It had been a long walk, admittedly, but despite Jack's constant grumbling and Daniel's own irritable mutters, they had achieved their objective. A native of the planet had met them just before the foot of the mountain, and seemed friendly and welcoming. It should have been a happy moment.
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
Daniel was hot, sweaty, and tired. The last thing he needed was a belligerent Jack giving him that very calm, very dangerous look that meant the Colonel was not a happy man.
"I mean I don't know, Jack. He's speaking some kind of Greek dialect. I don't speak all the Greek dialects ever invented."
"You speak Ancient Egyptian, but not Greek? Three million languages, none of which is Greek?!"
"Well, I could probably ask him where the bus stop is."
"Limited helpfulness, Daniel."
"Excuse me."
The burgeoning argument was cut short. Both combatants whipped their heads around to face the native.
"I'm terribly sorry," the man said, without a trace of an accent. "I was not aware you'd come through the circle of stone."
"You speak English?"
The man nodded. Daniel was so busy gaping at him that Sam had to step into the conversational breach.
"We're explorers," she said, smiling her friendliest smile. "From Earth." She introduced everyone, gesturing at them with her gun until Daniel made bug-eyes at her. Thereafter she gestured with her hand, hiding the gun behind her back.
The man smiled blandly, nodded at Teal'c. "That one bears the symbol of Apophis."
"His name is Teal'c, not 'that one'," Jack snapped, then blinked. "You know Apophis?"
"We know many gods."
"Oh, good." Jack looked around nervously. "Any of them around at the moment?"
"Only one. He is still being held securely. Of course, you will wish to torture him. You are overdue."
Daniel was astonished. "Wha- no..."
"Maybe later," Jack interrupted. "As long as no one is going to try to kill us, we'd like to meet with your leaders to discuss a treaty between-"
"Of course!" The man wheeled around and walked three steps before turning back to them. "Come along."
"Wait." Sam shifted from foot to foot, worried for no reason Daniel could see. Well, other than the offer to torture a god. "What's your name?"
"My apologies! I forget my manners. I am Adonis."
"Adonis," Daniel repeated flatly. His dubious expression was mirrored on the faces of Jack and Sam. Teal'c accepted the name with equilibrium, although he probably knew little about Greek mythology. This man was exactly the opposite of what Daniel thought an Adonis should look like. He was short – maybe 5'6'' – pleasantly round, like Santa Clause, and dressed in a rough brown tunic. And he was hopping up and down impatiently, waiting for them.
At a nod from Jack, they followed him.