Child of the Mind
By Ldynwaitin
Chapter Fourteen
Rumble in the Jungle
As Zhan used his head to hide the scar, Tai quickly placed his mask on his face. He picked up the amulet. It was always warm, he felt it starting to get cold in his hand. He had no idea why, but it stopped working.
"My father must not see the scar, we need to leave tonight," he whispered to Zhan.
"My Lord," Zhan said. "The jungle is dangerous at night."
"It is more dangerous to stay here," Tai hissed. "I will not be able to wear this mask tomorrow. We need to go now!"
Zhan knew he was right. But he also knew it was extremely dangerous to travel in the jungle at night. There was only one person here that may be able to help them survive. "Yong is the best hunter in the village. If anyone could get us safely to the Chappa'ai at night, it will be him."
"Fortunately," Tai purred. "We will have someone with us that we can use to make him take us there." He looked at Daniel. Yong was softly talking to Daniel. Looking up, Tai saw the anger in his eyes. "Yes, this will work out well. Even though his mind is broken, we will take Dr. Jackson with us. It healed before, it will heal again. I need him to help me become the next system lord. Go, I want ten men ready at the gates with weapons."
Zhan bowed his head, "It will be done." He quickly left.
Yong tightly gripped Daniel's hand. He was keeping a close eye on Tai. For a second, he saw the scar appear before Zhan blocked him. As Tai put the mask on, Yong looked at Guotin. He saw his head nod. Now all they had to do was wait for the walk of the festival.
It was late when the festival was almost done. Lord Qi was slumped in his chair. Zhan stood by Tai's side. Tai touched Qi's arm, "Father, it is time for us to walk through the market to end the festival."
"Zhong?" Qi softly slurred. "I am so tired."
"You can rest, father. I will do the walk. Then I am going to make sure everything is ready for the trip tomorrow."
"Yes," Qi contentedly smiled. He looked at Daniel, Qi touched his shoulder. "I want to take the giant with us. His smile makes me happy."
"Father, remember, you already said you wanted him brought to the palace."
Yong gripped Daniel's hand, he looked at Guotin. This was not what they expected to happen.
Lord Qi stood up. He smiled down at Daniel. "You will come with me, come to live with me."
Daniel's head tilted in confusion, "With you?"
"I will rest now but tomorrow we will go back to the palace." He patted Daniel on the back. "You will like it there, I will make sure that you are well taken care of. For now, I must rest." Four guards followed him as he walked out of the room.
Daniel whispered to Yong, "I do not want to go with him," he sobbed. "I want to stay with you and Zi."
Tai clapped his hands, he loudly declared, "Let us finish the festival in the market!"
Tai looked at Yong. "My father is taken with your giant. He will be coming with us tomorrow."
Yong stood up. "You promised that I can take care of him."
"And you will," Tai said. "Come, I wish to have him walk with us in the market."
Yong pulled Daniel up. Daniel worriedly looked at Zhan. "I do not like him, Yong. He is mean." Daniel touched his head, "He hurt me."
"Do not worry, Daniel. I promise, he will not hurt you again."
Daniel happily grinned, "I believe you, Yong." He took Yong's hand. Yong glanced back, he saw Guotin leaving with Daniels friends. They would wait for him in the market. It was there that they would expose Tai's scar.
Tai took the lead, four guards accompanied them. They all marched out of the house. The night was filled with the sounds of celebration. Tai slowed his step to allow Yong and Daniel to walk with him.
Grinning he said, "I see how you care for the giant."
"Yes," Yong briskly replied. He looked ahead, he searched for Guotin and Daniel's friends.
"I am going to need you to do something for me, Yong."
Yong bowed his head, "What is that, my Lord?"
Leaning close to Yong, he said, "I need you to take me to the rings in the jungle. Tonight."
"Why, my Lord?" Yong said. "The jungle is dangerous at night."
"You will not question my orders," Tai snapped back. "I have given you a command. I must reach the gates tonight, the safety of our world depends on it."
Yong knew why he needed to get to the gate, he didn't want Lord Qi to see the scar. For now, he had to play his game. Daniel's life depended on it. He bowed his head, "My Lord, I cannot promise that I can get you there safely."
"You will, Yong. If you do not want to see anything happen to Daniel."
Yong saw Zhan touching the hilt of his sword. Zhan purred, "I have never gutted a giant before."
"The jungle at night is a different world, my Lord," Yong explained. "There are many things out there that could eat you before you even feel it."
Yong saw Zhan pull out his knife, he held it close to Daniel. He knew threatening Daniel would make him agree. "You will do as I say," Tai said. "Or after I have your giant killed, I will give your wife to the guards." Tai would never allow Daniel to be killed, but he knew that Yong did not know that.
"No!" Yong said, he bowed his head. "No, my Lord. I will take you to the rings, but we cannot go alone."
"I have ten of my best men waiting for me at the gate."
Yong bowed his head, "Once we enter the forest you must do everything I say. If you do not, no one will live to see the sun rise. Do you agree?"
"You have the word of Lord Zhong."
Yong knew that word meant nothing. Right now, he would take them into the jungle. But once they were far enough away, he would show them just how dangerous the jungle could be at night.
Cameron, Sam and Teal'c followed Guotin and Ru as they led them out of Lord Qi's house. There were many still celebrating. Pushing past the celebrators, Guotin hurried them to the market.
"Get ready," Cameron said.
They stopped in the center of the market. The gates were wide open. Outside they could barely see the jungle in the darkness. They saw several fire pits in front of the gate. Their flames were meant to keep out the animals of the jungle.
"There," Teal'c said. He saw Daniel's head above the villagers. They waited for Tai to get close enough.
Sam held her gun ready under the costume, she watched Daniel's head bob over the shorter villagers. She became alarmed when she saw his head moving away from the market.
"What the hell is going on?" Cameron said. "He's going the wrong way."
Guotin immediately noticed they were walking away from the market, and towards the open gate. Ru and Guotin ran to the gate. Cameron, Sam and Teal'c followed him. Ahead they saw ten guards by the gates, they were carrying packs and weapons with them.
"Damnit," Cameron cursed. "He's jumping ship."
Coming to the gate, Yong saw ten guards waiting for them with weapons and carrying packs. One of them was Liang, he saw him eyeing Daniel. He never liked him, he was always quick to use his knife.
Brandishing their weapons, the guards lit their torches on the fire pits. "We go now, Yong," Tai said. "Take us to the circle."
Yong pointed at Zhan. "I want you to know, if anything happens to Daniel, I will finish what I started on that battlefield. Let us go. The faster we move the faster we will get there."
Zhan lit a small ball and threw it at the crowd. It exploded, causing the people to run in fear. This gave them the chance to leave the village.
Yong took Daniel's hand and searched into his eyes for Daniel Jackson. "Daniel, listen to me. We are going to a very dangerous place. You must stay with me. You are not to leave my side. Do you understand?"
"Stay with you," Daniel said, with a nod of his head.
"Yes, then let us go."
Tightly holding Daniel's hand, he led them into the jungle.
Cameron cursed as the villagers fled from the explosion. They blocked their way to the gate. When he finally reached the gate, he saw that Daniel was gone. He angrily pulled off his costume. Sam and Teal'c took theirs off too. The villagers ran away in fright as they saw three giants at the gates. The guards at the gate rushed them. Guotin and Ru ran in front of them.
"No," Guotin said. "Do not harm them, they are Daniel's friends. They are not here to hurt us, listen to me, you must not harm them."
The guards reluctantly backed off. Guotin saw Daniel's friends looking at the jungle.
"Teal'c," Cameron said. "Think you can follow them in the dark?"
Teal'c tightly clutched his staff. "I can, Cameron Mitchell."
"But Yong said the jungle is dangerous in the dark," Sam said.
Cameron held his gun up, "We've done foolish things before, Carter."
Sam knowingly smiled, "Yes, we have." She checked her gun and waited to leave.
Guotin could tell that Daniel's friends was going after him. He took Cameron's hand, pointing to the jungle he shook his head.
Cameron smiled at him. "Thank you for all that you've done," he said. "But we have to go." Nodding his head, he pointed his gun at the jungle.
"Let's go, guys. We're going to get Daniel back."
Guotin knew he would not be able to stop them. He saw someone else wanted to go with them.
"Ru, are you sure? It is dangerous."
"I promised Yong I would help him defeat Tai, Guotin. I have to keep that promise."
Guotin touched his shoulder, "Then I pray that I will see you again, go."
Ru jogged to Cameron, he held up his sword and pointed to the jungle.
"Guess we got four fools going into the jungle," Cameron said.
"Ru can help us," Teal'c said. "This is his world."
Cameron nodded his head at Ru, "Okay," he said.
Grinning, Ru made sure they had torches to keep the animals away.
Guotin touched his head to Cameron's hands, and pointed to the jungle.
"I guess he's wishing us luck," Cameron said.
Taking the torches, they headed into the jungle. As Guotin slowly walked towards the market, he did not see two shadows running through the gates, and into the jungle.
Yong suddenly stopped walking, he looked around.
"Why did you stop?" Tai asked.
"It is dark, I need to find markers."
Yong stopped because he could smell something behind them. It was unmistakable. It was a creature that always picked off the last one on a hunt. He glanced back, he saw a guard standing in the back. In a second, he saw a flash, and the guard was gone.
'Nine more,' Yong thought. With that belly becoming full, he resumed walking. He looked up at Daniel. He tightly gripped his hand.
"Be brave, Daniel," Yong told him.
"I am not afraid," he told Yong. He cheerfully smiled, "I am with you."
Walking faster through the jungle he said, "Yes, you are."
Carter squatted down, she picked up a bloody piece of fabric. A blood trail led into the jungle. "It didn't take long. That's one down." Standing up, she worriedly looked into the dark jungle.
Teal'c opened his staff, he would keep it charged until they found Daniel. Ru held his sword up, he knew what creature could kill so quickly.
The unmistakable scent of the creature was getting stronger. Ru shouted a warning and pointed behind them. Cameron spun around. A creature the size of a large dog was running towards them. Teal'c didn't hesitate, he shot the creature as it leaped at Cameron.
It landed at their feet. It had a huge head, sharp teeth filled its wide mouth. Cameron held his nose, "Man, that thing stinks to high heaven. Good to know, you smell anything like my granddaddy's day-old socks, shoot to kill."
Cameron took the lead, Carter walked behind him, Teal'c and Ru stayed in the rear. They hurried through the forest as they tried to catch up to Yong and Daniel.
Yong suddenly pulled Daniel behind a tree. The others followed him.
"Quiet," Yong hissed. As they hid behind a tree, they heard branches breaking. Yong stared ahead, he saw a giant beast moving through the forest. It walked on four legs. Two sharp horns stood out in front of its head. It was not a predator, but he knew if it felt threatened, it would alert others in the jungle. They always protected their own. It would not take long for the giant beasts to kill them with their horns.
He waited until the beast was far away until he came out from behind the tree.
"What was that?" Tai asked.
"That was a Sanjiao. That one was a juvenile; they travel in herds."
"A juvenile?" Tai said. "I would hate to see an adult."
"As I said," Yong said. "The jungle is dangerous at night. That creature is not even close to the worst we may run into. You can still go back."
"I gave you an order, you will follow it."
Yong bowed his head, "Yes, my Lord." He smiled at Daniel, "That was a big creature, were you frightened?"
Daniel nodded his head, "Yes it was. I was scared."
"Do not be, it is gone. Let us go."
He resumed walking away. Looking back, he saw that one of the men was walking past what looked like a vine. He saw the vine bite the man on the face, he stiffened and fell to the ground. It was so quick, no one saw it happen. Yong picked the tree to hide behind for a reason. He knew the green snake sometimes used the tree to keep from being stepped on by the Sanjiao. Grinning, Yong thought, "Eight more."
"Woah!" Cameron said. "That's nasty." They found a man lying on the ground. His eyes were wide open, his face was grotesquely swollen. There was two bite marks on his cheek.
Ru looked up, he pointed to something long and green coiled on a branch.
"It looks like a snake," Sam said. "So, we need to watch for snakes in the trees, too."
Cameron kicked the man, he was definitely dead. "That's two so far. It looks like Yong is leading them into a slaughter."
"I hope we catch up to them before anything happens to Daniel," Carter said.
"We must move forward," Teal'c said.
Keeping an eye behind and above, they followed the trail left by the diminishing group ahead.
As they moved through the jungle, Zhan looked back. He saw only saw eight men. "Wait," Zhan shouted. "There are two men missing."
Yong stopped, he pulled Daniel to stand next to him. "I was on a hunt with twenty men once, only five of us returned. Missing men is to be expected."
Tai started becoming alarmed. He didn't expect to lose two men this soon. "Zhan," he growled. "You said they were your best men."
"Fighters, my lord," Zhan said. "They are not skilled with creatures hidden in the jungle."
"Do you still wish me to take you to the rings, my Lord?" Yong asked.
Tai pulled his hand back, and slapped Yong in the face. He actually hurt himself. Yong kept his head still as Tai slapped him. "That was worth the pain," Yong said.
"I would have you killed, if I did not need you." He pointed ahead. "Go, and if you ask again, Zhan is going to start chopping your childish friend into little pieces."
"Daniel," Yong whispered. He tightly gripped his hand. He took a few steps forward. "Hold on tight."
Yong brought them far enough. Holding onto Daniel's hand, he walked closer to Liang. In a flash he slammed his palm into Liang's face. Grabbing his sword, he kicked him in the stomach, knocking him on the ground. He ran into the jungle, pulling Daniel with him. Daniel's longer legs easily kept up with him.
"Follow them, fools!" Tai shouted. He sprinted into the jungle. Only the sound of branches breaking told them where Yong and Daniel were going. Yong looked back, the two moons were out tonight. He had enough light to see where he was going. Coming to a grove of large trees, Yong looked around. Grinning, he saw something that could help them.
Using Liang's sword, he began chopping into a large tree. He pulled Daniel to a huge tree.
"Daniel, can you climb?"
Grinning Daniel said, "Try and catch me." He began climbing up the tree. Tucking the sword in his belt, Yong followed him. He worriedly looked behind, he knew it would not take long for his trap to set. They reached a large branch. They both sat on the branch.
"We stay here, Daniel."
Daniel hugged the trunk. "What are we going to do?"
Yong pointed below, "We watch."