I awake to the feeling of unrest. The early sun still rising rays streaming through my open widow. I rise and wrap a blanket around me trying to brush away the hanging tiredness of my sleep from my invaded mind. A sharp knock resounds before Nina already washed and ready for daily duties enters my room with puzzled eyes, fresh clothes for myself in her hands. The sharp feeling of unrest and distrust hits me as she approaches. Before I have a chance to ask what is wrong, Samantha pauses as she passes my open door and I bid her entry. The feeling of rest and comfort coming her. A wide smile graces her face and I surpress a smile of my own, thinking how Parn would feel to see such a smile. I take the clothes from Nina who turns and stands between myself, Samantha, and I feel a rising distaste shudder from her. I physically shake myself and place a hand on Nina's shoulder, murmuring a calming prayer under my breath, passing a feeling a calm and rest through myself to her.

"Have I interrupted you?" asks Samantha politely, before glancing around my room with interest.

"Not at all, Nina go downstairs and see to the rest of our guests while I talk to Samantha"

I keep the feeling of alarm behind the raised wall of calm, as Nina makes no move to obey my order. My surprise I find harder to contain but I suppress that also as Samantha walks to my window and takes in the view of the village. Nina has never disobeyed or questioned my orders in any situation yet she seems determined to have her way. My hand tightens its grip on her shoulder and I turn her to face me.

"Nina, su entah re tenya "

Still the look of disobedience in her eyes, as I order her to continue with her work. Still making no move I look past her to Samantha who turns obviously sensing, the tension and distrust coming from Nina obviously aimed at her. I look back to Nina who avoids my gaze and turns a look of distrust to Samantha once more.

"Ke tac polna, re stenyah bur telck su munya"

A stunned silence enters the room as she spits the curse against the false gods from her mouth. I drop my hand from her, as if she had stung me, shock emanating from me, repelling the very essence of her from me. She turns stunned and hurt eyes to me as I step back from her. Samantha seems hurt and unsure of the rising embarrassment of the situation. She understood the curse, but like myself finds no reasoning for the sudden change in Nina's character.

"Nina that's enough" I'm surprised at the sterness and power of my own voice, a tone I have not used in a long time with any of the servants of my own home in some time and with Nina for many years. I try and take stock of the situation but I am unable to see any reason why Nina should act in this manner towards Samantha and I am not entirely sure how I should react, there was only one punishment I could set in place until at such time I could assess the situation correctly and I am loathe to enforce it but it must be done, at least for a short time.

"Samantha would you excuse us for a moment?" I ask in a quiet voice, smiling softly over to her. She seems embarrassed and relieved I am opting for her to leave the awkwardness.

"Of course" she replies, before quickly exiting the room.

I watch the closing door, and I am aware of the feeling of satisfaction coming from Nina. I look at her and see a soft smile on her face; she holds no remorse for speaking in such a way to guests under my roof. For using such a curse in my home. The smile does not stay long on her face as she looks at me. I am disgusted by her behaviour and make it known piercing her eyes with my own before turning from her. I quickly change, brushing off her offer to help, as she would usually dress me. Silence ensues, and when I next glance to her confusion and hurt are in her eyes. Before I leave, I summon up the courage inside myself before facing her fully, whispering under my breath, and placing a hand on her chest.

"Ker nah polta, kenow lateyah pol tern su munya"

"No Rani" But as I look at her dissapproving and daring her to argue against the punishment she stops, a look of fear in her eyes as nothing envelopes her. Coldness envelops my hand for a moment before I draw it from her. Tears well greatly in her eyes and I have to turn quickly to stop myself from giving in too the loss I feel in myself and take back the punishment.

"Entah re tenya" I order before exiting my quarters. Passing the meditation room, a feeling of warmth and calm emanates forth. Tealc is meditating, and I pass quickly so my own distressed feelings do not interrupt. I steel myself as I make my very slowly downstairs. I see the refreshed figures of Daniel and Jack sitting at a table laden with food, their plates full and smiles on their faces. I hear footsteps come down the stairs and the figure of Nina escapes into the kitchen, head bowed. I now feel two strangers in the midst of my house. Glancing about for Samantha, I see her silently watching the slow awakening of the village outside, before turning to see me observing her. What is it that Nina felt so strongly that she feels hate towards this woman? So much, hate she felt the need to curse her, in front of me no less? I feel anger of the situation rising within me as the scene plays itself out in my mind over and over and felt less and less remorse for the punishment I had dealt. I am relieved that Nina's empathic powers at not so strong that the curse could take effect. The consequences could have been harmful to any of us.

The thoughts and feelings are gone in an instant, guilt rising inside me as I watch Nina serving out food for me. A wall of dark coldness is all my senses feel when I look at her and if the loss is great for me it must be even more so for her. To be cut off from our senses is a punishment few can enforce, and a punishment few have enforced for a long period. None of my servants have had to deal with such punishments, at least not from me. For me the loss feels like a part of me is missing, cut off but I hold the power to lower the barrier I have raised around her. I can not imagine not feeling, sensing the essences of the family around me. It is strange to watch her work and not feel her, the servants look at me warily, not truly understanding the situation but silently accepting it. Our guests are not fully aware of the empathic senses we hold, the empathic senses they have gained from our sharing is a small part of what makes us who we are, but they cannot fully comprehend how complete it makes us.

I take my seat and smile as Tealc and Samantha joins Daniel Jack and myself. A small banter of conversation rising.

"I trust you all slept well"

"Better than ever" replies Jack, peeling a Gawt as he speaks, "Can I take one of those beds home?"

"If you wish" I reply with a smile "And you Daniel?"

"Oh yes, very well. You have a very beautiful home Rani, and the food is delicious. You're a very good hostess"

"I hope we provided well for your meditation Tealc"

"Indeed, it is rare when offworld that I get the chance to Kelnoreem correctly. Thankyou for your hospitality"

"It is Nina you should thank, she is the one who set up the room for you. The servants provide the delicious food. I am afraid my home would not be as much as it is without them"

I glance about and sense a question on Daniel's lips, which he seems reluctant to ask. I encourage him with my eyes as I peel a Gawt for myself the sweet fresh water provided; when no question comes, I try to tempt it from him.

"You have something you wish to ask Daniel?"

"I was just curious about something"

"Curiosity killed the cat Daniel spit it out" speaks up Jack, licking the sweet honey of the Gawt from his fingers before trying a Yelk.

"Well I was just wondering, you seem a civilised race. Humble and hard working. From what I've seen you've come a long way. But why do you all keep servants?"

I feel amused and try to understand why he should bring up the subject.

"Do people on your own planet not keep servants?"

"Yes but only the very rich. In ancient times, it depended on stature and class. The rich upper classes would have servants of the poor lower classes who would run the homes while their lords and masters took the credit. Even now it is only the very rich who have servants, like the ruler some of the nations of Earth. Wealth of material possessions at least doesn't seem to factor in your society. Does having servants make you superior to the rest of your people?"

"No, my people have always worked this way. Our servants choose us, and we welcome them into our homes. We become part of one another. We are a family. Without each other things would not carry on as they do"

"How do you define who is a servant and who is a master?"

"We are born with certain levels of empathic abilities, somemore than others. The stronger we are the more we have to look out for those weaker than ourselves. If the weaker do not want to live with us, they do not have to. When a servant chooses a master, they place trust in us to protect them, as they cannot protect themselves. After a time we become part of each others essences."

"But you hold a certain power over them"

I watch Daniel as he asks these questions, his curiosity emanating from him.

"Our power helps us stay in control. I provide the food they eat the clothes they wear, their health, and their home. If one of my servants wishes to leave they are free to go but after some time together when the ties are broken, the loss if great to each of us. I have had servant's leave to marry and set up homes of there own, bringing up their children, taking in there own servants. It is hard to let go, and another cannot fill the space quickly. I teach and help my servants in our ways. Some of us have much more power than being able to sense each other's feelings. We could use this power to rule over the people, keep them subservient but instead we use it to protect, teach, and strengthen. I think no less of Nina or Lanka because their empathic abilities are weaker than my own."

The Gawt I was eating feels dry in my mouth; even the sweet water cannot quench the dryness. I feel as if he is disgusted by our ways and anger rises inside my chest. I feel I cannot justify my ways to him. Does he think of us as he does the Gould, their Jaffa bowing to their masters every whim? We have lived like this long before the Gould infested our small world. I calm myself, feeling the jittering nerves of my servants around me. How could such a short morning bring such confusion?

Jack shifts uncomfortably in his seat before rising, Samantha rising with him.

"It's about time we got back to the gate and send a report through" Jack says firmly, looking from myself to Daniel. "Daniel, you're with me. Rani, thankyou for your hospitality."

Daniel stands and retrieves some belongings as Samantha turns to me.

"Rani, I was wondering if you could give myself and Tealc a closer look round your village. We were hoping to take some samples of certain things back to our planet to study"

"Of course, please give me one moment."

I enter the cooking area as the servants clear away the breakfast dishes as Jack and Daniel head towards the front door.

"Keep in radio contact. See you soon," says Jack before departing, Daniel silently following.