"So we think that this Angitia is a goa'uld?" Jack was unwilling to give up the idea that one of the parasites had influenced the Marsi society.
"I'm pretty sure," answered Daniel.
"It explains the art," remarked Jack offhandedly as he surveyed the room that they waited in. Even here the prominent theme was the serpent. Various images of the creature were carved into walls and pillars, coiling around the gorgeous architecture in glorious detail.
"Who was she?" inquired Sam, gaze still trailing over the designs; stopping on the glittering, jeweled-red eyes of one particular reptile.
"According to myth, Angitia was a goddess of healing, herbs and witchcraft."
"Teal'c, you know this snake?"
"She was once powerful among the system lords. Her Jaffa were formidable warriors and were greatly feared."
"Then what happened to her?" Carter couldn't help the curiosity that was rising.
"Very little is known about her demise. It was said she met her death at the hand of an old enemy." The big Jaffa appeared stoic, but that was hardly new.
"Then what..? She just vanished?" Trying to ignore the uneasy feeling that had settled into the pit of his stomach, the archaeologist couldn't hide the troubled timbre that crept into his words.
"That is correct."
"Wait. If another goa'uld killed the Marsi's goddess, why wouldn't they have instituted their own religion here, turned the people of this world into their followers? I can't believe a goa'uld would just leave them worshiping a fallen enemy."
"You are correct, Daniel Jackson. A goa'uld would not allow such a thing to transpire."
"So..uh..what did we just figure out?" Jack was puzzled, unable to fully understand what they were getting at.
"I don't think it was another goa'uld that killed Angitia," was the incredulous answer received from Daniel.
"If it wasn't a snake head, then who was it? Not that I mind the favor, but.."
The only reply the colonel got was silence, as the weight of the situation sunk in fully. Briefly Daniel had entertained the notion that the Asgard or some other ally had freed this world, but had that been so they would not have left the people believing in a false goddess. That meant either the Marsi had done away with her themselves, also illogical since they still followed her religion, or someone else was out there that held the power to take down a goa'uld system lord without leaving a trace of what had occurred. If that was true then they were playing in a whole new ball game.
They were saved further contemplation on the matter by the return of Renato who seemed to herald the presence of an older woman with long graying hair that was worn in an ornate, carefully arranged, fashion. Knotted behind her head, it was held in place by one large silver hairpin, set with shimmering stones in an array of colors. She was dressed in both an under tunic that fell past her knees and was true Tyrian purple, hinting towards wealth, and an outer tunic that glimmered faintly from some silvery thread woven into the otherwise white cloth. Covering her shoulders was a matching purple shawl. Several pieces of jewelry decorated the woman's body, each one crafted with the skill and care of a master. Adorning her feet were traditional laced up sandals, white in hue.
"What brings you to our home, strangers?" Her dark eyes roamed the room, taking in each member of sg1 in turn. While the expression in them wasn't openly hostile, something about the way she gazed at them made Daniel's uneasy feeling escalate. Still, it wasn't like they'd done anything to earn his paranoia.
Jack, too, was wary of her expression. But he understood it. It was this woman's duty to make sure her people were protected and strangers could well bring with them a means of disrupting that. It was the same way he felt about his team, and why he considered almost everyone a potential threat. If they proved they weren't, egos and feelings could be soothed over. If they showed they were, it was best to be on guard and get them before they got you.
"We're explorers," Daniel offered slowly, gaze pensive. The answer was succinct and thus so unlike the vocal archaeologist that his teammates once more turned to look at him. Yes, they all knew something was causing disquiet in their friend. Though he still had yet to mention it's source, they all picked up on his mood. They'd spent far too much time together for it to be otherwise.
Teal'c was watchful; standing behind them he observed everyone moving about outside and assessed their risk potential. And in spite of how hard he inspected their surroundings, the jaffa simply could not find anything amiss. That didn't mean he wouldn't remain heedful; Major Carter, Daniel Jackson and O'Neill were his responsibility.
Sam, meanwhile, had begun conversation with Renato once more concerning herb use on the planet. She knew Janet would be very interested to hear about it, and since Jack was speaking with the village leader she didn't see any reason not to engage in the talk. Maybe she'd even be able to bring back samples of some of the more useful ones. Their thymum certainly would be of value if it was as good in dealing with infection as the young man had claimed. Then she found herself zeroing back in on what the colonel was saying.
"A monster?"
"Yes," replied the woman, her attitude left no room for debate on how she felt about the matter. "It is an ancient evil that has lived within our forests for as long as any can remember. It has been said that there was a time when it did not exist, but that was long ago."
"And this.. evil," Daniel began, "what exactly does it do?" He made a mental footnote of Renato's sudden and uncomfortable shifting.
"It has terrorized the Marsi for countless years. Did you not feel the malevolence in the woods when you passed through them?"
"As a matter of fact, we did," replied Jack.
"It causes the trees and animals to react like that. The demon's hatred and malice has overwhelmed the forest and my people fear to tread too deeply into the shadows."
"Why doesn't someone take care of it?" The words combined with O'Neill's body language told everyone exactly what he meant by 'take care of'.
"The beast killed our Goddess." It was said so softly, almost sadly, that for a moment Carter didn't realize it came from Renato. Apparently he wasn't to have said it though, because the Coryphaeus' hard glance came to rest upon him.
"She will rise again," came the woman's harsh response.
"Excuse me, how long ago did this happen?" The linguist, based on what Teal'c had said, assumed the goa'uld was truly dead.. but the woman seemed so convinced of Angitia's return.
"Nearly 300 years."
Daniel relaxed marginally, though the agitation didn't completely vanish from his mind. "How can you be so assured of her return then?"
"She is a god!" The woman was obviously annoyed now, having her belief even indirectly challenged.
"He didn't mean any disrespect," Sam hurriedly cut in, surprised that she had to be the one to do so on behalf of the normally diplomatic Daniel.
Luckily the Marsi leader outwardly calmed. "If you'll pardon me, I have things I must be doing. Please make yourselves comfortable in our city. Renato will be your guide while you're here." With that she departed, Renato dutifully followed her knowing he had spoken out of turn and would receive a punishment for it. Afterwards he would come back and do as the Coryphaeus had ordered and see to the needs of the strangers.
After they were gone, Jack spoke up. "Did that seem odd to anyone else?"
"It did indeed, O'Neill."
"It was like they were hiding something," Sam continued the idea.
"Be that as it may, at least we've learned a few things of importance." Still thoughtful, Daniel looked at the others.
"Such as..?" asked the colonel.
"That it's a very safe bet that Angitia is truly dead for starters. I believe they saw her death given how positive Renato was that this 'beast' had killed their goddess. And.." he paused for a moment, "I think it's likely that whatever killed the goa'uld is still here on this planet."