Author: Kelral Orlyana

Title: Reunion

Category: Stargate SG1 x Red Dead Redemption

Rating: Currently a T… may change as story progresses.

Pairing: None

Spoilers: The Tok'ra (Part 1 and 2) but very little of Red Dead Redemption will be revealed (perhaps a few characters but nothing more...)

Warning: Contains angst, mild battle scenes and mentions abuse and cruelty…though it is very mild.

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG1 or Red Dead Redemption and make no profit posting this story.

Italics represent symbiote and host communication.

Chapter 9: Trek

Somehow they had done it. Kirinian knew how they'd done it, that much was true but the speed of which they had managed to collect what they needed did not seem real. In less than a year they had five well trained horses, a supply of weapons food and ammo that would have been enough to run a small army and a destination. Of course Cordesh had a huge hand in their progress; the symbiote was nothing if not prepared. Saying goodbye to Bonnie had been the hardest part in all this, she was a special type of woman, not afraid of a man's world and more than willing to give men a chance to redeem themselves, it seemed only yesterday he had arrived in her world and into her helping hands. Kirinian had no doubt that if it had not been for her he would have been dead from starvation or cold-blooded murder.

I shall miss her too. Cordesh stated softly. But our place is not on this world. We had a duty we cannot forsake.

Kirinian knew this but a small part of him desired to return to Bonnie's ranch and live out his life in relative peace and safety, but he knew it wasn't possible and Cordesh was right, they had a duty to the Tok'Ra, it was time to go home.

Home…I like the sound of that. Cordesh answered. We're going home. It has been a long time since the Tok'Ra tunnels felt like home. To be honest they started feeling like a Goa'uld home world, all that stealth and fear made it feel as if I was still in some undercover operation but if we do this right the Tok'Ra tunnels will be home again.

If we do this right, all those Tok'Ra who died won't. Kirinian pointed out. We'll change history.

That we will… Cordesh paused. I wonder if we can save our Queen whilst we're at it. If we managed to get ourselves into Ra's court or at least get ourselves connected to his underlings we may have the chance to change our people's fate, we would no longer be a dying race.

I agree, if we can achieve that then I will be most pleased. Kirinian answered. Let's stop the Tok'Ra dying out whilst making the Goa'uld's lives as difficult as possible.

Cordesh chuckled at his host's excitement. Yes, let's do that, but first we must get there. We're going to have to travel to the coast if we want to get anywhere and that will take weeks on horseback.

We could use the train but considering that we don't want to leave a trail…

No you are correct, we'll take the horses, besides it will be good to condition our body and make it stronger. Cordesh replied. The stronger we are and the more skilled we are the more likely we will succeed at our mission. I must admit I'll be sad when we leave our horses behind but alas, we cannot take them.

They are wild animals, set them free and they will be again. Kirinian reminded. Their instincts are still there, simply tamed by man but when man is gone instinct reigns. These horses will survive and I have trained them to be able to cope with many of the things that frighten them naturally. However, if we are to ride to the border to get transport abroad to this 'Egypt' we will have to ride carefully and slowly, even horses tire and without horses out there we will be dead from dehydration or exhaustion before we even see the sea.

This will add additional time on to our already strained plans, but it must be done. If there is someone here, in league with the Goa'uld or simply hunting unusual individuals then we must not leave a trail for them to track. We will have to survive in the wilderness and upon our stealth and cunning. However, I do not fear capture, we are both very skilled and we have been preparing for this journey for a long time now. We are ready.

Even the most skilled climbers, hikers and travellers face trouble if the weather turns, Cordesh. We cannot become overconfident. This area is prone to drought but one storm could cause either dust storms which will drive us of track and force us further into the deserts and therefore become lost, or it could flood creating quicksand, sudden waves which could drown us and our horses. No, we must be cautious and ready for even the most unexpected of circumstances. Kirinian replied. Which is why I am carrying additional supplies, extra rope, feed for the horses as well as water and food for us. There is also additional ammo and equipment to make camp if we cannot use any natural resources. It may seem like overkill, but even a simple single match could be the difference between life and death.

Too true. Cordesh agreed.

Kirinian smiled and checked the horse's carrying the packs, checking their hooves, eyes, ears, nostril and mouth. All four horses were bright eyed and alert with no visible limp or injury. Happy with their state he turned to the mare he'd chosen to ride for the first part of their journey. She was a simple bay, with a white stripe down her nose and four white socks that rose from hoof to pastern. He'd chosen her as she was by far the more docile and content of the five horses which meant that she would be quieter when leaving the town and the other four would hopefully follow her lead.

He climbed into her saddle with a practiced ease and gave her a gentle pet of her neck before gathering the reigns and giving her a kick to her side. "Walk on, girl." A second later she was moving and the small herd of horses followed, instinctually following the lead mare without having to follow the pull of their halters. Fortunately, it was not unusual to see a rider with multiple horses and so no one battered and eyelash as he strode past, most thought him a rancher and so did not bother to watch as he slowly ventured out into the wilderness with his herd.

Humans are not very observant.

Don't push your luck. Why it is true humans are slow to notice things they will notice something unusual. Let us hope they continue to believe me a horse rancher.

At the back of the herd, the grey stallion whickered, nipping at the hind of his palomino stallion. The bay roan mare between the pair immediately threw her head back and nipped back startling the stallion into submission. He snorted, throwing his head back before lowering his head and submitting to the stern gaze of his female companion. His palomino glanced back, snorting as if in humour before turning his head back as his halter began to tug.

Cordesh chuckled. I can see why humans superimpose human characteristics on animals.

Mares are often more dominant amongst the horses. Herds are often comprised of mares alone, led by a single matriarch. The males often lead solitary lives or form a bachelor herd. Kirinian explained. In human society, they can't do this, so humans keep stallions and mares separate and during the breeding season they keep males apart. On occasion a male will be with a herd of females and he will assert his dominance over them, claiming them as his harem, but he will follow the herd, following the lead mare.

So, the bay is more dominant than the grey?

If it was breeding season, she wouldn't be, right now he is just showing off because another stallion is here, one he isn't used to. Stallions usually only tolerate other stallions they've grown up with or that have familiar scents. And since the grey is my newest horse he has not yet adjusted to being a part of a herd with the palomino.

That will cause trouble.

No, horses are herd animals, the further we travel and the more trouble we have to face the more likely he is to warm up to the other. There is safety in numbers.

Let us hope so as I do not fancy having to try and re-tame them during our travels.

With another kick, the mare began to trot and soon they were heading further and further into the wilderness. And so, began the long trek to the coast. It would be a monumental journey, one that would be easier on modernised transport. But since they both did not know who or what brought them back alive and if it, they, he or she were watching the last thing they wanted to do was make it easy for them to track them.

But if they are powerful enough to bring us back from the dead, then what else can they do. I mean, I do not sense a sarcophagus so it cannot be Goa'uld engineering. Cordesh commented.

I committed suicide using the collapsing tunnels so there was nothing left to revive. Kirinian added, remembering the immense pain before blackness.

I am sorry.

Forget it, we are past that now. What we must do is work out what the hell is going on.

That will be a hard task. We have no clues or evidence; all we know is that we are both alive when we shouldn't be. The question we must ask is why. Perhaps the how will follow.

I don't want to hope for answers. I want to find them. I won't be controlled like that. Kirinian countered.

We have to be careful, whatever brought us back to life may be a powerful being and we do not want to make an enemy of it. The best thing to do is watch and wait. Our chance for action will come but for now we must bide our time. Cordesh chastised.

It is going to be a long journey and as much as we are self-reliant we will need to venture into small villages and an occasional city or town to trade. These horses may not be able to cope with the journey and trading them for supplies or another horse may be required. Kirinian warned. Every stage of the journey must be started with the general maintenance of the horses; without them we won't get very far. Our lives depend on the horses.

I understand, you do not need to remind me. You have been a good teacher and I will use all I've learned to protect us and our steeds. I believe we should camp regularly. Travel throughout the day and rest at night to avoid the worst of the predators. We will also have to set traps to protect our camps.

The land will give us the tools we need to survive, there are some plants that will help heal, some the poison and some that can give us basic tools like rope and shelter. Look for these plants and take only what we need and no more. Over time our tack may deteriorate and we may have to replace parts of the tack. We also need rope for building shelters as well as capturing prey to eat or for extra security as we cross difficult terrain.

We are in for a long trek. Cordesh commented. And it will test every skill we possess and have learned since we've arrived here. I believe we are prepared but do you feel ready, my host. This will require absolute trust and reliance. Can you trust me as I trust you?

I am afraid, but I trust you. Kirinian answered softly. I admit I had my doubts before but I don't have them anymore. I do not deny that I am nervous, but I have faith that we can do this. Honestly, I am more afraid for our horses than for us. We know how to survive harsh environments, but can we expect the same from horses? Horses are herbivores, they eat little and often, if we don't maintain a natural diet and check them regularly we may lose these animals before we reach even half way. Because of this our journey may take longer than normal.

We will not rush. We do not know what awaits us on the other side of the sea, or even what is on the other side of the gate if or when we reach it. We will take our time and we will be careful.

Then let us not hesitate. We have already undertaken the first leg of our journey. We have left the human settlements that have sheltered us since we arrived. We will not turn back, let us face the future together.

I can think of no one else I wish to share my future with, Kirinian.

And I am no longer afraid to face my future with you. Kirinian admitted before tightening his legs, steadying his hands and asking his mare to speed up into a canter. She responded easily, picking up speed and racing into the wilderness pulling the other four horses into a canter behind her. And for the next hour or so the sound of hooves on sand and soft foliage filled Kirinian's ear, a strangely soothing sound that helped Kirinian relax and ready himself for the future.