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It was supposed to be a low-risk mission just dipping their toes back in the water. And of course it's not. There's wraith there and they have to run. The manage to dial fine, they even manage to get to the gate but as they're jumping through several wraith shots hit the gate and something goes strange. The normally smooth passage of the wormhole twists alarmingly and it's normal teal green shifts to a much more menacing red. And when they're finally spat out. They certainly aren't back at Atlantis.
SGA-1 finds themselves at the site of a demon summoning
first_chair
"Yes well, the being lighter is pretty important. It's also less expensive than it might sound because of economies of scale."
not_so_golden_retriever
"If you don't mind me asking, who are those tall people over there?" He doesn't point, his cultural training says pointing is often rude.
from-the-land
"Asur, also called High Elves or Sea Elves. Best magicians in the world, best sailors in the world, live for centuries mastering every art of peace and war if they don't die fighting the other kind, faster and stronger than humans... And they won't let you forget any of that for a moment. Their embassy district is in Erengrad, east of here. Best avoided."
from-the-land
"Unless they're also extremely good liars they also maintain the Great Vortex that drains all the unused magic out of the world and sends it back to the lands of Za to keep it from turning the entire planet into more Za. You can see it in the sky from nearly a thousand miles away, so it's probably doing something useful. Three of their greatest mages arrived to join the Great War Against Chaos in my grandfather's grandfather's time, and taught the southerners to train wizards of their own, and we'd have lost badly without that. But... many people admire them. Or envy them. Or both. Very few like them."
"...Also, now that I think of it, they'd probably kill you. Because they would rate the risks at least as high as Lady Kajetana did, and consider the cost of four innocent human lives much lower."
from-the-land
He chuckles. "Maybe I'll see what I can do. Especially if..." He checks over his shoulder to be sure they're well clear of the elves. "...their cousins show up and are behaving badly. Though that wouldn't be a spar."
from-the-land
"We don't get many Druchii this far east, and when we do they're usually trying to pick a fight with the Asur. And they're... I could describe it, but I'll just say they're the vilest pieces of shit ever to walk on two legs, and that includes many daemons and beastmen who are literally crafted by Chaos to defile all that is good or natural in the world. Druchii are nearly as bad and claim the whole time that by torturing you they're demonstrating they're a superior form of life. So, you know, I'll see what I can do. And you'll have company."
from-the-land
"And we see why you're in charge instead of him. It's not far now, anyway, this next right and then two blocks."
a_new_center
Ronon grunts in acknowledgement. He could restrain himself if he was in charge, probably, but it is convenient this way. Sheppard makes the right call most of the time.
not_so_golden_retriever
"I suppose I'll find out soon but can you tell me anything more about where we'll be staying?"
from-the-land
"Merchant's townhouse the crown confiscated when it turned out he'd been embezzling, smuggling, and supplying criminals he was probably aware were actually loyalists to the vampire tzarina we had a century ago. Big enough to hold a garrison of agents like me and be a local headquarters at need; not quite secure enough to be called a safe-house. It's been used to keep a suspect southern noble under guard while our diplomats negotiated to avoid an embarrassing execution, a decade or two before my time."
not_so_golden_retriever
"That sounds nice enough." Nowhere near as nice as Atlantis but he's been through survival training.
from-the-land
He had the vague sense they were probably wealthy from their initial appearance, and this isn't the first time that's been reinforced.
They come into view and he gestures to the place. It's reasonably nice, for the 1600s or whatever they call the century here. Big solid log construction with a brick foundation, decorated with various carvings and colorful eaves, slate-shingled roof. There's a stable. Three chimneys, which looks moderately high if they've been keeping track.
If half of the space is for housing people rather than running a business it could comfortably house ten.
not_so_golden_retriever
"Huh, that's bigger than I was expecting. How is this going to work, are we under house arrest or do we get to leave under supervision for short periods?"
from-the-land
"That should be fine, but I'll need to ask the lady witch about what limits she'll set for the first while, and she's a busy woman. And probably not Miss Telya until we better understand your Wraith."
from-the-land
"I am sorry it's necessary."
They file into the building. It's nicely appointed for the general tech level, decorate and warm without being soot-stained. Large fireplaces and brick walls of the chimneys giving off heat in several bedrooms, most of which have two beds. The basement has barracks beds (unused currently) and open space with weapon racks that were probably-hastily emptied. There are guards at all the entrances, and also on a couple high balconies.
greet_the_dawn
"Thank you for giving us such a well-appointed place to stay while we're under observation."
not_so_golden_retriever
"Yes, thank you." Sheppard turns to his team, "I guess we'll pair up for rooms, Teyla if you're okay rooming with Ronon, I'll share with Rodney."
