Ritual, by Amaranth Traces

The Day of Negotiating

Sam woke up the next morning feeling more rested than she had in years. Her eyes still closed, she sighed and buried her face into her pillow, trying to hang on to the feeling of complete comfort, if only for a few more minutes.

“Mmm, Sam...” she heard a voice mumble as an arm she didn’t realise was there tightened around her shoulder. Sam’s eyes flew open, and she jerked awake. She yelped when she saw what she had thought was her pillow was actually Daniel’s chest. Daniel woke at her sudden movement and looked at her through sleepy eyes. She pulled away quickly – too quickly. Sam fell backwards off the low bed, her limbs flying, and landed on the floor with a thud.

“Sam!”

She looked up from the floor and saw Daniel peer over the side of the bed. “Are you okay?” He was very concerned.

Sam gingerly touched the back of her head where she had bumped it and winced. “Yeah. Sorry.”

He leaned down to help her up. “No, I’m the one who should be sorry.”

She laughed. “Okay, we’re both sorry.”

Sam rose from the floor and tried to regain her composure. Waking up in Daniel’s arms had hit a little too close to her fantasies for her to brush off lightly. She scolded herself for reacting the way she had. Sam looked over at Daniel. He seemed to be acting normally, and she smiled. Her friendship with Daniel could survive anything. She had never been closer to anyone in her life.

They were always there for each other. She had supported him after his wife, Sha’re, had been abducted and later, killed. He had been there for her when they discovered the bomb inside Cassandra’s chest. After the Tok’ra Jolinar of Malkshur gave her life to save Sam’s, Daniel had been the only one besides young Cassie who had been able to pull her out of her subsequent depression.

Sam had fought for Daniel when Ma’chello had taken over his body. He had nearly died again that day, but he had managed to hold on until she figured out how to get his consciousness back into his own body. That incident had been a real eye-opener for Sam. It had forced her to confront the suppressed feelings she had for her friend.

Of course, most recently, Daniel had been an incredible source of strength to her as she dealt with Martouf’s death. Sam still felt almost physical pain in her gut when she remembered being forced to kill the man who had been Jolinar’s mate for more than a century. Sam’s blending with Jolinar had resulted in Sam sharing the memories and emotions that Jolinar had for Martouf. Sam knew that she wouldn’t have overcome her immense grief and guilt if Daniel hadn’t been there. He was the one constant in her tumultuous life.

Yes, she thought, Daniel and I can overcome anything. Sam was so grateful for her friendship with him. The bond they shared was unlike any other she had with anyone. And that’s exactly why I can’t tell him about my feelings for him. She knew that Daniel was still desperately in love with his late wife, and it broke her heart that he was so sad. All she could do was to be his friend and a shoulder to lean on.

The quiet woman who had brought them supper the night before arrived with breakfast, then quickly left. They practiced French again while they ate. Daniel made a game out of it which helped immensely. Periodically, Sam peeked out of the door. There were always two guards standing just outside.

After lunch had been brought and eaten, Sam was starting to grow very impatient. Finally, a very tall and muscular woman dressed in flowing robes and a magnificent headdress entered their hut. Sam and Daniel both stood to greet their guest.

“I am Spirall, leader of this tribe. I have been told that you are new to our lands and not familiar with our customs.” Spirall turned an evaluative eye on Daniel and looked him up and down. “This is your man?”

“Yes. Two other men are being held by your people. They also belong to me.”

Spirall seemed unaware that Sam was speaking. She walked confidently up to Daniel and studied him. “He is a fine looking man; I will pay well for him.”

Sam stepped up next to Daniel and placed her hand on his arm, pulling him a step backwards. “He is not for sale,” she said slowly.

“You will not change your mind?”

“I’m afraid not.”

With a final glance at Daniel that sent shivers down Sam’s spine, Spirall looked at Sam, who had moved to stand protectively in front of Daniel.

“Your other men have committed atrocious crimes against my people.”

Remembering Daniel’s advice from their discussion last night, Sam replied, “I ask that you forgive me for their behaviour and release them into my custody.”

Spirall gazed intensely at Sam. “That is not within my direct power.”

“If we are permitted to leave, I can guarantee that my men will never be seen in your land again to offend your people.”

The leader seemed to consider Sam’s request. “There may be a way. You will come with me to see them. This man will remain here.”

Spirall headed for the door but stopped when she realised Sam wasn’t following. “Come,” she ordered.

Sam looked nervously at Daniel. She had been alone in a tent with the Shavadai when she had been kidnapped. “I have your word that this man will not be harmed and will be here when I return?”

Spirall looked insulted. “My people do not steal.”

Sam lowered her head in deference. “I mean no disrespect. In my travels, I have come across other tribes that do not have such high moral standards.”

“You can be assured that your man will be as he is when you return. Now, come.” Spirall turned back to the door and stepped outside.

Sam glanced at Daniel, who gave her a small nod, and then she left the hut.

Spirall led Sam across the village and into a building. Colonel O’Neill and Teal’c were in a cell in one corner of the building and immediately rose to their feet when they saw their team mate. Sam quickly motioned them to stay quiet but was relieved to see that they were both alive and relatively unharmed.

“These men are also yours?”

“Yes.”

“They attacked my sisters and spoke without permission. They have been condemned to death for their crimes.”

“I understand, but I ask for leniency. If we are permitted to leave, they will never offend your people again.”

Spirall nodded. “Our laws do include a certain degree of flexibility for outsiders.” She looked at Sam with the same evaluative eye that she had previously used on Daniel.

Sam was mildly disconcerted by her gaze. It felt like Spirall could see right into her soul.

Finally, Spirall spoke. “You are a good woman. There is a ritual that you can perform to expunge the crimes of these men and permit their release.”

“I’ll do it.” Sam knew she was agreeing blindly, but if there was anything she could do, she had to do it.

“The ceremony for the ritual will take place four nights from now.”

“Do you have any documents or someone who could help me to prepare for the ritual?” Sam asked.

Spirall nodded again.

Sam glanced at her teammates in the cell. “May I have a moment to speak with my men?”

The woman gestured for Sam to proceed, but it was clear she had no intention of giving them any privacy. Sam stepped up to the enclosure and spoke quickly in English.

“This is a very matriarchal society; their language is based on French which I luckily remember more or less. Daniel is helping in that respect. It would be best if neither of you spoke to anyone except me and only then if I’m speaking to you.”

“Can you get us out of here, Carter?” asked Colonel O’Neill.

“I’m working on it, sir. This is Spirall and she is the leader of these people.” Sam took a deep breath. “Okay here’s the thing. You’ve been confined for attacking and speaking to a woman.”

“Speaking? We’re in jail for speaking?”

Spirall bristled. Sam glanced at her and hit the bars between her and her commanding officer with her hand, causing a loud crash. The Colonel and Teal’c jumped, but Spirall was obviously pleased by her response to his insolent tone.

“Sorry, sir. In this society the men are subservient to women. She didn’t seem to like your tone, and I knew she was expecting me to do something about it. We have to be very careful here, sir. They’ve condemned both you and Teal’c to death for your ‘crimes’. Have they been treating you well?”

“They brought food and water and even blankets last night. So, I guess so. But it’s not exactly a five-star hotel, ya know? You said something about getting us out of here?”

“There is a ritual that I can perform at a ceremony to get you two released and then we will all be free to leave.”

“I hear a ‘but’ coming.”

Sam hesitated before answering. “The ceremony is in four nights, sir.”

Colonel O’Neill looked like he was about to explode but he kept his tone light. “Four nights?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you know what this ritual entails?” asked Teal’c.

“Not yet, but they have promised to give me information about it. Daniel is with me, so he can help me translate everything and figure out exactly what to do.”

Spirall laid a heavy hand on her shoulder, and Sam knew it was time to leave.

“I have to go now. I don’t know if they’ll let me see you again before the ritual, but I’m going to get you two out of here.” She looked at the Colonel and at Teal’c. “You just have to be patient. I’ll do my best to make sure that you’re taken care of in the meantime.”

“We’re counting on you, Carter.”

“Don’t worry, sir. Remember, don’t talk to anyone. They’ll kill you just for speaking.”

Both men nodded gravely and Sam was led out of the building and back through the village to her hut.

Sam headed back inside and found Daniel anxiously waiting for her.

“They’re okay. There’s a ritual I can do to get them released and we can all go home.”

“What kind of ritual?”

“I don’t know. Spirall is going to have someone bring some books and maybe someone to help explain things, but I’m going to need your help.”

“You’ve always got that, Sam.”

Later that night, dinner was brought and Spirall followed shortly afterward. She told Sam that the documents she requested would be brought to her the next morning and that she and her man were permitted to leave their hut every evening after dinner and before sunset. She warned, however, that if there were any disruptions to the lives of the women of her tribe, they would be confined to their hut again.

Sam asked about the Colonel and Teal’c, and Spirall pointed at Daniel. “This one did not attack my people. He is permitted to leave the hut as long as he speaks to no one but you. The others were violent. Such behaviour is deplorable – they will remain confined and will be put to death unless you perform the required ritual at the appointed time.”

Sam nodded. “Can I visit them again?”

“You cannot, but they will be cared for until the ceremony,” Spirall said. “There is a stream not far from here where you may bathe. You and your man must return to your hut before nightfall each night.”

“Will your guards be joining us when we leave the hut?”

“They will not. In my land we trust women to do what is right, just as we trust women to keep their men respectful. I have noticed that the men that are confined – one in particular – seems to have trouble with respect.”

“I apologize for their behaviour. I have only recently acquired them, and I am still teaching them.”

“In the future, it would be wise to complete their lessons before wandering into other lands.”

“You are very wise, Spirall. Thank you for your advice.”

Spirall pulled back the fabric over the door, and another woman entered, carrying a tray with several small items and some large, thick pieces of fabric. “These are for you to use as you wish,” Spirall said vaguely before both of the tribeswomen left.

Alone again, Sam examined the items on the tray. “How many hours between now and sunset do you think?”

Daniel sighed. “Not enough to make it to the gate and back. It took us three hours to get here from the ruins.” He picked up one of the objects and studied it.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Damn.” Sam picked up another item from the tray and sniffed it. “I think these are soaps.” She touched one of the pieces of fabric. “And towels.”

Daniel smelled the object in his hand and nodded his agreement. “Well, I guess we should take this opportunity to go get cleaned up.”

Sam and Daniel grabbed their packs and selected some soaps and towels, then headed off in the direction Spirall had indicated.

It was stunning. The stream meandered through the forest, with tree branches hanging high overhead. As Sam and Daniel approached the watercourse, they noticed a deep natural pool near a curve of the stream. The water in the main branch babbled happily, but in the pool, the water was swirling slowly. It was the perfect natural bathtub.

They sat down on a nearby rock and took off their boots and socks. Sam dipped a toe in the water and smiled. “It’s actually pretty warm.”

Sam pulled off her BDU jacket to reveal the fitted black t-shirt she was wearing underneath. Daniel gulped as her figure was revealed. The bulky uniform didn’t do her justice. He had been concealing his feelings for his friend for some time now, with some success. At times, he could even convince himself that he didn’t have inappropriate thoughts about Sam. However, her current attire coupled with the memory of waking with her in his arms that morning was sending his imagination off on all sorts of devilish pursuits. He was relieved that Sam apparently hadn’t noticed his little slip-up that morning. Daniel had only been half-awake when he had heard himself mumble her name.

Sam looked up at the sky and frowned. “I don’t know how much light we’re going to have, we had better move quickly.”

Daniel nodded, but realised he didn’t know what to do. His mind was telling him to forgo bathing and just turn his back so that Sam could wash, but certain other parts of his anatomy were vehemently disagreeing.

Sam grinned at him. “Ya wanna turn around?”

A deep blush darkened his face, and he apologised as he turned away from the pool. A few seconds later, he heard her get into the water. Daniel tried to think of anything besides what was going on behind him. He forced himself to recall the tiniest details of the last ‘hockey night at Jack’s house’.

“Are you coming, or what?”

Daniel spun around and saw Sam up to her shoulders in the water.

“Come on, we haven’t had a shower in two days, and we don’t have much time. I won’t peek.” She grabbed one of the soaps that she had placed at the edge of the water. Sam turned away from Daniel, giving him some privacy, and began to cleanse her skin.

Regaining his composure, Daniel quickly stripped his clothes and slid into the water. He looked over at Sam and frowned at the faint scars visible on her back. Long lines crisscrossed her skin.

“Sam?”

She turned and smiled at him.

“I put the soaps over there.” She pointed at a rock near the water’s edge. She held her nose and dipped her head underwater. Sam worked the soap in her hands into a lather and started washing her hair.

“Oh. Thanks,” Daniel picked up a bar and watched as she massaged her scalp. Gulping, he forced himself to look away.

A few minutes later, they were both feeling clean and refreshed. Daniel stared out at the stream as Sam got out of the water, towelled off and dressed. Then Sam studied the trees while Daniel emerged from their bath.

The sun had almost set when they reached their hut. Sam lit the light-stones as Daniel watched her.

“Sam?”

“Yeah?”

“How did you get those scars on your back?”

She looked at him sharply, but seeing his concerned expression, her eyes softened. “Turghan,” she said simply. “He ruined that dress you and the Colonel were so gaga over too.” She forced a fake smile as she remembered.

When Sam had seen Turghan take out a whip and slice open the back of that woman’s dress with a long knife, she had felt sick.

“What kind of a woman are you?” he had asked her angrily. “Do you respect nothing? Care for no one but yourself? These were responsible for you. Now, because of you, they will be punished.”

“No! It was my fault! If you need to beat a woman to feel like a man, try me!” Sam had been relieved when he turned his anger away from the innocent woman on the floor of the tent. The beating that followed hadn’t been pleasant, but Sam had borne it to protect the other women.

Afterwards, Turghan had left and the women helped Sam out of the tent and onto a bed. They had removed her tattered dress and tended to her wounds. The anaesthetic plant that the Shavadai had shown SG-1 had been used to stop the searing pain. The women had given her a simpler dress, and Sam had been grateful for their help.

“Oh God, Sam,” Daniel choked, his eyes filling with tears of sympathy. He couldn’t look at her and stared at the floor.

Sam squeezed his arm gently, ducking her head so she could look into his eyes. “It wasn’t your fault, Daniel.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His blue eyes looked haunted.

“Because I knew you’d feel guilty, and it wasn’t your fault,” she stressed soothingly.

Sam insisted that they continue to practice her French, and a few hours later they were very tired. Daniel hunkered down on the floor.

“What are you doing?” Sam asked.

“Oh. After this morning I figured...”

She laughed softly. “I’m sorry about that. I was just...surprised is all.”

“The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable, Sam.”

“Daniel.” She gave him a look that said he should stop arguing. “Just come to bed, okay?” Sam smiled.

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