"Your friend begged Gre'lac to take your place for the Breshnan yet you would allow him to suffer when you have the means to stop it?" Daniel screamed, his knees buckling as Kylan refusing to admit defeat, pressed the stone to his shoulder. With lightening speed, Jack evaded the guards and kneeling next to Daniel, once again gathered him in his arms as he had in their solitary room.

"How can you allow this?! You would let her to put this child to death?" He demanded of Gre'lac.

"It is necessary to prove what he says is true."

"You asked me before to tell you about Daniel." Unashamed at the tears in his eyes as he gazed at the unconscious man in his arms. Jack gently brushed the hair from his face. "This is the most caring, compassionate and....honest human in the universe."

"What is this...compassionate?"

"Compassion!..Pity, empathy...understanding! He could no more have hurt this child, then he could let that baby drowned in the river. He genuinely cares about people...all people. He's bravely faced enemies and willingly put his own life in danger to save others." Jack looked at Gre'lac with disdain. "You call yourself a leader but you sacrifice your people because they don't fit your ideas of strength. A child with a club foot may not be what you consider a warrior but he might grow up to be a great healer or teacher...or...or hell I don't know an artist or something...Even a scientist." His arms tightened around his friend as Daniel groaned trying to rise. "Take it easy Daniel. Just lay still."

"N-no Ja'k. Have to...to talk...Gre'lac." Jack steadied Daniel as he slowly struggled to his knees, still showing respect for the ruler.

"Our world thrives...because of ...our differences...We have...troubles as well but our differences make us strong...Our elderly...help raise our children..." Managing a smile, Daniel took the child's small hand in his. "They are looked to...for their wisdom...and they help keep our his-history alive." Jack could feel Daniel's strength draining, the rest of the color leaching from his already too pale complexion but true to his nature, the young man persisted, determined to finish. "Your worship...I think you are...a man who wants what is best for...his people...Kylan is the...evil one...she plans to-to....kill...you and...your..."

The scream of hatred held inside for so long, burst from Kylan as she saw everything she'd planned for deteriorating before her eyes. Gre'lac believed these strangers, she could read it in his eyes. The guards would follow her unquestioningly if Gre'lac and the others were dead. The priestess had the ear of the Gods. She could bring down their blessings or their wrath and for this reason alone, the villagers both revered and feared her.

With a speed that rivaled that of Jack's she grabbed the second gun from the table spinning and aiming at Gre'lac, her finger going around the trigger as she had seen Jack do when she handed him the weapon. Daniel pulled the child to the floor, covering her body with his own as Jack brought his own weapon up.