Trials of Faith – Chapter 6
Focused on Teyla.
John Sheppard stepped out of the shimmering puddle, his weapon raised and ready for action. He could remember this planet not being overly inviting the last time he was here.
Night had fallen on Talos, the forest looming in the distance. He hopped down the stairs and heard Ronan emerge from the Gate followed by Mckay. The Gate disengaged and darkness fell about them. The moons shone onto the ground, their only source of light to guide them. Until, a flashlight cut through the black over his shoulder. John spun.
Mckay had fished a small torch from his pocket and was proceeding down the stairs, stomping onto every step and squinting into the darkness. John let his P90 drop to his side as he held his arms out wide for Mckay to see, without saying a word.
'What?' Mckay asked, looking down at his outfit. 'What'd I do?'
Ronan shook his head.
John marched up to him and snatched the torch from him, turned it off and slapped it back into his hand. He put his face very close to the scientist, so close that he could see the menace shimmering in the Colonel's brown eyes.
'Stealth.' He whispered. 'No lights and no noise.' He walked a few steps toward the forest before turning around. 'Unless you want to get eaten by the Wraith?'
Rodney took his MP5 from its holster. 'No, no. I'm good. The breathing thing works for me.'
John motioned for him to be silent and Mckay nodded, scolding himself for forgetting the rule of stealth – the not talking part. John knew it would be difficult for him, but it was surprising what Rodney could do when his life was at stake.
The three men jogged to the Forest, Ronan up front and Rodney, puffing and out of breath, bringing up the rear.
John was on the look out for any Wraith that had stayed behind, but what he was really looking for was Teyla. He needed to see her, to help her. He wanted to talk about her pain – after she had the surgery. He quickened his pace, the knot in his stomach tightening when he thought of how she could die, and not even know that it was happening to her. God, he wanted to find her.
They approached the village, John listening for Mckay behind, breathing heavily. He should so come jogging with him and Ronan in the mornings, but he'd rather drink coffee and talk science at 6 am with his lab minions. Which was fine by John, as long as he didn't get an invite.
John watched Ronan kneel in the square where Teyla had been fighting the Wraith, their bodies still lying dead on the ground. He came up behind the Satedan and stopped. He glanced down at a dead Wraith and nudged it with his boot. It didn't hurt to check. He tapped Ronan on the shoulder.
'Ahead.' He whispered, his weapon aimed.
John saw them. Two figures walking down the path, slowly moving in the other direction. They hadn't seen them.
'What is it?' Mckay breathed, jogging up beside John and putting his hands on his knees. 'Wraith?' He said nervously, taking his hands back to their original 'gripping the gun so hard it could snap' position.
'Not sure.' John cocked his head. 'I don't think so. These guys aren't as…'
One of them figures stumbled, grabbing onto the other before leaning down to what must have been a body of someone they knew.
'Graceful?' Mckay finished.
'Yeah.' The Colonel nodded, leading the way down the path, jogging, keeping to the left side of the buildings, ready to duck if the occasion called for it.
'More jogging?' Mckay whined.
Ronan slapped his back. 'It's good for you.' He kept to the right side of the buildings.
Mckay rolled his eyes in the darkness before jogging down the left side behind the Colonel, his arms swinging in an attempt to push himself further forward. Definitely needed more exercise.
They grew closer to the figures that had begun to walk on. When they were close enough, John signalled for his friends to stop. He swore that he heard Mckay mumble some sort of appreciation.
John stepped out into the centre of the path, his weapon raised.
'Alright Gentlemen, if you wouldn't mind turning around, we'd very much like to know who you are and what you're up to.' He yelled. The figures turned in surprise, possibly fear, in this light he couldn't tell. They jogged toward them.
'Colonel Sheppard?' The one on the right called.
The men stepped into the light and John lowered his weapon, he had seen this man before.
'We know that guy.' Rodney stated.
'Thank you Rodney, I know.' John walked forward where Ronan joined him. 'You're an Athosian.'
The man nodded. 'Yes, I am Yeda. This is Councilman Deener.' The other man nodded also. 'What are you doing here? Why have you returned?' He smiled, apparently relieved to see them.
'Teyla came here looking for some people a few hours ago; don't suppose you've seen her?' John asked, shrugging slightly.
Deener looked at Yeda, but Yeda did not turn from the Colonel's gaze.
'She was here.'
They waited.
'And now she's…?' Rodney pushed.
'She is no longer here.' Yeda stated.
John bowed his head; he wasn't going to make it easy.
'Look, Yeda, I know she's your leader and all and you have to be loyal and stuff, but whatever she said to you about us – or me especially – isn't true.' John smiled impatiently, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
'Well it might be, it's just that she's really upset so she could've embellished-' Rodney began.
'Where is she?' Ronan growled.
Yeda was intimidated, but would not back down. 'Not here.'
'Ugh! Look, she's in trouble, okay? We came here to help her.' John raised his voice in anger, Wraith or no.
'I know you are sincere Colonel, but I cannot tell you where she has gone. I am not permitted.' Yeda watched Mckay roll his eyes much in the same way Teyla had. 'All I can say is that she was here, she gave us this, and she left.' Yeda produced the radio. John actually drooped.
'No wonder Elizabeth couldn't contact her on Atlantis,' He turned to Ronan. 'She left them her radio.' He growled through his teeth.
'Oh great, this just became a whole lot harder. How are we supposed to contact her now?' Rodney complained.
'We keep looking.' Ronan stated.
'And that's going to be a piece of cake thanks to Mr Mouth-shut, over here.' Rodney waved a hand at Yeda.
'You care about Teyla, right?' Ronan prodded.
Yeda nodded.
'Well, this morning when she was trying to save your people, she was injured by the Wraith. Her condition is getting worse.' John paused, hating himself for even thinking the next part. 'If we don't get to her in time, she'll die.'
Yeda studied his face before looking to the ground. The man next to him shuffled uncomfortably.
'Yeda?' He warned. 'We can say nothing.'
'Didn't you notice?' Mckay snapped. 'Wasn't she acting strange? Weak? Fragile? Did she hold her side a lot?'
'Teyla does not know how to be weak or fragile.' Yeda stated. 'But she did indeed hold her side as though she were in great pain.'
'Jardus will carve out your still beating heart if we tell them-' Deener began.
'We can tell them where she went, Deener, but not why. I am afraid that will fall to Teyla when you find her.' Yeda did not look at his colleague.
'She promised that she would not tell the Atlanteans!' He reminded, Yeda merely grinned.
'If Atlantis is the safe haven that Teyla spoke of, then she would have to tell their leaders. Colonel Sheppard is one such leader. No one else need know. Besides, Atlantis is the safest place I can think of at this moment in time, Deener.' Yeda saw Deener turn away, nervously stroking his chin. Yeda grinned. 'Medda is the planet she has travelled to. Come.' He began to walk to the Stargate. 'I will inform you of where she has gone. She departed, maybe, a half hour ago.'
'Thank you.' John had no idea what they were talking about but joined him at his side.
Ronan and Deener fell in behind them. Rodney lingered.
'Oh goody, more movement over vast distances.' He glanced at the Wraith on the ground, the moonlight shining eerily off of their blue skin.
He ran to catch up.
Teyla had never liked Medda, being here had helped her memories of it to return. She wished that they had stayed forgotten. The main object of any trading value from this planet was mead, and a strong liquor to make any drunk weak at the knees.
It was a filthy place, noisy, crowded. Full of drunks and thieves, prostitutes and beggars. The roads were nothing more than sloppy mud, the rain that had been falling consistently since she had stepped through the Gate making her grip her coat in an attempt to keep warm. It seemed that nothing would keep away this chill she felt.
Teyla glanced up at the houses, two stories, mostly, thin and rickety, and most of the ground floors were bars. She saw numerous Brothels with girls prancing around outside, barely wearing anything, making promises to dirty men.
All shops had been closed and locked up as night had fallen; street lamps were lit, making the people seem grubbier – if at all possible. Teyla frowned at an old man watching her, swaying slightly. She did not feel comfortable. She halted suddenly, her staff was stuck in the ground; the mud had sucked it in. She hoisted it out, banging into a tall man who she sadly believed was actually sober.
'You alright, chicken?' Need a man to warm your bed?' He laughed heartily. 'I pay a fair price for a pretty whore like-'
He fell to the ground, the mud clinging to his clothes. He looked up at her in pain, his nose broken and bleeding heavily. Teyla lowered her staff and continued on, the crowd now parting for her.
Teyla knew that this was the rough side of the second city of Medda and that the other two cities on the planet were far nicer and had far more to trade. But she believed that it was the best city to hide this girl by far, if anyone could avoid this place then they would. The problem was, it was a big place with many holes for her to hide in. She could spend year's scowering the city for a single girl. Years she did not have.
To her left was a large house with three floors, the ground floor about the size of three of these houses. It was lit well with music and many voices floating through the doors and windows. Men and women stood outside, some lying flat on their face, giggling into the mud.
She had to start somewhere, why not the worst place she could possibly find?
Teyla hoisted the bag up her shoulder and gripped the staff, leaning on it slightly as she crossed the muddy road. She clambered up the wooden stairs, glimpsing a sign on the door. In large letters it bellowed 'Merry Medda Inn.' She did not believe that 'merry' was the right word.
Teyla pushed the door to, it was heavy, but only because there was a man leaning on it. She pushed hard, her side screamed in protest.
The man turned around, clearly drunk out of his mind and muttered, 'sorr-' before hitting the floor. He took about five people with him. The Inn was packed. She could see a bar on the other side of the room; one side had tables where men and women drank and on the other side was a dance floor with a woman playing an instrument much like a harmonica. Teyla cocked her head. It was a strange place. A man pushed past to get out of the door; she had to hold onto the doorframe to stop from falling through it.
'Excuse me.' She growled.
Teyla looked to the bar. The barman was her best bet; he was the only sober person in here apart from herself. She waded through the crowd, kicking several people in the shins just to get there not to mention punching a young man in the face for pinching her bum.
She could almost picture John's reaction – he would have most likely pulled a gun on him. Then later he would confess how he had wanted to be the one to do it first. He would be joking of course, then she would slap him playfully and they would continue on their normal day. She caught herself smiling and stopped. Thinking of him in that way when he wasn't even here hurt more than her side.
Getting past the final three rows of people to get to the bar had been extremely difficult. It had ended with her grabbing someone's head and yanking them back before using her staff to take three men down and hopping over them. The Barman grinned at her.
'A woman with a true love for mead.' He smiled, ignoring the shouts of other customers. 'What can I get you?'
Teyla smiled in return. 'I need information.' She yelled, trying to be heard over the din.
The Barman frowned. 'Well that's a new one. What is it you want to know?'
She leaned over the bar and he did the same. He had a jolly face and a moustache to be proud of.
'I am looking for a man named Dedoras.' She said, so close to him that it was not necessary to yell.
He frowned then stood up straight, throwing his head back to give a loud and mighty laugh.
'What is so humorous?' She snapped, her intention had not been to draw attention. She glanced down at the men on the ground only just beginning to stir. Not that much attention, anyway.
'Gentlemen, we have ourselves a soon-to-be, well paid and well respected harlot! What is your name?' He roared.
Teyla stared at him in astonishment, all thoughts forgotten. 'What?'
'You asked for Dedoras! I assumed you were looking to get into the business-' His smile fell from his face when her hand shot out to grasp his neck and banged his head onto the bar. She came down close to him.
'I am not here looking for a job, I am looking for this man and I do not wish to spend any longer on this planet than I have to.' She growled.
He nodded, a sudden look of understanding coming over him. 'Dedoras? He can be found three streets from here, at 'Hero's Tavern.' You cannot miss it!' He was turning a deep shade of beetroot when she released him.
The bar had not fallen silent, but had apparently been spurred on her by her violence. She pushed her way back to the door, hearing a voice saying 'she obviously didn't get the right drink.'
Teyla grinned as she stepped into the rain.
'Oh my God.'
Rodney, Ronan and John surveyed the scene before stepping in to the streets of the second city of Medda. Rodney looked positively sick.
Ronan looked amused and John was equally as amused, but didn't show it as clearly as his warrior friend.
'We have to go in there?' Rodney squeaked.
'Yes we do.' John grinned, taking the first step into the town of drunks and whores. 'Teyla's in here somewhere.'
'Somewhere? Where? How are we gonna find her in this mess? There are so many people and-' Rodney stopped as the crowd enveloped them and a small blonde stroked his chin and winked. '-other things.' He gawked.
John rolled his eyes and tapped his shoulder hard. Rodney turned to him. 'What?'
'Focus.' John smiled.
He walked a few steps forward before he was surrounded by three females wearing the bare necessities, all holding onto him and stroking his arms and face, cooing at him. Rodney rolled his eyes.
'Okay Ladies, fun's over, the man has a job to do.' Rodney said firmly, grabbing the Colonel's arm and pulling him away. John waved at the girls when Rodney slapped his hand and pointed a finger at him. 'Focus.'
John scowled. 'Fine. We need to keep moving, no more…distractions.' He slowed down as a brunette with large green eyes smiled at him.
Rodney walked up from behind and hooked his arm in his, forcing him forward. 'This is going to be impossible.' He paused. 'Ronan?'
Rodney spun dragging John around with him. He spotted Ronan in the arms of a tall blonde girl who was stroking his back. He caught the look from Mckay. 'What?'
Rodney grabbed his arm, not at all afraid that he would gat a beating from the Satedan. He placed the two men into a small circle. 'We need to focus! All thoughts should be of Teyla right now!'
Ronan and John raised their eyebrows. John grinned to himself. Rodney closed his eyes in frustration. 'Not like that Colonel!'
Teyla had crossed the three streets with surprising ease; apparently most of the bars had been placed at the front of the city for easy access to newcomers. This part of town had the brothels. The streets were fairly clear. All the action happened on the inside.
The 'Hero Tavern' was nothing more than a Brothel, she knew, but she couldn't help but feel that it looked quite – respectable. Three stories high and covered with a white substance that made it seem nothing more than a large house. It gave it an innocent face. Teyla smirked at the irony.
She marched up to the front door and rapped sharply on the wood. Her knock was answered almost immediately.
A woman opened the door with a big smile, wearing a dress that actually covered her body.
'Good evening, please come in.' She opened the door wide, extending her arm graciously. Teyla slowly entered.
It was a big room with a large set of stairs leading to the next flight before branching off in either direction, doors lining the landing. All closed. A large candle chandelier hung from the ceiling casting a warm glow around the room. The woman walked behind what looked to be a bar, but instead of where there would have been alcohol, there were room keys.
'May I ask your business?' She smiled warmly, bringing up a large book and placing it on the desk. Teyla smiled weakly, approaching her.
'I am looking for a man named Dedoras.' She stated.
'Ah,' she nodded her head and checked in her book. 'I am afraid that the Master will not be free for many hours, he has booked two customers to be seen to before you.'
Teyla did a double take; the woman calling him 'Master' was bad enough, but for her to assume that she was here for his company was worse. 'Wh-, no, I am not here to-'
'Oh, my apologies! You wish to audition?' She took out another book. 'Master does like it when women come to him for auditions, he sees them as very brave, I myself began in this business by an audition. As you can see, I'm doing very well.' She smiled; fluffing her well cared for hair.
'I am not here to audition.' Teyla stated flatly.
The smile faded on the woman's face. She snapped both books shut. 'Well what are you here for?'
'I must speak with him immediately; it is a matter of grave importance.' Teyla stepped forward.
'I am afraid that he is not available at the moment, you will have to return later.' She snapped, coming out from behind the counter and striding toward the door.
'I do not wish to harm you,' Teyla stated, the woman halted. 'But I must insist that you fetch him.' She dropped the bag to the floor, taking her staff into both hands.
'You cannot come in here and act in this manner.' The woman breathed.
'After everything I have been through today, I believe that I can.' Teyla growled, her brown eyes burning with anger and impatience. 'Bring him to me, or I shall go to him.'
The woman scowled at her, walking around her. 'Wait here.'
'Tell him that I have come from Talos in search for a friend.' Teyla called, the woman merely waved.
Minutes passed as Teyla paced over the room, her need to lie and sleep overpowering. She rubbed her side as it throbbed. It was tender to the touch, and breathing was hard. She had ignored it thus far because she had been busy. But now she had a moment to stop. She realised how much pain she was in and knew that it was not right, she must have broken a rib. She had broken ribs before, she knew they hurt like hell and that they would eventually heal, but she could never remember them hurting like this.
Before she could think over it any more, the door opened behind her, and a man, a sober man walked in and smiled at her. He walked over and was about to speak.
'I am not here to service you.'
The man's face fell.
'The woman behind the counter has gone to seek a friend for me, she will return shortly.' Teyla moved away from him. He waited patiently.
The woman hopped down the stairs giving the man a warm smile.
'Hello Veran! Isabend will be free in a moment, if you would sign the book and we can discuss payment?' She walked behind the counter and the man followed, Teyla glared.
'Where is he?' She asked, not in the mood for games.
Without turning her face from the book she was writing in she answered. 'He says to you that he will be down momentarily, and that you should speak in private. I will lead you to the pantry.' She smiled at the man holding up a finger, indicating for him to wait. He smiled and nodded.
Teyla followed the woman across the room to a long hallway underneath the stairs. She turned left and walked down a flight of stairs which led into a dark room, a single candle burning in the corner, barely enough to light the first half of the room.
'Wait here.' The woman said firmly, before heading back up the stairs.
Teyla turned to watch her go, not liking the arrangement at all. It was a private matter, but would not a well lit room with comfy chairs not have served the same purpose?
Teyla sighed, closing here eyes for only a moment when she was attacked from behind. Her bag and staff clattered to the ground as she was pulled back.
Her attacker was tall and strong, holding her arms against her own chest and squeezing. The pain was unendurable, her side burned with agony.
Teyla jumped and kicked his shins, using his stumble to propel him forward and flipped him over onto his back. She couldn't see his face in this light.
'Stop!' She warned. He did not listen, getting to his feet and coming for her once more.
He dodged her roundhouse kick but not the one aimed at his midsection, he stepped back, grunting from its force. Teyla backhanded him twice and kicked him in the face, she raised her elbow about to slam it down onto his nose when he spun around and dodged. He hit her face – hard. She could see spots for a few moments before hearing a grunt, and feeling him kick her in the back before grabbing her hair and throwing her to the floor. She had felt her scalp give way slightly, blood trickled down her cheek. Her side was numb the pain was so much.
Instinct took over, adrenaline rushed through her, and the will to survive took hold. To find the girl whose life was apparently more important than millions. Over a hundred Athosians. Fire raged through her.
Teyla did a swift backwards roll as he advanced; she flung out her heel and hit his shin. He stumbled forward. She pushed off the ground with both hands propelling herself up, kicking his face. He flew across the room, standing gingerly whilst holding his nose. Blood spilled onto the floor. Teyla was already there; she elbowed him in the back, then grabbed his hair, thwacking his face into her knee. He rolled to the ground.
'Enough!' She growled. 'Who are you?'
He suddenly flipped to his side and kicked her hip, she fell to the ground and he clambered on top of her, going for her throat.
'No!' A voice yelled.
The man stood, dragging her up with him, and held her arms behind her back. Teyla saw another man on the stairs in a maroon robe. The light from upstairs creating nothing more than a silhouette.
Teyla struggled. 'Who are you?'
The man came down a few of the stairs.
'My name is Dedoras, and the brute holding you is called Borus.'