Chapter 11

The next morning after a meager breakfast of tea and bread they returned to their hut and dipped into his backpack. Each pulled out tightly rolled fabric.

"Underware!" O'Neill said brightly, then realizing who's they had, promptly exchanged.

"You know, at first I thought the clothing I was given was meant to humiliate me, old, threadbare and well, rather flimsy. But it's certainly no better than anyone else here. I am grateful for the underwear."

"Me too."

He didn't tell her if she stood in that gauzy dress, in just right in the light, there was nothing left to the imagination.

He upended the backpack on the sleeping bag. There were power bars, a few MRE's, and O'Neill's razor sharp K-bar in it's sheath. There was a single mess kit and a small first aid kit. Among the dental floss, soap and other detritus Sam saw a comb.

"You brought a comb?" she said, trying not to laugh. It was out of her mouth before she could self senser herself. Meanwhile, somewhat embarrassed, Jack used a hand attempting to plaster down his wayward hair.

"There's no GDO." Sam said.

"Maybe he couldn't manage that." Jack said and added "We have no idea where the Stargate is anyway."

This put a damper on the joy of finding the pile of goodies.


Old Woman

On their stroll through the village an old woman emerged from her hut looked over at O'Neill and called out "Boy".

Jack, with raised eyebrows, looked at Sam who was trying and failing to suppress a laugh. "Me?" he asked.

"She calls everyone that. Better go see what she wants."

O'Neill sauntered over and said "Ma'am."

"Come inside for tea." It wasn't an invitation, it was a demand.

He started to make an excuse and she glared at him with a rheumy eye.

"Yes, ma'am." He had to bend low to enter her hut and sat across from her.

The woman was old beyond her years from a hard life in this sun baked land. Down the length of her fingers and on the backs of her hands were tattoos of strange symbols. There were an assortment of small charms and beads woven into the many braids of her graying hair. Around her neck were amulets of semi precious stones.

She poured a murky liquid into a mug and handed it to him. It had so many bits and pieces floating in it Jack couldn't begin to scoop them out. She threw a pinch of powder into the glowing coals between them. The air was filled with an irritating smoke causing Jack to cough.

"Drink the tea, it will help." She ordered.

It didn't help much, actually it was worse. He had to sip the slurry through his teeth and it left him feeling a tad floaty. He thought he was just a bit short of breath from the coughing.

"You are a strange one." She said "Where have you come from?"

"The pharaoh sent me here."

"Is that so?" She said questioning his veracity.

"Yeah, basically"

"My son wants your woman."

"So I heard." He spoke as if he could care less what Tab'ba wanted.

She grinned at his audacity and said "He's a lout. He doesn't appreciate what he has, neither wives nor children."

"I appreciate her." O'Neill said.

The old woman waited, glaring at him for more of a response.

"I'll protect her."

"See that you do, boy." Jack rose thinking he was dismissed.

The old woman seemed to think a bit and sipped her tea, then said "You are strangers to this land, a land holy to the great god Ra. You may not escape his all seeing eye but this might protect your woman from it's glare. Give her this." She handed him a long gauzy hooded robe. And with a wave of her hand she dismissed him and turned back to her tea.

Jack thought the women in his life were always telling him what to do, his grandmother, his mother, Carter and this old bat. And much to his consternation they were always right.