Sacrifice

Chapter 6

Ronon's mouth was so dry, he felt like he had chewed on a ball of yarn. And his head pounded, so much so that if looked in a mirror, he probably would see his skull throbbing. He groaned, trying to remember what had happened. The sudden sound of a woman's voice caused his eyes to pop open. He raised one hand, blocking the glare of the light coming from a window.

"You are feeling the effects of the drug. It was the only way to get you to my home," said the voice. Suddenly, memory crashed in on Ronon, and he sat straight up. Teyla. Cell. They were sold; he was a slave.

He recoiled as a warm hand descended on his shoulder. Before him sat the old woman who had bought him. He raised his hands, noticing that he wasn't chained or bound. Leaping to his feet, he reached out and grabbed the woman.

"Where am I? And where is Teyla? Speak, or I swear, I will kill you." The woman remained calm in his grasp, neither calling out for help or trying to break free. Confused, he only tightened his grip. His cast his eyes about the small room, taking in the bed, a couple of chairs and lamps, a dresser and a bright rug on the floor.

"If you wish answers to your questions, you must release me," she gasped. Ronon waited a few more seconds, unsure of his next move. Finally, he loosened his hold, allowing the woman to stagger away while she coughed and rubbed at her arms.

"My name is Lisel. Like you, I was once captured and sold into slavery. That was many years ago," she informed him. "Please, sit. The drug has not fully dissipated, and you look like you're going to fall down any second now." She waved one arm towards the bed, concern on her face.

"I will stand," he said shortly. She only sighed, then nodded her head. Pouring a glass of water, she offered the cup to him, frowning as he refused, then sat in one of the chairs.

"As for your questions, you are on my farm, in Westel. The province that contains the stargate," she said. Ronon didn't answer, but merely stood, fighting the dizziness, and resisting the urge to pace.

"Teyla – that is her name? Very pretty – Teyla has been sold."

Ronon felt his hands curl into fists. He only remembered the old woman buying him; after that everything was blank.

"Who? Who bought Teyla?" The old woman sighed, then shook her head sadly.

"I'm sorry, but Teyla now belongs to Mariel. By now she is being…. broken in."

Ronon felt his body grow cold at Lisel's words. Broken in? What did that mean?

He stepped forward, glaring down at the woman. She returned his gaze steadily, no fear in her eyes, only concern. "Where is this Mariel person? How do I get there?" he demanded.

"Oh, you can't get to her," Lisel said, shaking her head. "Mariel and her girls are well protected. No, you must stay here, at least until you have recovered fully."

Ronon shook his head again. He couldn't stay here. He needed to find Teyla, then return to Atlantis so they could organize a rescue team and find Sheppard and McKay. The thought of his two missing teammates brought to mind another question.

"How long have I been here?"

She paused for a moment, tapping a finger against her lips. "Let's see – you and your friends came through the stargate about four days ago. Yes, that seems right." She raised an eyebrow at his sharp intake of breath. Four days!

He sagged on to the bed, his mind racing. Finally, he turned to the old woman.

"I need you to tell me everything you know. Now." Threat glowed in his eyes, and his hands twitched in his lap. Lisel only nodded, sipping at her glass of water.

"This may take awhile," she said.

oOo

Major Lorne landed his ship next to the stargate. On this planet, the stargate was controlled by one of the larger provinces, Westel, but all of the provinces – except the ones at war with Westel – had access. Like many of the worlds they had explored in the Pegasus galaxy, these people were stuck in the medieval period, the Wraith preventing them from getting too technologically advanced. Very few people actually used the gate, but those that did walked and carried their supplies or trading goods. Their lack of technology was one of the reasons Sheppard's team had walked through the gate four days ago, rather than frightening the people with a jumper.

Lorne's jumper was cloaked, and he powered the ship down until only scanners and life support were functioning. Dr. Weir had ordered the entire search team back, but he wasn't ready to give up looking yet. He knew that there would be hell to pay when he and his team returned to Atlantis. But he knew Sheppard would never leave him behind, exhausting all avenues until he was found – dead or alive. Lorne felt he owed that much to his superior officer and his team.

Lieutenant Brenner flicked on the scanners, calibrated to search for the members of SGA-1. For days they had stared at these scanners, hoping that some signal would reveal a place to start looking, but so far, they had nothing but unusual bursts of static. Even Dr. Weir, intimidating the local heads of state with her arrival on a puddlejumper, had gotten nowhere. She had questioned each province leader carefully, negotiated with them to allow her search teams complete access to all the cities, and threatened serious harm should someone be caught lying. It was all for naught. Defeated, she had returned to Atlantis, wondering if the team was even still on P6D-358.

Lorne was not so easily swayed. He had decided to sit here, guarding the gate. It was logical that the team would use the gate to return to Atlantis, and Lorne would be here, ready and waiting. After all, it was the least he could do.

oOo

Mariel shook her head at the woman. Her newest acquisition was struggling against her bindings, causing red welts to form at her wrists and ankles. The woman had not stopped struggling since she had been delivered a few hours ago. Not wanting her prize to cause permanent marks, she walked over and slapped the girl lightly on the cheek.

"Cease! You are only hurting yourself." The woman froze, her eyes murderous as she glared at Mariel. The head mistress only chuckled, knowing that many of her clients enjoyed company that was….spirited. She would be in great demand – until she was broken. But, even then, her unusual beauty would bring in customers – and that was all that mattered.

Teyla was sprawled on a bed, her arms and legs bound by strong ropes to each post. Her off-world uniform had been removed, replaced by a flowing red gown. Her legs were bare, as were her feet. The deep cut on her arm caused by the whip had been bandaged, the white cloth stark against her brown skin.

"Your name, slave?" Mariel asked. Some times the new girls refused to answer and Mariel had to assign them a name. She watched as the woman wrestled some more with her bindings, than turned and focused her hatred on Mariel.

"My name is Teyla Emmagen. I am the leader of the Athosian people. You have no right to…." Teyla's words were cut off as the woman leaned forward and slapped her again, this time harder.

"Teyla. Yes, it suits you." Mariel walked regally around the room, gathering her full skirts around her. She was an attractive woman, perhaps in her fifties, with silver-blonde hair cut to her shoulders and light blue eyes. "As for rights, well, you have none. You belong to me – for the next ten years, at least."

Teyla absorbed this information, her mind growing desperate. She had no idea of Ronon's fate, and knew that it was up to her to get herself out of this situation, and somehow return to Atlantis. So far, all her efforts had resulted in her being bound to this bed.

"I belong to no one," Teyla spat back. Mariel merely smiled down at her.

"You believe that now, my dear. But, after you have been properly broken in, I think your tune will change." With a small sigh, she walked towards the door.

"I'll be back soon, Teyla Emmagen. I suggest you prepare yourself." With that, she turned the knob and was gone. Teyla stared after the woman, worried. Prepare herself? For what?

TBC