Life In the Shadows- Part Two
The dawn light came and with it came the guards. They were carrying chains and shackles and proceeded to cuff each man, thankfully with their arms to the front; the women they left alone.
Jack caught Sam's eyes with a grin. "They obviously don't know you, Major," he remarked with a smirk.
Outside the pen, several guards were mounting horses, and as they were ushered out, the riders surrounded them. The two girls were pushed to the front behind the lead horse.
Jack watched in dismay as the horses effectively boxed them in and started a brisk walking pace.
'Maybe they'll get sloppy,' he thought, but without much conviction. The Mauran certainly knew how to handle prisoners.
The two girls had to trot to keep up with the fast pace set by the horses, and were soon tiring. As the girl in front of Jack began to stumble, one of the guards hit out with a whip. It caught the girl across the back and with a scream, she fell.
Jack wasn't quick enough to prevent the first blow, but as the guard raised the lash once more Jack covered the girl with his own body. The lash caught him across the shoulders with a stinging blow. Without proper thought, he grabbed the leather and pulled at it, catching the guard by surprise. The horse reared up, sending people scattering as the rider fell.
Teal'c hit out at the flank of the horse nearest to him causing it to rear as well, but he other prisoners threw themselves down in horror, not moving as chaos reigned. The guards were shouting and cursing, and worried for the other girl, Sam moved to cover her. Daniel was caught by a blow to the head that felled him instantly.
Jack and Teal'c managed to get a few punches in before they were overpowered by the remaining guards. They were hauled to their feet to stand before the head guard. He stared at Teal'c for a moment, raking his eyes over him curiously, before turning slightly to regard Jack.
"You are their leader?" he asked, staring at Jack with utter contempt.
Jack acknowledged his words with a nod. He was angry with himself for being overpowered so easily, forgetting for the moment that it wasn't even a planned escape.
"When we reach the mine the others will witness the punishment you will receive. If you or your people try anything else you will be put to death."
Abruptly the man turned away and they were pushed into line again.
Daniel was propped up against Sam, looking quite dazed.
"Up," shouted one of the guards, threatening them with the whip by cracking it in the air.
Teal'c helped Sam to get a rather unsteady Daniel to his feet.
"Ok?" she asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'll live," he mumbled, putting a hand up with difficulty to feel the back of his neck as he looked around.
They were pushed onwards, given no respite until well after the middle of the day. Eventually a brief rest was called and they were given water, but still no food.
The two girls stayed close together, but seemed also to stay close to SG-1. The other prisoners stayed well away; obviously afraid of the guards' reactions. The girl Jack had saved from another lashing shyly approached him and put a hand out to his shoulder. She gave him a smile to show her gratitude, but wouldn't speak, despite the attempts to converse with her, before she quietly retired to sit once more with her companion.
xoxoxoxoxo
Daniel watched as the girl approached Jack. He couldn't blame his friend for protecting them, even if it did put the Mauran on their guard. His head ached fiercely and he privately wondered how Jack was coping with his injuries, but knew better than to press the point with the man. Any discomfort would be vehemently denied by him.
He watched Jack struggling to stem the flow of blood from his forehead with the now sodden handkerchief Sam had given him. Daniel knew he had to be hurting, but he wouldn't show any weakness to the now more attentive guards, who watched his every move.
xoxoxoxoxo
The day wore on, SG-1 taking turns in practically carrying the girls, but at least the guards didn't intervene.
The mountains were looming up fast, and seemed to be signifying that they were running out of time to put an escape into effect. There didn't seem any doubt to Jack that the mountains were their destination.
The final approach to the mine was in the dusk light, through a long narrow passage which was heavily guarded at both ends. The walls were high; so that the darkening sky could barely be seen at the top.
Jack took in the details automatically - the passage filled him with dismay. It was certainly going to be difficult, if not impossible, to find an escape this way. He could only hope fervently that there was a back door.
xoxoxoxoxo
The entrance to the mine was huge, allowing the guards to ride in mounted. They halted just inside and dismounted, leading their horses away as new guards encircled the prisoners.
The head guard from their escort moved towards another man, clearly giving a report. While they were talking, SG-1 took the opportunity to look around. The horses seemed to be stabled in the mine as well, in some of the many large caverns.
They had only stopped for a few minutes before the new guards began pushing them along through the tunnel. The passageway gradually narrowed, but it was still large and well lit by lanterns hung high on the walls, casting very few shadows.
Massive metal gates were opened as they approached and they were herded through. The gates were slammed behind them with an ominous bang. Only then did the guards begin to remove their shackles. Jack was singled out by the guards and pulled out of line, still shackled, and hauled to stand before another guard, seemingly the man in charge.
"I am Kane. I am the head of the mine," Kane paused, staring hard at the man before him.
Jack stared back, his face void of any expression.
Kane studied Jack closely, he'd noticed the way this group of strangers carried themselves, showing curiosity and not the usual fear the new ones did. He'd been head of the mine for many years, having gained the position through hard work and ruthlessness and he recognised the same traits in the man that stood before him. He'd had a full report of what had transpired on the journey to the mine and he knew that he had to make an example and quickly.
"Masa," he called, not taking his eyes from Jack. "Take the others through, this one stays."
Masa followed the order, but the other strangers of the group seemed reluctant to move until the man gave an almost imperceptible nod in their direction and only then they moved without protest.
xoxoxoxoxo