Sacrifice

Chapter 8

Lisel and Ronon guided the wagon through the city, doing their best to not draw any attention. Two huge oxen pulled the wagon, their short brown tails swishing back and forth incessantly. In the back were bales of hay, piled high, some teetering dangerously to the side every time the wagon lurched around a corner.

Ronon was garbed in a long, coarse sack of a shirt, a cowl covering his face and hair. Lisel had pointed out that he would immediately be identified by his dreadlocks, and insisted he remain covered. Now, seated next to the old woman, he was glad he did; for a backwater city, this town was teeming with people.

Lisel clucked her tongue at the oxen, who walked complacently among the crowds. They were on their way to the hay storehouses, clear on the other side of town. At least, that was their story whenever one of the soldiers of the city stopped them.

"To the right. There. The three story building," Lisel muttered. Ronon's eyes focused on the shabby structure, taking in the multitude of soldiers and guards swarming the area. High shrieks and the sound of music echoed from the hotel, and he felt his gut tighten. Teyla was in a house of prostitution – and according to Lisel, was about to be passed around to Mariel's best clients to 'break her in'.

"Lisel, I need to get in there," he whispered. His hands wrapped around the sides of the seat, his need to race in and get Teyla overwhelming. The thought of anyone touching her……rage seethed through him.

"I already told you that's impossible. Let me speak to my contacts. It will only take a few minutes," she replied, her eyes darting a sympathetic look at the runner. She pulled the wagon to a stop, then slowly descended, one hand braced by Ronon.

"I'll be right back, Ronon. Trust me," she said. He looked into her gray eyes, and gave a short nod. He did trust her. His mind raced over the information she had revealed as she scurried off into one of the small feed stores.

The old woman had been captured many years ago, sold into slavery much the same as Teyla and Ronon had been. She had worked for a kind owner, eventually earning her freedom, and acquiring the farm where she now resided. The memory of her fright and horror of being stolen and sold to a stranger remained, however, so whenever she could, she would purchase a slave, and set them free.

But, she had added, there is more to the story. She had made many friends over the years; ex-slaves she had set free and who remained in Westel, no longer able to return to their homes. Others who despised the government in Westel, a government that openly approved of slavery and torture and making deals with the Wraith. Ronon's eyes had widened in surprise as Lisel had related the last bit to him, and he felt his body clench. This was starting to make sense.

"A Wraith came through the gate about six months ago and met with the province leader of Westel. In return for any information we acquired regarding Atlantis, Earth or the eighth gate symbol, the Wraith would offer us a reprieve from cullings. Our leader immediately accepted, and word was spread to the various provinces. The Wraith also gave us the name of your Colonel Sheppard, and the team known as SGA-1."

She had fallen silent. "The gate was watched night and day. Four days ago, your team walked through the stargate, and it was immediately apparent that you were the SGA-1 the Wraith sought. You were subdued and captured by a local group of mercenaries. In exchange for you and Teyla – to be sold as slaves, with the profits going to the mercs - Colonel Sheppard and Doctor McKay were taken to be interrogated. By now, the Wraith have been notified of their existence and are certainly on their way."

Ronon stared hard at the ugly building, grimacing at the catcalls and yells coming from the windows. The Wraith were on their way. Sheppard and McKay were captured, being interrogated – and the soldiers openly used torture. And Teyla – his quiet, serene friend - was about to passed around to the filth that occupied this town. And he was sitting here, just mere yards away, unable to help her.

Lisel came hurrying back. She climbed up to the seat with difficulty, then clucked her tongue as she snapped the reins.

"Your people have been here, searching. Your leader – a Dr. Weir – has sent many flying ships through the gate, but many have since returned. However, I did manage to get this for you."

Lisel rummaged in her cloak, then discreetly handed Ronon his radio headset. He grasped it in one huge hand, a shiver of anticipation in his belly. His radio!

"Lisel, I need to get to a place where I can use this," he said. "Hopefully, not all of the jumpers have left." She heard the urgency in his voice, and nodded her head.

"We will be at my storehouse in a matter of minutes. You can use the device there," she said.

Ronon only nodded, the radio tight in his fist, his mind racing. He looked over his shoulder at the receding hotel, hoping that he wouldn't be too late.

oOo

Major Lorne sighed. They had been sitting here for about four hours, waiting, watching the few people come and go through the gate. Nothing. Lorne resisted the urge to power up the ship and start flying around again, continuing the search Weir had called off. No, the gate was where they had disappeared. Here is where he needed to stay.

His headset crackled. "This is Ronon Dex. Is anyone reading me?" The Major started at the sound of the runner's voice, and he elbowed his Lieutenant in the ribs. Brenner lurched awake, then quickly began activating the scanners.

"Ronon, this is Major Lorne. Are you okay?" Excitement crept into the Major's voice and he powered up the jumper. A peasant just coming down the dirt road let out a squawk as the invisible ship lifted off, blasting dust everywhere. Frightened, the man ran into the safety of the trees.

"Yes, I'm fine. Where are you?" Ronon quickly filled in Major Lorne about the situation, making his first priority rescuing Teyla. Lorne flew the ship towards the outskirts of the city, his eyes searching for the warehouse Ronon was describing. As he flew he felt renewed hope; they had found Ronon, and Teyla. Next would be McKay and Colonel Sheppard.

oOo

Teyla lay on the bed, still bound by her hands and feet. Mariel had left a long time ago, warning Teyla to prepare herself. Teyla had spent the time alone working to free her bonds, but the knots were strong. Now, worn out from her struggles, she lay back with her eyes closed, doing her best to relax.

Teyla Emmagen wasn't a fool. She didn't become leader of the Athosians because she was naïve, or easily misled. No, she knew what Mariel meant by broken in. She would be raped – and many times, if Mariel's words were to be believed.

Her eyes flew to the door as it crashed inward. A man stood there, his eyes leering at Teyla. He slammed the door shut with his foot, his hands already at his pants. Teyla glared, her rage building. She bucked and struggled against the ropes, feeling the blood begin to stream from her wrists as the fibers cut into her skin. The man merely laughed, kicking off his shoes and yanking his shirt out of his undone pants.

"Mariel says you was feisty," he spat. "And a pretty thing, too." He reached the side of the bed, and Teyla fought even more, using her movements to keep him from crawling on top of her. All the while she shouted, hurling insults at the man, threatening him with death if he even touched her. He laughed again, leaned in and punched her in the face.

"NO marks!" Mariel stood at the door, her hands on her hips. "I warned you, Liam. She is to remain unscathed." Teyla halted her movements, turning towards Mariel.

"Do not do this, Mariel. I warn you, you will regret it!" Teyla's words were cut short as Liam grabbed at her dress. He ripped it up, revealing her bare thighs and undergarments. In horror, Teyla watched as Mariel grinned, then shut the door. Liam reached up and yanked at the underwear, then……stopped. A look of utter surprise covered his face, then he was yanked backwards.

Teyla heard Ronon's roar of outrage before she saw him. The runner grabbed Liam, grabbing at the man's head and giving it a hard twist. With a sickening crack, Liam's neck broke, and Ronon dropped the body to the floor. Below, Teyla could hear the burst of gunfire, and the screams of women and men.

Ronon raced to the bed, a knife already in his hands. He quickly cut her bonds, then pulled Teyla up, feeling the Athosian shiver in his arms. He took a moment, looking into her relieved face, and hugging her to him, before another blast of gunshots roused him.

"Are you okay?" he asked through clenched teeth. The urge to kill flowed through him, and if Teyla had asked, he would have slaughtered everyone in the building. She nodded, struggling to her feet, leaning on him as the strength in her legs waned.

"I will be fine, Ronon. Thank you." Teyla took a step away from the runner, swaying just a bit. "We should go," she added.

Ronon nodded. He opened the door, and Teyla saw Mariel, blood oozing from a stab wound in her chest, lying dead on the floor. She stepped over the woman, following Ronon down two flights of stairs. Major Lorne and Lieutenant Brenner were there, along with an older woman Teyla vaguely recognized. The soldiers lay down another blast, preventing the city guards from entering the hotel.

"Quickly! This way," Lisel ordered, and they followed her out a side door. There, a puddlejumper was parked right next to the hotel, surrounded by curious onlookers. Teyla and Ronon entered the ship, followed by a nervous Lisel, then finally Lorne and Brenner. Teyla took a seat at the pilot's chair, shutting the hatch and taking off, ignoring the banging on the jumper as the city guards tried to stop it.

Major Lorne came forward, skirting the old woman with a frown. "I'll take over Teyla," he said. He hadn't failed to notice that her wrists were bleeding, and the dress she wore was torn.

Still a bit dazed, Teyla nodded gratefully, allowing Ronon to pull her into a chair and begin binding her wrists. Lisel watched the scenery below, fascinated by the experience of flying. She watched as Brenner, seated in the copilot's chair, keyed in the gate address, then, as the gate loomed before them, it's watery event horizon shimmering, began talking into his headset.

"Atlantis, this is Lieutenant Brenner. We have Ronon and Teyla. I repeat, we have Ronon and Teyla. We're bringing them home." There was a long pause, then the clearly emotional voice of Dr. Weir sounded through the radio.

"Thank God. Bring them home, Lieutenant."

TBC