets, but if there is a chaapa'ai, we won't have to. He'rak led us through the trees and into a large temple, the stone was similar to the baked stones of Egypt and I wondered if whoever had built this had made the stones and walls from local material. Now is not the time to think about how a building is made.

Isn't that important? I mean shouldn't we be aware of everything. What if we had to force our way out. God Forbid. Perhaps we could find a way to break through the very walls holding us in.

We can't think that way. We'll just have to hope our plan is successful. Nai'R'da replied.

As we walked through the building I felt as if I was walking through history. The sandy walls glowed in the soft candle light and fires lighting the rooms and corridors. The moment we entered the large chamber my eyes focused on the man on the throne. He looked every part the Gao'uld leader he claimed to be. His eyes were dark and harsh and his dark hair and tanned skin made him more intimidating. On top of that he wore a deep red robe, clasped with black and gold. If I had not been informed he was Tok'ra I would have believed he was a minor Gao'uld.

Yet somehow he may have been discovered by someone other than a Tok'ra.

Khonsu stood and talked to the gathered Jaffa, informing us of our duties and our purpose, to serve him and his superiors and remain loyal until death. Khonsu had obviously not been informed of who I was because he easily overlooked us. He was looking for the operative without actually appearing to be looking, yet he did not know who he was looking for.

We will somehow have to contact him without giving him or ourselves away. Nai'R'da thought.

We'll have to wait. Sooner or later we'll have the chance to show ourselves to him. Even if it's a wink or some minute body movement. As long as he's watching and gets the message, we won't have to reveal either of us to be Tok'ra.

Yes but it has to be a sign that he will recognise.

What do you have in mind?

Head bowing. When a Tok'ra symbiote takes control, the hosts head bows to hide the eye flashing. If we can catch his attention and perform the head bow without bringing attention to ourselves we can inform him of our true allegiance.

Perhaps. I replied, slightly doubtful. A head bow may be too obvious.

Not necessarily, if we can catch his eye as he dismisses the Jaffa we can bow our head, the other Jaffa will believe it to be a sign of respect but we know better and hopefully Khonsu will as well.

But how do we catch his eye amongst so many Jaffa? I asked curiously keeping my eyes on our fellow Tok'ra.

We will just have to wait and hope he looks at us.

We can't just hope he looks at us. We have to let him know he's not alone and as soon as possible. I replied. And we have to do it soon. I added as I realised the lecture Khonsu was giving was winding down. The Tok'ra once more allowed his eyes to wander over the Jaffa before him. I shifted slightly and the man's attention zeroed into me for just a moment. I bowed my head low and met his eyes, he nodded minutely.

Well done. Nai'R'da stated.

I didn't think it would work. I stated slightly amazed at how easy that had been.

The other Jaffa are standing stone still. Your shifting was a small enough sign to bring his attention to us.

Let's just hope he understood the message. Ithought in reply.

If he got the message, Khonsu will let us know. Until then we continue playing loyal Jaffa. Nai'R'da instructed. I obediently followed the Jaffa to our new barrack. And settled onto my designated bunk. Once there He'rak then proceeded to give us his own lecture on how we should behave. Nai'R'da snorted. His arrogance knows no bounds. He stated in some amusement. That may be his weakness.

It's no use to us at the moment.

Yes it is. If we rub his ego the right way, we might just keep his attention off us.

In other words show more respect to him then he deserves.

That's one way of putting it. Nai'R'da thought in amusement.

Once He'rak was gone Arash sighed. "He's rather egotistical isn't he?" He whispered to me.

"He is first prime of Lord Khonsu. A very honourable position." I replied. Arash nodded in agreement but did not look pleased. I took his arm and pulled him closer. "Even though He'rak is egotistical he is our master, if you continue to speak of him like you do aloud, you will suffer. For the sake of your life, stay quiet." I warned. He nodded in acceptance at my words and moved to his designated bunk.

When night came Nai'R'da took over and allowed me rest. I was a little reluctant at first, not wanting to leave Nai'R'da to fend for himself. The symbiote however forced me to sleep.

The next morning, we were awoken at the same time and instructed to go to the mess hall. We were given food which was almost unpalatable. I would have been sick if Nai'R'da had not taken control and numbed my taste buds. Nai'R'da remained in control from then on using my voice to speak. After breakfast, we were led outside where we began showing off our fight. Khonsu was stood above us on a large balcony watching us.

The competition ran for most of the day. Losers were killed or gravely injured. It was only thanks to Nai'R'da that I had survived thus far. Finally a large legion of us stood before Khonsu waiting for his judgement.

"You have proven yourselves. You are worthy to serve me." Khonsu stated. "You will have the honour of being my loyal Jaffa. However I will also pick out two Jaffa who will have the honour as serving me as my personal Guard. Those two worthy Jaffa will be Nai'R'da and Arash." He stated.

I think he understood our message.

Well if this gives us a chance to be alone with him, we'll soon find out if he understood our sign.

He'rak was staring at myself and Arash as opposition which made Nai'R'da nervous. It seems we've become the target of our target.

Let's hope not. I replied. We'll just have to submit and flatter him when we have the chance and make him believe we're loyal to him.

The Jaffa led us into the building once more and led us down several secret chambers and tunnels until we entered a richly decorated room. "You will behave in front of your God." He'rak lectured. "He has given you the honour of serving and protecting him, you will defend him with your life."

"It is an honour to serve." Nai'R'da replied still using my voice.

"It is." He'rak retorted. He opened his mouth to say more, but Khonsu entered just then with two other Jaffa.

"He'rak, I have no need of you for the moment. Please go and ensure our new recruits are sorted out and well prepared. I will not have weak Jaffa."

"Of course my Lord." He'rak answered, his voice may not have sounded different but I thought I heard a lot of sarcasm. Still the Jaffa bowed and left the room.

"Arash, Nai'R'da. You have been chosen for a great honour. You are to protect me at all times." Khonsu stated.

"It is an honour, my lord." Arash replied.

"Indeed, it is." Khonsu replied with some amusement. "Arash, you will stand guard outside my quarters. No one is to enter my quarters without my permission. Including He'rak my first prime."

"Of course My Lord." Arash replied, evacuating the room. Khonsu's current body guards also followed their new comrade out of the quarters leaving me alone with my fellow Tok'ra.

"Nai'R'da, Re." Khonsu ordered moving further into his personal chambers. Nai'R'da followed obediently and waited for Khonsu to decide it was safe to talk. "What have you observed of your fellow Jaffa so far?"

"They are loyal." Nai'R'da replied.

"Are they?"

"I believe so, but some do seem very nervous or arrogant."

"And who may they be?"

"A few of my comrades are unsure, but mostly their unsure of your first prime." I stated.

"And what are they unsure of?"

"His arrogance." I replied.

"That is a serious accusation against a superior Jaffa." Khonsu replied.

"I am merely stating how we feel about him." Nai'R'da replied.

"And why should I take that into concern."

"It is not my place to say." Nai'R'da stated, playing the obedient Jaffa.

"You have already begun. You will become one of my most trusted Jaffa. You will be working with He'rak, if you cannot trust him and have stated as much, I need to know why."

"In all honesty my Lord, I don't think He'rak has your best interests in mind." Nai'R'da replied. "I cannot give you any proof, but I do feel uneasy around him as if he could betray us at any time."

"Even though it is just your word, this is a serious accusation. I will have to conduct a serious investigation into my Jaffa and my trust in them." Khonsu replied. "But to conduct such an investigation on just your word alone is just not done. However I must admit He'rak ego has overgrown his station and as a result, he's made some bad decisions." Khonsu ranted. "You will conduct these investigations on my behalf. I will ensure you work closely with He'rak so as to observe all his behaviour. If these accusations are false and you fail…"

"I will not fail you my Lord."

Cariad- CAR-yad. It means beloved. (Thanks to AnaLake for that translation, it is not actually Gao'uld it is Welsh. I hope you guys don't mind...)