Sorry for the delay—RL has had other ideas, plus I have been trying to edit this as it's an older story. I will try to get the remaining chapters posted more quickly. Thanks for continuing to read!

The Mercy of Mot

Chapter 7

The day stretched on and still they walked. The clouds had cleared away and now the sun was beating down unmercifully once again.

Sam continued to put one foot in front of the other, each step reverberating through her head, making it pound in time. She walked next to Daniel's litter, most of the time holding on to the side of it for support. He had roused a couple of times, disoriented, and she had spoken reassuringly to him. Each time he had looked at her, but Sam couldn't tell if he recognized her or not. The sound of her voice seemed to make him relax and eventually he would drift off again.

How much longer are we going to walk? They were coming to the end of their second day and Sam didn't know if she could keep going much longer without rest. They hadn't even stopped to eat lunch; she'd been handed a piece of bread to eat as they walked. Yara brought a water skin for her to drink from and, fortunately, they stopped walking for a few minutes—long enough for her to quench her thirst. They also set Daniel's litter on the ground, rousing him and helping him take some water.

Daniel became increasingly restless as the afternoon began to slide into evening. He thrashed about on the litter and called out. Several times he spoke what Sam thought was Abydonian and she also heard him call Sha're's name. Once he called Sam's name and once he called for Jack. She tried to calm him but he didn't seem to hear her.

Finally they reached another clearing and prepared to set up camp. Sam was led to one side and allowed to sit down. Relieved to get off of her aching feet, she continued on down until she was lying on her side. Daniel's litter was placed on the ground next to her and she sat up again and scooted over next to him.

He was flushed with fever and continued to move restlessly as he'd done most of the day.

"Daniel." She placed her hands on his arm as she spoke. "Daniel, wake up. It's Sam."

He turned his head towards her and opened glassy eyes to look at her. She still couldn't tell if he recognized her or not.

"I promise," he said in breathy voice.

"What?" Sam asked.

"I promise I'll find the boy," he whispered, closing his eyes.

Sam choked back tears as she listened to Daniel promise his wife that he'd find her son. She remembered what he had told his teammates about how Sha're had spoken to him while he was in the grip of the hand device. How Sha're had told him she had hidden the boy and how she had pleaded with him to find him and keep him safe. Sam had been more than skeptical—they all had—assuming it was a combination of the effects of the hand device and the shock of losing Sha're. They had gently rebuffed his efforts to get them to believe him until he had eventually quit talking about it. Sam wished she could go back and change things; wished she could offer him more support, even if she had her doubts. Instead, they had unintentionally pushed him away until he felt his only choice was to leave the SGC.

"Oh, Daniel, I'm so sorry. I promise we'll help you find Sha're's son. Just . . . just don't die. We can't look for him if you die." Tears continued to roll down her cheeks and she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Sam?"

Her eyes flew open again at the sound of his voice. "Daniel?"

"What . . . what's goin' on?" Even his voice sounded weak.

"We've stopped—I think for the night."

"Where are we? What happened?"

"Do you remember getting shot with the arrow? Or the cougar, or whatever it was, attacking you?" She wasn't sure how much he remembered.

His forehead creased in concentration. "Arrow? Cougar? I don't—" His eyes suddenly widened. "Adon? Is he okay?" He turned his head, searching for the boy.

"He's fine. Just lay still and rest."

"Good, you are awake," Yara's voice interrupted them. She walked up to Daniel's litter holding a bowl and some cloths. Another woman followed behind her with a second bowl.

Yara went down to her knees and set the bowl on the ground. Placing her hand on Daniel's cheek, she gently turned his head towards her. "How are you feeling?"

It would be easier to say 'I'm fine', but Daniel decided it might be better to tell her the truth. "Hot, dizzy, my left side is killing me."

"I need to take care of your wound, but I think it would be best to eat something first. Can you try?"

"All right."

The second woman handed the small bowl she was holding to Yara, who motioned for the woman to help Daniel sit up. Sam stayed next to him while Yara offered him a sip from the bowl. He drank once, grimacing as he turned his head away.

"You must take more—it will help with the fever."

"Don't know if I can; doesn't taste good."

Yara gave a short laugh. "I know, but it will help you."

Daniel turned his head back to face her and tried to smile. She lifted the bowl again and he drank some more. After a third drink, he turned his head away again. "No more, please."

"Very well. Lie down now and I will treat the wound."

The second woman eased him down, took the bowl and walked away. Sam saw a couple of the men coming towards them—one of them was Melqart. She took a defensive stance over her friend, leaning over Daniel, stretching out her bound hands. She wasn't about to let that animal get his hands on him again.

Yara touched her arm, smiling and shaking her head 'no'. Melqart had stopped as though waiting for permission to come closer. Sam searched the woman's face and saw no malice, realizing that she trusted her. Melqart was another matter. She looked at him closely, but couldn't find the anger and hatred she had seen earlier.

"Sam?" Daniel looked at her questioningly.

She turned her attention to her friend. "I don't think he's going to hurt me," Daniel tried to assure her.

Yara patted her arm and Sam pulled back, allowing them access to Daniel. "I'll be right here," she reassured him.

Yara motioned to Melqart and the other man and they moved to either side of Daniel and went to their knees, each placing their hands on his arms and legs. Daniel closed his eyes as Yara began removing the old cloths. When the last one was removed, Sam could see that the wound still looked bad and red streaks continued to snake their way down his chest and arm.

Yara took a cloth, dipped it in the water, and began cleaning off the previous paste she had applied, along with the puss from the wound. Daniel began turning his head restlessly, clenching and unclenching his fists, his breaths coming quicker as she worked.

"Daniel," Yara said getting his attention. "Rest for a few minutes before I apply the ointment. I know it is going to hurt. Would you like some water?"

"Please." He opened his eyes, startled to see Melqart holding the animal skin. But what he didn't see were the cold, angry eyes that had tormented him earlier—he didn't even recognize this version of the man.

Yara helped hold Daniel's head up while Melqart tilted the skin for him. He watched the man closely as he drank, waiting for him to transform into the hate-filled person he had been earlier. But it didn't happen.

Daniel laid his head back down, still watching Melqart.

"I do not understand something," the big man said quietly.

"What?" Daniel asked.

"When the nimur attacked Adon, you had an opportunity to escape, yet you did not. Instead, you risked your life to try and save my son. And you did save him. Why?"

"Melqart, we hold no malice for your people. I would not want to see anything happen to your son or any of you. We're peaceful explorers from a far away place. We didn't know the ruins were sacred to your people and we are very sorry for trespassing. I'd like to make this right if I can. My people would like to be friends with your people."

"You called upon the mercy of Mot, and therefore it will be for Eshmun to decide your fate. I do not know what he will decide, but for myself, I believe you meant no harm. I am sorry for the way I treated you and I thank you for saving the life of my son."

"You're welcome. But he saved my life in return, and I thank him for that."

"Daniel, what's he saying?"

"He was surprised that I helped his son instead of trying to escape. Evidently, we still have to see this Eshmun person, but at least Melqart seems to be on our side now."

"Are you ready, Daniel?" Yara asked, approaching with another bowl and cloth.

"Not really," he replied, "but go ahead." He closed his eyes and braced himself.

~oOo~

Melqart and the other man resumed their positions holding Daniel's limbs. Yara dipped the cloth in the ointment and began to dab it gently on the arrow wound.

Daniel hissed through clenched teeth, and as it began to burn, he cried out and tried to pull free. The two men held him firmly as Yara applied more ointment. She quickly finished and set the bowl aside. Daniel quit struggling and lay quietly, his breathing ragged, as the men released their holds and backed away. She then picked up clean cloth and began re-wrapping the wound. When she was done, she covered him once again with the blanket. Picking up another cloth, she dipped it in the water, wrung it out, and began wiping Daniel's face and neck. He shuddered once and became still as he slipped into unconsciousness. Yara turned to Sam and offered her the cloth. Sam took it and continued Yara's ministrations. She knew they needed to keep Daniel's fever down, and hoped Yara's ointment would start having some effect on the infection—soon.

Sam glanced at Melqart who had begun helping set up the camp. She smiled to herself; Daniel had done it after all—gotten through to the most violent of their captors and softened the man's heart. Of course, he had done it by putting himself in harm's way. She looked back down at her friend as she continued to wipe the cloth over his face. What am I going to do with you? She knew one thing for sure; she would do whatever it took to keep him from leaving SG-1.

~oOo~

Jack woke with a start, instinctively reaching for his MP5, before realizing where he was.

"It is time for us to leave, O'Neill."

"Right. I'm ready." He scrubbed a hand across his face and glanced at his watch, noting that he had been asleep for two hours.

He hadn't wanted to stop and rest, but Teal'c had said he would be a liability if he didn't take a break. He knew it was true. They had been on the go without sleep for two days straight and his body wasn't going to be able to keep going much longer.

Teal'c also indicated they were gaining on the group they were following, and that they should be able to catch up with them soon, even if they took a short rest break. Of course, that was provided the group stopped for the night again and hadn't already reached their destination.

"Don't you need to rest, Teal'c?"

"I performed a brief kel'no'reem. I will be fine."

"Right. Okay, lead the way."

A quick radio check confirmed the other two SG teams were a few hours behind them. Jack tried not to think about what shape his teammates would be in by now. If they were injured before they had started this trek, not to mention Daniel might have been injured a second time, and had been forced to walk for two days . . . No, best not to dwell on something he couldn't do anything about—yet. He was glad Fraiser was somewhere behind him even as he hoped her talents wouldn't be needed.

"Teal'c, are—"

"I am sure, O'Neill."

~oOo~

Sam sat next to Daniel and watched the people around the fire taking their leave of each other as they headed off to bed, while sentries were posted at the edges of the camp. Adon and Cadmos arranged their sleeping pallets next to Sam and Daniel, and across the fire ring, she could see the other two sets of captives settling themselves for the night.

Sam was given a bowl of stew and some bread. She woke Daniel and got him to take some of it, too, before he drifted off again. Even though her hands remained tied, she was not tethered to a stake this time, and neither was Daniel. They had either decided she really wasn't a threat to them, or that she wouldn't risk leaving Daniel alone—which she wouldn't.

Daniel moved restlessly and mumbled something in his sleep. Sam took the damp cloth she'd been given and wiped his face with it. She wasn't sure, but she thought there was less heat coming off of him. Hopefully, it meant his fever was coming down.

Suddenly realizing how incredibly tired she was, Sam set the cloth back in the bowl and settled herself next to Daniel. She wished she knew how far they still had to travel, and what was waiting for them at the end of this journey.

She laid her hands on Daniel's arm and quickly fell asleep.

~oOo~

Jack adjusted his field glasses as he scanned the camp below; it looked like the people were preparing to leave. Suddenly, he spotted what he was looking for: a shock of short, blonde hair. Sam was sitting next to a prone figure, her hands obviously tied. As she moved to one side, he saw the other person he'd been looking for: Daniel. He was lying down, covered with a blanket. There was another man crouched next to him and they appeared to be conversing.

They had caught up with the group a short time ago. Teal'c, having determined they were close, had led them off the trail to the top of a small hill. The foliage was thick and hid them well, and they were far enough away that the sentries hadn't detected them.

But now he had a dilemma. It looked like his teammates were about to continue their little trip down the yellow brick road and he desperately wanted to rush in and get them back. But the other SG teams were still at least two hours away, which meant it would be Teal'c and him against the entire group. He had only seen primitive weapons—spears and bows and arrows—which was a point in their favor. They had faced worse odds before, but he was worried about who else might be hurt in the ensuing chaos. He had counted at least three women in the group, and then there were his teammates. They didn't look like they would be much help in a fight, especially Daniel, who made no move to get up. He might be putting them at a greater risk if they tried something now.

Jack sighed, taking off his cap and running his hand through his hair before replacing it. Finally, he made his decision. They would follow for a while and wait for a chance to take them back when the group was not so concentrated. Even though it was killing him to leave his friends in the hands of their captors for another minute.

TBC