Chapter 7

Every step they took, distressed them more and more. Blood stained the ground they walked on, the bushes they passed. John began to wonder if any was left in Ronon's body or if his friend had passed away already.

They reached the edge of the small village again. There was no one around. Carefully and, to Rodney's feeling, far too slowly, they made their way to the centre where only a short while ago they had all shared a meal together. Sheppard lifted his fist and they all ducked down.

They could see the villagers standing in a circle. John slowly got up again and peered around the hut they were hiding behind.

'What do you see?' Rodney asked urgently. 'Is Ronon there? Is he alive?'

John didn't answer immediately. He did not trust his voice after seeing what the villagers had done.

In the middle of the circle, Ronon's hands had been tied and he was hung on a cross beam, his feet only just touching the ground. It was hard to see if he was conscious but John hoped he wasn't. They had torn off his shirt, the gaping wound of the spear standing out on his bare skin now covered in blood. More blood from a wound on his arm and John knew that foot was seriously broken, bone sticking through. Ronon's head was slumped forward.

The village elder walked up to Ronon, pulling his face up pulling on his long hair. John startled. Ronon was awake! But he could see in his friend's eye he would not be for long, his gaze unfixed and turned inward.

'Where is the other one?' The elder shouted to Ronon. Ronon just shook his head.

'Fine, then you will be sacrificed instead! Prepare him!'

'Oh, no!' John noticed too late that Rodney had come closer, seeing Ronon hanging there, the horrific wounds he had suffered and now the ultimate risk of losing his life. Rodney did not hesitate and sprinted forward through the ring of people, straight to Ronon. Using his knife he cut his friend down and gently lay him on the ground, cradling him in his arms.

'Ronon? Come on, buddy, talk to me.' He whispered. Rodney did not even notice he was now surrounded by weapons bearing villagers. But they held their distance for now, aware of the moment between friends.

John and Teyla also made their way through the people, weary what would happen next. When they reached the inner circle, they saw Rodney holding Ronon carefully, whispering but not getting any response. Ronon was looking very fragile and pale. John kneeled down and slipped his fingers under Ronon's jaw to feel for a sign of life. Withdrawing his fingers he touched Rodney to get his attention.

'He's alive.' The bewildered look Rodney gave him, made John wonder if he even heard what he said.

'Grab that man!' The village elder called to his men.

'Don't you dare move!' Rodney had grabbed his pistol and pointed it at the elder ready to fire should anyone come closer. Everyone stopped dead still. Rodney took a moment to make sure they were all listening.

'This man is my friend. He needs help. Now! So you are going to let us help him. If anyone dares to move, I will shoot your village elder.' Seeing no one moved, Rodney carefully slipped Ronon of his lap and stood up, grabbing the village elder and now holding the gun to his head.

'Teyla, help Ronon. Sheppard, get the jumper here now!' He gave his instructions without even looking at his team members.

John was torn. Rodney could not handle all of these people should they decide to call his bluff. On the other hand, he was not sure Rodney was bluffing. He had never seen the scientist react so extremely and violently.

'Teyla?' John looked at her for confirmation, asking if she would be ok while he was gone.

'Go, John. We will be ok.' She confirmed. Without hesitation, John turned and started running back through the forest to the jumper.

Completely out of breath he reached the vehicle and lifted it, aiming back toward the village and landing as close as possible to the houses.

By the time he returned, no one had moved. Rodney was still holding the gun to the elders head. Teyla had bandaged Ronon as good as possible but they were getting soaked quicker than she could replace them.

John had left his P90 in the jumper so he would have his hands free to carry Ronon back. Carefully he lifted the limp body with Teyla's help. They slowly walked to the jumper and soon had Ronon strapped in.

'Rodney, come on!' John shouted from within the jumper. But when he turned around to look out again, the jumper was surrounded and Rodney was nowhere to be seen.

'Rodney!' John shouted again.

The village elder stepped forward.

'Go home, John Sheppard. Take care of your friend.'

'What have you done to Rodney?'

Everyone just turned around and walked away without another word.

'John, we need to get Ronon to Atlantis urgently.'

Reluctantly John turned and closed the hatch, taking his seat and heading the jumper to the Stargate.

'Rodney, if you can hear me, I'll be back!' John quietly sent a message to his friend, hoping he could still hear him.

TBC