The Book of Thoth, Part Six

"Hey, Daniel," Sam said quietly, coming to sit beside him as he piloted the teltak. 

He smiled over at her.  "Hi, Sam," he greeted her.  "How's everyone doing back there?" he asked, looking over his shoulder to where Jack and Teal'c were trying to keep themselves occupied while they made their way to Mirone.

"Well, let's just say if I hear "are we there yet" from Colonel O'Neill one more time..." she said.

"You're more than welcome to hide out here for a while," Daniel said.  "It's actually nice to have the company."

"So - how are you with all of this?" she said.

"It's actually not too bad - once you become familiar with the basics, a teltak isn't too hard to fly," he said.  Of course, it doesn't hurt to have an experienced pilot inside your head either.

"I wasn't talking about piloting the ship," she said.  "I was talking about..."

"Being a host?" he finished for her.  

You are most stubborn host I have ever had, Thoth said.

I should take that as a compliment? Daniel shot back.

No, Thoth replied.

So what are you planning to say to Ma'at when you find her? Daniel asked Thoth.  He looked one more time in the mirror at his appearance and sighed.  Jacob had brought him a set of heavy blue silk robes that made him feel like he was wearing a set of 70's drapes.  To make matters worse, he'd applied kohl to his eyes, outlining them dramatically.  I look like a drag queen, he thought absently.    

Do I want to know what a 'drag queen' is? Thoth asked.   

Daniel ignored him.  You didn't answer my question - Ma'at?  he said, placing a heavy silver pendant decorated with a crescent moon around his neck.

Whatever it takes to convince her to return with me, Thoth replied.

I thought she was being held against her will, Daniel said in surprise.  You mean she's free to go?

She is free to go - but she may not wish to leave with me.  Thoth paused before continuing.  When we were last together, in the court of Ra, I had voiced to her my concerns over the actions of our people.  She knew how I felt and she did not agree.  She could not betray her people.  So she left and I have been searching for her since that day.   

And you chose to keep this from me until now?  Daniel said.  You didn't think that was important for me to know?  Tense and on-edge, it didn't take much for Daniel's anger to bubble to the surface.  You knew what I believed and didn't bother to correct me.

It did not matter, Thoth finally responded.

I think it matters a lot!  Daniel protested. You've picked a hell of a time not to let me in on your plans.

Your approval of my approach was not sought, Thoth answered, his own anger answering Daniel's.  My methods do not matter - only the result. No matter what I have to do - she will leave with us.

If we even get out alive.  What else haven't you told me?  Daniel said.

Daniel, this is not the time to doubt me, Thoth replied. I cannot have the distraction now. I must be able to concentrate on the task at hand.  

Well since I have no choice but to come along, I'd like to be kept in the loop! Daniel said, jerking at the belt of his robe to tighten it.

You must trust me to do what is right, Thoth said.  No matter how it appears.

Daniel felt his sense of unease grow.  You have my cooperation - for now, he agreed.  

Jack walked up to Daniel, his face carefully schooled into an emotionless mask.  "You ready?" he asked Daniel.

"As I'll ever be," Daniel said, tugging a little at the elaborate robes as the two of them made their way to the ship's hold, where Daniel would be ringed down to Mirone.

"This is so not you," Jack said, gesturing at the garish ensemble.  "Shit - is that eyeliner?" he asked, peering closer at the kohl that Jacob had used to outline Daniel's eyes.

Daniel gave him a small smile.  "Well, we have to fit in, Jack."

"Were you talking "we" as in the Tok'ra, or "we" as in you and Thoth?" Jack said.

"Is there a point to that question, Jack O'Neill?" Thoth replied.

Jack glared at Daniel as he answered.  "Daniel, doesn't it bother you when he just...interrupts like that?"  

"I'm used to it, Jack - you interrupt me all the time.  At least Thoth waits until I've finished talking," Daniel replied.

"Ouch," Jack said dryly.  "Just - be careful," he said, backing away as Jacob prepared to activate the rings.  "Don't break a nail."

Daniel gave him a small smile before being ringed to Mirone.

That's her?  Daniel asked Thoth a few hours later, as they watched a group of women in one of the courtyards of Mirone's palace.  It was a rhetorical question; his thoughts were being pounded by the wave of emotions Thoth was feeling as he looked upon his wife.

Daniel tried to watch with detachment as she arose from where she was sitting, her long dark hair falling in elaborate braids past her shoulders.  A gray feather in her headdress fluttered slightly in the breeze as she began to walk toward him, her long, graceful arms swinging slightly.  As she neared him, she gave him a polite smile.

"You are new here?" she asked him, with a kind smile.  "I do not believe I know you."

"You know me very well," Thoth replied.  "Perhaps too well, Ma'at, my consort."

Her brow creased with a frown.  "It cannot be," she whispered, her face growing pale.  "You cannot be him."  

She started to walk away, but he touched her arm softly.  "It is I, Thoth.  I have only changed hosts, my wife."

"I thought you dead," she finally spoke.  "It has been...so long." She turned to him, and Daniel was surprised to see tears in her eyes.  

"I never wished to be parted from you - that was your choice."

"Your views frightened me.  They were treason," she said.

"I have gained knowledge, and understand now what my path should be."

"And what is this new path?" she asked.

Tell her the truth, Daniel urged.  Tell her that you have joined the Tok'ra.

"I must speak to you," Thoth said, ignoring Daniel.  "Alone."

"I do not think that is wise," she replied.

"So - you no longer love me?" Thoth asked.

She didn't answer for a moment.  "My downfall is that I love you too much," she said, reaching out a hand to touch his cheek.  "That I cannot deny you."  She looked around quickly.  "Meet me in the gardens below," she said, walking off.

Thoth watched as she left, waiting a few moments before going to join her.  She is more lovely than I remember, he said.  She must leave this place with me. 

Even against her will?  What if she is still loyal to the Goa'uld?  Daniel asked.

I have every reason to believe she still is, Thoth said.

Then you also know that the Tok'ra will imprison her if she doesn't join them, Daniel said.

Yes, Thoth answered him.  You would have taken Shar'e from the Goa'uld, even if she protested - if you had been able.  You were planning to do that very thing, before the birth of the child prevented it.

Don't, Daniel said.  Don't make this somehow be about Shar'e.

He saw Ma'at by the edge of the garden wall, beckoning to him.  He tried to stop but found he couldn't prevent himself from pulling her close into his embrace, kissing her with a longing that wasn't his own. 

Daniel steeled himself as Thoth's emotions flooded through his mind, having an uncontrollable effect on his body.  Don't do this, he said.  Don't manipulate me by sharing these feelings, these desires.  Unbidden images of Shar'e flashed through his mind.  He could smell the scent of her hair, feel the softness of her skin, hear her call his name in a husky whisper.  

Then Nefrekeptah's words came to him like a stinging blast of cold air.  Do you think her small taste of freedom, her short time as your wife, was any recompense for the torment she endured as Amaunet's host....

A lone tear ran down his cheek as they parted.  Ma'at looked up curiously, and then gently kissed the tear from his cheek.  

"Will you come away from this place with me?" Thoth asked, his voice a harsh contrast to the emotion that Ma'at had just seen on his face.

"My departure will be questioned if I leave without cause.  Allow me some time..."

"There is no time," he said, clasping her hands.   

She pulled away, looking at him in confusion.  "I must consider what you have asked."

"Shall I have him order you to return to me?" Thoth said suddenly.

"Now I am certain you are my husband," she said, frowning.  "You must do what you think is best," she said, leaving.  Thoth watched as she left, then walked resolutely back to the palace.

Do you think he will see you? Daniel asked.  The antechamber in which they stood was silent, holding only a Jaffa who regarded them suspiciously.  They had been summoned there only a short time after Thoth had sent a note to the Goa'uld who held court here.

This will be a very short mission if he does not, Thoth replied.  Yes, Daniel - he will grant us an audience and hear us.  The message I sent him will assure him I am who I say I am.  Whether or not he agrees to allow Ma'at to leave will be another challenge.

What do you plan to say to him?  Daniel asked, as the door swung open, revealing a courtier who motioned them inside.

What he wants to hear, Thoth said, stepping inside the chamber.  

Regarding him from a couch at the far end was a handsome, but deadly-looking Goa'uld.  His coal-black skin and hair contrasted sharply with the white robes he wore, and his eyes glowed once softly as Thoth entered.   For a silent moment he allowed Thoth to stand before him before motioning for all the courtiers to leave the room.  As the door slammed shut, he gave the crocodile that had been lounging at his feet a stroke with his hand before rising.

Sobek, Daniel guessed.  The Egyptian god of the Nile. 

"We thought you dead," Sobek said finally, looking at him curiously. "A new host?"

"It was time," Thoth said simply. "And not dead - gathering information on those in power. Which was far too easy, after the death of Ra. I was all but forgotten, considered destroyed along with him."

"How did you escape?" Sobek asked, reclining on the couch again. "Were you not on board his ship?"

"I was not - he had sent me away to attempt negotiations with the Asgard.  A fool's journey, but well-timed, as it turned out. What of you?  You have managed to stay on the fringes of the System Lords for some time as well."

Sobek shifted on the couch, leaning back imperiously. "I have all I could want here. There is no reason for me to involve myself in the petty battles of the System Lords."

"But do they not seek you out, to try to take over your holdings?" Thoth asked.

"Occasionally - it gives my Jaffa great pleasure to repel them, and keeps them from getting too bored." He paused to pour some wine, and handed a goblet to Thoth. "But you have not come here to discuss old times, I sense."

Thoth took the wine but didn't drink. "No, in fact I have not. I think you know why I am here," he said.

Sobek didn't quite meet his eyes as he drank from his goblet. "You are seeking your wife," he said.

"Yes."

"She will not want to return to you," Sobek said. "Or have you forgotten how you left things with her?"

"She thought I was planning on betraying Ra."

"Perhaps you did," Sobek said, in a low, dangerous tone that made Daniel uneasy.

"No - despite our differences, I did not betray him," Thoth said.

"Even so, Thoth - there are those who do not trust you. Who say you would ally yourself with the Tok'ra against us."

Thoth smiled. "I shall put those rumors to rest, old friend. It was not chance that I took this Taur'i as my new host. He performed a great service for me. He led me to the Tok'ra. A long and elaborate process, but I have been delivered to them and earned their trust."

Daniel felt a stab of panic at Thoth's words.  Please tell me this is just part of the plan, he said to Thoth.  

Daniel was answered with silence.

Sobek sat up, interested, as Thoth continued. "I have come to you first to offer an alliance. With Ma'at by my side, I will be able to convince the Tok'ra to allow her to breed new Goa'uld for "their" side. Once the new outnumber the old, we will destroy them. Our new army will overwhelm the System Lords. What do you say? Or does peace sit too well with you?" Thoth finished.

God, don't do this, Daniel said.  Don't betray the Tok'ra.  He cringed as a voice thundered through his subconscious.  Not now, Thoth emphasized with finality.

"Why should I trust you?" Sobek said warily.

"Why else would I come here?  Deliver myself directly into your hands?  You could destroy me - but you know I do not lie.  Together we can overthrow those in power now and rule unhindered," Thoth said, starting to reach out his hand to Sobek.  His hand shook as Daniel fought him for control.  Sobek looked at him curiously.

You know that I won't let you betray the Tok'ra, Daniel said. 

You have to trust me!  Thoth said in frustration.  

I can't, Daniel replied, fighting him.

Thoth lashed out angrily at Daniel, sending a shockwave of pain through his mind.  You are going to get us both killed - do you want that?  he said, regaining control.

Thoth then steadily held out his hand to Sobek.  Silence reigned for several moments until Sobek smiled, and reached out to clasp Thoth's hand.  "I agree.  But it is not my agreement you need - but hers," he said.  "Do you wish to see her?"  

"Yes - bring her here," Thoth said after a moment.  "Together we can convince her of our plan."

Sobek rose, leaving the room, and Thoth sought out Daniel.

Daniel, I am sorry that happened - the ways of the Goa'uld are still my ways in many respects.  I did not mean to hurt you in my anger, Thoth said.

I can't believe that I let you get this far, Daniel managed.  That I allowed myself to trust you - to think you were truly on the side of the Tok'ra.

Now who is lying, Daniel?  Thoth replied.  You never really trusted me to begin with.  Nothing has changed.

So is it all a lie, then?  This new-found loyalty to the Tok'ra?  Was rescuing me, taking me as a host, really just meant as a way to destroy them?  Daniel asked.

Would you believe me now if I told you that it was not a lie?  Thoth asked.  

I don't know what to believe, Daniel said.  First you use my feelings for Shar'e and manipulate me into believing what you wanted me to believe about Ma'at, Daniel said angrily.  Then you talk about a plan to overthrow the Tok'ra that sounds like it has a better than average chance of succeeding.  And I really can't stop you at this point, can I?  Whatever you did to me - that was just a taste of what you're capable of, isn't it?

What I did was a sign of my own weakness - weakness in a moment of anger.  And yes, Daniel, Thoth said in frustration.  I wanted your cooperation.  I did not care how I got it.  But I am not planning to betray the Tok'ra.  Do you honestly believe that Ma'at, after abandoning me for my beliefs years ago, will suddenly be convinced to betray her people now?  I have to deceive her - it is the only way.

This is your plan?  Daniel asked.  To make Sobek and Ma'at believe that you're a changed man and want to launch a revolution? 

I know it is hard for you to believe me - but you must, Thoth said.   

Finish what you're here to do. But betray me and the Tok'ra and I'll fight you every last day I exist as your host. You'll never have a moment's peace from me, Daniel said.

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