Chapter Three

The Sengul planet was just as Nick had described it; Hottie Home World. Everywhere Daniel looked there was a super model staring back at him. If pressed he’d have to say that the men of this world weren’t any slouches either. They were all very fit, trim and handsome thought they did, for the most part, appear to also be older than the majority of the females.  Within a day or two concentrating on the exact reason he was here started to become difficult.  In order to avoid any temptation Daniel took to wandering in the woods nearby and checking out an ancient city which was now in ruins and was said to hold the worldly remains of Artuir Sera.  It seemed to him that the people of this planet did indeed descend from some Celtic people but whether or not it was Arthur was impossible to tell.

The ruins told Daniel the tale of The Great King whose son, Artuir Sera, was spirited away through the heavens from his far-off homeland and to this planet by his mother when he was only an infant. Upon reaching the age of manhood Artuir Sera soon conquered the few tribes which inhabited this planet when they arrived and brought the world together as one.  Under his rule there was much prosperity and joy. While the name would elude to the boy being Arthur’s son, if Morgan was right, there was really no way to be sure short of exhuming the remains and doing a DNA analysis against Morgan, Arthur’s only know living relative.  The idea of broaching the subject with the Sengul Vedic didn’t give him a lot of pleasure.  Daniel decided if the subject ever came up during the course of their negotiations then he would speak freely but if not, well, who was he to upset a few hundred years of their history and tell them it might all be a lie?

The remains of Artuir Sera lay under the temple which now lay scattered in many broken pieces on the soil below his feet.  The structure still stood it was not in good condition and only recently been uncovered, or so he was told.  Daniel had also been told that the tomb was undisturbed and since they were such a peaceful people it was open to the public. He was free to go and inspect it, photograph it, make notes about it…whatever he wanted.  Over head the sun was more than halfway through its journey for the day, it was a long walk back to the city but he’d come all this way and it couldn’t hurt to stay a while longer.  Carefully making his way through the haphazardly hanging door and then over fallen bits of temple he walked into what was left of what had surely been a grand hall at some point in time.  The altar still stood at the far end and it was adorned with images of Celtic Gods and Goddesses.  Obviously Artuir Sera didn’t hold with his father’s beliefs in the One God.  Turning on the flashlight he continued slowly walking forward in this building which was a strange mixture of pagan temple and roman church with its long wooden pews and icons gracing the walls.  These icons didn’t tell the Stations of the Cross instead each was a single symbol that he recognized but not from any text book.

Backing up a few feet until he found the first plaque he rubbed the dirt and dust from it carefully with a fine brush and then photographed it. Where did he know that from? Wasn’t it an odd image?  It looked like a gaping mouth hanging high in the sky in it was a whirling vortex.  On down the aisle he went, every fourth pew held a new plaque. Here some type of skeletal monster ran free with its hands over its scrawny head.  One more down and a cloaked figure entered the story.  It was hard to tell if it was male or female only that the cloak seemed impossibly big for them as they held their hands forward dispelling the crazy skeleton.  The next showed him the same cloaked figure riding the back of a gigantic python and plunging a dagger through its skull in victory.  Now the wisps of hair hanging out from under the cowl and the shape of those fine hands lead the looker to believe it was a woman in that heavy cloak.  Next the woman was looking back over the scene toward a man wedged between a rock and the side of a cliff, one foot jumping over the dead serpent and over a small stream which ran past the open mouth of a cave.

The last plaque lay on the floor shattered to a thousand dusty pieces.

Daniel’s heart raced and a heavy bead of sweat broke out on his forehead. These were the images from the vision he had when he visit Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi.  How was it even possible that they were here—had been here for more than a millenia!—in this place so far away from Earth?  What did it mean? Up until now he’d thought of the experience as nothing more than a bad acid trip.  He stooped down and shuffled the pieces of the last plaque around on the floor but he couldn’t get it make a full picture as he fiddled with it. In his vision Calla killed the snake and ran into the cave to rescue him, she shook him and woke him out of his daze as he watched her make love with Ares in the strange mirrors. She told him that no matter what he decided she was his destiny.  Finding what he could of the edge pieces and the corners which wasn’t much the plaque began to show him nothing.  It was as though the plaque never held an image at all.  Shouldn’t show her emerging from the cave with him?

“She never went in,” Daniel muttered to himself, “it was my vision, not hers. She waited outside.”  Rising once more he walked toward the altar and the tomb of Artuir Sera on the right side of it.  The large cover which had been placed over his grave read simply;

Here Lies Artuir Sera
Father, Brother, Husband, Lover,
  Son of the Great King & Great Mother
 Uniter of Worlds.

His mother, Guinevere, it seemed was buried elsewhere as were whatever wives and children he may have had. The words were surrounded by symbols; at the top over his name was the same mouth in the sky as on the first plaque, below the inscription was a large coiling snake, on the left was the sun and on the right the moon.  Daniel photographed the crypt and the crumbling statues around him.  He recognized most of the old Celtic Gods guarding this place but hidden among them so well as to almost go unnoticed was one figure that did not belong here; Ares stood in the middle of the half arc of gods and goddess who were holding hands around the altar.  He might be dressed a bit differently, no toga, no gauntlets, just a simple Celtic robe but that was Ares all right he was holding hands with Brigid, a Celtic Goddess of war and fertility. Daniel photographed the statues making sure to get close ups of each.  “What the hell are you doing here, old man?” He asked the statue.  He’d have to ask the real one when he got back to Earth.

He walked around to the back of the ruins and found the graves of Artuir Sera’s children and his wife, Tyra and their children some who died in infancy and others were buried with the spouses.  Guinevere wasn’t here.

The sun was fading fast it was time to make his way back to the city. Daniel had his first big meeting with Vedic D’Sila this evening and it wouldn’t do to show up covered in a layer of dirt and dust.  He met her briefly at the reception that was held when he first arrived and she seemed pleasant enough but she was a little curt with him and insisted that he take a day or two to look around and get to know the people and the customs before they had their first talk.  She’d made David do the same thing it seemed their history and their culture were very important to the Sengali.  Once again he reminded himself not to upset that.

Dinner turned out to be an excruciatingly diplomatic affair, well up to a point.  There was a band and a troupe of dancers brought out to entertain Daniel and Nicholas who were seated in the middle of the head table in seats of honor.  Several people gave speeches before the meal and several more did the same afterward each saying how they hoped the talks would go well and that were looking forward to a long happy relationship with their new friends of Earth.

No pressure, Daniel thought when he was called upon to give his own speech expressing the same sentiments. Standing at the podium he was very grateful that Nicholas warned him about the beverages that were served during these occasions and what tasted like simple carbonated water was actually alcohol that was roughly 120 proof.  The Sengali served this beverage in 8 ounce glasses filled to the top. They were a very happy people, who wouldn’t be? That stuff could make a raging elephant happy.

After a round of applause Daniel took his seat again and a hearty sip off his drink wanting the night to be over as the next round of dancers came onto the stage.  Unlike the first group of dancers who did something akin to an Irish gig, this group of rather lovely young women had something more sensual in mind to please their honored guests.  Dressed in scanty outfits they gyrated and shimmied while staring at Daniel and Nicholas with sultry eyes.

“Here,” Nick said and handed his Father a napkin, “ya got a little drool of the corner of your mouth.”

Daniel pushed it away with a smile. “Cute,” he said lightly but continued to watch the ladies dance wondering what it might be like to get behind one or two of them.

After dessert Daniel was called up to the Vedic’s suite to being negotiations.  Amassador A’lena had passed on to her reward two years earlier and at that time Sovereign Nibor decreed that the citizens of Sengul would live in a more religious society. They were hesitant regarding newcomers and guarded the Stargate heavily.  In the five years since David Jackson came to town representatives from three other worlds had come through it this was not something Sovereign Nibor appeared to be comfortable with. Sovereign Nibor was a strange and shadowy woman whom Daniel had never seen and had been told he would not be allowed to meet with her. Among the citizens she seemed well respected if not well-liked.

In order to put a new level of their society into place and make the adjustment from near democracy to near complete theocracy Sovereign Nibor abolished the High Council and replaced it with a single woman; Vedic D’Sila, spiritual leader of Sengul.  She was a middle aged woman with honey blonde hair cropped in an asymmetrical design so that one side was longer than the other.  Even below the long vestments Daniel saw the outline of wide hips and a generous bosom. She spoke in a very soft yet commanding voice which almost lulled those around into doing whatever she wanted but she also had the air of someone raised on the wrong side of the tracks and who had somehow managed to make it good and wasn’t about to let go of that. Vedic D’Sila attended the festivities tonight but not so much as acknowledged his presence in the room other than her speech to the those gathered here. 

“You’re on, Dad. Good luck.” Nick said as he sat at the table watching those around him, mostly pairs of beautiful women, dance drunkardly. Now it was his turn to wonder what it would be like to get behind one or two of them but thanks to the compound he was taking Nick wasn’t apt to find out.

“This the way they always do things?” Daniel asked quietly as he got up from his seat.

“Was the last time we were here. Don’t worry I’m sure she doesn’t bite.” He cracked and watched Daniel walk off escorted by four lovely ladies.

In D’Sila’s quarters the first thing Daniel did was once more apologize for the little snafu the last time around.  “I’m sure David meant no harm to you or your people, Vedic, it was strictly a family matter I’m afraid.” Looking around he found her suite to be very comfortable especially for such a priestly woman.  There were large and very beautiful paintings adorning her walls and artwork of several varieties on several large pieces of furniture as well as being encased in several large hutches.  The floor was a white tile with light swirls of brown which went very well with the mauve couch and matching chairs each made of a very heavy and dark wood. All around him several statutes of Cernunnous and Brigid met his eye. These things were everywhere on this world. Fertility statues and Daniel wondered why they seemed to revere them so much. Perhaps they were praying constantly to be granted more male children.

“No harm was done though it did raise our suspicions regarding your people.” D’Sila said as she nodded gracefully. “So, tell me, what do you prefer to be called? Doctor Jackson? Lord Jackson? Lord Daniel perhaps?”

“Let’s just leave the Lord stuff alone,” he said with an easy smile. “I’m an envoy of the SGC and the planet Earth but you can call me Daniel, Vedic D’Sila.”

Vedic D’Sila’s eyebrow rose slightly. “You are King of Altair Ain, are you not also here in that capacity?”

Daniel thought about it for a second, officially he was here as an Envoy of UCOE via the SGC but unofficially, yes, he very much represented Altair Ain.  “Let’s just leave it at Daniel.”

D’Sila  motioned for him to take a seat in the living area of her suite and Daniel sat down on the very comfortable sofa.  “How is your family? We understand your Wife is quite ill. Though I see your Son is just as hearty as ever.”

“She’s doing well.” Daniel said not liking the way she’d complimented Nicholas. “Thank you for asking.” 

“We would be most honored if she would come and visit with us one day.” D’Sila invited.

“Oh,” Daniel began, “Calla doesn’t travel through the Stargate.”

“Is she already so ill?” D’Sila inquired quickly. “Your people have continually told us that travel through the Stargate is harmless.”

“It is,” Daniel assured her in a steady voice. “It’s perfectly safe, Vedic as per our pending agreement we will be glad to give all of its secrets. No, Calla, ah, she just hates that thing that’s all.” He smiled warmly. As the Stargate was a relatively new discovery on this planet, not trusting it was something the Senguls and Calla had in common. However, the Senguls were curious about it and wanted to know how to use it and what they could do with, what its history was. None of the aliens who had come through in the last five years offered them that. In fact most of them found this planet boring and technologically disadvantaged but that was because they didn’t look below the surface. They didn’t build big warships or even exploratory ships here, the Senguls were happy as they were in their rather simple but very comfortable lifestyle. They were not backwards by any means.  Their cities all had electricity which was provided by turning the abundance of salt water on this planet into naquada and thereby producing a nearly free and completely clean energy source.  Until SG-1 arrived on the planet five years ago they had no idea this thing they did so effortlessly and took for granted would be of interest to anyone.  Earth with ten times the population of Sengul, Earth with its big cities, cars, yachts, computers, telephones and warships of all varieties had been polluting itself for centuries. A clean burning source of energy had long been sought but none had proved viable in the long term or in mass quantities.  Humans with their penchant for reaching beyond the stars and making new enemies as well as new friends were always looking for new and better weapons.  Earth with its massive salt water oceans would give anything to know how to turn that into naquada.  “I will extend your invitation to her. I’m sure she’ll be most appreciative.”

A young woman with dark hair and blue eyes came into the room and set a silver tray down on the table. She poured a drink of the clear liquid for each before leaving just as silently as she entered.  Daniel’s eyes followed her.

“Her name is Astraya.” D’Sila offered.  “Does she please you?”

Daniel held back the chuckle but it still came through in his voice. “She’s very pretty and I’m very married.”

“Still,” D’Sila said as though what he said didn’t truly matter, “Calla is ill and Astraya is not. She is young and supple--”

“You can stop right there,” Daniel said in a firm voice. “I’m not interested but thanks for the offer.” Although it was very commonplace Daniel would never really come to understand the wide spread custom of giving women to visiting men as tokens of friendship.

“You know, Daniel, most of our younger women have never known the touch of a man.” D’Sila invited carefully.

Daniel cleared his throat uncomfortably. “That is…well, it’s a shame actually,” he said as several less than innocent thoughts went through his mind, “but it doesn’t have anything to do with why I’m here.  Shall we talk about our negotiations now?”

D’Sila took the cue though it didn’t make her happy to do so.  “We understand that the Elixir of Life has been wasted since our last meeting.”

Yeah it was wasted all right but for a good cause.  “We don’t have it any longer that’s true but we can show you how to make more.” Daniel offered.  “Morgan Le Fey has agreed to come and stay among you for a period of time provided her husband may accompany her.”

“He may.” D’Sila said with something that sounded like delight and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.  “Is he Olympian?”

“Duncan is Immortal.” Daniel told her and watched those slightly upturned corners deflate.  D’Sila had been hoping that Duncan was fertile.  “Is that a problem?”

“No,” the Vedic said quickly, “he may come with her. We are grateful for Morgan’s offer and will treat her and her husband with much respect and reverence.”

“She’ll be glad to hear that,” Daniel commented.  “Do you think our offer will be acceptable to your Council?”

“What exactly is your offer?”

“Altair Ain is prepared to give you Arthur, the Book of Shadows, Morgan for a year,” he stressed the time frame as he spoke, “and Excalibur.  Earth is willing to give you whatever you need for weapons and medicine along with teaching you all we know about the Stargate.”

The deal wasn’t as good as before and they would have to wait several years before making the attempt to wake Arthur but if Morgan was willing to come and teach the magick in Merlin’s book and to make more Elixir then, “Yes, I believe this will be acceptable.  In return we will show you how to turn water into naquada.”

D’Sila stopped there and Daniel didn’t like it. As far as the SGC was concerned this was his primary mission but he didn’t come here for the secret of turning water into naquada. “And helping Altair Ain?” Daniel coaxed.

“Yes, Altair Ain.” D’Sila mused.  “We will be glad to show you how we solved our own fertility problem, however, we would be most grateful if Lady Calla would grace us with her presence. We would very much like for her to see…”

“See what?” There was something in the woman’s eyes or maybe it was her voice or just the way she was sitting there looking at him reminding him of Sister Agatha his 7^th grade teacher. One look from that old biddy could freeze Hell over in an instant. “Excuse me, Vedic, but it seems to me that your population is a little one-sided shall we say?  Just for our own edification do you think that’s a side-effect of your remedy?” Like David who’d had a similar conversation five years before, Daniel couldn’t bear the thought of bringing false hope home to Calla.

“Do our women not please you, Daniel?” Now D’Sila smiled wide for a moment.  “I think they do. I saw the way you gazed at those who danced for you.” The smiled faded away from her friendly pious face as she let out a small sigh. “But yes, over the years a flaw seems to have developed and that’s why we seek new blood as I’m sure you’re aware.  New blood such as your Son was kind enough to provide us with he’s a perfect specimen.” D’Sila complimented. “Very fine and we would be most appreciative if you would do the same.”

“Nick did what?” Daniel stuttered. “You want me to do what?” He shook his head vigorously shocked by the proposal. Being offered women was one thing and he never got used to it but happened more often than not when they visited a new planet. Daniel, other than that one time in Bacchus’ Kingdom, never took anyone up on the offer and he wasn’t going for it now.

“Nicholas was kind enough to educate us where this concept of monogamy is concerned,” D’Sila began, “it’s very puzzling to us but as new friends we are willing to overlook this rather bizarre difference and emphasis you place a union between love and sexual pleasure.  For us the joining is a spiritual experience it has nothing to do with love. Still, as we said, you are not merely an envoy from Earth, are you, Daniel? You are King of Altair Ain, surely the Queen turns a blind to your dalliances outside of her bed especially if they occur so far away from home.” She suggested boldly. “I can assure you that whatever happens here stays here. You would honor us greatly, King Daniel, if you would induct a few of our younger females.”

Monogamy was puzzling to them because they had to share men on this planet.  Didn’t make them one bunch of lucky guys?  Part of him found the offer strangely appealing for one of only a handful of times in his life.  That girl, the one who came in with the tray, she was sweet.  Shaking his head and letting our a deep breath Daniel pushed the thought away wondering if it was getting hotter in the room or if it was just him.  “I can assure you, Vedic, my Wife does no such thing and I wouldn’t have it any other way, King or not.”

There was more than one way to skin a cat or obtain a sample as it were. “If you do not wish to do us this honor then we would request you do what Colonel Jackson did and leave us with a little something in our laboratory. I do believe that will be non-negotiable. We would be most indebted if Lord Ares would also grace us this way.” Vedic D’Sila said thoughtfully.

Again she reminded him of Sister Agatha that manipulating fear-inspiring bitch.  “Ares?”  That, well, that.  Daniel didn’t want to go broadcasting the Old Man’s business to the universe. “He doesn’t travel through the Stargate either.” Daniel thought that covered the subject well.   “Your solution is flawed, isn’t it Vedic? And as such I have to ask; what good will it do Altair Ain?”

“Our solution is not too flawed. Our women have no trouble conceiving nor do our men have trouble siring.” D’Sila said easily. “I promise you, Daniel, within a year’s time your kingdom will be filled with babies male and female, all healthy and able to carry life forward.” The Vedic leaned toward him, “I’m sure this will please your Wife to no end as her final days near. Really it’s a small price we ask when the return is so great...for everyone, let us not forget the benefit to your entire planet when the secret of turning water into naquada is revealed to you.” D’Sila rose gracefully. “Take the night to think it over. The Council will convene early tomorrow morning.”

It was time to go but he had a few more questions. “Just one more moment, please, Vedic.” Daniel reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and produced the small digital camera he’d been carrying around earlier in the day.  Who better to ask about such things as this than the spiritual leader of the planet? “I went to the temple ruins today.” He said as he thumbed through the photographs. “I was wondering if you could tell me what these are.”  He held out the camera with its bright display and showed D’Sila the pictures of the plagues.

“This is the story of the Great Mother’s arrival on our world,” D’Sila told him as she gazed at the pictures. “I understand you call her Guinevere, came through the heavens,” she said as she pointed to the first picture of the whirling vortex in the sky. “She fought many demons, some real and some within her mind.” D’Sila showed him the pictures of the crazy skeletal figure and the great snake. “Although she was victorious she was forced to leave love behind never to feel its touch again.” The plaque that showed the cloaked woman leaping over the stream while she looked back at the rather large man wedged between the rocks across the field.  “Her Lover returned through the heavens never to return for her.” There D’Sila stopped.

That was a familiar story. Ares was good at taking women away and never bringing them back. “What happened once she entered the cave?” Daniel inquired. “The last plaque seemed to be blank.”

D’Sila just gave him a wistful smile. “We are not sure what happened but when she emerged the world was new again and all started over with a clean slate. Soon after Artuir Sera was born.”

Interesting story.  “She didn’t come through the Stargate?” Daniel asked flipping back to the first picture.

“No,” D’Sila said softly. “She came through the heavens as I have already told you.”

The heavens just opened up for her. That didn’t seem very likely. Unless…he flipped back to the plague which showed The Great Mother leaping over the stream and leaving love behind…unless you knew a God who could open the heavens for you.  In his vision in Pythia’s cave, it was Ares Calla left behind to come to Daniel’s aid. She fought the demons for him, not for herself, but to gain entrance to where he was waiting for her.  “Do you know where she arrived on Sengul?”

“On the mountain top, The Great Mother rode through the heavens to land up the highest point of Mount Cernunnos.”

“Mount what?” Daniel stammered.

“Cernunnos,” D’Sila repeated a little more slowly. “Surely a man such as yourself knows of him. His statue is…”

“Everywhere along with Brigid.” Daniel answered. “I’ve seen them.” He nodded toward the nearest table which held a statue of Cernunnos and Brigid engaged in missionary position sex.

“The temple is at the foot of the mountain.”

“That’s where the cave is? The one on the plaques?”

“Yes.”

Daniel decided to visit the mountain before he left the planet.  “I notice she’s not buried in the graveyard with his other family.”

“The Great Mother returned through the heavenly gate when her son was secure on his throne.” D’Sila explained softly.

So Morgan was telling the truth; Guinevere went back to Earth.  Why would she do that? Why not stay here with her son and her family?  Did she go back for her Lover? For Ares perhaps?  “Good night, Vedic and thank you for your help.”

“I don’t know how much assistance I was but you’re welcome.” D’Sila said as she guided Daniel toward the door. “I will see you tomorrow and I’m sure our meeting will go as you want it to.”

“I just want something that benefits everyone,” Daniel said as he stood aside so she could open the door.  “I don’t suppose you have or know of anything that can help my Wife?”

D’Sila knew he would ask, any good Husband, any man truly in love with his Wife would do this very thing but she could only stand there shaking her graying head.  “We may be able to help bring New Life but we have nothing that can stop Death.” She said sadly.  “Perhaps it would be best if you spent more time in Altair Ain after our meeting.”

Why did she sound like Morgan Le Fey?  Daniel just smiled and bid her a good night before walking out the door.  Daniel went back down to the hall looking for Nick but he found it empty. Thinking Nick must have returned to their room Daniel had one of the chauffeurs drive him back to where they were staying only to find the room empty.

End of Chapter Three of
Golden Years
by Moon Mistress
a/k/a Lisa Beth Darling
Go to
Chapter Four