Chapter Five
The first thing she noticed as her mind came back to consciousness was the chirping of birds just outside the window. Softly they sang their tune of joy as they welcomed the new day. Lying there and simply listening to them she couldn't help but to smile as their joy was transferred to her. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked out upon the world and noticed that it was indeed a wonderful day.
As the birds continued chirping she cuddled the soft pillow beneath her and stretched as the blanket on top of her shifted to embrace the contours of her body. It was the start to a perfect day, and one in which she felt like she could spend entirely wrapped in the pleasures of her bed. Remembering what day it was she gave a small and depressing sigh as she realized that she needed to get up. It was the third day of the week, and as such she would need to be present when the representatives from a nearby village came to meet her village's elders.
Suddenly she felt something besides the blanket shift on top of her and she was given a second reason to wish she could stay in bed. Taking her right hand she placed it on the strong arm that had been draped over her waist. Running her fingers down its length she gave another smile before taking the hand at its end in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. For another moment she laid there and simply enjoyed the perfect moment she found herself in before turning over to face the arm's owner.
What she felt when she looked at Tobyn's face was nothing but pure ecstasy. She adored the man; there was simply no other way to put it. Everything about him made her heart want to skip a beat. Whether it was the way he spoke in that soft tone to her, or the way his embrace made her feel safe and carefree, she had simply fallen in love with every facet of his being. Watching him sleep next to her she couldn't help but to stare and take in every feature his face offered. Another moment ticked by and she knew that no matter how much she wished she could stay there forever the rest of the world would simply not allow it. Brushing aside Tobyn's dark brown strands of hair she moved forward and kissed his forehead and gave one last joyous smile before she tore herself away from bliss and slipped out from under his arm.
Leaving Tobyn to wherever his dreams had taken him Kaylea made her way to a small room set just off of the bedroom. Inside she found a wooden basin which she had filled with water the night before. Carefully she cupped some of the cool liquid and brought it to splash on her face. As it trickled off she stood there with her eyes closed and wondered what the day would hold for her. Blindly she felt around for her wool towel and powdered her face dry before looking at herself in the reflection that the amethyst crystal before her offered.
She had been told by many people that she was very beautiful, but she didn't see it. True she had a natural beauty, yet she felt it wasn't anything that distinguished her from practically every other young woman in the village. Cupping a few red strands of hair she looked on with faint disgust. Ever since she was a young girl she had hated the fact that her hair was red. It was an unusual color among her people and as such it had always set her apart. Reaching for a brush she shrugged the feeling off. Those were thoughts meant for childhood. And besides, Tobyn had always called it her most attractive feature. As she brushed her hair she found she simply could not argue with the man on this fact.
Making her way back out to the bedroom she walked over to the small closet that held her clothes. Looking through several outfits she thought about what would be best for the important meeting she was invited to participate in. She held several choices up, but none of them quite seemed to fit her today. Knowing that she would have to look her best the obvious choice came to mind, and she almost felt stupid for not thinking of it as she reached in and grabbed a purple outfit from the closet.
Staring at it she knew that her favorite outfit would be just what she needed on this day. This outfit had quickly become her favorite for two reasons. The first reason was that her favorite color was purple. Thinking back she couldn't figure out exactly why purple was her favorite, but she imagined it had something to do with the many times she and her mother had gone up into the hills to pick violets. Her second reason for choosing this outfit as her favorite was that it had been given to her by Tobyn several birthdays ago.
Slipping it on she noticed how nice it felt against her smooth skin as she thought back to the day when Tobyn had given it to her. That had been one of the happiest days of her short adult life. Seeing this dress from him in the most elegant shade of her favorite color reminded her why she loved the man, though she hardly needed a dress for that. Those days seemed so far away now, yet really they were just fading into memory. She felt time beginning to run away from her again and could do nothing but give another sigh as he knew she had to leave.
Before leaving she couldn't help but to stare at the sleeping Tobyn once more. Watching him sleep in utter peace she envied him, but really she just longed to be with him. Her role in the village had caused her to stay absent from his company lately and it seemed as though they had been given little chance to be together. In her heart she didn't feel too bad for the fact because a single moment spent with him seemed like an eternity of bliss. Still, she knew that things hadn't been fair on him with her away. Today she hoped would mark the end of the role she needed to fill in her village. Silently she promised that after today she would spend every moment of every day with him for as long as was allowed.
The moment she stepped outside her home she could feel her troubles melt away as the golden sun above her beamed down and warmed her body. As usual it was a beautiful day out, but this fact was one that Kaylea never grew weary of. Ever since she was a little girl she had loved to spend time tumbling and playing all sorts of games outside. Nice weather such as this had always been the best thing that could happen to her in a day, and she felt the need to make sure she didn't waste a single moment of the gift that nature gave her.
Walking away from her house she spotted the village's marketplace just ahead. Though it was early in the morning she could already tell that it was a bustle with activity. A lot of the villagers seemed to enjoy visiting the markets just as the tiny shops began to open and their keepers were just beginning to set out their goods. Crowds were never a bother to Kaylea; no in fact she enjoyed them. Even though she had spent some time as an outsider she enjoyed mixing with the people of the village and speaking with as many as she could. She found that while not so many were a friend to her; most were friendly at least.
When she got to the marketplace the first thing she noticed was the laughter of children. "Kaylea!" she heard a small voice cry out. It took only a moment of looking around before she saw two children, a boy and girl, come running towards her.
"Kaylea!" the boy shouted again on approach, running so fast that he nearly ran into her. As they came near she bent down to look at them.
"Hello Daryn," she said to the young boy that she knew well. "How are you and your sister doing?"
"Just fine Kaylea," the young girl piped up, wanting to feel included in the conversation.
Kaylea looked at the tiny girl and gave her a friendly smile before turning her attention back to Daryn. As he stood there he gave his sister a look of disapproval before looking back at Kaylea with expectant eyes. There was something on his mind. "What is it Daryn?" she asked of the boy.
Standing there he looked as though he had forgotten the whole reason that he had gotten Kaylea's attention. Then suddenly it hit him and he burst out what was on his mind. "Has Tobyn said when he's going to take me hunting yet?"
When the question was asked it almost caused Kaylea to laugh. Dealing with the seriousness of adult life day after day she had almost forgotten how simple life could be as a child. Looking at the boy's face as he waited an answer she smiled and thought of how if only she could be a child again. "No he hasn't Daryn, but I'll make sure to mention it to him next chance I get. Now you two run along and play now."
"Thanks Kaylea," Daryn said with a huge smile. Then both him and his sister were charging off again towards the fields and towards life.
As she straightened herself back up she gave a slight shake of her head and smiled at Daryn's actions. There was such innocence in him that she could only admire, and yet she worried for him. She worried what would become of him when the veil of childhood was lifted and the reality of adulthood hit him. With a sigh she pushed the thought aside and decided it best to not let things like that bother her.
Walking along she saw many people that she recognized and gave them each a friendly smile and a cheerful hello as she passed. Since there were still a number of hours before she was needed she decided to browse the marketplace and see what was offered. There was another reason though for her decision to browse the marketplace. She always enjoyed talking to the shopkeepers and keeping up on all the latest talk. Especially from an older man named Kamorn. As she spotted his stall she picked up her pace and made her way through the crowd to it.
When she found herself standing in front of his stall he slowly walked over to her with as businesslike of an expression as he could muster. "Ah young lady, what can I do for you?"
"Hmm I don't know," she replied with mock interest. "I was interested in some kavla fruit, but I think maybe one of the shops further down can give me a better deal on them." Looking at the man she tried her best to hold back the smile she could feel peek out of the corners of her mouth as she waited for his response.
"Well they might be cheaper, but I can guarantee that these are the sweetest you'll find this side of the Shorne Gil River."
As she thought of something to say she finally gave up trying to hold back her smile and let it out which caused the man to laugh. Reaching over his wares she took the man in her arms and gave him a gentle squeeze of a hug. "How are you my friend?" she asked as she let go.
"Oh same old same old. I wake up, open the shop, sell some bushels, go home to Reney's cooking, and then start the whole thing over. Not much excitement for us old timers I suppose in a world built for young people."
"You're not that old," Kaylea said with a hint of sarcasm. Seeing her friend's face reflect with doubt she decided that another question would be a good idea. "So how is Reney doing?"
"She's doing well herself. Keeping busy with the mill project and helping to water my garden mostly." With that a small stillness came between the two, as neither quite knew what to say. Finally Kamorn decided to break the silence with a question of his own. "How are things with you and Tobyn? Good I'd imagine," he said with a smile of his own. It was well known throughout the village about Kaylea and Tobyn's relationship, and they were often looked upon as that nice couple that everyone tried to be more like.
"We're doing just fine," Kaylea replied with just a slight flush. As her emotions subsided a more serious tone came to her appearance and an almost sad note came as she spoke. "We haven't been able to see each other a whole lot lately. Things have kept us busy and apart, but I'm hoping that will end shortly."
"Yeah, you've been working on that bridging project with the elders haven't you?" Kamorn asked with interest. When a nod from Kaylea confirmed that he was correct he went on. "How is that going?"
"Slow," was all she could say in response.
"Well do you think that it will go through?"
Bringing up her shoulders Kaylea gave a shrug and was about to add a comment until something caught her attention. Somewhere behind her a loud noise erupted and she couldn't help but to turn back and look on as she asked, "What in the world was that?"
"Thunder?" Kamorn suggested as the attention of everyone in the marketplace turned back to where the sound had come from. "I didn't think there was supposed to be a storm today, but you never know." he added as his voice trailed off.
Kaylea's mind took the excuse as sense, but something didn't feel quite right. The noise sounded almost unholy and couldn't quite be taken as simple thunder. Then before she realized it the sky grew suddenly dark and she was about to accept her friend's excuse until a bolt of lightning struck the ground. Looking on though she realized that it was not lightning at all and suddenly her heart filled with confusion and terror.
"Egeria," came a voice that seemed so distant and yet so near all at once. "Egeria, my queen," it repeated.
All around her a world began to take shape as Egeria came back to consciousness. Feeling a bit dazed she opened her eyes and saw the glint of gold and the dark clad Jaffa all around her. Realizing where she was she suddenly sat up in her chair and rushed through what happened in her mind. Had she really fallen asleep on the Pel'tak of her ship surrounded by loyal Jaffa? She panicked as she thought the action might cause the Jaffa present to lose some of their polished view of her. Taking on a more majestic posture she radiated with a wave of power. If any Jaffa had thought less of her moments before they would quickly change their mind were they to see her now.
Recovering from her slight mistake she remembered that someone had been calling her name when she woke up and she turned to see a Jaffa silently standing next to her, waiting to tell her something. "What is it?" she asked with a voice that echoed authority.
"I thought you would like to know that we will be arriving in the Reloor sector shortly, my queen," the Jaffa said with a slight bow.
"Very well," was all she chose to say before giving a slight wave of her hand to usher the soldier off. Once he gave another slight bow he turned quickly on his heels and marched off, leaving Egeria alone within her own mind.
Slipping into a silence that was broken only by the electric hum of the machines around her she began to think. Immediately her mind went back to what had just happened. It struck her as odd that she would fall asleep in the Ha'tak's command center, and within view of at least a dozen Jaffa. Thinking back she didn't remember being tired at all before her mind had suddenly tumbled backward into black unconsciousness. No, it hadn't been black at all. As she thought she could remember only the smallest fragments of a dream that still clung to the edges of her mind. In that dream everything seemed so different and yet so familiar that it had felt real. It hadn't felt like a dream while she was having it, and even now it seemed like that label didn't quite fit. It was almost as if it had been more than a dream. Almost as if it was something that someone was trying to force her to remember. Either way she resolved not to let it bother her as she put it out of her mind and focused it back on other things.
After Aphrodite had given her the sudden news about the meeting that she was to attend and the short timeframe in which they had to work with everything had seemed a blur of action. Quickly she had gotten aboard her flagship Ha'tak and departed her lovely world without being able to give it a second thought. It hadn't been an easy thing to leave Ventarea so soon after finally coming home, but she had done it because of how necessary it was. She knew that something big needed to happen, and the only way that would happen was if she were to leave for this meeting and focus solely on trying to form an alliance with whoever was intrigued enough by her offer to show up.
This had caused her to neglect a few other matters of importance, most notably the vacant role of First Prime. Before Aphrodite's sudden arrival and the news that she had for Egeria the Goa'uld queen had spoken with one of her best and most trusted Jaffa in an attempt to try and decide who should replace Lo'tak in the most honored role a Jaffa could ever be bestowed. That discussion had focused heavily on a Jaffa to whom Ven'ar called Arbrol't.
Though she knew nothing of the tall Jaffa, and doubted she had ever seen him before, she still felt a certain familiarity with him when their eyes had met the day before. She didn't know whether it had been the way he had held himself in her presence or if it had been something in the way he looked at her. Something though about him made her unable to shake off the feeling he gave her and she was determined to find out what it was.
She had sent Ven'ar off to retrieve the Jaffa soldier when Aphrodite had come to her and caused Egeria's sudden departure. As a result she had been unable to speak to either Jaffa since. While both of them had come aboard before their departure from Ventarea Egeria hadn't made an effort to see either of them. While she was anxious to speak with Arbrol't to bring some understanding about what she had felt, and to resolve the whole First Prime issue entirely, she had felt that other matters must take precedence. With a touch of remorse she pushed the matter aside and focused her attention on another important matter that loomed on the horizon.
As her ship approached the Reloor sector she found her thoughts focus on the upcoming meeting. Here she was, traveling in hyperspace towards a meeting with several rival System Lords, and she had not a clue as to what she would say. When she had ordered Aphrodite to speak with them to see of the possibilities of an alliance against Ra she had never expected that a full conference would come of it. This had caused some doubt to surface in her mind.
Of course she couldn't have thought that this task was to be an easy one. To think that none of them would require a great deal of convincing in forging an alliance against the most powerful Goa'uld ever known was simply foolish. But to have to speak with so many at once was a task she was not prepared for. It was a task that she knew if she went in ill prepared then surely she would walk away with even less than she had now.
Though she knew this task well she couldn't think of what to say. True she knew that Ra was a huge threat to the stability of the Goa'uld race, but how was she to convince them of that? Each one of them spent their lives and their resources at each other's throats, and to try and get them to band together under a cause seemed an impossibility. In her mind though she knew that no carefully scripted speech would be enough. Knowing that, she simply hoped that the hard facts of what was going on would be enough to convince them that Ra had to be dealt with soon, or else they would all fall victims to his domination of the Goa'uld race.
In the wake of such thoughts Egeria's mind fell on more tedious thoughts relating to territory expansion and where to send her Jaffa troops. This sort of thinking was common amongst System Lords, but rarely was it so for Egeria. At least it was rare lately. Being caught up with so many events had turned her attention away from the more monotonous parts of being in command. Now though she let her mind drift to those parts as a way to fill the void as she awaited their arrival in the Reloor sector.
Luckily, that void didn't stretch for too long as the purple backdrop in front of her was suddenly replaced by a blackness dotted by a thousand twinkling points of light. "We have arrived in the Reloor sector, my queen." A Jaffa in front of her said with a slight bow.
Egeria might have felt insulted that this obvious point had been told her, until she noticed her position. Boredom and a look of fatigue had made itself clear on both her face and in her posture and it was easy for any of the Jaffa to think that she had missed them coming out of hyperspace. "Very well," was all she said as she rose from her chair and gathered herself ready for the challenges she was about to face.
Standing there and preparing herself she watched as a planet came into view, one that was circled by several other Ha'tak vessels. She didn't bother to try and count them, but she knew that if things went awry during the conference then certainly the space above this world would quickly become a bloodbath. It was at this point that Aphrodite came in and looked at her queen. Turning away from the force shielded window Egeria looked at her subordinate and only gave a slight nod before they both departed the Pel'tak to make their way to the ship's main ring room.
The journey through the bowels of the ship was an uneventful one in which neither Goa'uld chose to speak. They both knew what needed to be done; yet only a vague idea on how that was to be accomplished. Still, they both knew that the time for discussion on the matter was over, and even if given the chance neither would speak because they knew it would do no good.
Traveling through the halls they encountered only a handful of Jaffa that were busy tending to what ever task they felt was required of them. To Egeria's relief none of them felt the need to bow, though they all paused and looked on with reverence as she passed by them. When she and Aphrodite finally reached the ring room a mix of emotions came to her as she didn't know whether to be relieved that her wait would finally come to an end or to let uncertainty of what was about to happen take hold of her. Glancing over at her subordinate a strange sense of understanding took shape and she let out a breath before stepping onto the ring platform. A final thought came to Egeria's mind and she hoped that she would find some way to convince the others of the danger Ra posed before several rings appeared around her and she vanished in a flash of white brilliance.