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Chapter 5

"Wake up! He will scold us if he finds you have fallen asleep yet again!"

Daniel moaned softly, bringing one of his hands to his eyes, and rubbed away the weariness he felt. Stifling a yawn, Daniel extended his legs and stretched his arms over his head.

"You are impossible. We shall be punished for sure!"

Daniel opened up one eye, watching as a man much younger than himself scurried off in a huff. Frowning slightly, while his vision adjusted to the lighting, Daniel studied the stranger, watching him fret throughout the palace.

Who was that?

What was that man wearing?

Wait, palace?

Daniel bolted upright, fully awake. Eyes wide, he soaked in the features of the grandiose room, noticing a few tables and plants lining the perimeter. Several scrolls were rolled and stacked in the far right corner, while soft sunlight streamed through the open doorway. Daniel even thought he could smell freshly baked bread.

Confused, and feeling slightly disoriented, Daniel slowly rose to his feet, nearly tripping over his leather sandals. Surprised, he looked down, finding he was wearing nothing more than a fresh white linen kilt.

Daniel nearly fell over in shock. He heard an amused chuckle.

"See, that's what you get for sleeping while you should be studying," the younger man admonished, shaking his head. "Eyes are watching," he explained, pointing to his face and then to the door.

Daniel had no idea what this man was talking about.

"Uh…excuse me," Daniel began, quickly catching up with the man. "What--?"

"Don't just stand there. Help me before the Teacher arrives." The man bent over and picked up three small slabs of limestone, handing them to Daniel.

Daniel just stared at him.

He huffed. "Today is not the day to play the fool. Place them in the center of the room as always."

"Why?"

"Why?" The other man's face was turning a shade darker. "You know why." He sighed. "And where is Kemsa?"

Daniel blinked at him. "Who?"

Another heavy sigh. "Never mind. He is more of a fool than you."

Okay…

Daniel turned around, placed the stone slabs on the floor and proceeded to head for the door.

"Hey," the stranger called. "Where are you going? Lessons are about to begin!"

Daniel ignored him, walking out into the light, and away from this bizarre place.

Right into another bizarre place.

The sun was bright, and reflected brilliantly off the nearby pool. Several children were playing outside. A few naked boys, with a single braid hanging on one side of their shaved heads, toyed lazily with some cats that were resting in the garden. Not too far from them, Daniel noted a couple of young girls, their dark hair in pigtails, playing with their leather bound dolls.

An older woman, seated on a small bench in the garden, looked over to him and waved.

Smiling shyly, he waved back and hurried back into the palace in a panic.

Dozens of questions flooded him as his mind sharpened, and he became more aware of his surroundings and himself. Where was he? What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be somewhere else?

"Ah, that was quick," the man mumbled.

Daniel blew off the stranger. He felt a rise of panic as he searched the room, a room just moments ago he had drifted around in a daze, as he struggling to figure out where he was or how he got here.

"This has to be an alternate reality, or something," he muttered to himself as he ignored the strange looks the other man was giving him.

Maybe he'd touched something? A Goa'uld device?

Daniel patted his body, looking for anything suspect. All he found were rings, bracelets, and a necklace. What was this on his face? He rubbed at his eye again and looked at his hand. Kohl?

This was getting too weird, even for him.

Cringing, Daniel attempted to pry the rings off his fingers.

"Ah, student, what are you doing?"

Daniel froze, lifting his head to gaze at the doorway. A man was standing there, engulfed by the light, his features nearly unreadable. But Daniel could tell just by his profile that he was a learned man, a scholar, and, more obviously, the teacher.

"Uh…hello," Daniel uttered uneasily.

The new stranger chuckled, walking into the room and away from the bright light. He was a thin man, but healthy, with dark skin and shining eyes. He held much more of a presence than the younger man who had already begun to annoy Daniel.

"Oh, great Teacher!" the annoying man said, bowing. "We were just preparing for your arrival."

"I can see," the one known as Teacher stated patiently. "Sadji, where is Kemsa?"

"He is not here."

Nothing like stating the obvious, Daniel thought.

He thought he saw Teacher smile.

"Then, we shall start without him." Teacher motioned to the center of the room, urging his students to sit near the stone slabs. "Before we start with the text, first I shall begin with the verbal lesson of the day."

Strangely, Daniel found himself obeying, easing himself onto the floor, while muttering to himself as he attempted to sit cross-legged with the kilt. It took him three tries to get completely comfortable, but at least he was becoming accustomed to the jingling of his jewelry.

Sadji sat beside him, his expression bright and full of glee. He waited, watching Teacher expectantly, making Daniel groan.

Then, it occurred to Daniel. He should be more concerned than he was. He had no idea what was happening or where he was. He had the distinct feeling he should be somewhere else, doing something else…

Yet, at the same time, he felt content, like he could do this all the time, like he had been doing this every day for several years.

Shaking his head, Daniel decided to fight the complacency he felt, and leaned forward.

"Excuse me," he began, frowning. "Who are you?"

Sadji groaned, shaking his head. "This is not today's lesson," he said matter-of-factly.

"Well, Sadji, let's think on that for a moment," Teacher stated, coming to sit with them. "Who are we? What are we? What makes us who we are?"

"Yeah, those are great questions and all, but you didn't answer my question," Daniel emphasized, pressing him.

"Such a question holds many answers," Teacher admitted, nodding his head.

"Okay, then where am I?"

"You are where you are."

I'm talking to Oma Desala's male counterpart, Daniel thought wearily as he glared at Teacher. Struggling for help, Daniel looked over at Sadji. The man appeared as lost as he was.

"A dream? Is this a dream?"

"A dream to one person may be reality to another. And reality may be nothing more than a fleeting memory."

Daniel pursed his lips. Now, he was getting frustrated. Why couldn't they speak in simple English terms?

I'm not speaking English, Daniel realized. I'm speaking Ancient Egyptian.

Daniel opened his mouth to say something, but Teacher just smiled, a knowing smile, and spoke before Daniel could say a word.

"Well, it appears we have many questions for the day. Shall we begin?"