Chapter 3 – Love and War.

Two days earlier…

'Rodney, we have been here for one night and not even finished breakfast. You can handle a couple more days.' John said firmly, munching on an orange fruit Athera had given them.

'One long and uncomfortable night. That mattress has caused me severe back pain which could cause me some serious problems in later life.' He said angrily.

'If you get to a later life.' John said chirpily.

'Colonel.' Teyla reprimanded gently.

'What is that suppose to mean?' Rodney snapped.

'It's supposed to mean, eat your breakfast.' John nodded at the meal in front of him. Rodney scoffed.

'Fruit for breakfast?' He took out a snack bar from his vest pocket and tore it open, shoving it into its mouth. 'I can't risk citrus – we have no idea what their food is like here.'

'Not bad.' Ronan commented, dropping a handful of raisins into his mouth.

Rodney shook his head in disgust and turned back to Sheppard. 'And how do you know it is morning? Mh? We don't have a window to see out of, in fact we have no way of getting fresh air in here…' Sheppard could see the panic rising in Rodney's face. 'Are there any vents? Can anyone see vents? I feel warm, is it warm? How do we know there's enough air in here?'

'Rodney, calm down, there is more than enough air to sustain-' Teyla began.

'Can we open the door from this side – are we trapped? We're trapped aren't we? Okay, so we've been in here what? Six hours, and given the ratio of the room, I mean, the oxygen supply's gotta be-'

'Rodney!' John shouted. 'Would you cool it? Otherwise this is going to be a very long couple of days. We're fine.' He leant back in his chair, feet on the table.

'I am very claustrophobic, okay? And you have no idea what is going on out there!' He pointed at the door. 'They could be at the door right now, ready to take us to the Emperor guy-!'

'If he doesn't stop talking – I'll make him.' Ronan said menacingly. John gave a small smile and watched Rodney turn on the Satedan.

'Oh fine, make me you overgrown ape! It's not like we have anything better to do!' He yelled. Ronan stood and advanced just as the door slid open and Athera walked in with a look of surprise.

'Is everything well?' She asked tentatively.

'No, everything is not well; we could have suffocated in here!' Rodney retorted. Athera kept calm.

'I assure you there is air sufficient for living, there are holes in this wall which lead to the outside of the house. You are safe.' She touched the far wall and smiled at him. Rodney fumed and folded his arms.

Teyla stepped forward. 'Is there any news?'

Athera shook her head. 'I am afraid there is nothing more than what we knew. The gate was sealed, the guard was sent out into the city to search for you. My house will be searched this evening, I am sure of it.'

'And we'll what? Sit here for the entire day?' Rodney said waspishly.

'I believe that you may wander the house as long as you do not go far and do not leave the safety of my home. If there is a knock on the door, you must immediately come back here.' She stepped forward and clasped her hands. 'Please understand that if you are found in my home, myself and my servants will be slaughtered for our betrayal to the Emperor.'

'We will not let that happen.' Teyla stated. 'We are grateful for the kindness that you have shown to us.'

'Yes, very kind, being locked up in a small room with no toilet…' Rodney sneered.

'Ignore him; he's just cranky because he hasn't had coffee this morning.' John informed her.

Rodney was about to retort when Athera cocked her head. 'I have no…korfe…but there is wine in the study, if you will follow me.' She smiled and stepped out of the room. It took Rodney a moment to understand her offer and then he hastily exited the room, the team followed.

It was indeed morning, the light streamed in through the stone arched windows as she led them down the corridor and into a large room. There were cabinets full of scrolls and stone tablets, and a single window on the other side with red curtains which fell to the floor. Rodney immediately went for the wine Athera poured while Ronan went to the window to look out onto the street.

'Busy. A lot of people.' He commented, looking over at Sheppard.

'It is market day, the guards presence in the city has encouraged people to go out in the day. Conversation is fierce.' She offered Teyla a wooden cup and the Athosian nodded and sipped the red liquid. Rodney had already finished his and seemed to think it was average. 'My servant went for bread this morning and says that they call you the Viator Superum – the Messengers of the Gods, or even the Astrum Vinco – the-'

'Star Conquerors…mh, better than messengers.' Rodney commented sourly.

'Easy.' John warned. 'You know, any one of your people can work the Gate.' He told her. She frowned.

'The Astrum.' Rodney corrected him. 'The device that sits in front of it is what we call a DHD, a dialling home device. You input the right combination of symbols on the pedestal, and you can go anywhere in this galaxy. Gate Science 101.'

He sat on a chair and Athera looked curious. 'Anyone can travel through it? Even me? Would the Gods not be angry at my insolence, that I would presume myself worthy to step through their holy portal?'

'No.' Ronan stated. 'Your Gods don't exist.'

'What Ronan means to say is that they would not stop you, and they would not think you insolent.' Teyla said quickly, giving Ronan a stern look. He turned back to the window.

'The Gate's just another way of getting around. It's transport, like…one of your carts. It just gets you to another place.' John nodded.

'Yes, but by another place he means another planet and in a space of 3.4 seconds so, a little more advanced than a cart.' Rodney added. Athera seemed breathless.

'I see.' She sat. 'We have believed that for so long the Gods controlled the Astrum, but if you do not come from them, then who are you? And from where have you come?' She asked suspiciously.

'We are explorers.' Teyla informed her. 'We seek friends and allies against the Wraith.'

'The Wraith?' Athera echoed.

'I think Quintus called them Ghost Lords.' Teyla explained. Athera knew immediately of whom she spoke and then shook her head.

'Then you have come to the wrong world, explorers, our Emperor does not care for battles outside his kingdom. And when the Ghost Lords descend on our city, he hides, and allows his people to be taken.' She said bitterly.

'You don't sound like a fan.' John observed.

'To question our Emperor is punishable by death, but he is not…he is not…Titus is…' She began.

'A tyrant?' Teyla filled in, a look of anger in her eyes.

Athera nodded.

'Why do they descend?' Ronan asked unexpectedly. Athera frowned and Ronan continued. 'Why do they come in ships and not through the ring?'

'That's a good question.' Rodney folded his arms and waited for a response. Athera stood immediately and crossed to the cabinets, reaching for a scroll high above. Ronan crossed the room in a few easy strides and reached for the one she needed.

'Thank you.' She smiled and crossed to the table, smoothing the scroll out over the wood. 'It is said that in the early days when the Gods still walked our earth, Hefus, the God of crafts who built the Astrum in respect of all the Gods, asked a special request of Zeris, the Father of the Gods,' The scroll had tiny handwriting in foreign letters, and pictures of amazing detail and colour, depicting events they had never heard of. 'To lay his hand on the metal and bless the offering with the power of a star to ward off those who would do this world harm.' She stood. 'The scroll says that the Ghost Lords have never come to this world through the Astrum, and that they never will.'

'Okay, as much as all of that is utter rubbish, when you say Hefus and Zeris, you mean Hephaestus and Zeus.' Rodney stated, a look of interest dawning on his face.

'Rodney?' John frowned.

'Greek Gods of Myth, and I thought their culture was Roman based. Hepahastus is the Greek god of fire and crafts – a blacksmith to the Gods while Zeus was Supreme God, the commander of all. It's amazing that the names are practically the same, I mean the language is rooted-'

'Yeah, so what does it mean?' Ronan prodded harshly.

'That it is very interesting.' He said lamely. 'And that also the Ancients must have done something to the Gate, and if not them, then the early people on this planet.'

'How can you know this?' Teyla asked with a frown.

'Excellent question. You get that from an alien myth?' John asked.

'Yes. I mean, the Wraith are still coming in their cruisers and their hives to this planet, but they're not coming through the Gate? Not even to scout the planet for plenty of eatables to drag their hive ships over here? The Gate has got to have been tampered with, not to mention that the Ancients are seen as Gods on a lot of worlds, I mean thousands of years of stories and legends can convolute things. But the myth still says that something was done to the Gate.' Rodney explained.

'A guy touched it with his hand.' Ronan told him sceptically.

'Thousands of years.' Rodney chimed irritatedly. 'It's not like they would have recorded months of research of a technologically advanced race who apparently left the planet and its people in the belief that they would be safe.'

'If the Ancestors left this planet with this technology, then why are there not more Gates with the same abilities?' Teyla asked.

'Oh, let me see.' He bent over the scroll with a thoughtful expression. 'Oh yes, it says right here that Rodney McKay is a genius, but not a psychic.' He dropped the pleasant tone. 'I have no idea! Maybe they were destroyed before the other Gates were fitted with the same system. They were at war.'

'Alright.' John scolded. 'Do you know where to look to see how they did it? Because I'm thinking that this technology could be useful to a lot of people.'

'Yes, we can stop the Wraith from coming through the Gate, now all we need to do is find out a way to destroy all of their ships to stop them from flying everywhere.' Rodney said sarcastically.

'Hey, it would slow them down, wouldn't it? And that is a good thing.' John stated.

Rodney opened his mouth and shut it, nodding reluctantly.

'I believe this technology would benefit many people, and the Wraith would certainly be angry at losing the use of the Gates.' Teyla commented.

'Of course they would, they defeated the Ancients and took their technology which they have been using to get around for thousands of years in the arrogant belief that no one would actually stop them.' Rodney stated, pouring himself another glass of wine. 'You got any more of this?'

'I think we should call it a sensible retreat, Rodney, the Ancients weren't necessarily defeated.' John corrected him. 'So we should get a look at this technology before we leave.'

'How? The guard are everywhere, and when we leave, we must leave with all haste.' Teyla told him.

'We'll figure it out.' John replied.

Athera was fascinated by their conversation and listened intently. 'You are great travellers, the Gods must care for you greatly.'

Teyla paused. 'When we first met Quintus, he told us that Titus worshipped only one of your Gods. Which one is it?' She asked. Athera's face fell and she left her seat to cross to the cabinet once more, retrieving a scroll she could easily reach. She spread the paper on top of the other scroll and laid her index finger on a large drawing of a dark figure.

'Aresedys.' She said coldly. 'The God of Chaos and War.'

The team leant over to see the figure. Tall, dark, filthy and surrounded by fire. His red eyes stared at them and his smile showed them the joy of his malice. His feet were surrounded by ugly weapons and littered with bodies while he carried a sword with a black hilt and a red jewel. Its blade was red from the base to the tip. He wore a large cloak that fell to the ground and was tied with a severed human hand. John frowned.

'Is that made of-?'

'Skin.' Athera nodded.

'Huh. Unbelievable.' Rodney shook his head.

'It is disturbing.' Athera agreed.

'No…well, I mean yes, it is, but what I meant is that Ares, the Greek God of war was said to have a throne made of skin – but this guy has a cloak….funny.' He smiled faintly.

'Yeah, hilarious.' John shook his head and frowned at Teyla.

Athera sat, staring at the image, 'They say that his worship of Aresedys is a requirement of the guard so that they may better their slaughter of his own people, when he requires it.' She looked up at John. 'They say he has a great hall in the Palace just for his worship and that he sacrifices people to his glory.'

'How pleasant.' Rodney commented.

'Titus believes that the Arena is a ring of Chaos, and that all who die there, die in the name of Aresedys.' She informed them.

'What is the Arena?' Sheppard asked uncertainly.

Athera looked to the floor and stood.

'These are not the only rumours to have spread.' She turned to the team. 'You are new to this world and know little of Titus's rein. He is a merciless creature with unlimited power and no love for his fellows.' She paused, looking to the window fearfully. 'Titus was not meant for the throne.'

'Well, yes, evil mass murderers tend not to be the best choice.' Rodney agreed.

'That's not what she meant.' Ronan stated.

'No.' Athera watched them with large eyes. 'The Emperor before Titus was Graccus, his brother. He died of a mysterious ailment fourteen years ago and his son was set to take the throne.'

John knew the ending to this story before she even began it; he folded his arms and listened any way.

'The Emperor's son, Alexis, was only thirteen, but he had a good teacher and was trusted to lead the people well. The night before his coronation, he disappeared, and Titus took his place as next in line. He said that Alexis had run away to our enemies for refuge from the responsibilities of an Emperor.' She shook her head. 'I do not believe it.'

'Who would?' Rodney stated.

The team tensed at the news. John nodded. It wasn't exactly unheard of, but even then, it was sick.

'Nice place you got here.' He commented dryly.

'Our city was tranquil under the rein of Emperor Graccus; we never had to live in fear.' She said defensively.

'I understand.' Teyla said soothingly. 'Times are hard, but they do not always have to be.'

Two days later, morning…

The memories of her words that day made Teyla smile bitterly. She could only hope that the same was true for her.

Her eyes flew open and shut firmly. The candle light hurt her eyes. She opened them again gingerly and sat up swiftly before stopping in only mild pain and great surprise. Her pains were far less than they should have been. She should be in agony, and yet it felt as though it had been many days since the fight.

Teyla looked around her and was surprised to see that she had been put in a grand bed chamber. The bed she lay on was massive with large, long red drapings, all fairly translucent. The rest of the room was covered in candles and little else. The window across the way was completely covered in a blood red material, keeping out the daylight.

She remembered a voice, so familiar, an old man who had treated her, and then she remembered nothing. She looked down at herself and was livid to see that someone had changed her. She stood and moved the hangings aside to march out onto the cold stone floor. She wore a red top with loose, translucent sleeves that were bound to her wrists by a thin gold bangle. Her navel was completely exposed. The skirt she wore fell to the floor and swayed with her steps, it floated around her with an ethereal grace. Teyla touched her neck and pulled off a thin gold torque with red jewels, flinging it back onto the bed and growling her frustration.

'You do not like my gift?'

Teyla turned viciously to face the voice, but instead saw only a corner of shadow where the candles had not been placed.

'Women are entranced by jewels. Why is it that you are not? Perhaps a shiny weapon would appease you.' It said amusedly.

'Who are you?' Teyla growled.

The man stepped forward in his long red robes and smiled. Titus' handsome face watched her with a fascination. On his broad, bared chest was a gold medallion with an image carved on it, a gruesome face which Teyla guessed to be Aresedys. His dark eyes pinned her with a hunger, a blood thirst that could never be quenched in his lifetime.

He walked forward, his tall figure gracefully moving around her, keeping his distance.

'I am the Emperor, but who are you? I have asked you once for your name and you did not reply, but I already know it. My sources are very informative.' He said playfully. 'But I want to hear you say it.'

Teyla watched this handsome man, his charming voice and intimidating appearance making her loathe him even more. She narrowed her eyes at him.

'It seems that you have a love for red.' She stated, looking at the bed and her own clothes.

Titus knew that she avoided his question, but wanted the chance to play. 'Red is royal, it is power. It is the colour that stains the sand of the Arena every night.' He paused, his hands clasped behind his back, showing her more of his well built torso. 'It is also the colour that does your shapely figure justice.' He said silkily, with a grin to make women melt. It made Teyla's fists curl.

'Why am I here?' She asked.

'I wanted your company.' He said simply. He stopped walking and looked at her, expressionless. Teyla cocked her head.

'My company? Do you not have women who tend to your every need, day and night? Who revel in your presence the way that I never will?' She said sourly.

Titus laughed. 'But none who entertain such as you!' He moved forward. 'Their insolence would earn them immediate death, but yours, well, you have already been bound to the Arena until you die. May it be some time until you take your last breathe. I like watching you fight.' He stopped just short of her, towering over her with a large smile. His dark eyes studied her face intently.

'I do not fight for entertainment.' She said through clenched teeth.

'You did last night.' He argued calmly.

'I did what I had to survive.'

'And the people loved you for it.' He smiled.

Teyla glared at him and paused for a few seconds. 'I will not do it again.' She said in a menacing tone.

He leant forward. 'You will if you wish to live.'

Teyla pushed him back with both hands and he stumbled, up righting himself with a hearty laugh. 'Such fire, Teyla! Oh yes, I do know your name, I know your name and now, so do the people.'

Teyla kept her legs in a fighting stance, ready for more. Titus, seeing that she would not back down, resumed his tall form.

'You do not wish to fight? Even though you do it so well…' He said seductively. 'Then I will offer you another choice.'

'And that would be?' Teyla asked severely, knowing that she would hate it.

He walked forward and lifted his chin slightly. 'Instead of being bound to the Arena, you would be bound to me.' Teyla did a double take. 'You would be at my command for your service as a warrior…and a woman…' He ran a finger down her cheek and she hit him hard in the face.

He spun quickly and used his brute strength to force her against the wall. He slammed her back into the stone and clamped his hands on either side of her head, her own hands holding his wrists in an iron clad grip. His face was close to hers, close enough for her to see the handsome cheekbones curve and the darkness of his eyes burn.

'You will satisfy my needs with abundant lust, or you will satisfy the bloodlust of the Arena. It is your choice.' He leant in further, his cheek rubbing against hers, up and down, while his lips strayed to the line of her jaw. 'The God of War gave you the skills to kill, and the Goddess of Love gave you the body to ache with sensual joy. Choose wisely Teyla, for I am not a merciless man.' He breathed hot air on her neck. 'But I am a man of some experience, and skill. I can make you scream-' His right hand left her head and fell down the side of her body, following the curves with a firm and searching hand and Teyla gasped. '- with unbelievable pleasure.' He groaned breathily.

Teyla could feel his hand on her waist, straying to her hip with a caressing grace. She could feel his lips on her cheek and his warm body pressed against hers, large and over powering. Her mouth was open with the need for oxygen, she couldn't breathe. Titus saw the bow lips from the corner of his eyes and moved his lips, slamming them down on hers, pressing her against him forcefully, hungrily.

Teyla resisted immediately and brought both of her hands to damage his head, but Titus grabbed her wrists with a bruising force and slammed them against the wall. If he had known Teyla in the slightest, he would have known never to anger her in this way.

A fire burned in her belly and it raged through out her being. With a merciless strength, she kneed him in the crotch. Titus stopped kissing her and instinctively leant forward with a moan of pain, his hands clutching his tender area. Teyla grabbed his head and slammed it into her knee as she brought it up, sending him sprawling onto his back, one hand on his crotch and the other on his nose

'I decline your offer.' She said viciously and headed for the door.

As she approached it, the Altus Domino walked in with several soldiers. Teyla stopped and readied herself for a fight as they raised their swords.

'Stop!' Titus stood gingerly, looking at his hand with a smile as it was drenched in his own blood. The soldiers stopped and the Altus Domino awaited his orders. Titus licked his finger and laughed. 'This palace is a fortress, Teyla, you could never escape.'

'Maybe not, but I will never be yours to command, as a warrior or a woman.' Teyla said defiantly, her brown eyes fuming with hate.

Titus laughed and bowed with his arms out stretched, a cold expression on his face. 'Then to the Arena with you.' He stood. 'You must be well rested for tonight's events.' The soldiers seized her from behind and she struggled in vein. Titus bowed his head so his dark eyes bore into her. 'I have a very special surprise for you – Star Master.' He nodded at the guards and they took her away. 'Starting with your new accommodation. I believe it is time that you met the other inmates.'

The Altus Domino entered the room further, his blue robes flowing behind him. 'My Lord?' He asked.

Titus turned to him with a mildly amused expression. 'Make the preparations.'