I've done it! I finally updated! Enjoy!
Chapter Three Part two
"With will and education"
A while later John had been given a room of his own. It was a bit...bizarre since the rooms was structurally identical to Atlantis the decoration was completely different. Heavy red fabric hung along the walls and surrounding the bed. No lights were working so the room had to be lit up by candles. The number of candles burning had to be close to the fifty's. 'Wonder who lights them all up.' A distant thought passed him as he fiddled with the radio.
"From what I can tell from my readings this structure isn't just roughly about the same structure as Atlantis, it's identical." Rodneys voice sounded.
"Yeah, Vera told me as much. Apparently she's the one who set it down here."
"Really?" He really did sound surprised. This had been about 10 00 years ago after all.
"If it's identical to Atlantis," Teyla continued. "Where are the other spires?"
"Probably fell a long time ago." Rodney dismissed her question effectively. "Maybe under a wraith attack, who knows. It's been standing there for 10 000 years, the whole structure has been overgrown by the forest."
"Well, at least I can verify that these people are no ancients."
"At least the Lord Protector has the gene if what you say is true."
"Sure seems that way."
"Are they using any other technology?"
"Not that I can tell. They turned the control room into a gallery for royal audiences. There are some systems that seems to be operational but I doubt they're using them intentionally."
"Must be running on automatic" Rodney pondered. Still annoyed he wasn't one of the people actually inside the ancient ship.
"Yeah, I'm guessing Vera is trying to get a shot at the chair."
"She's not with you?"
"No, she insisted on a private audience with the Protector."
"Are you sure you are in no immediate danger?" Teyla's voice held some concern to it.
"I don't think so. They have me under guard and they've even given me my own room." His eyes swept across the room once more. Red linnen and silk everywhere, burning candles and scented herbs on the floor. Bizarre.
"I say we call the troops and get you out." Ronon suddenly voiced his opinion.
"I'm not even sure that it would work even if we tried." Rodney, again, helped shoot down the suggestion. "For all we know they could have the whole basement full with drones. And using that screen makes picking us off pretty easy."
"For the moment I don't want anybody to do anything. Just keep a low profile." Sheppard stated trying out the bed by bouncing it a bit.
"Alright."
Knowing how frustrating such an order was to follow John still couldn't see a better solution to it. He just hoped Vera would have something to talk about after her meeting.
The Lord Protectors private audience chamber wasn't any less impressive than his throne room. It was lavishly over the top decorated. As these forms of societies often displayed their riches and power in materials, Vera wasn't surprised. The walls were covered with colourful cloth and three particularity beautifully embroidered crests. In the middle of the room there was a round table in dark wood along with chairs stuffed for soft seating. The Lord sat down beneath the crests on the far right and was eyeing Vera. She sat more to the middle of the table, having them both turn slightly to face each other.
"Are you a princess to your people?" He asked straightforwardly.
She was tempted to smile but remained unfazed. She fully understood his line of reasoning, but decided to muse him no less.
"What draws you to such conclusion?"
"You were the only unarmed one, you are dressed differently and you carry yourself like royalty."
"You have a keen eye, though your assumptions are wrong." She smiled softly. "I am no more their leader than they lead me."
"This man, this Lieutenant Colonel that travels with you. It's clear he is a leader to the others. Perhaps he is...more.. to you."
It was presented as a statement, but voiced as a question. Vera, however, was careful not to give a straightforward answer.
"Are we then truly your guests and not prisoners?"
"Enough trivialities." Apparently he too preferred not to set his words in stone. "I would guess you have a purpose in asking for this audience. What is it you want?" The answer was rather bruskly made. Showing a man that was used to have the benefit of rang, land and age.
"I must admit.. I am curious about your throne."
"Really? You did not seem very impressed."
"I feel I must show restraint, my Lord. But I would much desire to try and sit in it."
The lord laughed at this bold request.
"My children, especially my son. Take me for an old fool. Though I am old, a fool I am not. Don't make their mistake, young one. Had I been young and able to take pleasure of what a young and beautiful one such as yourself have to offer, I might have lead you to my throne. Now I shall leave the wooing to my son, Tavius. Marry him and you will reach this old fools throne." With those words he rose and left.
She remained alone in the room for a while. Though he hadn't said much she had learned a precious little from the entanglement of words he had used. The Lord Protector knew both she and John had seen something like the chair before. He believed that the both of them held a higher status among their people. And it seemed his children were looking for a mate. Strange. In cultures such as these children were often wed off at a young age. Unless something must be gained from the marriage that you couldn't just simply buy. Perhaps something like a gene. Remembering the scanning they all had gone through in the village, it only reacted to her and John. They had been the only ones taken and they were the only ones in the group who possessed the gene.
It was dark outside when Teyla, Ronon and McKay had seated with Eldred at his dinner table. His house was as simple as the dinner. But their kindness and generosity as abundant as their hospitality. Baldric, the same man who had guided McKay to the ancient ship before, had proved to be Eldred's son. A woman came in from a separate room carrying a basket of bread which she handed to her father's old withered hands.
"We are happy you could share our evening meal." The daughter smiled while she found her seat, her father started to hand out the bread.
"The pleasure is ours." Teyla reassured their gratitude.
When each of them had received a piece of the dark bread Eldred join hands with his children who in turn reached out for Teyla and Rodney. They joined them. While Teyla and Ronon takes each others hands without any fuss, Ronon rolls his eyes at Rodney. He puts up a clenched fist for the scientist to take which causes Rodney to wince before he, reluctantly, puts his hand over the fist.
The family lowered their heads and Teyla joined them.
"We thank the ancestors for the great bounty bestowed on us." Eldred started. "And we ask that they bless the Lord Protector, that he may watch over us and keep us safe."
The hands were released and the meal begun.
"Please enjoy." Petra nodded with a smile.
"It is generous of you to remember the Lord Protector in your prayers. Especially after what happened this afternoon." Teyla had been surprised when the old man mention the protector in the prayer and had opened her eyes to see if anyone disagreed with the sentence. But it had seemed natural to them.
"It is unfortunate. But the soldiers serve the Tower, and without the Tower we are vulnerable to the Wraith."
"In exchange you give them a portion of your crops?" Ronon asked.
"Half of every harvest." Eldred answered without meeting anyone's eyes.
"Half?" Teyla asked surprised. They barely had food on the table as it was now. How was it possible these people could survive the coming winter if they were to give away half of all they harvest?
At the tower a completely different meal had been served. The variety of the dishes seemed to know no limit, as the amount of the food as well. The court ate without restraints, and cutlery it seemed. John seemed a bit.. reserved about their table manners. Or the lack of it. A large part of his appetite was lost to him. However Vera somehow managed to eat with a certain grace. 'How?' He wondered when the red haired daughter of the Lord Protector suddenly leaned over to him.
"I've never heard of anyone called Lieutenant colonel before." She said doing her very best at batting her eyelashes at him. "What does it mean?"
"It's a rank you simpleton, not his name." Tavious broke into the conversation before Sheppard was given the chance to explain.
"My apologies." She lowered her head in slight shame but her eyes still fluttered to his.
"That's alright. Don't usually stand on ceremony anyway. How about you just call me John." He gave her a slight smile and she perked right up again.
"Alright, John."
"Since you are a man of the military I find it odd that you question the action of my Lord, fathers, soldiers. Do you not agree that discipline is necessary?" There was a daring undertone in his voice and eyes. Trying to invite him to a conversation comparable with a minefield.
"I guess I don't think whipping is a good motivator."
The entire table laughed at this defence, though Vera remained completely untouched by the subject.
"The villagers are mindless brutes." Tavious continued. "They understand nothing else. Doesn't at least the Lady agree?"
Causing all eyes to shift to the blonde, white clad woman, her eyes met his without the single shred of doubt or fear. As if in thought, she glanced over at John shortly before she answered.
"We have a saying where we come from." She said, effectively including John in the following argument. "Each man to his own will, and with that his responsibility." A theatrical pause. "We believe in the free mind, and the rights and responsibilities that follows."
If John had been lead to the minefield, Vera was now running through it. Though she had acted the diplomat before, now she spoke her mind outright. John wondered what had made the sudden change of heart, and actually found himself approving of her a little more.
"So if a peasant simply wanted to take the throne, you would let him?"
"If he, or she for that matter, could carry the responsibility a crown means and carry it well, then yes. Without a doubt."
The silence took hold like a thick veil. Even some looks of fear was cast at the Lord Protector.
"No defence Tavius?" He chuckled. "You got yourself into this conversation. And you cannot drag her out to be whipped at the square. She is our guest after all." The old man smiled with glee at his son who was at loss for words. But the young man regained his posture soon enough.
"The peasants are unable to command the lights. Thus the responsibility would be lacking."
"True, but ponder, and I do mean this as a simple theory." Vera reassured him. "If all in your land could manage these lights, would all be equal? Take John for an example." She met his eyes shortly and he really wasn't sure how to react to the direction this conversation was taking. "It was his own free will that made him choose a military life. Through responsibility and faithfulness to his duties he has also risen in ranks."
"I don't think any of us would deny the fact that the peasants can be difficult." The Lord protector had obviously grown weary of the discussion. "But how much worse would it be if they fell victim to the Wraith?"
"A fair question, my Lord." Vera admitted.
"You protect them with these.. lights? Like the one that hit the village today?" John saw the opportunity to actually get some good information out of the old man.
"Of course."
"Where do they come from?"
"The Lord protector calls them forth with his mind." Tavius explained with an attitude of superiority, as if this was a fact known to everyone.
"Yeah, but from where?" Sheppard continued, ignoring the tone in the redheads voice. "I mean they rise up from the ground, but has anyone bothered to go down there and check it out?"
"You mean the catacombs?" The sister chimed in.
"Yeah, whatever you call them."
"They're dark and filthy – Who would want to go down there?" Her nose wrinkled and she had a sceptic look on her face.
"I would." Vera stated bluntly. "If there is anyone brave enough to take me there."
She understood that this had been his intention. To gain access to those 'catacombs'. But they both knew that she would be the better suited for the task. She knew what to look for, where and how.
"This is the second time you challenge me today." Tavius voice held a clear tone of both authority and threat. But he gave a cunning smile. "And to redeem my honour I will rise to this challenge."
Vera smiled with a nod, delighted that her little plan had actually worked that quickly. The Lord raised his hand along with a comment but before a word slipped his mouth a nasty cough took overhand. The old man gasped and groaned. Otho was quick to his aid and Mara also shoot up from her seat. Her face filled with worry and concern. The word "Father!" escaping her.
"It's nothing. Leave me be!" He tried to wave off his servants but clearly couldn't stand properly on his own two feet.
"Take him to his room." Otho quietly ordered the servants and hurried them along.
"Do continue without me." The Lord Protector waved his hand as he was lead away.
The court rose to his honour, all but Tavius who remained seated and never paused in his dining. Mara slowly sat down, still clearly concerned. Quietly John rose and walked over to Otho.
"What's wrong with him?"
"He will be allright." He smiled assuringly. "It isn't the first time this has happened. Surely it is just the food that does not quite agree with him." With that he left to attend to his lord.
About an hour later John sat on the bed in his room, going through the contents of his bag. Through the drapes that served as doors he heard steps and turned his head up to see Mara standing in his room wearing a smile.
"Am I disturbing you?" She asked with a kind voice.
"Mara, no, uh.." He put down what he had in his hands and stood up. "How is your father?"
"He is resting, than you for your concern."
John walked over to her as he spoke.
"Uh, look, maybe it'd be best if I-we, just, uh, came back another day."
The woman took on a horrified expression and held up her hand to gesture her emotion.
"No! You can't leave! Please... there's a matter of great importance my father wishes to discuss with you. Perhaps in the morning?"
Sheppard made a grimace and tried to find a line to excuse himself. But the woman was quicker with words.
"If these chambers are not to your liking..." She tried.
"No, no, they're fine."
"Well, then... maybe there's something I can do to make you more comfortable." She said and stressed the I.
"Uh, I don't think so, uh.." He continued, not at all picking up the hint in her voice.
"Are you certain?" She asked with a coy smile and undid the waist buckle of her gown. The dress slipped off her shoulders and revealed her naked body to the unexpected soldier.
"Oh wow! I... I never see this coming!" He rambled unsure of what to do with the situation.
"You don't find me pleasing?" Her eyes mirrored both her unsure disappointment and a slyness. She knew well the tricks she played. She knew well the innocent gleam of her eyes.
No-no! It's not that-it's just-"
Mara cut him off by stepping up and kissing him, pouring a good deal of passion into it.
"What you said at dinner, did you mean it?"
"Absolutely!" Was his quick instinctive response before their lips met again. But the added "What did I say again?" His lips trailed down her neck.
"About the villagers. My brother thinks it's a sign of weakness, but I know that it means you'll be a great ruler someday."
"Right!" He responded with a grin and kissed her. Seconds later his mind suddenly grasps the meaning of those words and he pulls back. "Ruler? Wh-wh-what are you talking about?"
"My father has promised that if we are married, the succession will fall to me!" She said triumphant with a giggle. Ignoring the slightly horrified look on his face and pushed him down on the bed.
In another part of the sister city to Atlantis Vera had the strangest of feelings. Walking through a ship identical to Atlantis, having the surroundings lit up by torches. Real, actually burning, torches. Wonders of technology reduced to simple housing for a feudal society.
Though Tavius has offered to escort her, he hardly meant to do it by himself. No less than four capable guards surrounded them. While the prince tried his best to make conversation with the woman, she seemed little interested in his company. Holding her hand against the wall she secretly tried every panel they happened to pass. Suddenly a door hissed open and a feint light could be seen from the inside of the room. The brave prince jumped at the movement.
"What are you doing?" He lashed out.
"I just touched the wall." She stated with innocence to her voice. Playing the curious one she peeked inside the room.
"No-No! Don't go insi-"
But it was already too late as she slipped through the opening.
"Well, go after her!" He waved to one of the guards who reluctantly followed the woman into the room.
As he passed the opening the doors hushed closed and a well aimed hit across his neck decked the man out, leaving the torch burning on the floor. She merely gave him a glance before she headed to a station in the middle of the room. As expected the panel flickered to life at her touch. Knowing what information she sought she operated through the menus quickly. But her brows furrowed as the same windows came up over and over again. Her codes weren't working.
"What is this?" She whispered to herself and her pupils slimmed. But the system wouldn't respond. She stopped and looked at the screen, giving up her attempts. She wasn't frustrated. The look on her face was more of a sad one. The shouts behind the doors were changing to banging now, and soon enough they would probably try and pry the door open. A futile attempt, but there was little left she could do here. With a movement of her hand the screen was turned off and the room was dark. When she opened the door two guards had just enough time to stop themselves from trying to ram it. She stepped out more carefully than necessary and looked around. Tavius was standing with is arms crossed, watching from a comfortable distance.
"What happened." He asked, still reluctant to come to her aid.
"I don't know. The door just closed and then opened again."
"We couldn't hear you in there?"
"Oh, you called? I couldn't hear you either." She lied through her teeth and threw wondering eyes around her. "Perhaps we should leave this place. My curiosity is seethed. And surely you have retaken your pride." She offered, knowing that the man would surely take the chance to get away from this place.
"Well then, let's leave." He nodded and offered his arm to her. She took it to avoid argument and allowed him to escort her to the room given to her. Luckily he didn't ask about what had happened to the guard who had followed her inside the room. The young royal didn't seem to care much about his subjects.
When they arrived at her quarter the prince held up the heavy cloth acting as door for her and invited himself into the room. It was like the other rooms in this ship. Redecorated with fabric and some art. The room had a white, grey and golden theme to it. Suiting her own colours very well.
"Do you really believe your own words?" He asked. "That a simple peasant could rule this land?"
"With will and education, yes."
"Such dangerous words." Tavius mused, taking a step closer to her, laying a hand on a bedpost. "However, you seem to have my father's favour."
Trying to choose a response carefully she came to the conclusion that there were no answer needed.
"I find you utterly curious myself." His tone was darker now, suggestive. He moved closer, his intention was as clear as a summer day.
"If you touch me I will have to hurt you." Vera warned him. Tavius just chuckled. Growing up as the prince no woman had ever turned him down before.
"You can manage without your protector then?" The question was about Sheppard.
"Quite well."
But the prince did not heed her warning. Shortly after there was a shrill scream echoing the corridor. The blond prince came half running out of her room.
In the village Eldreds children were cleaning the table from the meal. Petra offered Ronon a refill but he denied with a smile and a gesture. Taking the last dishes the two siblings disappeared from the room.
"Well, that was a particularly unsatisfying meal." McKay stated, clearly not filled by the meal.
"We should be honoured that those with so little would wish to share with us." Teyla noted with patience nearly failing.
"No, I'm honoured. I'm honoured and hungry." He gestured "Seriously, we should be feeding them. We've got better food in our emergency rations."
"I'm not sure that they would accept it. They are a proud people."
"Not so proud that they'll stand up for themselves." Ronon leaned forward, putting his arms on the table.
"That could change." There was a certain enthusiasm in her voice that didn't sit well with the scientist.
"Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa. Hold on a minute. We need to be careful, right? We have no idea who's watching, remember? And we are supposed to be keeping a low profile, not starting a revolution."
"You cannot seriously believe that this is a just society?"
"It is a society that has not been culled by the Wraith in a long time. That much we know for sure."
Teyla and Ronon looked at each other for a moment, not sure what to make of the man's opinion. Though they couldn't deny the truth of it. Leaning back into their seats McKay perked up and looked around.
"Now, where are the emergency rations?"
Gods! I've had almost the entire story written for three months, on paper. Finally it's digital.
I haven't started writing on the next (last part of chapter 3 I think) yet, and I have no idea when I will have time for it. Right now I don't have much freetime. There's a lot of hockey on my schedule, and I've started playing games on youtube aswell. And Assassins Creed 3 was just release!
So when the next part comes, no idea. But it will come. Promise! And I've started pondering on chapter four, it's gonna be an original one. Might be I have a good idea :)
Thanks for reading! And for not loosing all hope of an update