Coming Out of Exile: The Strength of A Father's Love
By Moon Mistress

Chapter Eighteen

Ares, weak and in pain but tired of suffering in the heat here in this small dark room got up and took up the pitcher.

“Hey, don’t drink that.” Jack said abruptly.

“No shit,” Ares groused and poured the water over the fire in the round pit.   Steam rose into the air.

“What are you tryin’ to do? It’s hot enough in here we don’t need a steamy sauna.” Jack complained.

Ares sneered at him and put the pitcher down again. Just as he thought it magickally refilled itself. He picked up, dumped it, put it down and repeated the pattern a dozen times or so until the fire was nothing more than a few glowing coals tossing their amber light upward like a spotlight.  The small room retained the heat well but it wasn’t long before the temperature dropped a degree or two to a more breathable level.

“Why didn’t you think of that?” Sam asked her husband with a chuckle.

“Ah, shut up,” Jack said good-naturedly.  “I would have thought of it eventually.”

Not only was it growing cooler in here but the darkness would give them an advantage the next time someone came in to check on them or toss another round of coals on the fire. Carefully he settled his big body down on the hard bench and leaned against the wall.

“You all right?” Annie asked as she peered around Jack in the darkness.

“I’ll live.” Ares said gruffly.  The throbbing pain between his legs only got worse and his spun from the loss of Ichor. “So…General…” he sneered at Jack. “What’s your plan for getting us out of here?”

Jack didn’t like the condescending tone in Ares’ voice one bit. “Fresh out.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Hell you’re the God, right?” Jack snapped. “What’s your plan?”

With both of his hands Ares reached up and grabbed the chain close the metal plate that held it to the wall.  “Watch and learn…General.”  He never should have stopped swimming laps around the island or lifting stones but he was still strong enough to get this job done.  The massive muscles in his arms, chest and neck suddenly started to bulge as he pulled on the old chain leaning his brawny body ward and putting his back as well as his legs into his work.  The chain creaked and moaned in resistance but it was not a worth opponent for the God of War.  It snapped like an overstretched rubbed band leaving the cuff and a length of chain roughly three feet long attached to his arm.  “Your turn.” Ares invited.

“Get me out of here!” Jack snapped and held his chained wrist up.

“Say…please.” Ares taunted and grinned.

“Oh…are kidd…” Jack looked up in the fading light to see those cold onyx eyes staring back at him.  “Fine. Please.” He said and tossed his graying head.

“That’s better.” Ares grabbed the chain and pulled until it also gave way under his brute strength. He freed Sam and then Annie.  The door, however, was another matter.  Like the other doors in the prison it had a large lip on it and Ares couldn’t get a grasp between it and the jamb.  The sound of knocking it down would only bring unwanted attention. Wrapping the chain around his hand up to his forearm but keeping a good foot of it still loose he sat down again.

“Well?”

Ares turned his head to gaze at Jack. “Now we wait.” He returned.

**

Sitting on the bed in Kanan’s prison cell shivering and trying to think of a way to escape Calla heard the lock turn on the other side of the door.  When it opened the faint light in the hall hurt her eyes but she saw Kanan standing there in silhouette.  “Get up.” He ordered.  She’d stopped screaming and throwing her body against the door some time ago so he figured she must be ready to talk and if not then he had other methods of persuasion.

“I don’t take orders from you.” Calla returned in what she hoped sounded like a strong voice.

He wondered about that for a moment and attempted to use the ring to get her to rise to her feet but Calla was on to him now and, at least for the time being, tired as she was the door to her mind was closed to him.  It made him long for the old days when she had no idea of the power his ring and the necklace held over her.  Kanan strode into the room swiftly, grabbed a hold of her upper arms and pulled her from the grimy bed to her feet. “Yes, you do.”  With a rough hand he shoved her toward the open door. “Move.”  He was both pleased and surprised when she continued to offer resistance. “You forget I have your Father and your friends.” Kanan whispered hotly. “Now…move.”

Calla huffed a deep sigh and slowly walked toward the door and all she wanted to do was turn around and deck him. Just land a big right hook on that jaw and wipe that smug expression off his face but she couldn’t afford to indulge in such a luxury.  “Where are we going?”

“To see your Father,” he said in almost a delighted tone before it turned dark, “I told you that you would watch while I skin him alive, didn’t I?”

The thought struck cold fear in her heart but it didn’t injure her resolve. “Why don’t you deal with me as you would have any leader?” She asked. “I am not your Cha’Dech any more.” She ventured a step into him. “I am now and always have been your superior.  I am a Queen with my own kingdom so why don’t you treat me as such and come to me as a king instead of a thug?”

“I should treat with you?”

“You were once a great king.” Calla reminded him. “You entertained and treated with many leaders.  Have you become so much animal that you’ve forgotten how to do this?”  It wasn’t that she’d actually barter with him but if she could get him to think that she would and stop this ruthless behavior then perhaps she could get him to sit down with her and talk.  That would not only buy her some time but his words and his mannerisms might give her insight.  Calla knew him well. She’d been there for many of the diplomatic sessions and later with him in his room.  It might have been almost thirty years but she could still read him.  If she could just get the chance she might be able to turn the tables.

“No,” Kanan admitted.  “I like these methods better when it comes to you.” He pushed her again. Calla stumbled a little but soon regained her ground. “Hey!” He called to someone outside the door and soon one of the Shadows appeared. “Throw it to me.” Kanan held out his hand as the Shadow tossed him something that clinked and jangled like metal.  “I was hoping you’d make me do this.”  With one hand he pushed her against the wall and with the other he looped a metal collar around her neck and snapped it closed.  “Come on doggie, let’s go.” He demanded as he yanked harshly on the chain attached to the collar and began dragging her toward the door. “Time to go see Daddy.”

Calla grabbed at the collar with one hand and the chain with the other but it was no use. It was shut tight around her.  The inside of the collar was lined with small sharp pricks that pushed into her neck from all angles as she struggled against its grasp. “You are a hateful monster.”

“Oh and I thought you wanted to treat with me.” He said in a voice that openly pondered that idea. Kanan did have a bargaining chip in this department and wouldn’t she be surprised?  Maybe they didn’t have to get right to the down and dirty part of the program. Perhaps they could take a small detour and he could knock the wind out of her sails. That sounded like fun to him.  Keeping a tight hold on the chain he yanked her forward until he saw little rivers of Ichor drip down from below the collar and knew the pricks were doing their job.  Naked and filthy head to foot Calla stumbled forward and began to follow him.

Kanan led her into a room off of the room she’d first encountered him in.  Calla imaged this entire part where Kanan was now taking up residence had once been the domain of the Jailer though he seemed he’d departed for parts unknown or had been dispatched by Kanan.  She cold only imagine the joy it would have given him to be able to do that and how and slow and painful he’d made the Jailers descent into Oblivion after suffering here so many years. The room he led her to was a very large bedroom which was dominated by three things; the massive oak canopy bed with its heavy red drapes, a matching and equally massive table with eight chairs upon which sat the third item, Hades’ crystal ball.  “Let us hold pavlar.” Kanan said happily and chained the free end of her collar to the table. “Sit.” He half-invited and half-ordered of her.

Calla looked down at the heavy wood chair with its plush seat and back.  It, like the room around her, was very clean unlike the other places she’d been recently. The seat looked soft. Grudgingly she sat down and watched while Kanan walked over to the bed only to come back with what looked like one of the animal hide flasks they’d brought with them to the Underworld.  Kanan tossed it onto the table in front of her and Calla heard the contents slosh around inside.  “Drink.” He said.

“I don’t think so.”

Kanan groaned and rolled his eyes. “In all the years you knew me did I ever once poison someone who came to treat with me?”

“No,” Calla stuttered and felt the dryness at the back of her throat which seemed to extend all the way down to her toes cry out for relief.  What little moisture there was left in her gathered in her mouth and she licked her lips. Staring at it she reminded herself quietly that Kanan wanted her alive.

“I’ve done nothing to it. It is the Nectar you brought with you.”

Suddenly she didn’t care if it was or if it wasn’t as her undeniable thirst won out and she grabbed up the flask.  Uncapping it she held it a few inches away from her open mouth with its dry parched lips and squeezed the warm Nectar into it.  It was warm but it was sweet and most of all it was liquid.  If it was poisoned then he used something she couldn’t smell or taste, if she was lucky it was something that wouldn’t cause her to go into convulsions and suffer too much.

Taking his seat at the head of the table Kanan watched her drink with a keen eye.  He took in note of the spray lightly covering her face, the spillage at the corner of her mouth and how it dripped down making a little clean streak on her jaw.  He waited patiently until she had her fill which looked to him to be about half the hide.  She swiped her hand across her chin when she was done smearing more dirt around.  “You look like shit.”

“Thanks. You too.” Calla cracked without missing a beat. “If we are to treat then what do you offer? I already know what you want.”

“Gaze,” Kanan said and pointed at the large crystal ball in the middle of the table.

Calla turned her attention to the ball and saw the image of a young boy appear in the glass.  He had dark curly hair and big brown eyes. A very handsome young boy who looked very much like… “Nicholas,” Calla gasped.

“Ah, you always were sharp, Cha’Dech.” Kanan complimented and poured himself a glass of what passed for wine in the Underworld. Taking a drink he looked up at the ball with a grin. At the mere sight of the boy she’d let her guard down and the door to her mind was open just the tiniest bit.  “Yes, that is your grandson Nicholas’ son.” He leaned forward a little. “But not Annie’s.” He whispered. “Shall I bring her in so she can see this?”

“Shut up.” Calla said through gritted teeth but she couldn’t take her eyes off the ball on the table or the strange image within it.  “Who is this boy? What is his name? Where is he? Who is his mother?”

Kanan eased back in the chair while they watched the boy in the crystal ball wander around a lake throwing stones into the water.  “They call him Wolfgar,” Kanan informed her, “his mother is Raven Lightfoot.”  He took great pleasure in watching Calla’s face turn ashen he could almost hear that door creaking on its hinges. “As to where he is…you can have that information when our treating is sealed.”  Kanan taunted.

“I don’t believe you.” Calla hissed.  The idea that Nicholas would be unfaithful to his wife was a thought that never once crossed her mind. He was better than that! She’d raised him better than that!

“Oh but you should,” Kanan said seriously. “Look at him…Calla,” he let the name roll off his tongue, “you said yourself, I didn’t have to tell you who his father is, did I?”  He let her gaze at the image a little longer so she could let the facts settle in her brain and simmer nicely.  In the crystal ball Wolfgar stopped tossing stones and crossed to the tree line where he picked up a handgun and began shooting at tin can some fifty feet away. Through the magick of the glass the reports were muffled but the faint scent of gun smoke came wafted into the air and grew stronger with each pull of the trigger. “I’ll tell you this; Raven and her friend raise him to hate you and his father.  One day Wolfgar will rise up against both of you and he will be the downfall of your peaceful little kingdom.”

Yes, Calla could read him like a book and that was the fact that scared most at this moment because she knew he was telling nothing but the absolute truth.  “Who is this friend?”

Kanan pursed his lips and thought he’d give her a freebee just to whet her appetite. “Your old friend or should I say David’s old lover? Tula.”  He took great satisfaction in watching her eyes grow wide surrounded by all that grime on her pretty face. “So you see I do have things to offer you.”

“I should what? I should give you the kingdom now and you’ll protect it…is that it?”

Kanan took a long swallow of the strange wine and waved his hand in the air in a dismissive motion. “Keep your little kingdom.” He said as he settled the glass down on the table once more. “I’ll tell you what, if you give what I want I’ll see to it that Altair Ain is completely unaffected by my return to the Living.”

“Liar.” She hissed.

“I’m hurt,” he said with a sigh as he pointed to himself.  Then he leaned forward. That door wasn’t open enough to make her believe a bald-faced lie just yet but soon it would be. In just one moment desire would over take her long enough for him to shove that door wide open.  “They have Bacchus’ notes all of his little books with his little scribblings about your kingdom and how to solve the fertility problem.” He invited. Just as he predicted those hinges didn’t squeak open but rather let out a rather shrill shriek before the door slammed fully open. “Am I lying now?”

No he wasn’t.  As much as she would like it to, a future for her kingdom didn’t balance out giving Kanan Life again.  It would be akin to setting the proverbial bull loose in the China Shop. It wouldn’t take him long before he over ran everything.  “It’s not enough.” But she wanted it to be.

“No?” Kanan wasn’t really surprised by this as far as he was concerned he was only sweetening the pot and making his time with her as much torturous fun as he possibly could. However, if he could get her to willingly agree well then that was just the icing on the cake, wasn’t it? She wanted to find a peaceful ending to this situation that much was very clear in her mind. Cha’Dech never changed; she could kick ass when she needed too but she’d much rather sit down and have a cup of tea and talk about things.

No matter how much she wanted to be diplomatic and how inviting the idea was she just couldn’t trust him. “I can’t let you have the Underworld and wander around the Upperworld.  You cannot have Altair Ain and you cannot have Earth.”

Kanan sighed and sat back once more.  “What if I told you I don’t want either?”  Now it was she who leaned forward to gauge him by voice and expression.  “What if I told you that I only want to go home, alive of course?” He added.  “Then would you do this for me?  If I let your friends and family go, I tell you where Wolfgar is and I leave this planet.  Does that make it worth your while?”

It was at this point that Calla could go left or she could go right.  She just didn’t know if he was lying or not.  It was a tempting offer. One that was exceedingly difficult to turn away from.

“I understand the spell will cost a great deal of your magickal energy,” he went on, “perhaps all of it and that is a great price to pay but surely it’s worth it to bring a future to your kingdom.” He offered.  “I also understand that you are very tired and will require rest, drink and food,” he looked back over his shoulder. Calla followed his gaze and saw the pack Ares had carried she knew there was untainted food in it.

“You want to go back to Tiberia? Why?”

“As I said it is my home.”

Not that she wanted to talk him out of it but, “You don’t even know if there’s anyone left there. They won’t recognize you. They won’t take you back as their king and no kin of your sits upon that throne now. You killed them all.”

“So I did,” he agreed in a dark voice. “Nonetheless that’s my offer. You give me my life back and get me to your N’kte and I will tell you where you can find your bastard grandson and Bacchus’ notes.”

He was lying! He was lying! BUT….but it sounded so good.  What if it was true?

What if it isn’t?

The ring on his hand caught her eye and she realized that Kanan was creeping around in her mind. She wasn’t strong enough to get him out but now that he was in maybe she could use that. “Annie?” Calla asked seemingly oblivious to the silent game going on between them. “I won’t sacrifice her for you. You’ll have to find someone else.”

That was an interesting turn. “How about Brigid?” Kanan offered. “She’s not yours so what do you care?”

For just half a second the idea was almost acceptable but then her rational mind batted that ugly thought away. “She’s just as much my daughter as Athena, Amy and Colleen.” Calla told him flatly. “I will not sacrifice any of my family or friends for you. Besides,” she added as the thirst returned to her throat and she took a drink from the hide, “it can’t be a child it must be an adult.”  In her mind she let herself wander to that open doorway and then she walked through it to see what she could see in his mind.

Well that made the task a bit more difficult but surely there was some poor soul wandering around up there that filled the bill. Still it sounded reasonable enough and they were after all only playing a game at his whim. “Fine.”

“You will follow me to the Upperworld and we will find someone suitable.”

“Here.” He countered.

“I cannot cast the spell here in the Underworld; we must go to a place called Stonehenge.” Calla informed him.  “It is the only place in the universe where this spell will work.”

Kanan could only wander around the Upperworld in the dark of night or in a place that had no natural light whatsoever such as the SGC.  He didn’t much care for the idea of wandering around with a Cha’Dech who was rested and ready to cast such a powerful spell in the Upperworld where she would have much advantage over him.  “I think you’re lying.”

Calla sighed and took another drink of Nectar. “You know as well as I that magick does not work well down here it…well it…’fritzes out’… as we say.  If it didn’t I’d throw a lightning bolt at your throat and be done with this whole mess right now.  But you already know what I say is true because you want me alive.” She said easily as she wandered around his head and got a good look at his plan. “If you wanted me dead I would be.  What I don’t understand is why you tempted Ares so?  Was it just to taunt him?”

“Yes,” he said in almost a dazed voice and before he realized the word was out of his mouth. “I didn’t think he’d go so far.”

Another drink. Her head stopped spinning and the aches in her body moved down to an ignorable level most of all her strength started to return. It seemed Kanan had forgotten that Nectar was more than mere wine or water to an Olympian. “My Father loves me,” Calla said with a small satisfied smile.  Now that she was so fully inside her one-time Master’s mind Calla understood that Kanan did intend to return to Tiberia if only to have a look around but chances were he’d make himself at home in the Upperworld once Life returned to him. It seemed to her that the only hope she had of defeating him was to give him what he wanted but not until she got what she wanted. “You will free Annie, Jack and Sam as a gesture of good faith of our deal.” Calla told him.  “You can keep Ares here until our bargain is complete.”

“No.”

“You don’t need them.” Calla reminded him. “You made your point now let them go and I will do as you ask.”

Kanan thought it over. No, he didn’t need them they were just dead weight to him now though they could be fun to play with later on, he never did like O’Neill and that Samantha looked like a good ride to him.

Is it worth it? The thought lingered in his head and rolled over and over again until it made itself very comfortable.

Perhaps it wasn’t.  “I’ll think about it.” He said in a perplexed tone as he realized the voice of the thought snuggling down in his mind didn’t seem to be his.

“What have you done with Hades?” Calla asked in a conversational tone. “I don’t believe you’ve sent him to Oblivion.”

“He’s well on his way.” Kanan sneered. “Don’t doubt that. Soon he will be nothing more than a memory.”

In her mind she saw the very clear image of Hades naked and withered sitting in the Chair of Oblivion.  How had Kanan been able to get him there?  That was a good question but one that seemed unimportant in this moment. All that really mattered was that she was now aware of where her Uncle was and what torture he was going through. If someone didn’t get him out of that chair soon he would never recover. Even she knew that someone had to be Ares.  “So are we agreed? Has our pavlar ended and now we have an accord?” Calla asked feeling it best to get things moving along as quickly as possible now that she knew the danger Hades was in.

It was a good treaty and if she were anyone else he might well sign the pact but that feeling of distrust was mutual.  It was stronger than even the magick of the jewels they wore.  “Perhaps.”

Kanan was on to her or at least the idea was starting to grow in his head. Calla very quietly backed out of his mind through that doorway and returned to herself.  “I think it is very amicable.”

“I’ll let you know what I consider amicable.” There was a knock at the door and it was Kanan’s turn to return himself. “Come in.” He called out roughly.  One of his Shadows opened the door and came inside. It bowed and then crossed the room to whisper in his ear. Calla couldn’t hear what was being said but the smile on Kanan’s face was enough to tell her that whatever it was it wasn’t good for her.  “Thank you.” He said and dismissed the Shadow. “It seems I have company.” Kanan said and suddenly he stood up and unlocked the chain. She didn’t need to be a mind reader the look in his eyes said it all; Daniel was here in the Underworld and Kanan knew where he was.  Calla didn’t know where he’d been or for how long but he was here now and that was all that mattered. Certainly he didn’t come here alone. Calla wondered who had been brave enough to accompany her Husband to the Underworld.

Without any further warning Kanan pulled her out of the seat. The sharp pricks in the collar bit into her neck when her first instinct was to pull back and resist but that wasn’t the best maneuver here.  If the way to get rid of him once and for all truly was to give him what he wanted then that was what she must do. Calla wished she was still inside his head she needed to distract him and buy Daniel time to implement whatever plan he had. “Don’t you have more pleasurable things to do…My Lord?” Calla offered though the words stuck in her throat as she let her gaze wander over to the big empty bed. “Why not let your guards worry about whatever company you may have?”

The smile on Kanan’s face grew wider until it was a full blown grin. “Nice try.” He whispered. “I think that will have to wait until Jackson is dead and bond you share with him is broken. Shouldn’t be too long now. In the meantime, I have something for you.” Kanan taunted. “As a gesture of good faith between us.”  Kanan reached behind him and unlooped a leather strap at his neck he pulled the rest of it free from the tattered shirt he was wearing. Before she could get a good look at it he put it around her neck. Calla looked down at the new medallion she was being told to wear and let out a shrill cry as she tried to take it off.  “Leave it. Perhaps you can return it to Ares one day.” With that he dragged her back to the cell and chained her to an eyebolt near the greasy bed.  “With regard to our pavlar I’ll get back to you.” Kanan said as he slammed the cell door shut.

End of Chapter Eighteen
Coming Out of Exile: The Strength of a Father's Love
by Moon Mistress
a/k/a Lisa Beth Darling
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Chapter Nineteen