As they walked the outskirts of the city limits, Teal'c kept his attention focused in two directions. He watched for movement within the alleys and the darkened roads under the wooden buildings, while also inspecting his friend for any signs of illness.
Teal'c did not like what he saw. But before he could question Daniel Jackson on the state of his coloring, Teal'c noted they were heading past the walls of the city.
"Daniel Jackson, did O'Neill not say we should question the Baich within the city?"
"He did. But I don't want to question them. I want to talk to the people who live outside the city."
Teal'c frowned. He did not believe this was the time for Daniel Jackson to question the orders of O'Neill. However, he also knew that the actions of all his teammates, no matter how varied or disruptive they were, always held importance.
"What do you expect to discover?" Teal'c asked, moving to stroll alongside him.
"There are no records on the Baich that live out in the countryside. Obviously something is keeping them from the city."
"Did you not mention that it could be due to their religious beliefs?"
"I'm sure that is part of it," he admitted. "But I can't help but think there's more to this."
Teal'c nodded and continued to walk with him. He was also certain that there was information missing in their discussions with the Rusayev. But at this time, Teal'c did not know what this information could be.
Teal'c caught a flicker in his vision. In the distance, a group was coalescing. He studied them as their size grew. The people were simply dressed and not like those of the Rusayev. The people appeared to be marching straight towards them.
As he slowed, Teal'c held out his staff weapon, blocking Daniel Jackson from any further movement. His friend stopped, frowned, but understood once he too saw the group heading toward them. The two of them remained on the grassy hill, awaiting the upcoming confrontation.
Two males, ones who appeared to be villagers, came to the front of the crowd and spoke first. Teal'c did not understand their words as they were foreign to his ears. He remained alert and cautious as Daniel Jackson returned the speech in the same manner. While he did not know what his friend had spoken, he was confident that it was an attempt to appease the uneasiness he saw in the eyes of the villagers.
However, he was not confident the villagers would match the compassion of Daniel Jackson.
"I told them that we don't mean them any harm," Daniel Jackson muttered under his breath. "As long as they don't come at us with pitch forks, I think we'll be fine."
Teal'c did not think there was ever occasion where they were fine. But he decided not to argue this point. If they were to find Doctor Fraiser, they needed to remain vigilant.
"I'm just going to talk some more," he told Teal'c.
Teal'c dipped his head, but kept his grip firm on his staff weapon. He watched in silence as Daniel Jackson spoke to the lead villagers, presumably asking question in their native tongue. Some of those within the group seemed pleased to talk to someone that had taken interest in their lives, however Teal'c noted that others did not appear as enthusiastic.
"They're Baich," Daniel Jackson called over to him. "They believe in a god named Pyeerum, like the others we met earlier." He stopped and frowned, leaning closer to listen. Teal'c watched his friend nod before glanced back at him. "They claim to stay away from the city. They believe that Pyeerum punishes those that associate with the city."
Daniel Jackson returned to the Baich and began to speak in foreign ways once again. Teal'c kept watch over him, but allowed himself the opportunity to study the land. They were not far from the outer walls of the city. He could not see the temple that housed the Stargate from where he stood, but he was certain the villagers guarded pilgrimage roads that would lead them to the home of their god.
It disgusted Teal'c.
Pushing aside the repulsion he felt, Teal'c carefully walked around the perimeter of the group, checking for concealed weapons. The group consisted of both men and women. He monitored their actions, noting any move they might make. He did not catch anything that might bring harm to himself or to Daniel Jackson, but that did not sway Teal'c from his search. He did not trust the people of this world: not the Rusayev or the Baich. He would be most satisfied once they found Doctor Fraiser and left this world.
Teal'c continued to hunt, pausing twice when he suspected something that could be dangerous. When he determined they were nothing but wooden sticks, perhaps even a form of amusement, he moved on to the next person. He caught sight of a fair-haired woman. A fair-skinned man. He moved on yet again.
He frowned, catching the familiar features of the woman known as Raya.
Teal'c lifted his staff weapon and headed into the crowd, following the woman as she disappeared into the group of many persons. He had many questions for the assistant to Taras and felt that Daniel Jackson would have them as well.
"Daniel Jackson!" Teal'c called. He frowned, scanning the crowd for the woman. "Daniel Jackson!" he called again.
When he did not answer, Teal'c turned his head to the direction where he had last seen his friend, but he found no sight of him.
Daniel Jackson had vanished.