Chapter 6
The woman worked on him for more than an hour. She applied a paste of herbs to all his wounds, then sewed up the larger gashes and bandaged just about everything. Sam had been sent out to take a hot shower and put on dry clothing while the woman worked on O'Neill. When Sam returned to the room he appeared to be sleeping although so still and so pale she felt compelled to watch him; she needed to be reassured that he lived. She needed to watch his chest rise and fall even as the woman stitched her arm The healer gave Sam the remains of the medicine; it was in a half liter pitcher with an inverted small cup for a cap.
"I know the taste is foul but it will take away the pain, keep the fever at bay and help him sleep. If he wakes give him some and get him to drink as much water as he can hold down. Let yourself rest when he sleeps. I will be back when I can."
It was late afternoon when Sam was left with Jack and she was feeling distinctly uncomfortable. She didn't know is he was asleep or unconscious; she didn't know if they were safe among these people; she didn't have her uniform on and she had no way of contacting Teal'c or Daniel; she was exhausted herself and afraid to let her guard down for both their sakes.
There were heavy booted feet in the hall way and Sam reached for her weapon. Three men, a young boy and a small dog crowded around the doorway. The dog lunged for the bed and proceeded to lick the inert man, the boy tried to haul the pup off the bed and the men laughed.
"I am Lothar and this is Anders and Tauraag. We are on our way to relieve the guards in this sector. We were asked to let you know that you and your companion will be protected. We have warriors on two separate levels above you and if the Jaffa come, we will fight them. If too many of them come, we will retreat to the depths of the fjords and we will take you with us. This is my son Gunnar and he will see to your needs." Gesturing toward O'Neill he said "So this is the boon companion of the great god Thor, the warrior Niall."
"I'm Samantha Carter and this is General Jack O'Neill. And yes, Thor does know the general."
"Is his ancestor then the one sung of in the mead halls? There is a very old tale of a great warrior of one of the island nations who became their king and sired many, many sons. We sing of him as Niall Noigiallach, Niall the high king.
Be that as it may, you will need a decent weapon" Lothar said as he looked at her P-90. He then handed Sam a long handled war hammer that must have fifty pounds.
"This will bring down the strongest of the enemy if hefted right.
The guard changed every six hours or so, so do not be alarmed when they troop by your door. You and your man are safe. But when he rises, we will gladly arm him and fight by his side till the Jaffa of the evil ones leave our world."
The men left as they had come; the boy and dog remained.
"My mother said she will mend the warrior's clothes when they dry but yours she will return on the morrow. I will bring supper for you both when it is ready."
He whistled for his dog who ignored him completely. He was snuggled up against O'Neill's side, tucked under Jack's hand and had to be hauled off the bed by his scruff. The boy looked embarrassed by his ill behaved dog and simple said
"He is very young."
'They don't always do as there are told' flitted through her mind.
After all of them had left Sam hefted the hammer and was sure she could never swing the thing in battle to crush a man's skull. She was desperately trying to stay awake and was startled when O'Neill began to stir. Pouring out a measure of the medicine Sam had it to his lips and half way down his throat before his eyes opened. Before he had a chance to protest a glass of water washed it down and he slumped back in to the bed and slept.
She sat on a chair by the bedside in the small room until sleep overcame her. She tried every way she knew how to remain watchful but exhaustion and gravity overwhelmed her. Her head bobbed to her chest a few time and after nearly falling off the chair she decided to lie down. Curling up beside the general she slept.