The
Gift
******
The discussions have gone
well with the strangers in our midst. They came to us through the Portal of the
Skies, and at first we were wary, as there have been both good and evil
visitors to Epsilon who have arrived that way. However, our fears were proven baseless
and the strangers have been made welcome.
We are in the process of entering
into a trade agreement. They tell us that the spotty fever that plagues many was
eradicated from their world many cycles ago, and that they are willing to share
the means to do the same here with us. I was sceptical as to what they might
want in exchange for such a great gift – it was surely to come with an
exorbitant price. But all they wanted was as much Greystone
as we were prepared to let them have.
Greystone is useless to
us. It lies around in great quantities near the rivers. To let the strangers
take something as useless as Greystone in exchange
for a cure to the spotty fever seems somehow unfair. But they are adamant that
this will be more than adequate. The woman, Cart-uh, called it Trin-knee-am, or something similar, and appeared to be more
excited about it than any reasonable person should be by a stone. If they can
use it, I am happy for them to take as much as they require.
The discussions have taken
somewhat longer than usual, as only one of the four, Danyull,
can speak our language. Even he struggled at first. His accent was so strange,
and he used expressions and words found only in the most Ancient texts of this
world. However, it was enough to enable initial communication, and since then
his mastery of our language has improved greatly. Even his odd accent, similar
to those of the most far-flung, remote areas of Epsilon, is gradually
disappearing, although it still reappears from time to time, particularly if he
is excited or talking very quickly.
The discussions are now
complete, and we must now enter the Sanctuary to perform the Rite of Bonding.
This rite is essential as it makes our verbal agreement binding, and will
forever join our two worlds in friendship.
It is clear that the
strangers are slightly uncomfortable with the Rite, particularly their leader,
Oh-kneel. But Danyull explained to him that without
it, no agreement can be met, and he and the other man, Teelk,
have agreed, somewhat reluctantly it must be said, to partake.
The woman, Cart-uh, looked
relieved when she found out that she would not have to take part, and then
amused as Danyull explained what must be done. I was
almost insulted by the laughter in her eyes – this is our most sacred rite and
not offered lightly – but then I realised that it was Oh-Kneel’s
discomfort that she found amusing, not the rite itself.
We enter the Sanctuary –
the three men of Essjeewun and myself, Artos and Sprion. Artos and Teelk represent the
warriors of Epsilon and Essjeewun, Sprion and Danyull the scholars.
Oh-Kneel and I are the leaders. The balance of the three qualities, strength,
intelligence and justice, must be represented or the Bonding is void.
No women are present, but
Cart-uh and my daughter Alliana wait outside the
Sanctuary to receive the Gift of the Binding.
The door is closed. The
Rite begins.
We all disrobe. Our
nakedness is to demonstrate that here we are all equal. No finery or trappings
of status can be allowed to separate us here. Oh-Kneel’s
discomfort is growing, but he does not complain.
I speak the Ancient words
of Purification and Intent. Danyull mutters quietly
to Oh-Kneel and Teelk, translating the words. Now the
Gift of the Fluid of Life must be made.
The warriors go first.
Teelk and Artos step to the Receptacle and make their gift. They both
seem to be treating this task with the same solemnity and honour that they no
doubt bring to all activities. They stand almost to attention, faces immobile.
Their composure, along with their stature, obvious strength and dignity, is
awesome. I feel humbled by their presence.
For all here this is a new
experience. The last time the Rite was performed I was but a small boy. Few
have come through the Portal of the Skies since, and none that with whom we
would wish to be bound forever – until today.
The warriors have completed
their part in silence. They step back and now it is the turn of the scholars. There
is a long pause. Danyull seems to be having a problem
in making his gift. It is only as I watch that I realise that he is as
uncomfortable with this part of the Rite as either Oh-Kneel or Teelk – only until
now he had never showed it outwardly or voiced his discomfort. As I watch he
recovers his composure and is now ready to make his gift.
Once the scholars have eventually
added their fluid to that of the warriors already in the Receptacle, they step
back. It is now the turn of Oh-Kneel and I. We step up, either side of the
bowl, facing each other. I meet Oh-Kneel’s eye and he
nods slightly in my direction. I nod in return, and despite his obvious
unhappiness at what is to be done, I sense a grudging respect from the man.
As I turn my attentions to
the Receptacle, my eyes pass over Oh-Kneel’s body. It
is clear that he too is a warrior, as his body is battle scarred. The latest
injuries he has sustained are still fresh – small scratches and abrasions cover
his chest, and the skin is reddened and sore. I am struck by the honour that
these people pay us – even sustaining injury in their quest to be bonded with
us.
Once the Rite is complete,
we dress, and then I carry the Receptable carefully
outside, to where Alliana and Cart-uh wait. Each
holds a bottle ready to receive their share of the Gift. I carefully pour half
of the fluid into each bottle. A heavy stopper is used to seal each bottle, and
then they are shaken to ensure total blending.
The two women hold the
bottles high above their heads, Cart-uh taking her lead from Alliana. The sunlight catches on the bottles. It is done.
The worlds of Epsilon and Essjeewun are now bonded forever.
*
SG-1 took their leave of Andrion and the other citizens of Epsilon and headed
towards the Stargate. Sam carefully carried the
bottle of fluid that had cemented their trade agreement.
“Not a bad job,” muttered
Jack. “As much trinium as we want in exchange for
smallpox vaccinations. Well done people.” He glanced at the bottle in Sam’s hands. “So
Carter, what happens to that now?”
“We take it back to the SGC
and put it somewhere safe, Sir,” she replied. “It has to come back each time we
want to conduct any further negotiations.”
“Just be careful with it
Sam,” muttered Daniel. “If you drop that and it breaks we have to go through it
all over again as the agreement will be void.”
Sam’s lips twitched as she
tried to suppress a smile.
“It’s not funny Carter,”
growled Jack. “It was one of the most embarrassing things I have ever had to
do, and I intend never to repeat the experience.”
“Sorry Sir.”
“Oh, and to un-do the
enormous insult that will have been committed by the spilling of the Fluid of
Life,” added Daniel, “at the second Rite the Fluid will have to be used –
that’s your job Sam.”
She
glanced at him. Daniel was absolutely deadpan. “What do you mean – used?” she asked.
“Use your imagination Sam,”
his face remained expressionless.
“You’re kidding!” She
stared down at the bottle in horror.
“Nope – apparently use of
the Fluid of Life used to be part of the Rite of Bonding and trade agreements
could only be made once its use had been, er,
successful. Fortunately for you, Sam, due to low success rates, that part
evolved into the more symbolic version we witnessed today.” Daniel grinned.
“I’m not sure General Hammond would have sanctioned that, not for anything.”
Jack snorted. “Not so funny
now, is it Carter?”
She checked that they were
out of sight of the village and then placed the bottle carefully in her
backpack, wrapping it in a spare t-shirt to help prevent breakages.
“I think it should be
placed in pride of place in the Gateroom”, she
grinned. “So that everyone can see just how dedicated you three are to furthering
our relationships with other worlds.”
“I did not find any of this
to be amusing,” said Teal’c. “I only partook of the ritual as there was no
alternative.”
“I know what you mean T,”
agreed Jack. “And I hope you and Daniel weren’t peeking when I made my – gift.”
Sam guffawed and got a
harsh glare from all her team-mates in response.
“I would
just like to point out to everyone,” said Jack in a strident tone, “That I
personally had to
sacrifice more than most and that it is now extremely uncomfortable.”
“Jack, it’s not our fault
that the Epsilonians find chest hair offensive.”
Daniel’s lips twitched with mirth, although he did just about manage to stop
himself from laughing out loud. “And Sam did offer to wax it for you, to save
you the pain of shaving it with a blunt razor…” His composure deserted him, and
he started to laugh, which set Sam off.
“It’s alright for you and
Teal’c,” grumbled Jack, rubbing at his chest through his t-shirt. “This is both
itchy and sore.”
The team arrived at the
gate, and dialled home. As they headed towards the event horizon, Daniel
paused. “You have to admit,” he mused, “It’s one hell of a variation on the
sharing of bodily fluids to cement an agreement.”
“More dedicated than spit,”
agreed Jack.
“Much less painful than
blood,” added Teal’c.
“Just… embarrassing,”
murmured Daniel.
“You can understand why
it’s not used much,” said Sam.
Daniel gave a soft laugh.
“World Leaders masturbating over every Treaty is not something that’ll ever
catch on.”
“Ewww
Daniel, I hope you didn’t mean that literally!” giggled Sam.
“Although,” grinned Jack,
“The rights to televise the agreements could cost a fortune!”
* fin *
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