Child of the Mind
By Ldynwaitin
Chapter Three
The Village Elder
It was almost two hours after they left the lake that Daniel saw a wall made of wood sitting in the middle of the jungle. A large gate was just opening. Yong still held his hand.
Daniel was so frightened. He still wasn't sure this was right. He looked back into the jungle, to see if he saw Sam and Came or Cam. He didn't remember his name. But he remembered Teal'c. He was nice to him. But he wasn't with them. He was with strange looking men with hooded eyes. He tightly squeezed Yong's hand. He was nice to him, not like the other men that hurt him.
Feeling Daniel squeeze his hand. Yong looked up at him. He could see fear in his blue eyes. It was strange, he had never seen that color in anyone's eyes. But blue was a special color, he hoped it made him special enough for the village elder to allow him to stay.
The other hunters walked through the open gate. As Yong approached the gate a guard ran to them with his staff held out. Daniel's head bowed down, he hid behind Yong. He feared that they would hurt him again.
"Yong!" the guard yelled. "What is he? Why did you bring him to the village?"
Yong stood between Daniel and the Guard. "Qui, he is not dangerous. We found him in the jungle. I am bringing him to see the elder."
Daniel held onto Yong's shirt. "Please do not hurt me," he pleaded.
"See, Qui, he is afraid. He is not evil. Please let me bring him to Guotin. You know I would never allow him to hurt anyone in the village."
Qui took a step closer. He looked up at Daniel. "I do not know, Yong. He is so tall."
"Qui, I give you my word. He is harmless."
Qui nodded his head. "I will take your promise, Yong. He can go, but only under escort." He ordered two men to go with Yong.
Turning, Yong patted Daniel on the hand. "Do not fear, I will not let them harm you, Daniel. I promise. Now come, it will be all right."
Slowly nodding his head, Daniel followed Yong. Entering the walled village Daniel saw a market in front of them. A large joyful grin grew at the sight and smells that filled his mind. Many people were shouting and bartering for things to buy. Yong pulled him around the market. Some people stopped and stared at him. Some avoided them. They had never seen such a tall man before. His eyes stood out to them. They were so large, and in the bright sunlight, they almost looked white.
Yong took Daniel to the center of the village. A small red house stood there. The guards with him left to go back to the gate. Coming to the entrance of the house, Yong bowed to a man that stood guard.
"Ru, I wish to see, Guotin. Tell him I found a strange man in the jungle. Tell him, he is different."
Ru stared at Daniel. "Yong, what do you have there?" Ru had known Yong since they were children. There was many a time he would bring some injured animal that he found in the jungle, home. But he had no idea what this man was.
"Ru," Yong said. "Please, let me see, Guotin. I found him in the jungle. He needs our help." Stepping closer he said, "I have a feeling this is right, Ru. Please do this for me."
Ru stared up at Daniel. He never saw anyone that looked like this giant. Searching into his eyes, he saw an innocence in them.
"You and your feelings, Yong. I will tell, Guotin. Keep your feeling here." He quickly ran into the house. Yong said in a calming voice, "Do not worry, Daniel. Ru is a friend, it will be fine."
As they waited for Ru to return, Daniel looked around. He saw a crowd of people gathering. They continued to stare at him. Waving at them he said, "Hello, I'm Daniel." He started to walk to them, Yong grabbed him and pulled him back.
"No, Daniel. Stay here."
"Okay," he softly said. He cupped his hands and held them to his chest.
Yong heard him say a strange word. "What is, Okay?"
"It means, yes, good, safe, agreed, many things." He happily grinned. For a split second, Yong saw intelligence in Daniel's eyes, then it was gone.
"Okay," Yong said. "It is a very strange word."
A young girl in pigtails was running towards them. No older than fifteen, she ran right up to Daniel. "Yong, what is he?" she anxiously shouted. She stared at him.
Daniel brightly smiled. He patted his chest. "Hello, I am, Daniel."
The girl gazed deep into Daniel's eyes. "So pretty," she sighed. "Hello, Daniel. I am Ying Lee."
"Ying Lee, go home!" Yong said. "Your father will be mad that you are here."
She refused to listen. "What is he, Yong?" She stepped closer to Daniel.
Yong took her shoulders and turned her around. "Go, Ying Lee. This does not concern you." He gave her a slight shove.
Looking back, she said, "Goodbye, Daniel. I hope to see you again."
"Me too," Daniel said, with a wave.
She began to skip away, looking back several times, a large grin was set on her face. Daniel noticed a sad look on Yong's face when Ying Lee left.
Yong was grateful to see Ru walking out of Guotin's home. "Guotin will see the stranger, Yong. But be warned, if your giant tries to harm him, he will be killed."
"His name is Daniel. And do not worry, he is not dangerous."
Yong took Daniel's hand. "Come, Daniel, I want you to meet the elder."
"Okay," Daniel said.
Yong pulled Daniel into the house. Daniel saw mixed colors of red and gold sprinkled throughout the home. White seemed to be the dominate color. Yong took him to a small room. In the middle of the room was an elderly man. He sat on a large white pillow on the floor. In front of him was a small table. He was using a large brush to paint a character on paper. His hair was long and silver. A thin moustache grew on his face.
Guotin placed the brush in a small pot on the table. He looked up and regarded Daniel. His guards remained by his side, their weapons drawn. They were ready to protect him if this giant tried to harm him.
Guotin tucked his hands inside his large sleeves. "What is this that you bring me, Yong?" He did not speak with a gravelly voice. It was still young and vibrant.
Yong bowed his head. "Guotin, I found him alone in the jungle. He knows our words." Raising his head, he stepped forward. He whispered, "He hurt his head. I think he is not right. He sounds like a child and does not. As you can see, he is different. His eyes are large, and such a brilliant blue, they look white in the sun. Like Chang'e."
Guotin's head tilted as he studied Daniel. He motioned to his guards. "Bring him closer to me."
Daniel gasped in fright as the guards rushed him. He cried out, "Yong, you promised."
"Stop!" Yong moved between them. "I promised him, Guotin, that he would not be harmed."
Guotin was confused, he saw a man crying like a child. Slowly standing he walked to Daniel. Looking up, he gently patted Daniel's shaking hands. "Hush, little one, it is all right. I will not allow them to harm you. What is your name?"
Daniel wiped his tears with his hand. He stood up straight. "I am, Daniel."
"Where did you come from, Daniel?"
Daniel shook his head. "I do not know or remember." He held his head as he felt it throb. Guotin saw blood on the white wrappings on his head.
Daniel brightly smiled when he saw the pendant hanging around Guotin's neck. It was a pure white round stone. The face of a beautiful woman was etched on it. He pointed to the pendant. "That's pretty. Who is she?"
Guotin lifted his pendant. "It is Chang'e, little one. Our town is under her protection."
"The moon goddess." Daniel softly said.
"Yes," Guotin said. "She is." He stared deep into Daniel's eyes. He could see something in them that told him he was not misleading them. He saw a naïveté only seen in a child's eyes. And yet, he saw something more. What he did not see was a man that would harm him. "I do not know what to do with him yet, Yong," he truthfully replied. "Lord Qi Zia and Zhong are to come to the village tomorrow night for the festival."
Guotin contemplated on what to do with Daniel. "Lord Qi has told us to always report any strangers. I cannot imagine anyone as strange as this one."
Yong bowed his head, "Please Guotin, he is not dangerous. I know it. I feel it in my heart. Please do not tell Lord Qi about him. I fear what he may do to him."
Guotin saw how much Yong seemed to care for this giant. He understood why.
"I wish to take him to my house" Yong said. "He will be safe there."
"Are you sure, Yong? Will Zi be safe?"
Yong looked at Daniel. He saw him smiling at him. It was such a warm smile. It made him feel good inside. "Yes, Guotin. I know she will. I promise you, she will be safe."
"Very well Yong, for now you may take him to your home. I will decide what to do with him before Lord Qi arrives."
"I promise, Guotin, I will keep him by my side until you make your decision" Yong whispered to Daniel, "Do not worry, Daniel. It will be okay."
Guotin tiredly sat down. "I know that my granddaughter, Zi is still sad. Will she be all right with him in your home?"
"I believe she will. Her heart hurts, but she is still Zi."
"Yes, she has always had a very loving heart. Very well, keep him with you. But if he causes any trouble, I will immediately decide what to do with him."
Yong bowed, "I promise, he will not give any trouble." He grabbed Daniel's hand and began bowing. "Thank you, Guotin. Thank you."
Daniel also began bowing, he said, "Thank you, thank you."
Guotin chuckled. "Go little one, you must listen to Yong now."
"I will, thank you."
Yong pulled him out of the house before Guotin changed his mind. Exiting Guotin's home, he took Daniel down narrow streets. He looked up at Daniel. Daniel looked down at him. His grateful smile told him that he did the right thing. Now he just had to convince Zi.
Teal'c stood by a small lake. Giant trees grew on the opposite side. He kneeled on one knee and touched the ground. "Daniel Jackson was here," he said. He moved his hand in a circle. "I count ten other imprints."
"Damn," Cameron said. "Someone found him. It had to be the green guys. Can you tell if anything happened?"
Teal'c studied the ground. "I do not see any blood, if that is what you are asking."
"Yeah, Teal'c," Cameron said. "No blood is a good thing."
"The tracks show that Daniel Jackson was with them when they left."
"Can you see which way they went?" Sam asked.
Teal'c stood up, he pointed to their right. "They took him that way."
"Let's go then," Cameron said. He began taking a step when Teal'c grabbed his arm. "I am sorry, Cameron Mitchell, but we cannot go that way."
"Why, Teal'c?"
Teal'c held his staff up and activated it. "Because we are being hunted."
Sam and Cameron lifted their guns. "Hunted, by what?" Cameron asked. "Please don't say velociraptors." He searched the jungle for any sign of a predator.
"I do not know the creatures of this world. But I do know what it feels like to have an animal hunting you. That feeling is now stronger than ever."
They stood back to back. "Can you tell how many?" Sam whispered.
Teal'c shook his head. "I do not know for sure, I know there are more than one."
They saw the bushes leaves to their left rustling. Cameron shot into the bush. They heard a sound they never heard before. It sounded like a cross between a roar and a growl. They saw the grass and bushes buffeted as something hidden in it was rolling around.
They all slowly started walking backwards to the lake. "Suggestions?" Cam said.
"We have no idea what's hunting us, Cam," Sam said.
"If they are predators and hunting in a pack," Teal'c said. "Then they would most likely try to break us apart. So that they can take us one by one."
"Then we stick together," Cam said. He looked back. They needed better cover. The trees across the lake would be a good place. "We'll go across this lake. The trees should provide a good cover."
"Agreed," Teal'c said.
"I guess we're getting wet," Sam said.
Seeing another bush rocking, Teal'c fired his staff. This time they saw something jump out of the grass. They were now able to see what was attacking them.
"Man, I really didn't need to see that," Cameron said.
The creature had the head of a lion and the bulky body of a bear. It rowled at them before hiding in the grass again.
"Let's go, guys," Cameron said.
Seeing grass and bushes trembling around them, they turned and ran for the lake.
Teal'c looked back, he saw something rushing through the high growth. He fired his staff at the grass ahead of it. The force of his weapon set the grass on fire. The creature rowled at him. Unfortunately, the grass didn't burn long.
"It's not going to burn, there's too much rain here," Cameron shouted. "We need to get across that lake. Let's hope they can't swim."
Reaching the lake's shore, they held their weapons up and moved into the water.
"I hope there isn't something worse in the water," Sam said.
Sam and Cameron focused on walking through the water. Teal'c turned around and walked backward. Several of the creatures appeared. Reaching the water's edge, he saw they didn't hesitate to enter the lake.
"We must go faster!" Teal'c shouted. "They do not fear the water."
They tried to run in the water, but it was difficult. Reaching a depth to deep to walk, Sam and Cameron threw their weapons on their backs and began swimming. Teal'c held his staff with one hand and used his other to propel himself through the water.
Glancing back, Cameron saw two of the creatures in the water behind them. Several more were entering the water.
"Pick it up, guys. They're right behind us."
Sam was a fast swimmer. She reached the other side of the lake first. Picking up her weapon she fired at the creatures in the water.
She shouted at Cam and Teal'c, "Swim faster, they dived under the water."
Reaching the shore, Cameron grabbed his gun and spun around. Teal'c was still in the water. "Pedal faster, Teal'c," he shouted. "They're right behind you."
"Cam," Sam said. "Behind him."
They saw ripples in the water behind Teal'c. They began firing into the water. Teal'c struggled to swim faster. He saw Cameron and Sam firing over him and into the water behind him. He knew that meant the creatures were close. He kicked harder, that is when he felt something at his heels. Rolling around he let himself sink under the water.
"Teal'c!" Cameron yelled. As he saw Teal'c sink under the water, he walked into the lake. Sam was at his heels. They saw the water agitating a few feet in front of them. Then they saw Teal'c's head blast out of the water. One of the creatures had his arm in its jaws.
Sam aimed her rifle at the beast's head. She quickly fired. She hit it in the eye. Rowling, he released Teal'c and sunk into the water. Cameron reached out, he pulled Teal'c to the shore. They ran to the trees. Looking back, they saw the creatures swimming to the other shore.
Cameron hollered, "That's right, you turn tail and run. That's what you get for messing with SG1!"
Grinning, he went back to check on Teal'c. Sam was already examining his wound.
"Teal'c, it looks deep." She took out bandages from her vest pocket. Releasing her backpack, she searched for antiseptics to clean the puncture marks.
As she tended Teal'c's wound, Cam kept watch for the creatures in case they returned. Finished cleaning the wound, Sam wrapped it up. "I tried to clean it as best as possible, Teal'c. I hope that it was good enough."
Teal'c quickly stood up once she finished wrapping his wound. "We must move quickly if we are to catch up with Daniel Jackson."
Cameron put his hand on Teal'c's shoulder. "You sure you're okay?"
Teal'c hefted his staff. "I am fine, Cameron Mitchell. Let us go, I need to pick up the trail."
"Cam," Sam said. "He won't stop until we find Daniel."
Cameron nodded his head, "I know. Let's go find, Jackson."