"Kylan says you are sent by the Gods to test us. To prove ourselves worthy of their continued love."

"She's wrong." Seeing Gre'lac's expression Daniel wondered if he'd suddenly grown three extra heads. Obviously no one disagreed with the priestess. "Kylan is a wise woman but in this matter she is wrong."

"Yet you use the Circle. You speak the ancient tongue. You stopped the offering and Kylan said the Gods allowed your leader to return you to life after you died in the river."

"It's a procedure called CPR. I can teach it to you."

"Where is the child?"

"Excuse me?"

"The two others who came through the circle with you. Where did they take the child?"

"Teal'c and Sam?" Daniel's puzzled expression told Gre'lac he was being truthful. "I don't know...They probably took him home with them."

"Aanella has demanded Breshnan. It is her right as the offering's mother."

"Breshnan?"

"Punishment. You kept the Gods from receiving their due. Breshnan will restore the Gods favor so they will smile on her home and our village once more. Your leader will be prepared at once."

"No!"

Gre'lac waved away the guards who had rushed into the room at Daniel's shout.

"Your worship, why is Jack the one to be punished?"

"As your leader it is deigned that he be the recipient of Breshnan."

"That isn't fair! Jack shouldn't be punished for something I did." Daniel couldn't keep the touch of hysteria from his voice at the thought of his best friend being sacrificed for something beyond his control. "Your worship. I was the one who kept the offering from being made to your Gods. It wasn't Jack's fault."

"By our law when a person commits a grave offense, the head of the clan receives the Breshnan. He then decides on the punishment of the offender. Do your leaders not take responsibility for their people?" It was a good thing he didn't ask Jack that question. O'Neill wouldn't have hesitated in insisting that as team leader he was indeed responsible for his friends.

"On my world we take responsibility for our own actions. As I told you before, I don't believe in needless killing. Above all I value life in all forms." Except for the Gou'ald, he thought. No need bringing that up right now.

"Do all the people on your world feel as you do?"

"Most do. Your worship, I'm begging you. If anyone is to be punished it should be me. Please!"

"They are indeed a strange people Kylan." The priestess watched silently as the leader paced before her. "He says you are wrong to think they were sent by the Gods to test us."

"Of course he denies it. Would it be a test if he told us that is why they were sent through the Circle?"

"He worries about his leader. Would not eat unless the one called Jack was also offered food. This one told me that in his land, warriors do not kill children."

"Your worship," Kylan rose to her feet and led him to a table in the corner, where several colored crystals lay in a strange pattern only she understood, "while you spoke with the one called Daniel Jackson, I meditated. The Gods have told me the evil ones sent them. To test your leadership. He will say whatever is necessary to make you fail. The Gods say they are evil and must be destroyed. Let me test them. I will prove to you that they would willingly kill anyone to save themselves...even our children."

"I have granted his wish to receive the Breshnan in place of his leader. If he survives you may test him."

Daniel was once again led into the great hall, only now it seemed the entire village sat silently waiting to watch the Breshnan. His heart raced as his jacket was removed and the guards lifted him onto the alter. Laying him on his stomach they bound his wrists and ankles to posts at each end. Kylan stood near his head, once again chanting as the second woman, Aanelle approached. This time, instead of a baby, she carried a small leather whip.

Kylan's chanting grew more passionate as it mingled with Daniel's screams.