Chapter 4: Almost There

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Kolya was ushered into a small sitting room, followed closely by Korai, who was giving out curt orders to several servants. Outside, a few metres away from the closest window, six Genii soldiers stood in practised sternness, showing no frustration at having been refused entrance. After a moment of silence, during which the two men gulped down a strong alcoholic drink, Korai immediately broached the matter of why exactly the Genii had requested a meeting.

'We were informed by an ally of ours of the rumours that you had an Atlantean prisoner,' came the explanation. 'It seems they were right.'

Korai acknowledged the truth in the statement with a nod.

'The Atlanteans are our enemies,' Kolya said matter-of-factly. 'We want to know what you have planned for Dr. Weir.'

Korai chuckled, an unpleasant sound that didn't at all lighten the current atmosphere of the room.

'She is our prisoner; therefore, what we do with her is our business. You are foolish for thinking we would willingly tell you. The Genii may hold a lot of power throughout the galaxy, but they do not here.'

'I noticed she wore a bonding chain, a symbol of betrothal, correct?' Kolya was quite calm, not at all perturbed by the insult directed at him.

'Very observant of you,' Korai said. 'We have many plans in store for the Atlanteans, not just the marriage. We will succeed where your people didn't.' He smirked.

'You know of what happened between the Atlanteans and the Genii?' Kolya asked, looking surprised.

'Of course. Now, if you do not mind, I have many things to attend to. There is no point in continuing this conversation if Dr. Weir was all you wished to speak about. I believe we are done here. Asagis-'

'We are not.' In an instant, Kolya had crossed over to the other man and pinned a sharp blade at his throat. 'We want your prisoner. I was hoping to negotiate a trade, but you are arrogant beyond belief and I see it would be useless.'

Korai stiffened, aware of how deadly the knife was.

'Kolya, if you put your blade down, I will consider discussing a trade.'

The Genii man scoffed loudly. 'I am no longer interested in discussion. I will take Dr. Weir by force.'

'That may be difficult.'

No sooner had the words escaped Korai than one of his guards took Kolya by surprise, knocking him to the floor. The knife clattered under a low table and Korai scrambled aside as a brief scuffle ensued. Though Kolya was an experienced fighter, Asagis, Korai's most trusted guard, was large and well built. His size was an advantage and by then more people had hurried in. Koyla was subdued and his hands tied as he glared at the Kisetens, lip dripping with blood.

'Kill him and his men,' Korai said vindictively. Outside, the six men were pounced on as they attempted to help their commander.

The Genii were taken away and later, pools of scarlet washed over the stone floors of the very cells the Atlantis team had been held in.

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A light knock at the door drew Elizabeth from her half-doze by the window. Expecting Syrella at any moment, she called out cheerfully,

'Enter!'

Elizabeth sat up as she realised the visitor wasn't Syrella, but her brother. Briego walked in and shut the door, gracing his bride-to-be with a warm smile.

'I was not expecting such a pleasant welcome. I daresay you thought I was Syrella?'

'Obviously,' Elizabeth told him stonily. 'What do you want?'

'To discuss our marriage plans. Only two days until the event itself arrives and you have not even been made a dress.'

'Talk all you want. I'd rather not join in.'

Unfazed by Elizabeth's coolness, Briego perched himself on the edge of her bed and began telling her about the betrothal celebration, the ceremony, the party afterwards and many details she cared nothing about.

'And lastly,' he said, noting her eyes held a glassy appearance, 'I believe you should not be spending so much time with Syrella.'

'Excuse me?' Elizabeth exclaimed, rising from her chair. The thought of losing her only comfort on this unfriendly planet was unbearable. 'Why?'

'I am concerned she will attempt to help you escape. Syrella has always been rebellious and she has taken a great liking to you. My father and I know she is very sympathetic to prisoners and more so to you than any other.'

'If you don't let me see her-'

'Unfortunately, Elizabeth, this is something you have no say in.'

Once more, she was locked in her room, but this time, with no one to come and soothe her fears.

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'How do you expect me to help her escape?' Syrella demanded, glaring down at her father and brother. 'Grow her wings and fly her away?'

'Syrella, you are being unreasonable.'

'Am I? Do tell me how, Briego,' she sneered.

He made his way to her side and pulled her out of their father's hearing range, keeping a tight hold on her arm.

'Father does not know this, but I have witnesses who saw you unlock the cells of those Aberan prisoners we had last year. Do you remember them?'

Syrella remained still but showed no guilt.

'They were very valuable bargaining tools. Since you are my sister, I dare not tell father of your treachery. However, if I were to, even his fondness of you will not stop him from having you killed.'

'I would gladly die than be spared because I am your sister, or his daughter,' she hissed, face twisted with fury. 'What you do to prisoners here is disgusting. You have no right to treat any person as you do.'

'We all have our opinions, sister,' he said calmly. 'But in the end, what we do is for Kiseta's benefit. And as for flying, well, we all know there are much more practical methods of escape.' He stared pointedly outside, where the Stargate was just in sight.

'Keep in mind I hold your life in my hands.'

Syrella yanked her arm away from him and left, determined to free Elizabeth from her prison. If she was careful, Elizabeth would be able leave that night, during the betrothal celebration.

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'Out of the way. I am bringing her clothing for tonight.'

'With all due respect, madam, but did Briego not say you were not to visit the prisoner again?'

'My father has given me permission on this occasion. Now, move, or I will have you thrown in jail.'

There was a reluctant shuffling of feet and Syrella and a maid entered Elizabeth's room, both carrying bundles of bright fabric.

'Quick, Elizabeth. Pull on Alira's cloak.' Syrella threw her the rough brown garment and ordered Alira to change into a stunning green gown that had been created especially for Elizabeth. The maid was about Elizabeth's size and height, however and the dress fit quite snugly.

'Syrella, what are you doing?'

'Helping you leave this accursed place,' she replied, busy helping Alira fix a thin piece of material around her face, which left only her eyes uncovered. 'Now, Alira, when the maids come to take you to the field for the celebration, go with them, but stop halfway and say you have left your bonding chain. Insist on going alone to retrieve it and wait until they are gone before meeting me by the fruit trees.'

Alira nodded mutely and began straightening her dress.

'Elizabeth,' Syrella rushed on, 'Follow me when I leave and keep your head down. I will take you to your 'Stargate' and return to the meeting place to wait for Alira.'

'Where are you going to go?'

'We are leaving for a planet on which I have many friends. We cannot stay, because if it is discovered we helped you escape…' She stopped whispering, hearing a sharp rap at the door from the impatient guard. 'Come with me.'

Syrella walked out, head held high and looking at the man with obvious derision.

'It cannot possibly take that long to give the lady her gown.'

'We had to assist her in changing into it,' Syrella told him. 'It was tricky for her.'

Without another word, she beckoned to Elizabeth and they walked in silence until they reached the exit. Keeping their pace casual, they took a wide path around the small field where raucous laughter could be heard and through a small grove of trees, over to the 'gate.

'I must leave you here,' Syrella said, stopping as Elizabeth threw her cloak at the foot of a tree. 'Take care, and please, hurry. I cannot guarantee that we were not seen.'

'Thank you, Syrella,' Elizabeth said. Her eyes shone brightly. 'I'll never forget all the help you gave me.'

The two women exchanged a quick hug before Syrella left for the fruit trees she'd mentioned earlier. Now completely alone, Elizabeth dialled up the 'gate, relieved when she heard Peter Grodin's voice. They ran through the identity confirmation process and Elizabeth prepared to step through when a voice behind her said,

'Well, now, what do we have here?'