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hathor_girlSummary: Sam discovers some people conspiring against Ria and the others.
Sam POV
I am extremely grateful that Martouf and Lantash got back to us safely! They have now been back a week, and are completely back to normal. It certainly took some time for the rest of the drug to filter out of their bodies!
We are all living here at the palace now, the Colonel, Daniel, Teal'c, my dad, Martouf/Lantash, Rohk/Ihlkat, and myself. Ria has been very kind, and has made sure we got a whole wing of the palace. She is not using most of the palace anyway, as she pointed out.
Everyone is friendly, but there are a couple of the higher priestesses that I suspect. I don't know why - the others certainly doesn't think there's anything wrong - but I still feel uneasy.
While Ria is not pretending to be a goddess, the local priests and priestesses are still there, and work to heal the locals when needed, by using drugs and potions, mostly that Ria has taught them to use. I am not convinced all of them believe Ria is not a goddess. They have been used to Goa'uld that pretends to be gods for many generations, and Ria is a Goa'uld - biologically - even if she is Tok'ra. She lives in the palace, and she also rules the planet - even if by request of the locals.
I am sure many of the locals thinks she is a goddess, and indeed, that is also what the priestesses have told Martouf and Lantash.
Regardless, I don't think that's really a problem - at least not for Ria's or ours safety. Whether they think her a queen or a goddess, most of her people love her. It is clear here in the palace.
No, the problem is that I more than suspect some of the priestesses of secretly worshipping the Goa'uld that ruled the planet before Ria ousted him. I heard some of them talk. Apparently someone had approached them, and somehow convinced them their former god was still alive, and was now furious of them for abandoning him. They seemed to think leaving them had been a test, and that he would now soon return.
I need to convince the others of this!
"Martouf?" I call out.
He turns to me, smiling. "Samantha, my love."
We kiss, and I lean close to him. I feel safe. I don't feel like discussing my worries, but I think I need to.
"Did Ria ever say what the name of the Goa'uld that ruled her before was?" I ask.
He nods slowly. "Yes, his name was Hapi. He was one of Heru'ur's sons."
That was the name I heard them mention! "Could he still be alive?"
"No, he was killed. His head was cut off, according to Ria."
"Um, and she is sure of that?"
Martouf frowns. "Yes, why would she not be?"
"It's just... I heard some of the priestesses talk about him, and they claimed he was still alive and would return. To take his rightful place and punish the traitors and all those who had abandoned him. Or something like that."
Martouf's eyes flash as Lantash take control. "I feel convinced Hapi is dead, but we should talk to Ria about this potential danger. The priestesses may miss some old power they had over people, thinking it was greater before - or it is misguided nostalgia."
"Or someone is inciting a revolt. They said someone had told them."
Lantash nods. "Regardless, it could be a danger. Come, let us talk to Ria."
"I agree. It could be dangerous if there are many who agree with them. I can, however, assure you that Hapi is dead. I saw his body separated from his head - both host and symbiote. Samantha Carter, how many was it that was talking? Can you describe them?"
"Unfortunately I only heard them. I couldn't move from behind the door where I was standing, as they would have seen me. I think it was more than three. I can probably recognize their voices, but that is all."
Ria nods. "All right. Then for now we should all keep our eyes and ears open. Warn your friends as well. That is all we can do."
More than a week has passed, and I have not heard or seen anything suspicious. We are all on guard, but no one else has noticed anything either. I am beginning to think it was maybe nothing.
It is early morning, and I have just taken a pleasant swim in the outdoor pool. Tonight was wonderful - as I have gotten used to all nights being. Martouf and Lantash are wonderful lovers. That does not stop me from missing Jolinar, but it helps to know that she is getting better, and that in now just over eleven months she will be with me again.
If I concentrate, I believe I can sense her, but I don't know if it is imagined, since she is only connected to me at the bare minimum needed for her to survive, heal, and grown stronger. I do know that small scratches heal faster than they did before I was a host, but no where near as fast as they do on Martouf/Lantash, so it is clear that Jolinar is only somewhat in control of some of my body's functions.
I tie the sash around my robe and hurries towards our quarters. I want to get dressed so I can get something to eat. I feel really hungry. The smell of food suddenly waves enticingly towards me from the dining room, and I hurry some more.
Suddenly, that smell is not so pleasant, and I feel sick. Very sick. In fact, I need to throw up. I look desperately around me, then spots a door to one of the terraces. A sprint out there and throw up behind some of the bushes on the rather large terrace - or more correctly garden. Ria has several on the upper levels of her palace.
I am feeling somewhat better and have drunk some water from a small fountain when I hear someone step out on the terrace. For some reason I immediately feel suspicious, and I noiselessly hide as far behind the bushes as possible.
They do not see me, and starts to talk. There are four of them, and from their clothing they are priestesses. I immediately recognize their voices!
I prick my ears and listen, as they quickly gets down to business and talks about their former 'god'.
"Hapi's loyal servant, Jolki, has told me our god will be back here very soon. He wants us to prepare the population."
"Praise be Hapi!"
"I have reported that several unbelievers have arrived and are staying with the false goddess."
"What should we do about them?"
"Jolki said that Hapi wanted us to do nothing for now. It is important not to raise anyone's suspicion. Also, Hapi already knew of their presence!"
"But Hapi will punish their treason later?"
"Of course, and we will be restored to the glory our kind should enjoy - when a true god is again ruling!"
They continue talking, but most of it is unimportant. I wonder who this Jolki is? Also, is it some minor Goa'uld who will try to take over the planet, since Hapi is dead?
Heru'ur, perhaps? But does he know we are here? Or did he just put two and two together?
I wish those priestesses would leave soon - I need to tell the others what I have heard!
My foot is falling asleep, but I don't dare move. I try to flex the muscles in it a little - and happen to hit the large bush. It rustles, and the priestesses grow quiet. I am terrified they will come and look, but after a while they talk again. They end the conversation quickly and leave.