Remember, Never to Forget--10
Drakar wrinkled his nose in disgust at the stench of decay from the body. Shazzia was willing to pay him handsomely for duping the Atlantians and sending them away from the retreat. He knew it would be a hard sell, but he prided himself on knowing exactly what to say to Suduko's guests. He left the body where it was, crumpled against the boulders at the base of a cliff and hurried toward Suduko's home just as the sun rose above the mountains. He knocked on the door several times before Kierra opened it and shook her head angrily.
"The sun is barely up! What do you want, Drakar?" Kierra snapped.
"I must speak with Lieutenant Lorne," Drakar told her.
"He is a guest in Suduko's home and is sleeping…"
"I have news of their missing friend," Drakar said, hoping she would allow him to speak with Lorne.
"Kierra, is there a problem?"
"This…Drakar says he has word of your guests missing friend," Kierra answered as the big man stepped forward.
"What news?" Suduko asked.
"I do not need to tell you, Suduko…"
"Perhaps not, but I will not allow you to upset my guests unless I know what you are saying is true."
"I found John Sheppard's body near the base of the Black Cliffs."
"You found him? Am I to believe you recognized him from the pictures you were shown?"
"No, but High Priestess Shazzia sent word that the slave she knew as John displeased her and that she felt he should be a example for others who fail to do as she says. She told Domitar he was thrown over the Black Cliffs two days ago," Drakar lied.
"You believe second hand information?" Suduko asked.
"I believe High Priestess Shazzia would do something like this. She has done it before…we have both witnessed her cruelty."
"Yes, we have…did you bring his body?"
"I had no way of retrieving it, but you could get to him with your vessel," Drakar said.
"You will show me where his body is," Suduko ordered and turned to his sister. "Kierra, tell my guests I had an emergency, but I will be back to help them…tell them nothing of this until I return."
"Yes, Brother, but please be careful," Kierra told him and watched the two men leave. She turned to find her husband watching her and hugged him before heading into the kitchen to start the morning meal.
"Where is Suduko going at this hour?"
"Drakar had news, but we both know how he lies to get what he wants. There is something else behind the discovery of the body," Kierra answered.
"What body?"
"Teyla, I did not know you were there. Come join us for coffee," Kierra offered and poured the strong black liquid into three cups. "It is going to be beautiful today…"
"Kierra, you said something about a body," Teyla said, watching the other woman closely.
"Tell her, Kierra," Bendor ordered and held his wife close as she explained why Suduko had gone with Drakar.
"I am sorry, Teyla, we had hoped to keep this news from you until Suduko was back and had more information," Kierra explained.
Teyla sank down on the chair as her heart beat a staccato rhythm in her chest. She'd dealt with John's death before, but was not ready to face it again, not when they'd only just begun to hope he was alive. She placed the cup on the counter and wiped the moisture from her eyes.
"Teyla, it's possible that it isn't your friend," Bendor told her.
"My brother will check into it and retrieve the body," Kierra offered.
"Where is he?" Teyla asked.
"Drakar said he is at the base of the Black Cliffs. It is hard to get there, but Suduko will do everything he can to get to him and bring him back to you," Kierra assured her.
"Rodney will be devastated if it is John. He still blames himself for what happened."
"What did happen?" Bendor asked.
"We were on a mission to P63-2K9. The people there are friendly and we were hoping to find new allies to trade with. Before we had a chance to really talk several ships showed up…I believe they belonged to Shazzia, but I could be wrong. Anyway there were creatures inside…they reminded me of insects John and Rodney showed us from Earth, but these things were a lot more dangerous than insects. John got trapped aboard one of the ships with and explosive device and was caught by one of the creatures. We could see what it was doing to him, but there was nothing we could do to help him. There were just too many of them. John knew this and he kept telling Rodney to blow the explosive and the look on Rodney's face I hoped never to see again…"
"Did Rodney do it?" Kierra asked softly.
"Yes, he had no choice…John was dying anyway because of the creature," Teyla explained. "I don't know if I would have had the strength to push the button."
"So what makes you believe John survived?" Bendor asked.
"We didn't…not at first, but Rodney spotted him at the marketplace and even called to him, but John showed no sign he heard," Teyla told them. "If this…this body is John…Rodney will…"
"Let's hope Drakar is mistaken," Kierra said and placed her hand on Teyla's. "Keep faith and perhaps John is still waiting for you to find him."
"Thank you, Kierra," Teyla said and sipped at the strong coffee. Her mind wandered back over the weeks since John Sheppard supposedly died and she hoped and prayed the sadness would not descend on Atlantis again.
SGASGASGASGASGA
John didn't realize he'd dozed off until he heard someone enter the room. He knew who it was and didn't bother opening his eyes until Hawk fastened something to the collar around his neck. He tried to grab his wrist, but the big man was stronger than anyone he'd ever fought and simply swatted his hand away.
"I warned you about the consequences of your actions, John," Hawk told him. "I will not allow you to be insolent when we are in the company of others. You will put on the clothing I have provided…"
"If I refuse?"
"Then I will take you to the games as you are. I'm sure the females would enjoy seeing your attributes," Hawk told him and released the chain attached to his captives left wrist. "You have five minutes."
John was a man who didn't take orders well, but he also understood the position he was now in. Hawk didn't make idle threats and he knew the big man would march him through the underground chambers wearing nothing but the cuffs around his wrists. John looked at the clothing in disgust, but given the choice between wearing the simple slave garb or going naked he reached for the pants and pulled them on. The material was coarse and scratched his skin, but a little discomfort was something he could put up with compared to the other option. The shirt had no sleeves and laced up the front and he quickly tied a knot at the top to keep it closed. Last came a pair of slip on moccasins that were surprisingly comfortable.
John stood up, gasping as pain shot through his knee as he tried to work out the stiffness that had set in while he'd been in the bed. He limped around the room, but there was no easing the pain stemming from the injury. He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing the area above his knee and wishing he was somewhere else. His thoughts drifted as a decidedly Scottish brogue seemed to scold him, for what he couldn't remember, but the voice gave him a sense of belonging and he reached for it.
"Good, you are ready," Hawk said upon re-entering the room and finding his property dressed and seated on the bed. "Come, John, my friends are waiting…what are you thinking about?"
"I…who…I don't know," John answered as the memory that had given him warmth disappeared and he found himself staring at the man towering over him.
"John, if I find out you're lying to me you will be punished," Hawk warned and placed a set of gold manacles on his captives wrists. "Behave and perhaps I will dispense with the cuffs…but if you do anything to displease or disgrace me with my friends I will not only use these, but also the ankle restraints and you will be chained up every night. Understood?"
"I hear you" John said, swallowing the pride as he was pulled to his feet. He felt bile rise in his throat as Hawk took the leash and led him from the sleep chamber. He gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the pain, but Hawk stopped and turned to him.
"John, why didn't you say your knee was still hurting?"
"Would it have mattered?" John snapped.
"Of course…I have medications that will help," Hawk said and forced his captive to sit on one of the chairs in the outer chamber. "Stay there!"
John looked at his manacled wrists and tried to pull his hands free, but the harder he tried the tighter they became and he stopped trying when Hawk returned. The big man reached down and rolled up the loose fitting pants, revealing a knee that was still swollen and as colorful as any sunset John had ever seen.
"This will help bring down the swelling and ease the pain, but the injection itself is painful," Hawk warned and cleaned an area on each side of the injured knee.
John gasped as the long needle entered his body and a burning sensation nearly sent him to the floor. He held his breath as his owner removed the needle and repeated the injection on the opposite side. The burning seemed to go on forever before easing and John opened his eyes to stare at the man kneeling before him.
"That should help. How do you feel?"
"I'm okay," John answered, frowning at how much concern this man showed. Hawk was a slaver, and John hated his lot in life, but the man seemed to take care of his slaves. 'Funny…look at yourself, John…he really took care of you,' John thought.
"Is it better?"
"Think so," John answered and stood up, amazed that the knifing pain was no longer present.
"Good…next time tell me," Hawk ordered and took the leash. He shortened it so that John was walking beside him and pressed the buttons on the console.
John looked around as they exited Hawk's private chambers and entered a dimly lit corridor. He knew they were headed toward the area where the fights were held and hoped he would see Tyrel when they reached their destination. They never passed anyone, but there were several doors set at different intervals that perfectly matched the one leading to Hawk's chambers. John shivered and realized it was cold in the hallway, almost too cold.
"It's because we are so far below the surface," Hawk offered when he noticed his captive was shivering. "The cage area is warmer, but we found it unnecessary to heat the corridors since they are only used for travel."
John listened to the man's explanation until they reached a door that looked to be twelve feet wide by twelve feet high. He watched as Hawk put his hand inside a hidden recess and the door swung inward. The noise was instantaneous as the other slavers shouted out bids in languages John didn't understand. The lights were bright and emanated more heat than the ones in Hawk's quarters and John soon felt beads of sweat form on his forehead.
"So, Hawk, is this your newest acquisition?" a short, robust female with no hair asked.
"He is one of them, Piatra…the others will be involved in the fights," Hawk answered.
"You're not putting him in the cages?"
"No…he was injured and is unable to fight," Hawk explained.
"I see…I take it he needed to be taught a lesson," she said with a grin.
"He is stubborn, but he knows who owns him now."
"Does he?" Piatra asked, eyeing John closely as if she could read his emotions. "Does Hawk own you, John?"
"No one owns me," John spat, stumbling when Hawk yanked on his leash.
"John, you were warned…"
"I believe he's in need of another lesson, Hawk, want me to teach him the proper way for a slave to behave?"
"I know how to handle my property, Piatra," Hawk told her. "John will be punished when and how I see fit."
"Too bad…I think I'd have enjoyed showing him the way of things…"
"Hawk, one of your slaves is about to enter the ring…hurry if you want good seats!"
"We're coming, Syngy," Hawk said and pulled John around the female toward the main stairway leading up to the raised platform.
John didn't say anything, but he knew Hawk was angry as they made their way toward the front row of seats. He heard the cheers and jeers as the newest combatants were placed in the cage where they'd become entertainment for the slavers. He couldn't help looking inside and gasped when he saw Tyrel dressed only on a pair of cutoff pants, silver bracelets wrapped tightly around his upper arms. The Goliaden looked terrified and as John turned his head he could understand why. Tyrel was big, but the other slave was twice his size and looked as if he'd been in combat before.
"Don't do this, Hawk…"
"Did you say something, John?"
"Get Tyrel out of there before that creature kills him."
"It is part of the sport, John. Tyrel knows what is expected of him and if he wins he will be well rewarded…"
"What if he doesn't?" John asked, his stomach churning at the thought of what was about to happen.
"It's a fight to the death, John…I thought you knew that. These games are to keep us entertained while we wait for the storms to subside. There is a good chance that Tyrel's youth and strength will be enough to make him victorious. Sit beside me and we shall watch together."
"I don't want…"
"It does not matter what you want, John," Hawk warned. "Sit down, or I will add more to your punishment."
"Why not put him in the cage, Hawk?"
"John is not a fighter, Syngy," Hawk told him. "He is…"
"Your pet?" Syngy said with a grin as he motioned to the leash.
"You could say that," Hawk said and saw the fire raging within the intense eyes that stared at him. "Would you prefer to take Tyrel's place, John?"
"Yes," John spat.
"Too bad…perhaps someday when I grow weary of your insolence, but for now you will remain untouched by the fights," Hawk said and signaled for the games to begin.
John wanted to turn away, but the young man in the cage had touched him in some way that made him want to protect him. His opponent was huge and when he stood in front of the Goliaden, John could not see him. The fight was brutal and vicious and before long both combatants were bleeding and moving a little slower.
"Tyrel is doing very well considering the size difference. If he wins I may reward him," Hawk said.
"How, by making him fight another monster?" John asked sarcastically. He knew he'd pay for it later, but seeing the young Goliaden fighting for his life rubbed him the wrong way.
"Hold your tongue, John, or I will have you gagged," Hawk warned.
"Damn, Hawk, he is a spitfire and it would be wonderful to see him in the cages," Syngy said, shaking his head as he stared at the other man's slave.
"Perhaps you are right, Syngy, but he will not go to the cages today. I have another punishment in mind for him and because of his behavior it will be in public. Perhaps we can whip some of the insolence from him," Hawk said, watchin his slave for any sign of fear, and hiding his admiration when there was none.
John knew he was in trouble, and returned his attention to the fight as Tyrel let out a primeval roar and struck his opponent across the neck. The bigger man went down hard and John swore the cage rattled as Tyrel turned and stared at him. He heard cheers and jeers and watched in utter disgust as 'money' changed hands and new bets were made while others bid on Hawk's slave. 'I hate this,' he thought and prayed someday he'd find his way home, wherever that was.
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TBC