"What do you mean?" asked Sam in a similarly hushed voice, hers quieted out of trained reflex.

"Doesn't it seem as though that feeling of agitation is growing the closer he gets?" Daniel gestured toward the young man needlessly, wonder exactly why the youth hadn't detected them yet given their fairly unconcealed positions. I suppose he's just intent on his work. The archaeologist could understand that, often having fallen victim under the same spell; for him it was created by curiosity of the unknown.

"So I noticed." Jack sounded tense, which was hardly surprising given the present circumstances. The forest was unnerving, and even Teal'c was slightly on edge. "Why don't you go do your thing and maybe we can make friends," the colonel suggested, glancing behind them at the bulk of the waiting woods. "Somewhere else.

In perfect accordance of thought, Daniel nodded and proceeded forward through the overgrown brush; all that remained to block him from the meadow. Hands carefully resting at his sides, in order to appear as non-threatening as possible, the linguist called out to the youth in a friendly tone, "Hello."

The youth's response was instantaneous, as the dark head snapped up; deep brown eyes staring out at the archaeologist were more inquisitive than frightened.

"Hi," he repeated a greeting and garnering no response, continued with a gesture to encompass the rest of SG-1 who remained in the brush. "We're peaceful explorers from Earth." Tapping his fingers lightly against his chest for emphasis, "I'm Daniel."

"Renato."

Grateful for something now baring relation to a conversation, he took that for the native's name. "Uh, hello Renato. This is Jack O'Neill, Major Carter and Teal'c," he introduced the group as they moved forward, coming to stand just behind the archaeologist. Their weapons weren't drawn, but Daniel knew that they could be within a moment's notice.

Renato, for his part, either didn't recognize them as harmful or was simply unconcerned by their appearance.

"Greetings to you all," the words were accented but clearly understood, sounding refined and educated.

Having grown used to the widespread use of English throughout the galaxy, nobody bothered to say anything at the revelation. Instead, Daniel spoke, though more aloud to himself than to those present. "Renato, I think that's of Latin origin. Which.." taking heed of the familiar looks being cast in his direction, he considered, "may or may not have any relevance to what we're here for, per se."

"Thank you Daniel. Carter?"

"We're not due to check in for several hours yet, sir. The MALP should be able to transmit our signal back to the SGC without our distance being a problem," Sam said confidently.

"Alright," Jack looked at each person in turn, brown gaze coming to rest on Renato. "So, are you alone around here?"

Shaking his head, "No, my village is nearby. I believe I should take you there." Catching the exchange of glances from the group of strangers, he continued hesitantly, "That is only if you wish to go."

"Of course, we would be honored to meet your people," replied Daniel, genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect. He couldn't wait to see what the village looked like, what type of society had impacted this planet. If Renato's name was any indication, then whoever came to this planet spoke Latin. It didn't necessarily mean it was their native language, but there was a chance this was an off-shoot of the roman empire. While there were other possibilities, the attire Renato was wearing lent evidence toward his first guess.

Oddly, the youth looked conflicted. It was as though he were weighing some difficult choice. Guessing at its cause, Daniel smiled reassuringly. "We mean your people no harm."

Directing his gaze down at the ground briefly, Renato responded softly, "I was not worried for my people." Although a grim expression played upon the young man's face, he motioned for them to follow him and set out at a steady pace toward the promised civilization.

The archaeologist assumed the dour cast to the youth's features was due to some distrust on whether or not Daniel had meant what he'd said. That's alright, we'll just have to prove to them that we do not intend to hurt anyone. We can't just assume they'll take our word for it. Besides, it wasn't like they'd never had to work to gain trust before. Intent on getting off well, Daniel decided a bit of small talk wouldn't be a bad idea; his curiosity was rearing up again anyway. "So, Renato, what do your people call themselves?"

"We are the Marsi." The response did not extend beyond answering the base question.

Since the rest of SG-1 weren't coming forth with anything helpful, the linguist continued - unmindful of the short reply. "What's the name of your village?"

"Marruvium."

Daniel was intrigued by the name of the indigenous people as well as that of their city. Something was attempting to grab hold of his conscious mind, some past knowledge of the society. Whatever it was escaped him for the moment, causing a faint frown to become etched into his face.

"Daniel?" Carter's voice was gently probing, she could tell that something was troubling her friend. When no information was forthcoming, she prompted further. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure. Probably nothing." He didn't sound convinced, but unable to put a finger on whatever detail was worrying at his subconscious, couldn't actually do anything but draw attention to his unfounded concern. That wouldn't do, especially since the Marsi had thus far done nothing to deserve suspicion.

Jack slanted a glance at Daniel, who seemed wrapped up in thought. Even though the archaeologist's face was carefully neutral, Jack could tell he was having misgivings about something. While he wasn't fond of the man's ability to ramble, he did respect Daniel's insight and intelligence. The colonel was definitely going to have to ask him about that later, when the opportunity presented itself. For now, in the presence of Renato, Jack wasn't about to call attention to it. Instead he remained on his guard, half listening as Sam questioned the Marsi about the herbs he'd been collecting when they'd met.

"It is thymum." responded Renato, who looked happier now that his focus was on the plant.

"What's that?" asked Jack.

"Thyme," answered Daniel distantly.

"Yes," nodded the Marsi with zeal. "We use this herb much in our cooking and in bathing."

"You take a bath in this stuff?" Jack was dubious. While he liked the woodsy smell, the herb carried a very strong scent that he believed may well be too much.

Daniel listened to the exchange, half amused; half curious. He knew that the Romans often used thyme when they bathed, at least when they were preparing for a battle. Given what else he knew of the ancient Marsi people, that thought gave him pause. He tried to ignore the unsettling feeling that was growing stronger the more he learned and remembered.

"Yes, thymum gives one vigor."

"I see," replied Sam. "I imagine then it would have the same properties as our variety on Earth."

Renato, not knowing what their thyme was like, only shrugged. "It has many uses. For instance, it is powerful against infections. Often after use it takes less than a day to subdue wounds." He may have said more, but as they cleared the top of the hill it was apparent they'd reached the village - which was much larger than any of the team had anticipated.

The city stretched out before them; a mass of gleaming stone buildings contrasted by beautiful, lush gardens, even in the diminished light. The vibrant nature of the plants enhanced the aesthetics of the awe-inspiring arches and columns. Nearing the structures, the painstakingly crafted scenes upon the walls became visible. Snakes seemed an abundant theme, something Jack noticed with a new level of wariness.

Renato lead them past a bathhouse and into what appeared to be some kind of reception room. "Wait here, please. I will find the Coryphaeus." With that he departed, leaving a confused look from Jack unanswered. Turning to Daniel, he raised a brow.

"That would be their leader," came the prompt reply from the linguist.

"Ah, well... they seem to have an obsession with snakes." The tone of his voice was conversational, but to his team it was also suspicious.

"I noticed."

"Goa'uld?"

It was Teal'c who answered. "I do not believe there is a Goa'uld currently on this planet."

"Why do you say that?" the colonel asked curiously.

"We would have been brought before him the moment we arrived here."

"Ah," Jack repeated. "So, Daniel, you seem to know a bit about these people." Thinking back to the archaeologist's earlier behavior. "Maybe there's something you want to share with us?"

"The Marsi were a war-like people who became allies of Rome. It has been said that the Romans never triumphed over them or without them. Their people were renowned for magic and supposedly they had strange cures for various illnesses."

Eyes glazing over, Jack shook his head. "And?"

Daniel removed his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose. "They worshiped the snake goddess Angitia."