They are not the first to have come through the Chapayah. In our temples,
the walls are inscribed with events when the false gods enslaved our
people. They still come but now we have no fear of them. They cannot
enslave us as they once did and the evil gods cannot possess our bodies.
We are taught from the early stages of our lives the history, which
encompasses us, as we are nurtured to use the powers available to us. To
sense what each person feels and appropriately keep to ourselves personal
feelings. To communicate not only with words but with our minds, our
hearts. All this I wish to relay to the visitors, to tell them we can
communicate without the slow ritual of trying to learn each other's
language. To do so could take many seasons. It has taken time to even
learn each other's names, but their simple ways are endearing. Daniel is
happy to make simple communication; it pleases him that we are able to
speak simply and with signal. But I wish to tell them everything, for them
to learn so much and for myself and my people to learn so much from them.
I have to hold myself back from revealing everything to them, to him, and
my servants are sensing my impatience. It is making them nervous as if I
sense some danger from the strangers. I stand quickly regaining some
control, they stand also but I raise a hand to bid them to stay and excuse
myself silently for a moment into the next room. Nina follows concern
emanating from her.
"Rani? Su, lyah min rayah temnt tri su?"
I smile at her concern and decide we must take them directly to the temple. There I, with the help of Parn, we can go through the ritual and make our communication easier. I return to the room as Nina retrieves my temple gown, and the servants ready themselves to go with us. As I enter the room they are talking quietly among one another and looking around their simple surroundings that create my home. They look up as I approach; I feel Jack's impatience even more and beckon them to come.
"Lotyah, lotyah mi" they understand and stand, the servants return and I try and reassure my visitors as they are surrounded, my servants dabbing oils on their temples and sliding temple scarves around their necks. Nina places my robe over my shoulders and secures it in place. Once we are prepared, we exit back into the midst of the village. The crowds have dispersed but onlookers still stare curiously. I lead our small group through the village up to our temple, which is situated, behind our homes in a small valley a short walk yet set serenely away from the bustle of our daily lives. Daniel walks beside me silently; I can feel curiosity coming from him. I sense they want to ask many questions. Parn would help in answering those questions.
As we come to the top of the hill and look down on the temple, I pause a moment to allow its full beauty to be beheld by new eyes. I hear a few utter some words in low tones a mixture of our visitors and my servants. We continue down the path to the temple, a few villagers in robes pass us from their daily visit, peace emanating from them, curiosity picking up as they view us. We pass up the steps by couples basking in the mid-day sun, their peaceful serenity in each other company flowing over us. The temple doors are open; rays of light casting through, catching the colours of ornate hangings, ornaments and statues. Our visitors pause once more as I continue forward and kneel for a moment, my servants bowing their heads. We cross our hands over our hearts, uttering the sweet soft prayer of our people.
"Kel yen mentrah, poy, mi, su rentrah"
"Mitoyah Rani"
I raise my head and smile as Parn greets me, holding out a hand to steady me as I rise.
"Mitoyah Parn"
He greets my servants and they disperse around the temple, some laying oils and flowers, others to talk amongst themselves. Others to meditate. Only Nina stays with me, standing at a distance. Parn observes the newcomers and steps forward as I explain their coming through the Chapayah.
"Mitoyah" he greets them and Daniel once more steps forward but it is another, which catches Parns eye, and this I am not surprised at. He nods to Daniel but instantly goes to her side. Samantha is unlike any of our people and has been observed by us all quietly. Parn is not so quiet and I sense apprehension emanating from her as he slowly walks around her. I step forward hoping to calm her unease. I explain to Parn that I have had little communication with them. He quietens me with a raise of his hand and reaches out to touch her hair. Sources of his curiosity, for few of us have seen such a colour before. The only thing I could compare it to would be to the rising of our morning star, which lightens our skies to a golden haze. The star rises once with the rising of the three moons, and so few have seen the power of its beauty and it lasts but an instant. I have never seen such a colour apart from that moment. Until she came through the Chapayah.
Stranger still are their eyes. Samantha's and Daniel's, for they are the colour of the lake. Daniel's seem to shine, reminding me of when the mid day sun shines down on the lake and reflects it's bright light with shimmering ease. Samantha's I could compare to the lake as the evening sun descends, the calm waters seem darker and yet light sill emanates from them.
Parn is so taken with her I feel standing here watching, that I am intruding in some way. I drop my gaze and calmly glance at the others. I sense some unease from Jack also; he is still trying to decide whether we should be trusted. Parn turns to me and I sense surprise as he sees Teal'c. He must sense the same trust as I do from the others when observing him for he calmly looks to me with slight question in his eyes. We know his kind; they were slaves of the false gods also. Doing their bidding, torturing our people, and carrying the gods inside them. Yet, we only sense friendship and respect for this one. We sense no danger, he does not carry a god anymore, only a mark of his god on his forehead.
Parn raises his eyes to the temple walls; the stories of our peoples suffering inscribed into them. He sighs and I feel peace emanating from him and I allow myself to indulge in the same peace. Deep down somewhere I had been unsure as to bring our visitors here. Parn was assuring me all was well.
"Datoyah Rani, reanyah" I smile as he assures me calmly and bid's us to follow him. As we walk, I whisper to him, explaining my intentions. A simple ceremony could bring down the communication barrier between us. In the short time we have known each other I hope to have gained, some trust from Daniel and hopefully he will understand that we mean no harm. Parn understands and agrees as he leads us through the main hall of the temple into a small room, the smell of oils fills the air as they burn, casting a dull light around us.
"Yent, yent" I sit and the others follow my lead. Nina sits to one side of me, Daniel to the other. Tealc settles himself by Nina and Parn sits opposite me next to Tealc. Samantha sits by Parn and Jack between herself and Daniel. I sense impatience growing from Jack. I smile; he reminds me of a child who wants everything all at once instead of calmly going through the right channels to gain what he wants. Daniel sees me smile and smiles also as if understanding my thoughts. He turns his attention to Parn who is preparing the ritual. I close my eyes and concentrate as Parn communicates through his feelings to me. I am as strong as the roots of the Kentalyah trees, as calm as the waters of the great lake, I reach out to Nina who sits by me, and taking my hand, she emanates the same feelings. Parn whispers softly the ritual prayers reaching out with his mind to us. I press out with my mind and feel the words in the air, I feel cold for an instant as my mind connects with Parn, Nina grasps tighter onto my hand as she also connects. I can feel her struggle to control the overwhelming feelings that are caught like a spiralling wind around us. I join Parn in the ritual words, reassuring her with my mind. As she calms, I press the dark places around us with the probing fingers of my mind. I sense Nina connecting with Tealc as Parn contends with Jack and Sam. There are barriers for a moment and then everything, information flowing about us, melding into one as we try to sift through the information and assure each one we mean no harm. Understanding settles and our thoughts and feelings are as one. I draw back and probe softly with care, as I feel a wall of darkness and resistance. A shadow. I send out feelings of comfort and reassurance and yet I cannot penetrate the barrier.
I open my eyes, and fight to regain control as the shine of his eyes meets my gaze. He is calmly, watching the ritual. Watching me. The others look as if they are sleeping, Parn and Nina have reached them, and I can hear them in the distance connecting, calming their confusion as we invade their minds. But he is observing, curious and yet holding back, not afraid but something stops him, something. I slip my grasp from Nina and reach out a hand to him but he is reluctant to take it. Keeping my connection with the others, I distance my thoughts, their words quieten in my mind. He does not trust me and for a moment I feel ashamed, we wish to communicate and yet we invade their minds without permission to do so, they will understand eventually but the initial invasion is without moral or question wrong. Daniel understands in some way what we, what I am trying to do. Yet, I have no right to do it. I lower my hand and wait a few moments longer, their voices quieten even more and I know the ritual is near completion. I close my eyes as Parn speaks the final words of blessing over us. They can feel us as we can feel them. Waves of questions rush from them in a calm way. I observe as they open their eyes slowly one by one. Nina leans softly towards me, the ritual was tiring on her and I lay my hand on her arm. Looking at me, she smiles, happy to have taken part in the ritual. I let a wave of concern wash over me to her and excuse her to go and sit on the temple steps and rest. She leaves us and I watch the surprise cross Samantha's face as she watched Nina go.
"I understand you"
"And I understand you" I reply
"But I don't understand what happened"
"You will" responds Parn, "Give it time"
"Rani? Su, lyah min rayah temnt tri su?"
I smile at her concern and decide we must take them directly to the temple. There I, with the help of Parn, we can go through the ritual and make our communication easier. I return to the room as Nina retrieves my temple gown, and the servants ready themselves to go with us. As I enter the room they are talking quietly among one another and looking around their simple surroundings that create my home. They look up as I approach; I feel Jack's impatience even more and beckon them to come.
"Lotyah, lotyah mi" they understand and stand, the servants return and I try and reassure my visitors as they are surrounded, my servants dabbing oils on their temples and sliding temple scarves around their necks. Nina places my robe over my shoulders and secures it in place. Once we are prepared, we exit back into the midst of the village. The crowds have dispersed but onlookers still stare curiously. I lead our small group through the village up to our temple, which is situated, behind our homes in a small valley a short walk yet set serenely away from the bustle of our daily lives. Daniel walks beside me silently; I can feel curiosity coming from him. I sense they want to ask many questions. Parn would help in answering those questions.
As we come to the top of the hill and look down on the temple, I pause a moment to allow its full beauty to be beheld by new eyes. I hear a few utter some words in low tones a mixture of our visitors and my servants. We continue down the path to the temple, a few villagers in robes pass us from their daily visit, peace emanating from them, curiosity picking up as they view us. We pass up the steps by couples basking in the mid-day sun, their peaceful serenity in each other company flowing over us. The temple doors are open; rays of light casting through, catching the colours of ornate hangings, ornaments and statues. Our visitors pause once more as I continue forward and kneel for a moment, my servants bowing their heads. We cross our hands over our hearts, uttering the sweet soft prayer of our people.
"Kel yen mentrah, poy, mi, su rentrah"
"Mitoyah Rani"
I raise my head and smile as Parn greets me, holding out a hand to steady me as I rise.
"Mitoyah Parn"
He greets my servants and they disperse around the temple, some laying oils and flowers, others to talk amongst themselves. Others to meditate. Only Nina stays with me, standing at a distance. Parn observes the newcomers and steps forward as I explain their coming through the Chapayah.
"Mitoyah" he greets them and Daniel once more steps forward but it is another, which catches Parns eye, and this I am not surprised at. He nods to Daniel but instantly goes to her side. Samantha is unlike any of our people and has been observed by us all quietly. Parn is not so quiet and I sense apprehension emanating from her as he slowly walks around her. I step forward hoping to calm her unease. I explain to Parn that I have had little communication with them. He quietens me with a raise of his hand and reaches out to touch her hair. Sources of his curiosity, for few of us have seen such a colour before. The only thing I could compare it to would be to the rising of our morning star, which lightens our skies to a golden haze. The star rises once with the rising of the three moons, and so few have seen the power of its beauty and it lasts but an instant. I have never seen such a colour apart from that moment. Until she came through the Chapayah.
Stranger still are their eyes. Samantha's and Daniel's, for they are the colour of the lake. Daniel's seem to shine, reminding me of when the mid day sun shines down on the lake and reflects it's bright light with shimmering ease. Samantha's I could compare to the lake as the evening sun descends, the calm waters seem darker and yet light sill emanates from them.
Parn is so taken with her I feel standing here watching, that I am intruding in some way. I drop my gaze and calmly glance at the others. I sense some unease from Jack also; he is still trying to decide whether we should be trusted. Parn turns to me and I sense surprise as he sees Teal'c. He must sense the same trust as I do from the others when observing him for he calmly looks to me with slight question in his eyes. We know his kind; they were slaves of the false gods also. Doing their bidding, torturing our people, and carrying the gods inside them. Yet, we only sense friendship and respect for this one. We sense no danger, he does not carry a god anymore, only a mark of his god on his forehead.
Parn raises his eyes to the temple walls; the stories of our peoples suffering inscribed into them. He sighs and I feel peace emanating from him and I allow myself to indulge in the same peace. Deep down somewhere I had been unsure as to bring our visitors here. Parn was assuring me all was well.
"Datoyah Rani, reanyah" I smile as he assures me calmly and bid's us to follow him. As we walk, I whisper to him, explaining my intentions. A simple ceremony could bring down the communication barrier between us. In the short time we have known each other I hope to have gained, some trust from Daniel and hopefully he will understand that we mean no harm. Parn understands and agrees as he leads us through the main hall of the temple into a small room, the smell of oils fills the air as they burn, casting a dull light around us.
"Yent, yent" I sit and the others follow my lead. Nina sits to one side of me, Daniel to the other. Tealc settles himself by Nina and Parn sits opposite me next to Tealc. Samantha sits by Parn and Jack between herself and Daniel. I sense impatience growing from Jack. I smile; he reminds me of a child who wants everything all at once instead of calmly going through the right channels to gain what he wants. Daniel sees me smile and smiles also as if understanding my thoughts. He turns his attention to Parn who is preparing the ritual. I close my eyes and concentrate as Parn communicates through his feelings to me. I am as strong as the roots of the Kentalyah trees, as calm as the waters of the great lake, I reach out to Nina who sits by me, and taking my hand, she emanates the same feelings. Parn whispers softly the ritual prayers reaching out with his mind to us. I press out with my mind and feel the words in the air, I feel cold for an instant as my mind connects with Parn, Nina grasps tighter onto my hand as she also connects. I can feel her struggle to control the overwhelming feelings that are caught like a spiralling wind around us. I join Parn in the ritual words, reassuring her with my mind. As she calms, I press the dark places around us with the probing fingers of my mind. I sense Nina connecting with Tealc as Parn contends with Jack and Sam. There are barriers for a moment and then everything, information flowing about us, melding into one as we try to sift through the information and assure each one we mean no harm. Understanding settles and our thoughts and feelings are as one. I draw back and probe softly with care, as I feel a wall of darkness and resistance. A shadow. I send out feelings of comfort and reassurance and yet I cannot penetrate the barrier.
I open my eyes, and fight to regain control as the shine of his eyes meets my gaze. He is calmly, watching the ritual. Watching me. The others look as if they are sleeping, Parn and Nina have reached them, and I can hear them in the distance connecting, calming their confusion as we invade their minds. But he is observing, curious and yet holding back, not afraid but something stops him, something. I slip my grasp from Nina and reach out a hand to him but he is reluctant to take it. Keeping my connection with the others, I distance my thoughts, their words quieten in my mind. He does not trust me and for a moment I feel ashamed, we wish to communicate and yet we invade their minds without permission to do so, they will understand eventually but the initial invasion is without moral or question wrong. Daniel understands in some way what we, what I am trying to do. Yet, I have no right to do it. I lower my hand and wait a few moments longer, their voices quieten even more and I know the ritual is near completion. I close my eyes as Parn speaks the final words of blessing over us. They can feel us as we can feel them. Waves of questions rush from them in a calm way. I observe as they open their eyes slowly one by one. Nina leans softly towards me, the ritual was tiring on her and I lay my hand on her arm. Looking at me, she smiles, happy to have taken part in the ritual. I let a wave of concern wash over me to her and excuse her to go and sit on the temple steps and rest. She leaves us and I watch the surprise cross Samantha's face as she watched Nina go.
"I understand you"
"And I understand you" I reply
"But I don't understand what happened"
"You will" responds Parn, "Give it time"