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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
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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."
not_so_golden_retriever
"Of course. We'll manage with whatever restrictions she sets."
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."
from-the-land
None of Teo's guards will show any signs of objecting or taking offense.
"We only have the three servants for the building; I apologize for the inconvenience but it's hard to find help with enough integrity to not be bribed."
Usually to let things in that shouldn't be, rather than out, but the principle is the same.
not_so_golden_retriever
John blinks in surprise. "I'm sure we'll manage. What uh, what are their responsibilities?"
from-the-land
"Cook, maid-laundress, general man-of-all-work who handles repair, stocking hearths, and most everything else. Except horses, when we have them. ...What were you expecting?"
not_so_golden_retriever
"I hadn't actually given it much thought. We generally don't refer to people as servants in my culture. The same work generally needs to be done but there isn't quite the same implication of it being lower status."
from-the-land
"I suppose we could have guards do most of it, but it's very different training. It's not like they're serfs, Vlad has a sword in his coat like any man and Bogdia and Yula have all the rights of my sisters."
not_so_golden_retriever
He keeps managing to stick his foot in his mouth doesn't he. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. The word servant has more negative connotations where I come from."
from-the-land
"It seems you come from a very strange place. Even most servants have servants, in the cities, if only a doorman at their lodging-house."
not_so_golden_retriever
"I think in this case it's just a difference in the words we use. But yes, there are a lot of differences."
from-the-land
"As you say. We'll give you some time to rest; I'll be back by dinner."
They're fairly close to the arctic circle and it's late spring, so it probably isn't obvious how long that will be, but it's a couple hours.
not_so_golden_retriever
Once he leaves Sheppard switches languages and turns to Rodney. "Alright Rodney, I'm already afraid I know the answer but I have to ask, can you get us home?"
first_chair
"Sure, just let me get out the Stargate I carry on my pocket. Oh wait, that's not a thing. I appreciate your confidence but if there's a way at all it's not going to be soon and it's going to be a lot of work."
not_so_golden_retriever
"I did say I was expecting that. What do you need to start figuring things out."