Chapter Six. What's On The Menu?

There were a large group of people gathered that late afternoon in the clearing near the Stargate. Sheriff Miller explained the latest development to the crowd as Rocky flew overhead, keeping an eye on the castle so that they could be forewarned about any possible action by the palace guard. This would give the crowd plenty of time to scatter and go to ground.

It was decided that they would have to wait until dark to attempt a rescue. Teal'c suggested that the 70 Jaffa head for the slave camp and the mines and free the slaves. The freed slaves would then head for the clearing and wait there. This way, if things went badly, SG-1 could at least open the gate and get those people out of harms way.

General Landry had ordered SG teams 4 and 12 through the gate and they were ready in case they were needed. Once Mitchell radioed in, they could assist in the liberation of the castle. If possible, the Queen would be arrested and held in one of the cells in the dungeon until it was decided what to do with her.

Some of the Jaffa reported from sources inside the castle that Daniel and Vala were being held in the dungeon on the west side. There was a secret entrance that only the palace guard and the queen were supposed to know about (but now everyone knew), and they would try to gain access to the dungeon through it.

They would need a distraction, something to draw the attention away from the back of the castle. Teal'c stepped forward and gave his idea for one and it was deemed brilliant! They left him in charge of making the preparations. Then he and Sheriff Miller left with their group and would radio when they were ready.

"This plan should work," Cam said. "The dwarfs are armed with zats and they'll take care of any of the guards inside that resist. They we'll go in and get Daniel and Vala"

Sam said, "I hope they're all in good physical shape. We'll have to move fast."

"We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it."

O O O O O O

Daniel was done with telling stories and he and Vala decided to rest. They were both tired and knew they had to keep up their strength for any eventual rescue. He was just dozing off when he heard a noise from outside the cell. Being careful not to wake Vala, he got up and went over to the door and looked out the small window.

"Hello," Daniel called.

"Hello. My name is Cinderella. I'm in the cell next to yours."

"I've heard of you. My name is Daniel. The woman with me is Vala."

"Are you and your wife okay? I heard that some new prisoners came in. The Queen had me upstairs scrubbing floors when you arrived."

She's not my wife. We're on a team together with some others who are in the village. Hopefully, they're on their way to rescue us. She was poisoned yesterday and she's still recovering."

"Apples?"

"Yes, I take it you've heard of that before?"

"Oh yes. A few of the prisoners down here were caught that way. The Queen is really a witch and she imprisons anyone who crosses her. What did she accuse you of?

"Spying. We aren't spies, though. We're explorers. We came to meet the people here and possibly become friends. Her guards caught us after curfew and arrested us."

"That's bad. She'll probably call for a public execution. She rules by fear and that's one sure way to keep everyone in line."

"We're hoping to be rescued before that can happen. Our friends are trying to help with a rebellion and if they can pull it off, we'll all be freed."

"If we get out of here, I might be able to help."

"Good, we'll probably need all the help we can get. Get some rest. We'll need to be ready when the time comes."

"I will. Thanks, Daniel."

He went back to the corner and sat next to Vala, pulling her into his arms. She started to wake up but he pulled her close and they both went back to sleep.

O O O O O O

Daniel woke up to the sound of the door to their cell being opened. Four guards made their way inside and grabbed both he and Vala. She woke up and started to panic by the rough treatment and screamed for him. "Daniel! Daniel! What's happening?"

He struggled to get to her but the guards were bigger and stronger than him so he yelled to her to keep calm. "Quiet Vala, you'll just make it worse!"

"Get your hands off of me! Let me go!" Vala kept it up but it didn't do any good and before they knew it, they were being prodded up the stone stairway by spear point. When they got to the top, other guards were waiting for them and the whole group escorted them to the throne room. The Queen was standing in front of the throne and told the guards to bring them to her. They were forced to kneel as she glared at them.

"Did you enjoy your stay in my prison? You two look terrible. Didn't you sleep well? Are you hungry? I have some apples that you may have if you like." She laughed evilly and produced a basket full of them.

Vala said, "No, thanks. The last one I ate didn't agree with me."

The Queen walked closer to Vala and stopped suddenly. She glared at her and said, "You've been blended! I can tell! So... now I see what's going on. You came her to take over, didn't you?"

"No, I admit, I was once blended. You're right. But, the Tok'ra removed the symbiote. I don't have any plans to take anything of yours! I didn't know you were here. We really are peaceful explorers!"

"I don't believe you!

She then circled around Daniel and said, "What's your story? Are you both trying to take over my kingdom? You will tell me the truth or I will torture your wife until you do! "

Daniel remained quiet. He knew that anything he said could make her angrier and he was already afraid that she'd brought them before her to execute them sooner rather than later.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" She stepped around to the front of him and said, "I know just the thing to loosen it. Bring them!"

She strode purposefully towards the door and they followed her down into the dungeon. But instead of taking them to their cell, she turned the other way and made her way down another set of steps. Down and down they went. Daniel noticed that the smell was even worse here, a lot like rotten meat!.

Finally, the came to the bottom of the steps and walked across a room to it's center.

"Chain her up." The guards grabbed Vala and chained her to a pole that was sticking out of the ground.

"Let me go! Daniel! Help me! I gotta tell you, this being tied up thing is really getting old!"

Daniel was struggling with the guards but they just grabbed ahold of him and hung on tighter.

"What are you doing with her? Let her go!"

"Quiet!" shouted the Queen. "Open the doors!"

"No, please!" Vala was pleading, I'm telling the truth! We aren't spies I didn't know you were here. I'd never heard of you before we came here!"

Two guards walked over to the other side of the large chamber and pulled open two massive doors. On the other side, about 10 feet in, were bars. It was a giant cage and Daniel had to squint to make out what was in there.

It was a dragon. And when it saw them, it lifted it's head, sniff the air and growled!

"No!" He yelled at the top of his lungs! "Don't do this! I'll tell you anything you want to know! Please, let her go!"

"It's too late," said the Queen as she smiled. She stood in front of Vala and said, "You lied to me and now you will suffer for it."

"We didn't!" Daniel said, "Honest, we came in peace. We didn't know you were here. We do that a lot. Visit and make friends with new people. We set up trade relations..." Daniel was babbling nervously and then stopped and looked at the Queen. "Please, don't do this."

"Daniel, is that a dragon? Please tell me that I'm just having a nightmare!" Vala was shivering in fear!

The Queen walked over to Daniel and looked at him intensely. "My dragon has just been fed, but I think he might like dessert."

Daniel thought, 'That explains all the screaming we heard, earlier.' "No, no, no. Please!'

"Tell me what I want to know, and maybe I'll spare her."

"If I do, will you let her go? Set her free?" Daniel was begging. He knew it would mean the end for him but he just had to try to get her out of there!

"Tell me everything and if I believe you, I'll think about it."

Daniel had to think quick. 'I guess this is where I find out how far out of the loop she is.'

"Apophis sent me. Heru-ur took over a bunch of his strongholds. Apophis is desperate so he's checking out all the known planets, trying to build his army back up and his wealth. The others don't know that this is my mission. They really think we're here brokering a trade agreement."

"I see. How is it that they don't know of your mission? They're with you. That makes them just as guilty!"

"No, I was captured a few months ago and held by Apophis. He took my wife as hostage. He had her blended and she became his Queen. He told me he would let her go if I could find out what's Goa'uld rules here and what the defenses are!"

The Queen paced back and forth and she seemed to be thinking it over.

"Please, your Majesty. I'm telling the truth. I wouldn't risk Vala's life with lies!"

The Queen stopped in front of Daniel and looked into his eyes. She took her long fingernail and drew it along the stubble on his jaw line.

"If you're lying, you'll watch as I sacrifice her to the dragon and then it will be your turn."

Daniel could see in her face that she was dead serious! "I'm not lying! Please believe me."

She stopped her finger under his chin and lifted his face so that his head was tilted back. As she stared into his eyes, she seemed to come to a conclusion.

"Take them back to their cell. I want to think about this." With that, she turned around and headed up the steps.

The guards released Vala and Daniel was allowed to help her as they were marched up to their cell. When they got there, they both dropped down into the corner and clung to each other as Vala said, "Daniel. Do you think we'll be rescued in time?"

"I hope so. I don't like the thought of us being on that dragon's menu," he said as they sat down in the corner and he held her close.

O O O O O O

The Queen went back to her throne room and paced back and forth. She couldn't risk Apophis coming here. But, if she killed the spies, he might come looking for them. She didn't want to let the woman go. She was a great tool to use on Dr. Jackson to get him to talk. Why, he was begging for her life! The lies he told before about her not being his wife... that might be true but he obviously cares for her. If she could catch the rest of the spies, they might be able to tell her more. Maybe she could use the woman for bait. 'If I let her go, she'll run straight to the others. My guards can follow her and then arrest them all!'

O O O O O O

It wasn't too long after they had been brought back to their cell when Daniel and Vala heard guards coming. Daniel hugged Vala to him and said, "If you go free, they're going to follow you, you know that right? They're hoping you'll lead them to the others."

She held onto him and said, "I know Daniel. What should I do?"

"Head straight back to Lisel's and stay there. When you think it's safe, go back to the Stargate and wait. Mitchell eventually has to go there to get home."

The footsteps got louder as Daniel brushed the hair away from her face and then kissed her. He could feel the tears on her face and his heart broke for her.

Suddenly, the door opened and the guard said, "The woman is being set free." All of a sudden, Vala didn't want to leave. How could she go when she knew that Daniel was going to be left behind and possibly killed? She held onto Daniel but the guards pulled them apart and dragged her out and took her away. Daniel saw the light dim and total darkness closed over him as he thought about what was going to happen next. Well, at least Vala was free.

O O O O O O

Vala was taken to the castle gates and pushed out onto the street. She was weeping as she tried to make her way through the village to Lisel's house. When she got there, she pushed the door open and rushed inside.

Lisel was standing near the hearth, heating water to wash dishes with when she saw Vala and rushed to her. She looked expectantly at the doorway, but saw that Vala had come alone.

"She kept Daniel. Lisel, where is everyone? We have to get him out of there!" Vala was very close to falling apart.

"I don't know where they went. After you both were taken away, your friends came and I told them what happened. They packed up your things, and Daniel's and left. They said they would try to rescue you both and that they wouldn't be coming back here. It would be too dangerous."

"So, I don't even have a radio to contact them with?"

"I don't know what that is, but all your things are gone."

Vala put her head down on the table and sobbed.

"Vala, we need to get you cleaned up. Let me get a bath started and you can have one of my dresses. If you have to make a run for it and someone sees you, they might mistake you for one of us."

"I really don't have much choice, do I? I might be able to make it to the gate. Hopefully, I'll meet them there."