SGA - 14 - Death Game Read Online Free PDF Page B

respectfully. “May I ask you where we are, and what this place is called?”
    “This is The Chora,” Jitrine said. “We are in the Thousand of Mabre, one-hundred and twenty auri from the city of Pelagia on the coast.”
    “And Tolas? He’s the king or something?” John asked.
    Jitrine snorted. “He is no more than the crudest sort of local official. The king in Pelagia would not know his name, and he would wash the floors in the palace of Pelagia.”
    “I see,” Teyla said. “And does he make trade agreements? Our people would very much like to open trade with the people of this world.”
    “Through the Gate of the Ancients?” Jitrine’s eyes grew sharp. “How do you plan to do that?”
    John looked at Teyla and she read his glance—go on, you are getting somewhere. “You know of the Gate of the Ancients then?”
    “Of course we do,” Jitrine said. “But it has been generations since the gate worked. Or rather, since the gate worked as it should. There was a time when it did as it ought, and men came and went from this place. But something happened, and now it is not possible to open the gate from here. People may pass through it into The Chora, as sometimes happens, but there is no way to reopen it going in the other direction. So you see, you cannot arrange trade with another world. You cannot even return to your own.”
    Teyla felt a cold chill run down her spine. “The gate will not open from this side?”
    “It has not in generations,” Jitrine said.
    “Why?”
    “We do not know,” Jitrine said. “Many scholars from Pelagia have studied it since the time of our second King Anados. But we are not stupid enough to take it apart or break its components when we do not understand them. The King has given orders that it is to be left alone, that future generations of scholars might work on it fresh without further damage.”
    “And so no one comes through?” Teyla asked. “In ships?”
    Jitrine’s eyes wavered. “It may be that…”
    “Enough talk,” one of the soldiers said firmly. “Tolas said you could treat their injuries, not gossip all day.”
    “Of course,” Jitrine said mildly, but her eyes flickered to John’s and he nodded imperceptibly.
    Yes, she too is a prisoner, Teyla thought, and she is telling us all she may. And she knows something of ships that pass through the gate. Wraith ships? Or some other?
    “Come along,” the soldier said, and drawing open the door escorted her out, her back stiff and straight.
    After the bar was shot home, Teyla sat back down on the end of the bed.
    “Not good,” John said. “If there’s been something wrong with the DHD for generations.”
    “Rodney said there was something strange about it,” Teyla said. “Perhaps he can fix what is wrong. After all, he has much more understanding of how it works than people here do.”
    John nodded, scrubbing his hand across his stubbled chin. “Rodney can fix pretty much anything wrong with a DHD short of it being blown up. He may have it fixed by now. Besides, we have the DHD in the jumper. Had the DHD in the jumper,” he amended.
    “True,” Teyla said. “And surely by now Elizabeth has begun to worry at least. She will dial in and speak to Rodney, who can tell her that we are missing. And Radek and Ronon…”
    “Are still on the island,” John said. “I don’t remember leaving them there, but…”
    “They should be fine,” Teyla said. “There was a village at the other end, and it was a lush place with much water and food. I’m sure Ronon can look after Radek until help comes.” She did not add that it would be much harder for a rescue party to find John and herself. That was already evident.
    Teyla got up and put the plate of food on the table, then pulled a chair over and stood on it so she could see out the window. Outside, the gardens were washed in bright moonlight, and a cool breeze whispered through the palm trees, their leaves waving together with a soft sound. It was very