Ugarit was quiet at night; the majority of its citizens already home enjoying a warm meal with family and friends.

This night, Jack and Morgana walked hand-in-hand in the palace gardens, enjoying the solitude and the magical hours just after the sunset. As much as the early morning walks had become Jack’s habit, these evening walks, just after dinner, had become theirs. It gave them a chance to speak quietly, to exist merely as a man and a woman, just like many other couples walking through the gardens these nights.

They had passed quite a few couples this night, walking hand-in-hand as well, enjoying a special time. According to Paebel, the weather had been uncommonly warm ever since the storm.

Jack had called it Indian Summer. Summer’s last hurrah before winter settled in.

"So, what did Eavan have to report tonight?" Jack asked quietly, not wanting to spoil the magical quality of the night air.

"Things are going well. The people have taken to our rule quite easily. The palace guards have sworn allegiance to me, as has Paebel and Hurriya. We need no longer fear those closest to us," Morgana spoke with a confident air.

"That is good to know, my love. I did not wish to worry every minute of the day for your safety when I was out of your sight," Jack said, turning to her and offering a seductive smile. "Even though I know you can take care of yourself."

"I know, my love," Morgana said, drawing them to a stop, her hand cradling the side of his face. "As I have told you countless times, you worry needlessly."

Jack smiled again, leaning in close, their lips barely brushing. His eyes lit from within with a hint of mischievousness thrown in for good measure. "I know, but it is my right."

Morgana closed the gap between them, pulling Jack in close. They stood that way for some time, before parting, looking deeply into each other’s eyes.

Jack broke their gaze first, glancing around quickly before he turned back to her with a smile. "Think anyone saw that?"

"Perhaps," Morgana answered, her eyes twinkling, catching the rays from the full moon.

"Maybe we should make sure," Jack said, pulling her close once again.

This time, however, there was someone watching.

"Egan, how much further?" Daniel asked, his feet dragging a little. The sandals didn’t give much support for his feet and Daniel had grown accustomed to his boots. This thirty-minute walk was starting to feel as if they had been walking for thirty hours.

"We are already passing though the outskirts of town, Daniel. We’ve passed several farms already." Egan turned to look at Daniel, an amused expression on his face. "Come, let me find you a pub and we can get a drink. I’m sure that will help your state of mind."

"I’m sure it would," Daniel answered, his mouth forming a wry grin. "But, I’m not sure that would be such a good idea. We’re here to get information, not go on a drinking spree."

"Where else do you get information? A pub would be the perfect opportunity. When drink and men mingle, many words are often spoken—many of which should never see the light of day."

Daniel had to agree with him. Alcohol did usually loosen the tongue. God knows, though, how much of the local booze he’d be able to drink before he passed out. According to Jack, he was a lightweight when it came to alcohol. One usually put him over the top. This would be an interesting night.

The buildings around them were simply constructed, with flat roofs reminding Daniel of some of the ancient cities in Biblical times. During the summer, the flat roofs provided a place where people could gather, up high enough to enjoy the breeze and cool off somewhat from the temperatures of the day. The area, though, was quite fertile, from what Daniel could see, which meant that there had to be a considerable amount of rainfall in the region. Rainfall and flat roofs never went well together as far as he was concerned. The whole matter of proper drainage was always a problem. Apparently, they had gotten something right with this design.

The farms were slowly changing to a more metropolitan feel. The homes and businesses closer together. More people walking through the streets. They were finally entering the city.

"So, where to?" Daniel asked with a soft voice, glancing around. They were at a crossroads of sorts. The street they were traveling on branched out into three streets, each heading in a different direction.

Egan looked carefully as far as he could see in the quickly fading light. The moon was rising—a full moon—which would prove helpful on their return trip. He pointed confidently to one of the streets. "I believe we wish to go this way."

"Okay," Daniel said, stepping alongside the older man. "Lead on."

They walked several minutes more before a large building appeared on their right, with gardens all around. Apparently, they had managed to find their way to the palace, right in the center of town.

"Wow," Daniel said his eyes wide, as he gazed upon the beautiful building. There was no fence around the outside; instead the garden seemed to invite them in, providing a haven of green and beauty amidst the business districts of the inner city.

They walked slowly, taking in the sights, the atmosphere, and the people. Several times they passed various couples walking close, talking quietly. Daniel stopped suddenly, pulling Egan with him into the brush along the side of the path.

"Daniel," Egan hissed, "what are you doing? You are drawing unnecessary attention to us."

"Shush, Egan. Trust me, I know what I’m doing," Daniel said creeping forward, staying parallel to the path they had been on only minutes before. Soon enough, Daniel stopped and peered through the foliage, uttering a simple curse. "Damn."

"What is it?" Egan asked, his voice hushed.

"I thought I recognized the man, but I wasn’t sure. I needed to get a better look," Daniel said, dropping down to sit in the dirt, his expression gloomy. "I was hoping I wouldn’t be right."

"What is it?" Egan hissed.

"That was Jack and Morgana."

"What?" Egan exclaimed, nearly coming to his feet and lurching out onto the path, his sword held high. Daniel gently restrained him before he crashed through. "Egan, now is not the time. They’re here. That’s what we needed to know. Now, we need to find someone we can talk to. Do you think we can get into the palace without being seen?"

"Of course," Egan said, indignant at being second-guessed.

"Good. Let’s move. It looks like Jack and Morgana will be outside for a while. Who should we be looking for?"

"Riordan. We need to find Riordan."

"Can we trust him?"

"Of course. He’s a friend."

"Egan," Daniel said his eyes hardening. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. He is a friend of Caedmon’s as well. Riordan can be trusted."

"Okay. Let’s go," Daniel said, climbing to his feet and dusting himself off. Egan stopped him before they stepped out onto the path.
"Daniel, what did you see that upset you so much?"

Daniel hesitated and then let out a long breath. "It seems as if Caedmon was correct in his assessment of the situation. It appears that Jack and Morgana have become…intimate." Daniel spoke the word with disgust in his tone.

"Then the situation is more dire than we originally believed."

Daniel’s voice was grim. "Yes, I know. We might already be too late."

Getting into the palace proved to be a little more difficult than they had originally anticipated. Various sentries guarded all the doors of the palace and the windows—well, those were only accessible if you were a close relative to a spider. That description didn’t apply to either of them, but Daniel was sure that Egan was willing to try.

Daniel and Egan hid in the shadows outside one of the smaller entranceways, watching, waiting for their chance. Minutes fled into hours. If they didn’t manage to get in, they were going to have to leave soon, sometime before the sun rose. The local pubs weren’t even a consideration at this point. They were quickly running out of time and Daniel did not want to face Sam if he had no information to provide. She was counting on them to get the job done. They had to find a way.

Somehow they needed to speak with Riordan. It wasn’t as if they could go up to the door, knock, and ask for the man. That would ruin their surprise. Besides, he was really the only one that they could trust.

There had been no activity for quite some time, so Daniel had settled back against a tree, letting Egan keep watch. Besides, Egan was the one who knew who he was looking for. As soon as Daniel saw Egan stiffen, he knew something had happened.

"Egan," Daniel whispered. "What’s wrong?"

"Eavan and Riordan just stepped outside, walking toward the docks. They were deep in discussion."

"So? What’s wrong with that?"

"Nothing," Egan said, his shoulders slumping a little. "I had…hoped that we would be able to speak to Riordan. But now—"

"Hey, hold on a minute. Now I know I don’t generally have the title of Mr. Positive, but we still have a chance here." Daniel paused, his forehead furrowed in thought. "Do you think you can follow them, discreetly?"

"Of course," Egan said, straightening his back, pride coming into his voice. "I am one of the greatest trackers Meath has ever seen."

"Great, good," Daniel said absently, rubbing his hand along his jaw. "Let’s follow them, at a distance, very discreet-like. Maybe we will get an opportunity later. Besides, we won’t know until we try."

Egan sighed quietly, but nodded his agreement. "Follow me, but stay low. I will try to keep us under the cover of darkness. However, because of our robes and the full moon, it may be difficult."

Daniel glanced down, realizing for the first time how much the light color of their robes stood out in the darkness—especially due to the light of the moon. On the road it would have been suspicious for them to be wearing fatigues, but here, their dark clothing would have come in handy.

They weaved their way through the palace grounds, from tree to tree as best they could, detouring when they had to, trying to keep Eavan and Riordan in sight.

Finally, after nearly thirty minutes of cat-and-mouse, Eavan turned on his heel, retreating back the way he had come, leaving Riordan alone, standing on the dock.

This was way too easy, Daniel thought, looking at Egan. Apparently, Egan had a similar feeling.

"Why do I feel like this is a set up?"

"Set up?" Egan asked, his eyebrow raised in puzzlement.

Daniel waved his hand. "Never mind, Egan, it’s just a figure of speech. It means that this seems too easy, like a trap."

Egan nodded and settled down to wait. When nothing happened after several minutes, Egan looked expectantly at Daniel, silently asking for his opinion.

Daniel shrugged. "It’s up to you," Daniel whispered.

"Well, I refuse to stay hidden in the shadows any longer. This is no place for a warrior," Egan said, rising to his feet. Daniel, however, decided to stay where he was. Caution was the better part of valor, at least in this case.

Riordan had settled himself on a bench overlooking the river. The full moon glinted off the flowing waters, causing the light to flicker. Egan silently slid in next to Riordan.

"Good evening, Riordan," Egan said simply, making Riordan jump nearly out of his skin.

"Good god, Lord Egan. You nearly caused me quite a fright." Riordan had turned to Egan when he spoke; his expression slowly changing to one of puzzlement when he realized who it was sitting beside him. "My lord, why are you here?"

"Riordan, we must speak in private. There is much afoot."

"Indeed there is, my lord," Riordan nodded, his eyes solemn. "Morgana plans on raising an army and conquering this entire world. It is madness, I tell you."

"What of O’Neill? Where does he stand in regards to her plans?"

"He is smitten with her," Riordan said, disgust dripping from his voice. "He is worse than Lord Kentigern, no offense to you, of course."

"None taken. Riordan, are you expected anywhere this night?"

"No. I am not due to be back guarding the royal apartments until tomorrow afternoon. Why?"

"Will you walk with me?" Egan asked, rising to his feet. "We have much to discuss."

Early in the morning hours, somewhere around three, Sam heard something coming through the forest. She had relieved Teal’c a few hours ago and was soon going to wake Quillan for his watch.

Daniel and Egan should had been back sometimes during Teal’c watch, but there had been no sign of them. Sam was getting worried.

When she finally heard footfalls in the forest, she prayed it was Daniel and Egan, but planned for the worst. Rising silently, she touched Teal’c’s shoulder gently, waking him from his kel-no-reem. "Someone’s coming," she said quietly, before moving on to wake her father and the others. They couldn’t be careful enough.

Sam slid behind one of the large trees and hefted her P90. Her right hand reached down to make sure her zat was still in the holster fastened to her leg.

As soon as Egan and the rest of the party stepped into view, all six members of the team surrounded them. Sam recognized Daniel immediately. He’d been deep in conversation with the third person.

"All clear?" Sam asked, locking eyes with Daniel.

"Yeah. Sorry we’re late. We got a little sidetracked." Daniel apologized. Sam could tell he wasn’t really sorry just from the look in his eyes. She also noticed the dark circles that had settled there. None of them were getting enough sleep lately, that much was certain.

Sam glanced at Daniel’s friend, with questions in her eyes. He was quick to pick up on what she was trying to say. "Oh, Sam. This is Riordan. Riordan, this is Sam Carter, Teal’c, and Jacob Carter. I think you know everyone else." Daniel glanced around, pointing to each person as he introduced everyone. He turned back to Sam. "Do you think you could ask everyone to put down all their pointy objects? I really don’t feel like getting skewered."

"Sure," Sam said, signaling everyone to stand down as she lowered her own weapon. "So, Daniel. What happened? We expected you back hours ago."

"Like I said," Daniel said, as his body collapsed onto a log in front of his tent, "we got a little sidetracked. Saw something interesting, though," he said, his eyes widening a little.

"What?" Sam asked as she sat down within easy earshot. Most everyone else also settled down, reclining in various positions throughout the clearing. They might as well hear it all now, she thought. It concerned everyone.

"Well, Jack and Morgana are here and it seems to be that they’ve moved up in the world. They have a palace now," Daniel said, his voice filled with sarcasm.

"We figured out that much ourselves," Sam said, wishing Daniel would get to the point.

"Yeah, but what we didn’t figure was Jack. It looks like he’s gone completely dark side on us." Daniel shifted on the ground, seemingly uncomfortable with his report. "And it seems as if Jack’s going by a new name, too, Lord Mot."

"Well, we thought that might be a possibility," Jacob said, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "It’s better we know that now than later. That also means that we can’t expect to rely on his help when this gets started."

"I know," Daniel said, nodding his head, his tone grim. "We managed to get Riordan’s attention and we’ve been chatting the whole way back here."

"So what’s the situation in the palace? Can we get in?"

"That’s part of the problem," Daniel said, his expression bleak. "It seems that Morgana is a little paranoid about her whole new role as the Goddess Athtar and she had the palace guard pledge their allegiance to her. In addition, she has guards posted around the clock. It won’t be easy."

"Is there another way in? Maybe there’s a secret passageway or something? Surely a Goa’uld won’t leave himself cut off from the gate," Sam said, glancing back and forth between Egan, Riordan, and Daniel.

"Well, if there is one, it’s still a secret," Daniel said grimly. "And basically everyone in the palace is under Morgana’s thumb."

Riordan raised his head abruptly. "Maybe Ibiranu can help."

"Who?" Daniel and Sam asked in unison.

"Ibiranu was the steward Lord Yam left in place when he departed months ago. We met Ibiranu when we first got here, but Morgana removed him from the palace. He might be willing to help you."

"Do you know where he is?" Sam asked, a glimmer of hope lighting her eyes.

"I think so. He’s moved out into the outskirts of town, away from everyone. He’s become quite the laughingstock," Riordan said.

"Great," Sam said, the first genuine smile coming to her lips in a long time. "Let’s give Ibiranu an early morning visit. But right now, I think we should all get some sleep. We’re going to have a busy day tomorrow."

A party of nine tromping through the streets would be a little conspicuous, so Sam decided to send Egan and Riordan to speak with Ibiranu, which meant that the rest of them had to wait, again.

No one liked waiting—especially Daniel.

Teal’c always appeared to be outwardly calm, cool, and collected, but today, Daniel could see that the waiting was taking its toll on Teal’c as well. Thankfully, Daniel had managed to get several hours of sleep when he finally stopped moving long enough to let himself fall asleep. By the time he woke, Egan and Riordan had already been gone for several hours.

Wandering back from the small stream, he caught Sam’s attention and walked slowly to her, trying unsuccessfully to hide a huge yawn.

Sam grinned, tossing him a granola bar, which he barely caught, fumbling with the foil-wrapped package. He threw her an annoyed look but brightened immediately when he spotted her holding a steaming cup of coffee.

"Please tell me that’s for me," Daniel said, scurrying over to where Sam was perched on the edge of a log. She’d been cleaning her weapon, its parts spread out before her on a blanket.

"It sure is," Sam said, handing him the beverage. She tried to hide her grin as she watched his eyes close as he took a deep breath, breathing in the scent of coffee. "I got it ready when I finally saw you stumble out of your tent."

"Thanks, Sam," Daniel said, sipping the drink reverently. "This is great." Daniel glanced around, trying to get his bearings. Teal’c and Quillan were no where to be seen, but Jacob, Corcoran, and Afton were chatting amicably on the far side of the camp.

"I’m glad, Daniel," Sam said, following his gaze.

"Sam," Daniel asked after several minutes passed, "what do you think will happen once we get Jack back?"

Sam was unusually quiet. When she didn’t answer, Daniel turned to her, concerned. "Sam?"

Sam turned to look at Daniel, her eyes uncertain. "I don’t know, Daniel. I guess that’s up to him."

"Do you think he’ll be okay?" Daniel asked, his voice solemn.

"I hope so, Daniel. I hope so," Sam whispered, her head dropping down, her eyes fixed on her hands. After a few beats, she looked up again. "This is our fault, isn’t it?"

"What?" Daniel asked, confused as to where Sam was going. While it was phrased as a question, he nearly thought she really meant to say it as a statement.

"This whole thing," Sam said, waving her arm to encompass everything. "We’re here because something happened to us, because we were compromised. He must hate us for what we did."

Her last sentence was nearly swallowed by the air. "Sam, Jack’s not like that. He wouldn’t hate us."

"Look at what happened to him and Colonel Cromwell. They didn’t speak for years after that whole mission where the Colonel was left behind. How could you say that he won’t blame us?"

"Jack’s changed. He’s a different man now," Daniel argued, although deep down, he shared the same worry. That was just about the worst thing that could happen, for him to lose Jack’s friendship, the camaraderie they enjoyed. Jack’s death would be bad, horrible really, but somehow, that would be worse.

"Yes, Daniel he’s changed, but I don’t think he’s changed that much. We left him behind. How can he forgive us for leaving him in Morgana’s hands? I don’t see how that’s possible." Her words were clipped and bitter.

"Sam, he was doing his job. He was doing what he does best, protecting his team."

"Daniel," Sam started, her voice rising in volume, but was cut off by her father’s calm tones.

"Sam, I think we need to concentrate on the here and now," Jacob said, bending down, eyeing Daniel and Sam equally. "Egan and Riordan just returned and they have good news."

Sam glanced up, immediately spotting the two men in question, along with Teal’c and Quillan, sitting quietly at the opposite end of the camp. "When did they get here?"

"A few minutes ago, but they didn’t want to disturb you, especially since you and Daniel were in deep discussion. I, though, have none of those hang ups." Jacob grinned thinly, patting his daughter’s knee affectionately. "Come on, put your weapon back together. We have some planning to do."

Daniel was nervous. His stomach, while normally ironclad and able to take pots of coffee without the need of antacids, was in knots. He was crouched down in the shadows with Sam while the others were scattered throughout the clearing.

Teal’c, Corcoran, and Egan were trying to force the door to an ancient entrance to the palace. Thankfully, they were out in the middle of nowhere and the noise didn’t carry too far.

Riordan had been right in thinking that Ibiranu would be willing to help them get into the palace. Once they explained what they were planning, he was eager to help, even offering to join them himself. They had declined his offer. In reality, he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Once Morgana and Jack were captured, he could return to the throne as steward until Lord Yam arrived once again.

While Sam and Jacob had other plans in mind for him, they didn’t want to tell him now. They could wait for when another SG team visited, probably in a week or so to pick up the remaining gear they’d left behind. Anything they couldn’t carry they’d left back at the campsite. The camping gear was not a priority although Daniel was disturbed that he had to leave his cloak in one of the FRED’s compartments. He was going to make sure someone came back and got it. He had grown quite attached to the garment, much to his surprise.

They were armed to the teeth with zats and guns and swords among them. But even with all of their planning—and with Riordan’s assistance on the inside—Daniel was worried. Actually, if he had time to think about it, he’d probably admit that he was scared. Scared that something would go wrong, that somehow they’d lose Jack and then end up under the thumb of Morgana.

Daniel sighed quietly, making Sam turn and shoot him a questioning look. He shook his head, trying to reassure her that he was okay. She was probably equally nervous, even though she had a stoic exterior. She didn’t need his personal demons in addition to her own.

According to the plan, this passageway would lead into the castle and into the royal chambers, bypassing the guard’s quarters. Apparently, there was a secret entrance somewhere in the main sitting room.

However, the door to the passageway was proving a little more difficult to enter than they had originally anticipated. Normally, this door would be opened from the inside, allowing those on the inside to escape, not the other way around.

They’d been working on the door for an hour now and it was closing in on nine o’clock. Once inside the passage, they still had at least a thirty-minute walk to the palace. What was lurking in the passage was anyone’s guess.

Finally, it looked as if they were getting somewhere. A small break could be seen, like the crack between elevator doors. Apparently, the doors were a Goa’uld creation—heavy, unwieldy, and thick. Grimacing with exertion, Teal’c and Quillan managed to pull the doors open an inch at a time.

Sam leapt to her feet, followed closely by Jacob, Afton, and Quillan. Daniel was the last one to get his feet under him.

The doors were now open about a foot, allowing the two men to get a better grip on the metal. Sam squeezed between them, much to Daniel’s dismay, turning her flashlight on, illuminating the passage. From what Daniel could see, it was clearly Goa’uld made, the beam of the flashlight reflecting brightly off the golden walls inside.

"Sam, what do you see?" Daniel asked, trying to crane his neck around Teal’c’s bulky form. With the door nearly completely open, Jacob and Quillan had also stepped inside, adding their flashlights to Sam’s.

"Not much, Daniel," Sam replied, her voice bouncing off the hard surfaces inside the tunnel. She turned back, squinting out the door. "Teal’c, that should be good. Come on everyone, we have to get moving."

Teal’c nodded slightly, his face showing the exertion of holding the door open. Afton and Daniel stepped through as Corcoran and Teal’c shifted their weight, placing them inside the tunnel with the others as they let the doors close slowly behind them cutting them off from the outside.

Once the doors closed solidly behind them, a chill ran up Daniel’s back, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. He had a bad feeling about this. He scooted up to where Sam had taken point, aiming her flashlight down the long, dark, dusty corridor.

"So, how long until we get to the palace?"

"I don’t know," Sam said, glancing quickly at Daniel, her hand on her P90. "It should be about a thirty minute walk. I just hope Ibiranu didn’t tell anyone what we planned."

"If you were so worried, why didn’t you just have him come along?" Daniel asked, his whispered voice carrying further than he wanted.

"Because, Daniel Jackson, Major Carter believes he can be of assistance to us when we once again return to Lel," Teal’c said, his deep timbered voice echoing strangely. "Besides, this will be his only opportunity to regain what he has lost."

Daniel sighed. "Yeah, I know, but it doesn’t make me feel any better."

No one had a comment, so the group descended into silence, moving quickly through the underground passage toward the palace. As they got closer, the floor started slanting upwards until they reached a set of steep stairs. Sam stopped at the bottom, aiming her flashlight up, trying to see where they ended. It was hard to tell from this angle, but they looked as if they turned at the top. God knows how far up they’d have to climb.

"Well, I think this is it," Sam said, turning back to face the group. "It might not be pretty once we get in there. Although Riordan is going to try to clear the rooms as best he can, we may have a pretty rough fight on our hands. Let’s try not to kill if we don’t have to. Most of these people are Morgana’s victims as well."

When no one had anything else to add, Sam smiled fiercely at them, making eye contact with each of them. "Let’s get to work."

When Daniel thought back to what transpired that night, he was surprised that more people weren’t injured or killed.

Making their way up the stairs, Teal’c and Corcoran took point. They didn’t know what kind of obstacle would be at the top. If the doors before were any indication, they might have trouble getting in, wasting their only chance at surprising the guards.

The stairs turned twice, leading up to a short hallway. Daniel figured they must somehow be behind the guards’ rooms, at least according to what Ibiranu had to say. They couldn’t hear anything though the walls and their footfalls seemed loud in the enclosed space. At every scrape and scratch, Daniel jerked his head around, paranoid that somehow someone would hear them. When no loud shouts were heard, he tried to calm his heart, running words over and over through his mind as a mantra as if his very thoughts could somehow set everything straight.

It would be all right.

They’d get Jack.

He’s going to be okay.

It’s going to be all right.

Jack was going to be all right.

Catching everyone’s eyes for the final time, Sam offered silent comfort and support. Everyone was ready. It was now or never.

On the count of three, Teal’c and Corcoran pushed and the doors gave way with little resistance, startling them and the small group in the main sitting room—which included Morgana and Jack.

Metal scraping against metal was heard throughout the room as swords were drawn. To Daniel, it looked as if there was a small army in the sitting room.

The Meath castle guards leapt out of the passageway, Egan, Corcoran, Afton, and Quillan immediately fencing and fighting with their brethren, their brothers in arms. This time instead of fighting side-by-side, they were fighting each other. Riordan joined in as well, leaping into the fray with his sword flying high.

Sam, Teal’c, Jacob, and Daniel zatted as many as they could, but they came fast. As soon as the fighting was heard, others started arriving, crashing in through the doors to come to the aid of their God and Goddess.

This wasn’t what they had planned.

Jack and Morgana had their swords held high and were slowly backing into the bedroom, prepared to hide in the safety of the room beyond. Egan and Daniel saw their movement and began working their way over to the retreating couple.

Hearing a short scream, Daniel glanced over just in time to see Afton fall, run through with a sword. Another gurgle sounded just to his left and Daniel just had enough time to sidestep another falling body, dead before he hit the ground.

At least it wasn’t one of ours, Daniel thought morbidly, trying to make his way through the crowd. It was hard enough to do this on a battlefield, but climbing over chairs and furniture was proving difficult. Jack’s insistence on hand-to-hand training was coming in handy. For those he couldn’t zat, Daniel was able to hold his own, allowing Teal’c the opportunity to take care of the rest.

Daniel had one mission: get to Jack O’Neill.

Daniel heard the fighting, the grunts of pain, the prematurely cut-off screams of agony, the sound of flesh hitting flesh, the clang of swords, and the swears from participants when their opponents got too close for comfort.

Somehow, he managed to block them out.

Egan and Quillan had managed to reach the royal couple and were engaged in a fierce fight. Jack, while never proficient with a sword as far as Daniel was concerned, was gaining ground against both of his opponents, while Morgana hovered behind him, protected for the moment.

Jack’s eyes were hardened, cold, determined. Daniel had seen this stance, this expression, many times before, usually when Jack was protecting them from some Jaffa army led by a Goa’uld with visions of grandeur. This was the battle-scarred, killing machine Daniel never wanted to see.

As Daniel approached Jack he felt, rather than saw, Teal’c mirroring his own path through the destruction. Sam and Jacob had been sidetracked, protecting his and Teal’c’s lovely backsides.

Daniel nearly stopped in his tracks when Jack managed to decapitate Quillan, the body falling at Jack’s feet. Instead of the feelings of disgust such violence would engender within him, it just made Daniel angry. Angry at what Morgana had done to his friend, angry at what she had forced them to do. The waste of life that was going on was too horrible to comprehend.

Enraged, Daniel picked up a sword and charged his best friend.

They met, steel to steel, Jack’s flint-like brown eyes boring into Daniel’s coldly-determined blue ones. Out of the corner of his eye, Daniel could see that Egan had managed to sidestep Jack, moving onto Morgana.

Now they just had to get Jack and Morgana to come quietly.

Yeah, like that was happening.

Sam’s voice rose above the fray. "Daniel, we have to get out of here. They just keep coming."

Daniel grunted as Jack managed to swipe the edge of his blade across Daniel’s middle, slicing open his shirt and leaving a thin line that quickly welled up with blood.

Daniel looked up, his eyes wide. Jack was moving in for the kill, taking advantage of Daniel’s inactivity and inattention. Daniel dived to the side, missing the killing blow by inches, but Jack continued to move, his actions graceful, purposeful, strong, and confident. Daniel wasn’t getting away easily.

As Jack swung his sword again, Teal’c appeared over Daniel, his own blade clashing with Jack’s, stopping the blow. As Teal’c pushed Jack back, he spoke, urging Daniel to action. "Daniel Jackson, you must do something before I am forced to injure O’Neill."

"I know, Teal’c," Daniel said, fumbling in his pocket for the sedative he had placed there earlier. They had decided that a quiet Jack O’Neill would be far easier to transport to the gate than one fighting all the way. Daniel had agreed.

In his haste to get the vial out, Daniel had to pull his attention away from the fight happening just before him. Unfortunately, it was at that moment that Jack decided to send a kick his way, knocking the vial out of his hands to crash against the hard stone floor and sending Daniel several feet back, nearly knocking the wind out of him.

Teal’c was holding his own, but as Daniel could see, it wouldn’t be long until Teal’c was going to have to do something more than just block Jack’s attack.

"Daniel!" Sam cried his name again, drawing his attention back to the matter at hand. He no longer had the sedative and from the looks of it, the rest of the team was not fairing well. Sam had several cuts, as did her father and Corcoran.

Suddenly, an unearthly scream filled the room nearly stopping everyone in their tracks. Daniel turned quickly, realizing that the scream had come from one of the figures in front of him.

Morgana was dying.

Egan had struck her, finally giving her the fatal blow that would be her downfall.

Or so they thought.

The scream hadn’t come from her.

It had come from Jack.

For as long as he lived, Daniel didn’t think he’d be able to get that sound out of his head. That howl of absolute anguish was nothing he had ever heard before in his life—and probably would never hear again—except in his dreams.

Daniel’s eyes widened as Jack took several large steps backwards, his sword drooping, the tip scraping the floor. Jack’s left hand came up, clutching at his chest. His breath starting to come in short shallow breaths, faster and faster.

What was happening?

Daniel didn’t understand, but in some strange, obscene way, Jack was somehow bonded to Morgana. It was just as Caedmon had said. Morgana was pulling Jack’s life force from him to repair the wound she had sustained. When Egan struck Morgana with what should have been a deathblow, it was as if he had struck Jack directly.

At that moment in time, Daniel knew what had to happen. Never before had he ever believed that he would utter the words, but in order to save his friend, he had to say them. He had to scream the words he knew that would end this.

"Egan, she’s killing Jack. You have to kill her. Kill her now!"

His mouth set in a thin, fine line, Egan swung his sword, the wide blade cutting through the air. It was almost as if it happened in slow motion, Egan’s sword making a sweeping arch, connecting solidly with Morgana, cutting through her neck with one thrust.

Her body stood for a moment before crumpling, falling in on itself, landing on the floor with a thud, her sword clattering to the floor to rest beside her.

The rest seemed to come in a blur.

As soon as Morgana’s body hit the floor, Jack came once again to life, this time with vengeance in his eyes. Daniel reached for his zat as Jack approached Teal’c, his sword held high, fire in his eyes.

"Teal’c," Daniel yelled. "Watch out!"

Teal’c glanced at Jack and back at Daniel, his eyes widening as he saw what the archeologist intended to do. Teal’c managed to dive out of the way just as Jack attacked with a force Daniel had never seen him use before. When Jack couldn’t reach Teal’c he redirected his ire at an easier target: Daniel.

From his position sitting on the floor, Daniel had a clear shot, but he hesitated. How could things have gotten so bad? How could things have disintegrated so quickly? Could he live with himself if he had to shoot his friend? What if one shot didn’t do it?

"Daniel Jackson!" Teal’c’s cry brought him back to the present. Jack was almost upon him.

Daniel closed his eyes and fired.

A half-scream came from Jack’s mouth, the sword dropping with a clatter from his hands, his body following a few seconds later to lie still at Daniel’s feet.

Silence filled the air.

Daniel scrambled to turn his friend onto his back, checking for a pulse. His fumbling fingers found one a few seconds later. It was a little faster than he would have liked, but it was there.

Daniel glanced up, looking around the room at the carnage they had wrought.

Apparently, as soon as Morgana died, her control over the guards had immediately vanished—and the fighting had stopped.

"He’s alive," Daniel said, his voice sounding loud in the silence of the room.

"Good. Come on, Daniel. We have to get him back to the SGC and to Doctor Fraiser," Sam said, picking her way across the room, trying to avoid blood and bodies as much as she could. It was difficult.

"I will carry him, Daniel Jackson," Teal’c said, rising regally to his feet from where he had thrown himself on the floor.

"Thanks, Teal’c," Daniel said, offered Teal’c a smile of thanks.

Looking around, Daniel noticed Egan and Riordan in deep conversation. "Make sure that the body is burned," Egan was saying. "I don’t want anything to remain. She has plagued our people for far too long."

"Yes, my Lord," Riordan said, bowing to Egan. He quickly turned, shouting orders that the other guards immediately jumped to perform.

Egan stepped over to the SG team, his face unreadable except for his eyes. There, Daniel saw triumph.

"It is done," Egan said, looking at each of the team members in turn. "Shall we bring our wounded home?"

"Yes," Sam said, nodding. "Thank you for all your help, Egan. I appreciate your assistance."

"I, also, must offer my thanks to you," Egan said, bowing to Sam.

"Will you be okay getting back to Ildanach?" Sam asked after a beat of silence.

"Riordan knows the way. I wish to see this SGC and meet this General Hammond of which you speak."

Sam glanced at Daniel and Teal’c in surprise but answered Egan with a smile. "Sure. I think General Hammond would be interested in meeting our newest ally in person. Let’s move out and let these people do their jobs."

Teal’c gently lifted O’Neill’s limp form from its resting-place on the cold floor, cradling him in his arms like he would a young child. Jack looked small at that moment, his face finding peace in his unconsciousness.

Sam cast a quick glance at Daniel, noticing the thin line of blood on his mid-section. "Daniel, are you all right? Do you need me to bandage that?"

"No, Sam. I’m fine," Daniel said, glancing down. "Let’s get Jack home. We can worry about it once we get there."

"You sure?"

"Positive. It’s been a long day and I just want to go home."