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Their intention was to find To'ran before they re-joined everyone in the banquet chamber. When they couldn't find him, and none of the servants in quarters below knew where he was, alarm bells began to ring.

They weren't given time to formulate a plan, however, as Heset stormed into the hall, flanked by her remaining Jaffa. Borral followed, his expression disinterested, and a young attendant, pale and glassy-eyed, was dragged along by the furious Goddess.

"Where is he?" Heset demanded, her hand tightening to leave visible marks on the young woman's arm. "We demand to have him returned to us at once."

Glad of the warning Jack had given her, Sam adopted the haughty pose of a Goa'uld and arched a scathing eyebrow. "Of whom do you speak?"

"My Jaffa," Heset spat. "This one," she added, shaking the girl, "tells us he has defected to your ranks."

"Then she is mistaken," Sam responded, catching a glimpse of Jack's lips twitching as she slipped into the persona effortlessly. "I have not gained a Jaffa. If anything, I appear to have lost a loyal servant. I do not suppose you have seen To'ran, have you?"

"To'ran?" Heset questioned confusion colouring her voice. "We have not seen him."

"As I have not seen your Jaffa." Sam cast a slow glance around the room. "As I do not see Thmei. Perhaps there is a connection."

A growl escaped Heset as the Goa'uld spun away, intending to go in search of Thmei. At that moment, Thmei herself glided into the room, the sheer material of her overskirt flowing behind her.

"Where is he?" Heset seethed, stalking towards Thmei. Her hand was raised, fingers curled, nails as sharp as claws just waiting to strike. "Where is our Jaffa?"

"Your Jaffa?" Thmei repeated, her voice cloyingly sweet. "We are sure we do not know. What is this?" She continued, arching an eyebrow as she glanced between Heset and Sam. "Are we not to continue discussing our new alliance?"

Heset growled. "There will be no alliance! We would never align ourselves with the likes of you! You are weak, pitiful! You lie and deceive —"

"As do all Goa'uld," Thmei retorted with a smirk. "It is the nature of the beast, is it not? To lie and deceive." Her gaze sharpened, lips twisting as she looked to Sam. "Though it is not just the Goa'uld, is it, Ament? The Tau'ri and Tok'ra are just as capable."

Sam stilled and resisted the urge to glance at Jack or her father. "Deception is not the sole skill of one race," she agreed with what she hoped was an uninterested shrug.

"Some are more skilled than others." Thmei smiled, baring her teeth. She clicked her fingers and her Jaffa pushed forward a man it took Sam a few moments to recognise.

To'ran.

The man had had better days, one side of his face bruised with blood drying at the corner of his mouth. But he didn't seem in pain or discomfort. After righting himself, he walked to stand beside Thmei, straightened and looked to Sam and the two men with her with a twisted smirk.

"To'ran," Thmei purred, turning to face the man beside her. She let her hand rest against his chest, the metal tips of the hand device she wore playing idly with his buttons. "Perhaps you would like to share with Heset what you told us about your so-called Goddess?"

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be lies," Jack interrupted, shooting a glare at To'ran as he took a step closer to Sam.

Jacob nodded his agreement. "He has betrayed our Queen. How can we believe a word he says?"

Thmei laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "You would say that, wouldn't you? Selmac."

"Who or what is Selmac?" Heset demanded. "And where is our Jaffa?"

"We know and care not where your Jaffa is, Heset. We are, however, very interested in what To'ran has to say of his former mistress. We believe you, too, shall be very interested, Heset." Thmei tilted her head. "Or do you wish to continue this charade, this pretence that you planned to align yourself with us when you have had no intention?"

"We had every intention," Heset retorted, crossing her arms across her chest as her eyes flashed in indignation. "It is you who came here to play games and offer nothing of real value."

"We beg to differ," Thmei shrugged. "We came with the intention of discovering whom you work for, but it would appear there was something more valuable for us to learn. To'ran," she commanded, "tell our dear friend Heset what it is you wish for most, above all else."

"I wish for power, my Lady," To'ran spoke, his words slow and slurred. "I wish to know the might of the Goa'uld, to share it. I wish for a symbiote of my own so that I may crush those who belittle me."

Heset rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "As do all Lo'taur. To serve a God so closely is to want to be one. This is not news, Thmei."

"To'ran," Thmei continued as though Heset hadn't spoken. "Tell us of your Goddess. Of the one known as Ament."

To'ran looked directly at Sam, his eyes clear and calculating. "She is no Goddess," he began, his lips quirking upwards. "She is –"

"Silence!" The unexpected command was sharp, harsh, and came from the doorway to the room. "You will speak no more, To'ran, or you will suffer the full wrath of your God."

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Only a short part because I've been struggling to write recently.