Prologue:
The Master mesmerized Buffy with his eyes. She couldn't move, couldn't fight, could barely breathe. The ancient vampire closed his fist, floating the tiny Slayer toward him, toward her fate. Stupid child walked right into my hands, not realizing her blood provided the missing ingredient needed to free me. Bending his skeletal neck, the Master sank long fangs into Buffy's tender flesh.
She gasped from the pain as her heart pounded in her ears. The prophecy was right; she was going to die, here, tonight in a dank cave wearing a party dress, alone. Her eyes grew heavy, her heart slowed as the pain lashing through her stopped, when the Master tore himself away. He dropped her limp body into a tepid pool of water, and then stepped through the force field that had held him captive for over a hundred years. His evil laugh echoed through the caves as he walked toward the surface, determined to open the Hellmouth and unleash Hell on Earth, over which he planned to rule.
Xander forced Angel onward through the tunnels, intent on saving Buffy. The souled vampire's face showed the fear he felt at facing the Master. Arriving minutes after the Master's exit, they rushed over to Buffy's prone body only to watch in horror as it started sinking under the black water. Xander stretched out to try and grab her, almost falling in headfirst, if it weren't for Angel catching him in time.
"Let me go, I have to save her. Buffy!" Xander screamed, struggling against Angel, trying to get free from his grip.
"She's gone, Xander. Buffy's gone. There's nothing that you can do, nothing that anyone can do," Angel said sadly. His heart broke for the beautiful girl that had changed his life, giving it purpose. The girl that he loved was dead. Fury rushed though his body as he released Xander. He turned away and silently walked toward the exit.
"Where are you going? Don't you even care that she's gone?" Xander screamed as tears raced down his face.
"I can't bring her back. All I can do for Buffy is make sure that they join her by sending them all to Hell," Angel whispered softly.
Xander shivered, stepping back in fear. His eyes returned to the last place he saw the girl of his dreams before following, not too closely, the vampire. Totally consumed by grief and a need for vengeance, neither saw the black water as it glowed red. The glow grew to a blinding intensity before fading away, signaling the Slayer's worthiness. Throughout the ages, numerous Slayers had died, only one was destined to live, as a true Chosen One.
The Master stepped out onto the library's roof. Walking over to the edge, he viewed the town below, smiling as he let out a deep, unneeded breath. He held his arms out and exclaimed, "My world! Oh, my beautiful world!" He felt the Hellmouth's warm welcome as the building shook beneath his feet. Throwing back his bald, white head, the Master cackled with laughter. "Yes, open up, open for me and I'll begin my reign of destruction."
Below in the library, Giles and the other Scoobies fought a green, multi-headed demon with huge tentacles that had burst through the floor. They used swords, bats, anything they could find to battle the huge monster trying to open the gate to Hell.
"Yes. Come forth, my child. Come into my world."
"How about you join it instead?" Angel stood in the doorway, ready to attack his grandsire.
The Master turned; startled that anyone would dare speak to him this way, especially his own grandchilde. "Angelus, my darling boy, have you come to help me rule over these pathetic humans?" His red mouth smiled wickedly, thinking about this beautiful childe rejoining the fold.
Angel walked forward without saying a word. He gave the ancient vampire one of his famous half smiles before picking him up and throwing him through the skylight. Screaming as he fell, the Master's body impaled itself on an exposed table leg, turning to ash, and leaving only a skeleton behind. The monster dropped Willow from its grasp; its tentacles stopped fighting, and withdrew back into the Hellmouth, closing the opening behind it. Angel peered down into the Library, waving to let them know that he was okay.
Xander waited until everyone finished cleaning up the library, before he could find the words to explain about Buffy. The Scoobies gathered to mourn the passing of a hero, a girl who came into their lives and changed them for the better. Giles left brokenhearted, losing the daughter of his heart - his Slayer.
In a room with golden walls, a sarcophagus stood. Three Jaffa soldiers bowed before it, praying. They did this faithfully each day, waiting for their god to return, as she had promised. Shat'tac's dark eyes reflected an emotion resembling hope when he heard a sound coming from the normally silent tomb. Exchanging quick glances with his seconds, creeping forward he reached out to touch the glowing coffin that held their fates.
Buffy's eyes flew open as she gasped for air. She remembered the Master's fangs ripping into her neck, cold water and then darkness. Her fingers searched for injuries, and her eyes widened in shock when they found only smooth, unmarked skin. Searching her surroundings, she realized that she was in some type of box. "What the hell is going on?"
A soft voice said, "Be at ease, young one."
"Who're you? Talk to me face to face and I'll get unwigged, thanks." Buffy turned her head from side to side, but couldn't see anyone.
"Your time as the Slayer is through. We have watched and waited these many centuries, for one such as you to fulfill the prophecy. We cleansed the path in order to gift you with your true fate." The Voice caressed Buffy's mind, soothing her, helping her accept the new change in her life; well, almost. "The Council did not foresee your coming. They could not conceive that any Slayer would not remain bound to them by duty. Sineya chose you for this trial. When you overcame your fear of death, allowing your heart to guide you; it proved your worthiness to carry her spirit.
"Wait! What do you mean fate? You mean you've waited for me to die. That's pretty lame." Buffy frowned, thinking about how scared she was facing the Master. Someone sitting around waiting for her to die didn't sit to well with the young Slayer.
"I shall explain, young one. There was no escaping your death. Were someone to interfere and return you to life, the Slayer Line would split, an imbalance from which your world would never recover." A soft wind rattled the sarcophagus, stressing the point.
"Okay, I get it. Two Slayers, bad. Why not just let me die?"
"We watched you, listened to your words. You did not want to die, yet you would not allow another to take your place. You courageously faced the Master with a pure heart. Sineya chose you to carry her spirit, to fight what will come, as only a true Goa'urdyan can."
Buffy didn't understand what the Voice had said. "Who the heck is Siny, and what's a gourd?"
"Sineya created your line. She is the first and last of her kind," the Voice answered.
"The First Slayer? How can she be the first and the last? That makes no sense and it's giving me a headache." She rubbed her temple, trying to alleviate the pounding. Her finger skimmed over cheekbones, no longer rounded, then wandered further over a face that held no hint of childhood. Not understanding what had happened, Buffy continued the exploration. She found that her entire body had changed. A mature, toned, adult, female body had replaced her soft, youthful curves. "What've you done to me?" Buffy's voice sounded panicked, and angry at the same time.
"This is your final body; the former couldn't hold your new powers. It cannot age and will sustain you until the end."
"What do you want, and why am I stuck in a box? Why won't you just tell me what the hell is going on?" Buffy tried sitting up, but an unseen force held her in place.
"Very well," the Voice sounded exasperated. "Your death ended your time on your Earth stopped with your death, yet this universe needs your help against horrible enemies. They need a Goa'urdyan to lead them into the light and prepare the way, or else they will fall into the darkness. See what they face now and in the future. Decide whether you will pick up the gauntlet."
Buffy saw the Goa'uld's System Lords, their Jaffa soldiers and the way they enslaved people and planets. Looking further into the future, she perceived an even greater threat, a flaming face that wanted to enslave all worlds, using their faith to feed their power. She sighed, knowing she couldn't turn her back if she could prevent even one of these events from occurring. "What do I have to do?" Her voice came out in an emotionless, defeated sigh, finally understanding that Fate was a bitch that found you no matter where you went.
"Be brave, young one, there is much good ahead. Life is just beginning for you here. You can teach the people here many things as they will you."
"Can I get out of this box, now?" Buffy wiggled in place, beginning to grow claustrophobic.
"One last thing, Goa'urdyan, your powers have changed. Sineya will come when you need her." The Voice drifted away without explaining anything else.
The sarcophagus' lid slowly started to rise and Buffy moved with it, sitting up, taking in her surroundings. Her spider sense went haywire from the large men bowing before what she could now see was a gold coffin. Buffy climbed out as she fought back a shiver. Thanks to the Voice, she realized that the men were Jaffa soldiers, not only Jaffas, but also a First Prime and his seconds. She stood beside the golden tomb, noticing that she no longer wore her Spring Fling dress. No doubt, the Voice had decided that her new body needed new clothes she thought wryly by picking at a costume straight from a Cleopatra movie. An image of her slaying in this outfit brought a large smile to her lips. The gold coin bra was a little much, although she rather liked her new longer hair with its tiny braids wrapped in golden ribbons that ended with bells.
"Mistress, we humbly await your command." Shat'tac bowed low, pressing the symbol of his position against the marble floor.
"What's your name?" Buffy seemed just as startled as the Jaffa soldiers when she spoke. A chorus overlaid her voice, giving it a warm, yet powerful sound, unlike the coldly resonating drone of a Goa'uld. She didn't know that her eyes resembled the purest flames, as they glowed, a pure, molten red. The Jaffa warriors trembled in fear, not knowing what had descended on them, for this was much more than a god.
"I am Shat'tac, mistress. I have waited diligently these long years for your return," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Buffy stepped forward, stretching out her hand. She watched the giant soldier stiffen, preparing for a blow. She gently touched his face and promised. "No one is going to hurt you, or the people of this world, ever again."
No matter how many times he had walked through the Stargate, it still excited him. Daniel wasn't thrilled that Vala recommended their destination. He understood her better than the others and knew that she had a hidden agenda. His fervent hope, this mission, was to remain among the living. He didn't bother to keep track anymore, but he thought his deaths numbered in the double digits.
"Teal'c, I'm so glad that you came back," Daniel hugged the tall Jaffa.
"Indeed. I am also happy to see you, DanielJackson. It is important to find and make new allies against the Ori," Teal'c said, bowing his head in greeting to Cameron and Vala.
"That's right, Teal'c. That's exactly what we're going to do." Vala smiled brightly, causing the three men to exchange uncomfortable looks.
The newly reformed SG-1 exited the Stargate, getting their first glimpse of P8X-412. Teal'c felt an unusual excitement as he stepped through the event horizon. He didn't know why this planet seemed different from the numerous others he had explored with SG-1. His dark eyes took in the terrain at a glance, perceiving no immediate threat. After getting the all clear from the large Jaffa, the SG-1 leader signaled for them to move away from the Stargate. The team silently walked several yards through a dense jungle. When they arrived at a clearing, a typical Goa'uld pyramid stood in the distance. The men turned to eye Vala before drawing their weapons and cautiously proceeding.
Vala could hardly contain her excitement. She hadn't missed the glances that Daniel kept sending her way. He obviously didn't accept her story to which she gave a mental shrug as she prepared not only to help SG-1 against the Ori, but herself as well. There was nothing wrong in profiting from this type exchange. She reasoned that she was performing an ambassador's duties. If she just happened to recover the treasure left behind from her previous stay, no one should protest; after all, ambassadors received handsome fees for their services. "Follow me." She cheerfully led them into the pyramid. Vala walked carefully through the corridors into a vast area where an intricate throne sat. "Oh, good, no one's here."
"Whoa, I thought you had a good relationship with these people." Cameron seized her arm, turning her back toward the group.
"It's just that I can't meet them looking like this." Pulling her arm away, she swept it down her body to emphasis the SG-1 uniform. "It won't take me a minute to change." Before they could say anything more, she hurried across the room and disappeared down a hallway.
Daniel followed intent on finding out what she was hiding. He found her frantically searching a small chamber. Leaning against the wall, he watched her for several minutes. "Exactly what are you looking for?"
Vala jumped, focused on the search for her hidden treasures, she hadn't heard him approach. "Daniel, you startled me. Can't a girl get a little privacy?"
"For what? So you can continue searching? Come on, Vala, what's supposed to be here that isn't?" He crossed his arms over his chest, staring at her intensely with pale blue eyes.
Cameron and Teal'c joined them, with their guns drawn. "Think the Welcome Wagon's on its way. Where's our personal invite?" Cameron asked the room at large. When Daniel and Vala remained silent, he loudly cleared his throat. "Anytime now."
"My clothes aren't where I left them and we were discussing how to best handle the situation," Vala supplied.
"You'll just have to go in your cammies. Come on, we don't want to get caught snooping around."
Cameron started back toward the throne room. Daniel glared at Vala before following after him. Vala sighed heavily, giving the room one last glance and joined Daniel with Teal'c bringing up the rear. Cameron started around the corner, then stopped and signaled for them to keep silent. They watched wide eyed at what they saw. No one was more surprised than Vala herself. Thirty young girls, ranging in age from three to twelve, walked by hiding the person at their center from the team. SG-1 exchanged glances; this didn't look good. Weapons immediately slid into waiting hands as they prepared to fight.
Buffy smiled at the happy chatter. This was her favorite activity each week. It gave everyone an opportunity to be precisely what they were, little girls, and allowed her to remember her own innocence. She felt a tiny hand swing at the bells in her hair. It created the intended chime, which had giggles erupting from a rosebud mouth. The procession ended at the throne where the girls fanned out, permitting Buffy to freely walk through them. She regally sat down, motioning for the girls to sit on the steps beside her. She sensed that something was off, closing her eyes, she allowed her senses free reign. Her emerald eyes opened as a frown crossed her brow.
"What the matter, Siny?" A small child with dark eyes and hair leaned against Buffy's knee watching her with concern.
"Nothing, Issa, is everyone ready?" She smiled when the girls cheered. Anyone that knew her well would notice that the smile didn't completely reach her eyes. "Who wants to go first?"
"I dos, dos," Issa shouted, jumping in place while waving her hand excitedly.
Buffy laughed at her antics. "Okay, Issa, tell us what you've learned this week."
"Momma showeded me how to pick good berries. She said I was the bestest picker ever." Her little chest puffed out with pride.
"Very good. Who can tell Issa why she needs to know which berries to pick?"
Buffy tuned out the answers. She motioned for the girls to be quiet and come closer to her. "I need you to play our game. If I don't return in a little while, you know what to do," she whispered.
"Can you see what's happening," Daniel asked, since he didn't have a good vantage point.
Cameron arched his neck to take a better look. "The kids are surrounding a woman that is sitting on the throne. Can't hear what they're saying though."
"I thought you said there weren't any Goa'uld in this area," Daniel whispered. "How could she have hid here without us knowing about it?"
"Perhaps I can help you," a resonant voice asked from behind them.
They turned around, raising their P-90s unsure what they would find. The voice didn't have the same tone as a Goa'uld, but an echoing overlay of voices. The woman's queenly attire didn't ease their concerns whatsoever. Teal'c searched the Goa'uld for a weakness, noticing that she came alone. Either she was arrogant about her power, or she didn't desire any help, which wasn't good for them. Cameron's eyes swept down the gold-encrusted woman and then back up again. The beautiful blonde was a great improvement on the other snakeheads he had met. Vala's eyes narrowed when she saw her jewels adorning this small blonde. She felt tempted to shoot her for that offense alone. Daniel watched Vala's reaction to the newcomer. It confirmed his earlier suspicions, when he saw her eyes go directly to the other woman's jewelry. He'd seen that look before along with the particular way she straightened her shoulders before causing all hell to break loose. He didn't intend to let her take them with her.
"Hello, my name's Daniel Jackson. These are my colleagues Cameron Mitchell, Vala Mal Doran and Teal'c. We've come as Earth's ambassadors to talk with the person in charge." Emerald eyes held pale blue ones, as if they could see inside his head. They finally moved away from him, studying the team. Daniel felt a sigh escape when she turned away from him. He thought, too soon, when those jeweled eyes turned back to him.
"Do you always sneak around and spy on places that you visit? You have a Jaffa among you, let him step forward." Her tone became formal as it issued the command. This wasn't a request. She expected them to obey her orders.
Cameron started to protest when Teal'c holstered his weapon and walked up to the small woman. "Teal'c."
"It is all right, CameronMitchell. I am neither frightened, nor ashamed of who I am." The Jaffa warrior had stopped mere inches away from their 'host'.
Buffy took in his proud bearing and the straightforward way he met her eyes. Her eyes swept toward the golden insignia that graced his forehead. He wore it not as the honor intended, instead it was a battle scar duly earned. The tall muscular frame didn't fool her into thinking that was some cumbersome ox. She recognized a fellow warrior who could use his size to fool his opponent, much the way she did.
"Mistress, mistress," a frightened voice stopped the inspection.
She shoved Teal'c aside in her haste to reach the troubled voice. A man gasped for breath as he stumbled at her feet. She helped him stand and searched for injuries. When she didn't find any, her green eyes glowed red as her hands cupped his face and whispered, "Be at peace, Verdu, tell me what has happened."
The SG-1 team watched the man's eyes close and his breathing even out, permitting him to speak coherently. "That creature hurt Sedic when it returned only moments ago."
"Go, gather the children and escort them to safety. Were my orders obeyed regarding the others?" Verdu nodded. "Good. Don't worry; I'll take care of this." Her eyes blazed with anger, turning them into twin flames. She spun on her heels and raced by SG-1, heading for her room.
Verdu started to rush off, when Cameron stopped him. "What's happening?"
The stranger startled him, his eyes searched for the mistress who was long gone. "A horrible creature attacks. I don't know who you are, stranger, but I have orders to follow." He ran into the chamber where the little girls huddled together. "Hurry, girls, we must reach the hiding grounds at once."
SG-1 followed him, unsure what to expect. They watched the children quickly rush from the room in a much-practiced routine. Loud shouts and explosions from outside decided their next move. Cameron took the lead, with Teal'c bringing up the rear. They readied their weapons once again to meet whatever danger lay ahead. Stepping out into the opening, they saw as the Prior pointed his staff at the fallen man. A small portion of the man's injuries healed before their eyes. The crowds oohed and ahed at the sight. SG-1 exchanged looks before stepping into the opening. They pointed their weapons at the Prior, shooting him point-blank with all the firepower available to them. He waved his staff, dissolving the flying bullets.
"Who are you to come before me, challenging the power of the Ori?"
"We are here to ensure that your false promises don't fool these people," Daniel responded.
Jaffa warriors appeared to stand guard between the villagers and the Prior. SG-1 didn't know what to think about this change in events. Before they could react, pandemonium broke out as the Prior fell forward pushed by some unseen force. His body swiftly rose, with the staff ready to fire once more. He turned to eliminate his attacker when he froze in place, his pale eyes widened at what he saw. The Prior knew fear for the first time since his service to the Ori began.
"How is this possible? I have awaited the allotted time. You should no longer exist."
His staff had started to fire when a blur flew across the opening area. SG-1 watched as the Prior landed on the ground. The small body atop his was none other than the woman they had met earlier. She looked nothing like her former persona. Dressed in Jaffa battle wear, with blazing red eyes, she appeared more an avenging angel than a power hungry Goa'uld.
Buffy grabbed the staff, throwing it away from its owner. Her fingers clutched the Prior's head between her hands as she brought his face close to her's. Twin red flames blazed as they stared into his eyes before she twisted his head until it gave a satisfactory snap. Jumping to her feet, she waved several Jaffa forward. They grabbed the Prior and marched off with his dead body. Hurrying over to Sedic, she picked him up and carried him into the pyramid.
SG-1 started to follow when the remaining Jaffa blocked their way. They tried to force their way through, only to find themselves surrounded with staff weapons aimed at them. They dropped their weapons, raising their hands above their heads. "We just want to see if we can aid the injured man. Possibly our medicines can help him," Daniel calmly explained .
"Insolent fool," a deep voice declared. A large Jaffa stepped through the line. The gold insignia on his forehead pronounced his rank as the First Prime. "Our mistress has no need of your assistance. Take them to the dungeon to await Sineya's judgment."
Vala recognized Shat'tac from her time as Qetesh. He and a troop of soldiers were away on a mission when the Tok'ra incited the rebellion that led to Qetesh's death. She wondered if he would recognize her dressed as she was, with her hair up in the pigtails she favored. Unsure whether her stepping forward would help or hurt the situation, she kept silent.
Buffy lay Sedic in the sarcophagus and closed the cover. She shut her eyes, whispering a silent prayer to whoever watched over her little world. Since she had come to this world five years ago, she had watched her former coffin achieve numerous healing miracles. This time she hoped that it wouldn't fail her or the innocent man within its confines.
Shat'tac had explained the problem with using the sarcophagus too frequently. The first time it became necessary to utilize it, they learned that the life saving tool had changed. Buffy wondered if the voice had altered the healing properties, or if her time within the golden chamber was somehow involved. It didn't matter to her or the people it restored, just that the addictive properties no longer existed. Since coming to this new world, she had no other choice but to protect and lead the people who lived here. She thought that she would never convince them to accept her as their leader as opposed to their 'god'.
She heard Shat'tac's distinct footfall as he entered the room. He stepped up to stand beside her. "How does he fair, mistress?" His dark eyes stared at her, waiting for an answer.
"It's taking longer than normal. Do you believe that he'll survive?" She placed a hand on the lid as if her will could force the recovery to happen faster. "Where did you place our guests?"
"They are, as you say cooling their heels, in the dungeon. Sedic was the more important matter. The visitors can wait until he has been returned to his family."
She favored him with a bright, beautiful smile. "You've become a good man, Shat'tac. Do you remember the first year after I arrived? I wasn't sure that either one of us would survive it. You wanted to worship me, and I wanted to change your belief in the Goa'uld. We've come a long way, haven't we, my friend?"
"Yes, we have, mistress. I can never find a way to repay you for showing me the truth."
"Back at you, big guy. You taught me just as much." They stopped speaking when they heard the lid opening. She moved closer to help Sedic sit up while she checked him over for any lasting effects from the Prior's attack.
"Mistress," Sedic whispered, coughing to clear his throat. "You healed me. I didn't think that you would come in time. Is my family safe?"
"Ssh, they are fine, just waiting for you to come home. How do you feel? Any pain or weakness?" Her large eyes were once again their normal green. They reflected the concern she felt over the Prior's attack.
Sedic shook his head, smiling shyly at her. "I feel fine. May I get out now? This is a wondrous device, but it frightens me."
"Understand completely. Let's get you home to your family. I bet that Kigorn is ready to play sniplest. That boy thinks about nothing else, well, except maybe food." They laughed at the truth of that statement. Sedic's son was nine years old and loved to play the fast-paced game. She turned to Shat'tac who although no longer considered himself a First Prime, he took his position as Buffy's right-hand man and Captain of the United Army very seriously.
"I will escort Sedic home and ensure that the other children are safe. Will you wait for my return before talking to the visitors?" He didn't demand, which he knew would send her straight to the dungeons. No, his mistress was an independent creature who didn't take orders from anyone. It should prove interesting to see what the visitors thought about her, once they realized who they were dealing with. A sardonic smirk graced his lips at the thought of the entertainment he would enjoy as he safeguarded from any potential danger they might present.
Vala tried to pick the lock, with no success, while the men leaned against the walls, glaring at her. Finally, having had enough of the silent treatment, she turned back to them with her hands on her hips. "What?"
"Just how do you know these people? Why didn't you know that there was a Goa'uld in charge?" Daniel glared back at her tempted to shake the answers from her deceitful, plump lips.
"Because I was the last one that ruled here and didn't consider that anyone else would bother with this backwater place," she snapped at him. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what she had said. Vala watched Daniel's eyes turn glacial as he stared at her in disgust. "Don't look at me like that, Daniel. This planet was just one of many that Qetesh ruled while I hosted her. The Tok'ra removed my symbiote after they incited the people to rebel. They tortured me, thinking we were the same person."
Cameron whispered under his breath, "Couldn't tell the difference? Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"I was desolate." She sat down on the floor with a heavy sigh. "That's when I found out that they didn't know about Qetesh's death."
"Let me guess. You remembered the naquadah mine and saw a way to make a profit? You arrived here as Qetesh and forced them to work for you."
"Well, there wasn't much left to mine," she explained while Daniel gave her an incredulous look. "It's true; it was practically barren. This planet provided me a haven until I could heal." Teal'c made a sound somewhere between a groan and a sigh. "I was a great god, just ask them."
"When they come to drag us in front of their newest god, we'll just do that. Oh, wait; we probably won't get a chance to speak before they start torturing us."
Vala jumped back to her feet to face off with SG-1's leader. "You don't believe me do you? You think I did terrible things, just because I pretended to save myself."
Daniel stepped between them. "This isn't helping anyone. We've been through this before and I'm sure we'll see a chance to escape and take it."
Teal'c went to the door, listening careful he heard footsteps approaching. "I believe that we will soon find out, DanielJackson. They are returning for us." He placed his much larger body before his teammates, providing the guards a target should it come to that.
SG-1 tried to prepare for what lay ahead. They had survived situations this serious before. The problem was that the Ori wouldn't wait while they figured out precisely how to do just that.
"Sineya awaits you, humans," a Jaffa soldier explained, before opening the cell door.
Teal'c tried to speak to the soldier as one Jaffa to another. "Do you not question your place in this world? Has your god always treated you fairly and never faltered in your eyes? Though, I am sure that she would have you believe otherwise, your god is a false god."
"I do not require your interference in this matter, Jaffa. Sineya has given us all that we could ever need and more. You will see that she is truer than any other you have come across. Now," he waved a staff weapon in their direction, "hold your counsel as we go to see the mistress. Sineya will know what is best."
Teal'c exchanged a sad look with Daniel and Cameron. He regally bowed his head as he stood between the Jaffa and his friends. Waiting until the entire team had exited the cell, he followed behind them, using himself as a human wall. He knew that if the Jaffas decided to use the staff or ribbon devices that he could withstand the pain better than the others.