When Teal'c returned from the Stargate location, O'Neill and Carter were sitting at the campfire nursing their morning cups of coffee. "Where is Daniel Jackson?" He asked his teammates when he sat down by the fire with them.

"He's with Painted Face." Jack grimaced staring down into his coffee cup. "It'll be good to cement our relations with the Anasazi, I guess."

Carter looked over at her Commanding Officer. "I'm sure it'll be all right, sir."

O'Neill looked over at her. "I hope so. I'm not thrilled with the idea, though." He glanced at Teal'c. "What's going on at the Stargate?"

"The sentinels have changed but they still continue to monitor the gate." Teal'c replied. "They have established round the clock shifts with several men at each watch. They are showing great concern and are determined not to be surprised."

O'Neill nodded. "We'll go down to the village and assist in whatever preparations we can help with. I'm interested in seeing what they intend to do to stop the Gould from coming through the gate and taking over."

"You think they may have a secret weapon, sir?" Carter asked.

"I don't know. But I find it hard to believe that a snakehead can be beaten with bows and arrows."

Teal'c nodded. "I too would like to know what weapons are used. Even a minor system lord should have no difficulty in establishing himself here. Yet..."

"They haven't been able to beat these people." O'Neill finished for him nodding. The Colonel stood up and stretched. "OK, let's go down to the village and see what we can do to help get ready for the uninvited guests.

Teal'c stood and looked at Jackson's tent. "When is Daniel Jackson returning?"

O'Neill almost looked embarrassed. "He went to get ready for tonight."

The warrior looked curiously at his leader. "I did not think that you wanted Danieljackson to participate in the Vision Quest."

"I didn't, but he talked me into letting him do it." Jack shook his head in misgiving. "Of course, I could have ordered him not to do it..."

Carter smiled over at O'Neill. "Yes, sir. And he would have done it anyway."

"Yea, I figured that." O'Neill stood up and stretched. "At least this way I'm going with him and can see what goes on."

"It will be all right, O'Neill. I have never known Danieljackson to be foolhardy."

Both O'Neill and Carter looked over at the big man. "Teal'c, are we talking about the same guy here?" Jack looked at his teammate in amazement. "The one I'm thinking of is six feet; one hundred seventy-five pounds of leap before you look archeologist."

Teal'c had to smile briefly at O'Neill's description. "But he does it knowingly. I'm certain he believes it is the right thing to do."

"Yea, if you say so." He threw the dregs of his coffee into the fire. "Let's go into the village and see if we can make ourselves useful." The remaining three SG1members put out the campfire and started the walk into the village.

* * * * * *

When they had reached the larger encampment Jack located the War Chief, Two Spears. Through hand signals, O'Neill offered their help in preparing for the forthcoming battle After due consideration, Carter was directed to a group of women and young people and who were constructing arrows and spears. Moon Woman instructed her in the art of knapping arrowheads from flint pieces, by using harder granite stones. It was more difficult that it had appeared from the vantage point of the uninitiated, but she set about it with mathematical precision and once she got the theory down she was a quick student of the art.

O'Neill and Teal'c were directed up the cliffs where small groups of warriors were piling large numbers of good sized rocks on the canyon edge along the route to the Stargate. The boulders had to be of a certain size and shape to be approved of by the older men directing the efforts. The Colonel and the Jaffa went along with this more to cement their relationship with the tribe than any belief that these rocks were going to do one bit of good against an incursion by Goa'uld forces. But between the two of them they managed to gather an impressive pile of rocks about the size of men's heads.

After several hours of this laborious task, a break was called for lunch. A meal was brought up to them from the village fires by some of the older children. As the two members of SG watched and ate the dried meat and corn cakes, another group of men started carrying leather bags containing some kind of thick liquid up from the village. These sacks were also piled close to the cliff's edge. Not far from these piles, fires were started and wood from the surrounding area was brought in to feed the bonfires.

Down in the camp, Carter's group had also stopped for lunch. The women were curious about her and through sign language were asking about a 'man' for her, did she have children, were her clansmen married, all things of interest in a relatively small female society. It was a relaxing break from the difficult and exacting work but after the meal the women had resumed their chores with dedication. Sam and a few of the younger and stronger women were redirected from the making of arrows to creating larger, heavier spears of about six feet in length from slender tree trunks. Some of the men had returned from the cliffs and were participating in this activity also, both in the construction and the finer art of balancing the longer throwing weapons. Then the younger children, aged from six to ten years had started transporting bundles of the finished arrows up the narrow trail to the cliff top fortifications.

Older boys were now involved, busy creating throw sticks from branches of about one to two feet long with a leather thong on the far end and a short style of bow, three to four feet in length with which to deliver the arrows. Then after, when a goodly number had been finished these too were carried up to the cliffs. Carter noticed that for all the comradery and enjoyment of the task by the group the fact remained that the women had gotten a lot done. She knew and the other women knew that they were preparing for a war for the lives of their men and their very existence. She looked over at Moon Woman who was still sitting with the arrow-makers touching up a final few shafts. The younger woman saw her look, then she lay a hand on her burgeoning belly and smiled back at her new friend. There was no mistaking what she was fighting for.

* * * * * *

Painted Face and Daniel had left the SG campsite early that morning and had gone on to the river where they were greeted by a number of younger women filling gourds and skin sacks with water. The women had merrily waved to the Shaman and the Scholar. One or two of the younger girls had offered to come with them and assist in the bathing, but Painted Face had laughed with them and told them to mind their manners and do their work. When Daniel looked at him for an explanation the younger man had explained that the 'forward' women had wanted to see what his white skin looked like without any clothes on. The girls were unmarried and were starting to consider Daniel as a possible husband since he was a self-admitted widower.

The two men continued on downstream to a private cove where Painted Face removed some herbs from his carry-sack stripped off his leather shirt and breeches and entered the water nude. Daniel copied his actions and the Shaman handed him a handful of the leaves from a succulent plant.

"These will clean your skin, and if you have a raw spot it will treat it." He explained to his companion, scrubbing himself briskly in demonstration.

Daniel took the herbs and started rubbing himself cautiously. All he needed was to have an allergic reaction to the cleansing plants and Jack would call the whole Spirit Quest off in a heartbeat. Luckily he didn't get anything but a tingling, astringent-like sensation, so he was game to continue.

After a good half-hour of scrubbing, Painted Face (now sans paint) motioned for them to get out. Then, dressed only in their briefs (the shaman in his loincloth and Daniel in his Hanes), they proceeded to climb over a ridge and down into a sheltered valley about a half a mile away. Here they found a steaming pool of mineral water. Jackson was a little surprised as the region had showed no sign of volcanic activity but he was assured that the mountain range behind and above the valley had at one time been Fire Mountains.

Painted Face again brought out two hands full of some dried herbs and handed one off to his student shaman. Again a cleansing session, but this time it was followed with a meditation period and a chanting song while still submersed. The song addressed the Great Spirit who saw fit to travel with The People to this new land and asked him to continue to assist them in the defense of the tribe against the false gods and their skin-walkers. To this refrain, Daniel silently added his wholehearted support and added a silent 'amen' to the request.

Following the Hot Springs treatment, the two men again emerged from the mineral pool and continued on to the next phase of cleansing nude. The two trekked up a narrow rocky trail and finally came to a cleft in the mountain where a fresh, icy spring burst out of the neck of the rocky hillside. There, Painted Face looked over his shoulder at Daniel and dove off an overhanging boulder into a deep, crystal clear pool of water. Daniel, never one to be unRoman in Rome, grasped his glasses firmly with his left hand and followed his friend, plunging into the icy, cold water. He reemerged with a whoop. "That's freezing!"

Painted Face, treading water while he waited laughed at his companion's reaction and splashed more of the icy water in the young white man's face. "This will energize your spirit tonight for the ceremony."

"Either that or give me pneumonia." Daniel sputtered

Luckily, after only a few minutes in the cold mountain spring pool, Painted Face motioned to his friend and the two climbed out onto a flat granite ledge that the sun had warmed. They lay next to each other on the heated rock allowing it's warmth to seep back into their extremities.

After a while, the young Indian sat up and looked at his companion critically. "You are very white."

Daniel had replaced his glasses and returned the examination in kind. "You are very brown, but if I lay out in the sun much longer, I will turn very red."

"That would be interesting to see, but not comfortable for you I think."

"No, it would be rather painful." Daniel agreed. "My people have made a lotion that I can put on that is some protection, but it has been washed off"

"Will you be all right until tonight?" The shaman asked concerned. "Your clothing has been taken back to the camp. You will not have them until tomorrow morning after we share our visions."

"I'll probably be okay; I'll get a little red." He glanced up at the sun and noted that it was late afternoon already. "We're not going back?"

"Only for a little while, we will go back to the village for the sacred peyote, and then we and our watchers will go to the Great Mountain overlooking the village." The young shaman assured Daniel. "Two Spears will be my watcher. Will Grey Chief watch for you?" He looked for confirmation from Daniel. When he nodded, the shaman continued. "Then we will have the ceremony and we will go separate to the mountain to wait for our Spirit Quest." He continued. "Tomorrow in the morning light, we will come back together and go to the village. There we will tell of our journeys to The People."

"What if I don't have a Spirit Journey or don't understand it?" Daniel pressed.

"Oh, you will have one...but if you don't understand it, I will try to help you interpret it"

"What if I have an evil dream?" Daniel hesitated. "I have some pretty bad memories."

Painted Face shook his head with conviction. "These are not memories that we seek, these are visions, omens. You will not have evil in your dreams. I know. You are a good man."

"I hope so, my friend." Jackson shook his head. "That's why Jack, uh Gray Chief was so concerned for me. He doesn't want me hurt."

"It will be well with you, Yellow Shaman. I know. You will see." Painted Face looked up at the sun. "It is growing late. We must return to the village now."

"Yes, I think I'm getting a little well done." Daniel examined his redening skin and grimaced. "Uh, are we going back like this?'

The young Indian smiled at him and got to his feet. "As much as the young maidens would like it, no. My wife brought these here for us earlier." He went over to a natural shelf in the stony ledge and retrieved two deerskin loincloths. He threw one at Jackson. "She would not approve of my showing myself. And I think your sister would not either."

Daniel smiled at the thought of Sam's reaction, not to mention Jack and Teal'cs if he showed up buck-naked. "No, she might laugh."

The shaman looked back at his friend. "I do not believe that any of the other maidens would, but it would prove a distraction to the ceremony."

The two men arrived back in the village just as the sun was going down behind the high mountain peak that guarded the community. Dinner had already been eaten, Daniel had known that he and Painted Face would not be having any food before their Spirit journeys. But as they walked down the village 'Main Street' a sizable crowd gathered to escort them to Grey Badger's lodge.

The old Chief, Two Spears and Jack had heard the sounds of their welcoming group's voices and came out of the Grey Badger's small lodge. The two war chiefs greeted Painted Face with honor; grasping him by both upper arms and guiding him away from the clay hut and on down the narrow pathway. O'Neill approached Daniel and met him with a relieved grin, clasping his shoulder in welcome. Daniel smiled in return and the two white men followed the three Indians.

Carter and Teal'c watched the Colonel and Jackson leave with the others. Daniel saw them and waived. The two remaining teammates, standing with the crowd, waved back. Sam called out, "Good luck, Daniel." He smiled back at her, then turned to get into step with Jack.

"Nice outfit!" The Colonel commented on the leather breechclout his friend was wearing. "The nurses back at the SGC would love it."

Daniel shook his head. "I knew I'd get a comment from you."

"Carter will have to take pictures for them."

"Jack!"

"Daniel!"

The trail lead them back down the Canyon's wall to the path that led up to the pueblo-like 'ruins' that had been the initial attraction to this Stargate address. "Well, I guess I will get to see them, after all." Daniel murmured.

O'Neill glanced over at his friend. "You're gonna get to see more than you think, Danny. I just hope it's a good journey.

His young friend ruefully smiled back at him.

The three Indians led them up into the Kiva where a small inner fire ring was already smoking with embers. The two men joined the warriors in their circle, sitting cross-legged. Jack glanced over at his erstwhile Shaman and asked in a low voice. "What's going to happen now?"

Daniel leaned over. "I'm not really sure, a ceremony of some sort. Then we four go up to the Spirit Mountain where Painted Face and I..."

Grey Badger had started to chant. He reached behind him to a leather bag and pulled out a pipe made of a white wood. The Chief reached to the fire and pulled out an ember. He stopped the chant as he lit the pipe, took a smoking mouthful and handed it first to Two Spears. The younger chief took a small puff of the smoking pipe, then handed it off to Jack. O'Neill also took a small puff and held the smoke in his mouth to determine what it was they were hitting. It was a sweet grass of some sort, not even tobacco. He passed it back to Grey Badger who had reached for its return.

The old man took another inhalation then passed it first to Painted Face. The young Shaman followed suit, passing it on to Daniel who again returned it to the old man. This continued for two more rounds then finally, Grey Badger laid the pipe down and resumed his chanting. Next, he pulled a large handful of the same type of grass and laid it directly onto the fire. This caused the smoke to rise and encircle the men in the Kiva. Then, a halved gourd of water was poured directly into the flame, causing more smoke to issue into the confined area. The chanting continued until the smoke wended its way up to the small smoke hole in the roof of the Kiva and the air cleared to a light haze.

When the smoke cleared, O'Neill realized that he had become a little light headed from inhaling the fragrant odor of the burned sweet grass. He glanced at Painted Face and Daniel and noticed that their facial expressions were very relaxed and introspective. Two Spears smiled slightly and nodded back to him. This was evidently the expected result.

Grey Badger was chanting again, this time in a more insistent tone. He reached back to his carry pouch and pulled out two small, spherical objects. These he presented to the Shaman and Daniel. Jack got a quick glance at the objects. They were the peyote buttons, each one about the size of his thumbnail. Two Spears again met his eyes and nodded. The time had come.

Painted Face and Daniel both took the nutlike fruit of the succulent and bit into them. The young Shaman looked quickly at Jackson and saw that he had indeed eaten the button. He then bit into his and swallowed it himself. O'Neill had a quick flush of pride for his friend; Daniel really had nerve to spare, especially after his 'Just Say No' speech of the night before. This could still end badly, but the stone-cold Jackson luck was running true to form. Jack figured he'd let it run its course and be there for Daniel when he came back down to earth.

After a few minutes, Grey Badger rose and led the other four outside the Kiva. He pointed towards a narrow rocky path that continued up from the ceremonial area into rock cliffs and the night sky. Two Spears grasped Painted Face's upper arm and held the smaller man in support. The Shaman seemed a little shaky in his stride but started up the pathway. Jack touched Daniel on the shoulder, "How're you doing, Danny?"

"'m ok, Jack. A little lightheaded s'all." His young friend smiled at him. "Howr you doin'?"

"Peachy, just peachy." O'Neill took a firmer grip on the Archeologist's arm. "You ready to take a little walk with me?"

"Sure, where we goin?"

"Damned if I know." Jack grumbled, following the other two men up the path. "But I think it's this way."

"Kay, jus lead on Jack. I'll meet ya there." With Jack keeping a firm grip on Daniel's arm, they followed their counterparts up the rocky, trail to a windswept knoll clear of trees and larger rocks. It stood close to the edge of the mountain and was roomy enough that it wasn't especially dangerous. Two Spears and Painted Face had continued on to a farther site, but Daniel had somehow determined that this was the place he needed to be and settled down to sit cross legged on some Cedar tree needles. Jack had acquiesced, content that this was as high as Daniel needed or wanted to go. He made sure his friend was in a non-threatening location and the younger man had apparently entered a trance state. Daniel would respond to Jack's questions, but not initiate any conversation. So O'Neill allowed him to continue his inward search without any interference, while he kept a wary eye on him for any adverse reactions.

Satisfied he had done all he could for his friend; Jack turned to the biggest sky he had ever seen. One of the disadvantages of a star watcher living in the suburbs is that the electric lights of civilization constantly impinge on the brilliance of the night sky. But from this aerie perch, the stars seemed to literally reach back to earth to impress the two men. Jack looked back to check on Daniel, but he was deep in his quiet, drugged state. Having nothing else to do, O'Neill leaned back onto a friendly tree trunk and relaxed for the celestial show.

Down below in their campsite, Carter and Teal'c had returned to their own fire. She looked up toward the mountain where O'Neill and Jackson must be by now. The Jaffa watched the emotions play across her face. "Danieljackson will be 'okay' Major Carter. O'Neill will watch him closely."

She turned back to him. The concern still evident. "The Colonel didn't want him to do this. He's concerned that Daniel will have some sort of drug induced flashback." The blond woman shook her head. "I hope that everything will be all right. Daniel is...has had so much tragedy; I just don't want him hurt anymore."

"Nor do I." the big man agreed. "But does your culture not believe that the sum of a man must also include his past. "You would not be who and what you are now if something was removed from your past experiences and knowledge. You use these past lives to go forward into the future."

She nodded to him. "You're right, I just wish it were easier for his sake."

"We all have pain. If I had not succeeded in my early training, many good people would have been spared the evil of Apophis. Yet, it is that very training that allows me to fight him today. If Sha'uri had not be selected, Danieljackson would not be here with us learning of these people. If you were not in the SGC, your father would be dead of cancer. If it were not for General Hammond, Colonel O'Neill would not be our leader. And if he were not here, he might well be dead from his own hand." The warrior stared into the flames of the campfire. "All our experiences, the good, the bad and the seemingly unimportant play out our lives for us. We cannot run from them but we must use them to survive." He looked over at the young woman who was staring into the fire. She returned his gaze and nodded, silent with her thoughts.

Chapter 4

Jack had been sitting watching the stars for an hour or so when Daniel started talking to himself. The young linguist was shifting back and forth between a number of languages in a low singsong voice. O'Neill watched him for a while then shook his head. This was usually something that occurred when his friend was particularly tired or not feeling well. O'Neill could almost follow the scenario that was playing itself out in Jackson's wandering, subconscious mind. Familiar words in the more common languages of Spanish or French, some English phrases thrown in were always good clues and then the unrecognizable guttural middle eastern dialects would appear for no apparent reason just to throw him off track.

And of course, interspersed throughout was Daniel's beloved Abydonian tongue, the language of his happiest days with his doomed Sha'uri. O'Neill shifted closer to his best friend's side, more for his own comfort than that of the other man. He reached over and touched Jackson's bare skin and when he found it a bit too cool, he removed his DCU Fatigue shirt and placed it over his friend's shoulders.

When he was satisfied that he had done all that he could, Jack stretched out flat on his back on the ground to resume his stargazing. He felt that if he did doze off, Daniel couldn't move away without waking him.

Later that evening something did rouse O'Neill from his light nap. He rolled over and immediately realized that Daniel was no longer in his prescribed place, only the fatigue shirt lying crumpled on the ground. Jack immediately sat up and looked around, to see Jackson standing on the very edge of the rock face precipice, gazing off into the night sky. Alarmed, O'Neill hurriedly climbed to his feet and eased himself over to stand quietly behind and beside his friend within easy arms reach.

"Daniel," He spoke quietly so as not to startle his friend. "Danny, what 'cha doing?"

Daniel turned and looked back at him, his eyes haunted. "Nothing, Jack. I'm just looking at the stars." His voice held an alarming tone of sadness. O'Neill's hackles rose at the tone of that voice. Daniel returned his line of sight to particularly brilliant star field.

"How do you feel?" O'Neill reached over with his right hand and gently grasped the other man's wrist. "Is everything okay?"

Daniel turned to face his friend and his eyes sparkled with tears in the moonlight. "Jack."

"You okay?" The older man repeated the question.

Jackson continued to stand on the precipice, looking up at the stars. "Jack?"

"Yea, Danny?"

"Why are we here?" The younger man asked in a plaintive tone, sounding confused. He looked back at his companion

O'Neill tightened his grip on Daniel's wrist. "Where, Danny? On the cliff? For your 'Spirit Thing', remember?"

"No." the younger man sighed, shifting his feet. O'Neill caught his breath, ready to hold Jackson's weight. "Why are we here, on this planet? Why are we here at all?"

O'Neill leaned back, putting more pressure on his friend's arm trying to urge him farther from the edge. "Cause it's our job, Daniel. Remember we were sent to find out what's here. Look, why don't we step back from the ledge?" He tugged harder towards the trees. "We can sit and talk over here."

After a few seconds, the passive reply finally came. "If you want." O'Neill now put firm pulling pressure on Jackson, fighting against the other's resistance until he got the younger man moving back over to their initial starting point. He pushed his teammate until he sat down on the soft conifer needles. Jack picked up the shirt from the ground and hung it on his friend's shoulders against the damp. Jack looked into Daniel's eyes trying to see if they were dilated. The blue eyes looking back were bleak.

"Daniel, tell me." He sat down cross-legged in front of the younger man. "So, what happened?"

Daniel looked dazed, as if trying to understand what was going on in his own mind. He then looked earnestly at O'Neill. "It was...disturbing." He hesitated, Jack nodded encouragement. "I got a little light headed in the Kiva, you know." The older man nodded back encouragingly. "But relaxed. Then when I ate the peyote button, everything got kind of hazy. When we walked up here, everything got really clear for a while; it all seemed to fall into place." Daniel shifted positions, wrapped his arms around his torso and started a minute rocking motion. "Like everything in my life has led to us being here on this planet with these people, our finding the tribe and being accepted, even my being here on this mountain with you, like it all had a purpose."

O'Neill watched his friend for a few seconds, then he asked. "What was the purpose, Daniel?"

"As far as I could tell it was to help them survive another coming of the Goa'uld." The younger man shook his head slightly. "We were brought here to help save them, Jack." The blue eyes focused on O'Neill. "But I don't know how."

O'Neill was becoming concerned with the way this was headed. "Daniel," He grasped his friend's shoulders and insisted the younger man listen to him. "Danny. I've known you now for over 4 years. You think we should help everybody, save everybody." When he was sure he had his teammate's attention, Jack slid his hands down to the younger man's hands and held them firmly. "You have saved lots of people, my own sorry self being one of them. You've single handedly saved Earth once or twice. To keep on saving it, you, we have to keep on being there to do the job." He took a breath for emphasis. "Danny, these people want your help, not your sacrifice."

Jackson shifted the grip O'Neill had on his hands to hold them in his own, then he looked up earnestly. "I know Jack. But I don't know how...just like on Abydos, when they took Sha'uri. I couldn't do anything. All I can do is watch...again." Daniel dropped his eyes to the ground.

"No, Daniel." Jack looked down to where their hands reached across the space between them. "Not like on Abydos, we won't let it happen again!"

The blue eyes looked up and held Jack's sable ones. "Promise."

O'Neill was silent, thinking before he offered platitudes. Promises were his pledge, his and Daniel's truth. Promises here were for blood. Jack thought of their teammates in their camp, the people in the village that had accepted them, then farther back through the Stargate to the SGC. To their promises there, oaths of honor to their own 'tribe' and Chief. He looked up at his friend. "Daniel, I promise. No more like Abydos. Never again."

Daniel nodded his head in acceptance. "Never again."

Jack shifted his position to beside Daniel, their shoulders almost touching. The two men sat next to each other for an hour or so, quietly watching the stars wandering into the morning sky. Finally, Jackson looked over at O'Neill. "Do you want to hear my vision, Jack?"

The older man turned to face his friend. "Can you tell me first, or do you and Painted Face have to do it together, you know compare notes?"

Daniel looked at him helplessly. "I haven't a clue. He didn't really say."

"Well, then...I guess it doesn't matter since he didn't say you couldn't." The older man gave him a grin and his complete attention. "So give. What did you see?"

"I'm almost embarrassed to say it out loud." Jackson looked sadly chagrined. "It was more like one of those old Disney films. You know the 'True Life Adventure' ones that used to come on Sunday nights."

O'Neill looked sidewise at his young companion and shook his head. "Only you would do Peyote Buttons and get a Disney story, Danny."

"I know." The younger man shook his head denigratingly. "But that's my luck, always the cartoon."

"Oh, stop it. Come on. Give." Jack insisted, teasingly. "What did you see?"

Jackson took a breath. "Well, it's confusing in the beginning. There's this skinny dog or wolf and he's wandering around finding things that he thinks are important, but nobody else does. He meets an old female dog that takes him to a cave. There, she introduces him to a pack of wolves. He and these wolves go on a journey through a tunnel. During the journey they meet up with a lioness and a bear." Daniel stopped and scowled for a second. "First they fight the bear, but he comes over to their side." He glanced at Jack who nodded for him to continue. "They become partners, the skinny dog, the old wolf leader, the lioness and the bear. Then they go around and have adventures. Every once in a while they go back to the cave and meet different animals that all live there." He smiled to himself, "There's a hawk, a raccoon and every once in a while a fox comes." Danny shook his head in depreciation. "Honest, Jack. I feel like it's a Bugs Bunny movie or something. It's embarrassing."

O'Neill had been watching Danny was torn between amusement and awe, but he prompted him to keep on talking. "So what happens next?"

Daniel thought a moment, then continued. "Well, they go on this trip through the tunnel and meet up with some deer. Lots of deer, and they're afraid, being attacked by some terrible thing that comes out of the dark. But the group decides to stay and help them." He shook his head. "I don't quite remember much from then on. I think they win but... It's not so clear now that I'm awake." He looked back up at Jack, self-conscious. "Loony -toons, huh?"

O'Neill shifted to a softer spot on his leaning tree and looked at the younger man with satisfaction. "Nope, makes perfect sense to me, Wiley."

"What?" Daniel asked, still confused. "I don't understand."

O'Neill spoke gently to his young friend. "The problem with geniuses is that you think everything has to be so hard, so complicated." Jack smiled over at Daniel. "Daniel, you have just given a succinct synopsis of our whole last four years." He allowed himself a small chuckle. "You can't see the SGC for the True Life Adventures, excuse the pun."

Jackson still looked mystified.

O'Neill sat forward, crossed his legs and leaned his elbows on his knees. "You were more right than you thought you were when you said you didn't know your Southwestern Cultural History." Jack sighed, continuing. "Indians deal with things right out of nature, things they know and recognize. Their religion is Shamanistic, totemic I guess you'd say." Daniel nodded at him, amazed at his friend and not saying a word. "Animals were their life symbols, their 'little gods'. They use them to personify personality traits and even stereotypes. Subconsciously you must have picked up on that and with your own brand of outrageous imagination and a little 'herbal stimulation', you just mixed and matched what you needed to make a 'Spirit Journey'.

Daniel was looking at O'Neill as if he'd suddenly grown a second head right in front of him. "Jack, where are you getting all this?" He demanded of his normally not-historical-at-all friend. "You've never said anything about...."

O'Neill shook his head and put his hand up to stop the forthcoming flood of commentary. "Whoa, let me explain." He started in calmly. "When I joined Special Ops back in the Seventies, I had an instructor who was an Indian. I don't even remember what kind he was, but he was the best survival and tactical instructor I have ever had the honor to be yelled at by." Jack smiled at the memory of his old mentor. "When we got to a point, where we couldn't get it, couldn't figure out what we needed... he'd pull out one of his old stories. Said his grandfather told them to him when he was a boy on the reservation to give examples with. All the characters were animals." Jack stopped and gazed fondly at his young friend. "The Coyote was the troublemaker, the trickster, always curious and sometimes he got caught in his own trap but he'd talk the other animals into helping him out of his problems."

"So," Daniel started out slowly, watching his friend for confirmation. "You're saying I'm the skinny coyote?" O'Neill nodded at him. "So you must be the Wolf?"

"Yea, the 'old' wolf thanks a lot, and if Carter isn't a girl mountain lion and Teal'c a great big grizzly bear I wouldn't know who would be."

Jackson shook his head. "But Jack, it's too cute. This isn't..."

"What? What isn't it?" He demanded. "Don't make this so hard, Danny. You got off good." O'Neill reached out and ruffled his friend's hair. "If it'd been me, I probably would have gotten an Alfred Hitchcock or Freddy Krueger flick. Don't complain so much about the luck of the Disney movie, my friend. Take it from me, Painted Face is gonna love it."

The two friends sat together on the rock face ledge that faced east off of the mountain. O'Neill pulled out a couple of granola bars from his shirt pocket and they shared a small breakfast, washed down by canteen water. The sun rose and warmed them in its time, giving them its ancient show of the early renewal of life. From the valley below, they could hear the voices of the women singing the morning song to welcome the sun back from its land of night. Daniel reached over and touched Jack's shoulder, then pointed out over the canyon where an indigenous hawk-like bird rode the warming air's updrafts looking for its breakfast. O'Neill smiled back at his best friend, enjoying the relaxed mood that had enveloped them in its grace.

* * * * * *

Carter and Teal'c had gotten up early and returned to the Indian encampment in order to be there when the Vision seekers returned. Crow woman had welcomed them into the fire circle outside the lodge she shared with Grey Badger and began preparing a breakfast for them of the corncakes and a fragrant herbal tea. Though the two guests couldn't speak the same language, the older woman started talking to the pair as if they were her old next door neighbors, rattling on and laughing occasionally indicating something fascinating about Teal'c. From her hand signals Sam guessed that he was a subject of conjecture among the younger unwed maidens. The big man began to look a little uncomfortable after a while, but he was ultimately saved by the arrival of Moon Woman to the fireside. The Jaffa got to his feet and assisted her in sitting down safely on a log by Carter.

The woman was tired from the previous hard day's work but she was in good humor and asked Crow Woman for something. The older woman patted her on the back and went into the lodge to retrieve some dried leaves, which she then ground to a fine power and added to a gourd cup of warm water. Then more of the cakes were prepared and spread with a golden honey. Carter was interested in the interaction between the two co-wives of the old chief. They interacted as more a mother/daughter team than as equals with the older female obviously in charge of the Chief's home, while the other woman lived in another lodge.

Teal'c leaned over to Sam. "Major Carter, what is the actual relationship between these two women?" When Sam explained, he nodded. "I understand. The young woman is carrying a child that will be the older woman's child also. This is practiced to insure security for the old ones should something happen to their men. I have seen this before. It is a very interesting arrangement."

Sam thought about it and agreed. "I know, it struck me as odd that two women could be happy like this, sharing a man but...since they don't have medical or life insurance it would be a good way to prepare for their security in the future."

"This is true. If an old person had no young kin to help them during famine or other difficulties they could die from the privations without other support."

"Daniel said that Painted Face had a mother, a mother in law, a wife and three daughters in his home." She smiled at the morning chaos that must occur every day in his lodge. "That's a lot of responsibility for one man!"

"It is indeed, but he is a man of great power within his tribe. It is his duty to care for as many dependants he can afford to."

"No wonder we're such oddities." Sam mused as much to herself at to Teal'c. "Being that I'm the only female to three strong men, they must have all kinds of ideas about us."

"That is also why Danieljackson and I arouse so much interest among the women. They are looking for a good 'catch'."

Carter patted him on his knee. "And I can certainly understand why." She giggled at his discomfited expression. "That's probably why the Colonel has been so antsy around me. I wonder if he's aware of the dynamics going on here?"

"He is Major Carter." Teal'c gave an almost smile in her direction. "While we were working on the Canyon's edge several men approached him. A father with a marriageable daughter inquired about Danieljackson and another man spoke to him about you."

"They did?" She smiled broadly at the thought of O'Neill's reaction. "What did he say?"

"About Danieljackson, that we were on a long journey and the Shaman would be needed to travel with us. About yourself, Col O'Neill stated that they must talk to your 'brother' as it was not his place to speak for a medicine woman who traveled her own trail."

"Hummm, passed the buck did he?" She shook her head. "That's the Colonel, never a straight answer to a straight question." She looked back at Teal'c. " Anyone ask about you?"

"Yes." He looked at her.

She looked back. "Okay, I give up. What happened"?

"He referred them to myself and I answered that I am also traveling and would not be back for a long time. I said that I did not want to leave a wife behind. They understood and the subject was dropped."

"I bet."

More people were starting to gather around in the village circle not far from the fireside of Grey Badger's lodge. Carter could make out Little Bird, the toddler daughter of Painted Face. She was dragging another larger girl of about six years of age along with her. A few steps behind them, a beautiful Indian woman of about thirty years of age walked sedately along with a girl of about eight. This Sam realized must be Painted Face's household. Also, walking with them was a woman of about forty years, a large, handsome person she exuded character and charisma. When Two Spears' son, Young Deer, shouted something to her from a distance it was obvious she was his mother. The extended family came and spoke to Crow Woman and Moon Woman for a short time, but the clan was obviously waiting for something to happen and not just here on a social call. Carter could only think they were waiting for their men to return from the 'Sprit Quest' just as she and Teal'c were.

As it turned out the wait was only a short one. A quiet murmur seemed to filter through the village and proceed the returning group of four men. While the tribe didn't crowd around or ask any questions the return of the party was of great interest to everyone. Two Spears led the way; Painted Face (no paint now) was walking tiredly behind his chief. The Colonel and Jackson brought up the rear, O'Neill looking weary and very relieved and Daniel appearing introspective, as if trying to organized a difficult translation in his head without benefit of notes. None the less, all four men had returned apparently healthy and unharmed. It was good news to everyone on hand.

As the quartet arrived at the door of Grey Badger's lodge, the old Chief opened the Blanket door and stood back to let them pass into the hut. The cloth was allowed to drop back into place and cut off the outside distractions of the gathering crowd. Crow Woman then took control of the situation. She motioned the immediate family members into the fire circle and proceeded to chase the gathering group of people back out into the village circle area away from the lodge. She must have extorted them to leave them alone for a while because all of the onlookers went looking for other places to be and other duties to perform. The older people called back and waived, which she returned with ongoing commentary of her own.

Looks of relief positively warmed the circle of family that joined together around the breakfast fire. All the women became relaxed and chatted happily to each other. The younger children played in the dusty area outside the door with pebbles and sticks. The Vision, whatever it had revealed; had done no damage to the men of the house at least. Now it was up to the three chiefs and the two shamen to take what the Great Spirit had sent to them and to use the weapon against the False Gods when they came through the Gods' Mouth.

ï * * * *

ï After several hours of being sequestered, the five main players emerged upon the stage of the Village's common area in the front of the Chief's fire circle. When Grey Badger, Painted Face, Two Spears, O'Neill and Jackson came out, the tribe gathered in earnest. After several minutes all the adults in camp were there, seated or standing; waiting.

Grey Badger started the speaking. He described the great journeys that the two young Shamen had set upon to find the Great Spirit's wise trail for them. He advised that indeed the False Ones were coming and that The People should continue to prepare for war. He then gave the floor to Painted Face who told of their two Journeys had been successful and the messages that they received from the Great Spirit were powerful and good. The shaman spoke and told the crowd that Yellow shaman had gone on his first Spirit Journey for the good of this tribe and that they would forever be of The People.

Next Daniel Jackson spoke and told of his vision that four spirit animals had come to him and shown him that they were to stay and fight the evil ones with the people. That he had spoke with his Chief, and that it was agreed that they would lend the People all of their knowledge and powerful medicine to defeat the evil ones. And after the battle to come, they would speak to the head of their whole tribe and bring knowledge and strength to the People for the future. O'Neill nodded at his words and spoke one of two words of the people as a pledge of good faith.

Then, finally, Two Spears spoke. He announced that the strangers were now of the tribe and they had new names for themselves. They would forever be known by their Spirit Animal names. Grey Chief would be forever Chief Grey Wolf, the Medicine Woman would be Mountain Lion Woman, the Large Warrior would be Great Bear and Yellow Shaman would be know as Wise Coyote.

The Tribe listened to the speeches then began to talk enthusiastically among itself. There were some questions shouted to the leaders and the answers were given quickly. The people were seemingly satisfied with the 'official debriefing' and after a short while of discussion and a little debate they appeared to be satisfied and, went back to their various tasks. A new group of sentinels left for the 'God's Mouth and Teal'c, after a brief consult with O'Neill accompanied them.

O'Neill looked over at Daniel as he sat on the ground next to Painted Face talking. The younger man appeared to be tiring quickly and he himself had not slept in twenty-four hours. "Daniel." The newly minted Shamen looked over at his Chief. "Daniel, what's next?" Jack grinned depreciatingly, "I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the bedroll."

"Oh yea, that's sounds good." Daniel yawned slightly, covering his mouth. "We can eat here with them or go back and eat MREs but I'm starving."

As if on cue, the women of the clan who had left immediately after the crowd had dissipated appeared at the lodge fire circle. Crow Woman walked over to the five men and started her cajoling manner, shooing them to the seating area.

When Daniel and Jack took their seats, Carter was assisting in passing out heaping clay bowls of food to the men. The food was rich and savory complete with a slice of honeycomb for desert. Then she brought out some gourd cups of a warm brown tea to them and sat down beside her men.

Daniel nodded his thanks and started in on the food without a word. O'Neill took the cup and looked down into it. Carter smiled at him. "It's Chamomile I think sir."

"Whatever it is, it's good and it's hot. I'll take it." He glanced around at the family circle. The women and children were gathered around their respective men, except for Crow Woman who was putting another piece of meat in Daniel's bowl. He said something back and she patted him on the head before she left.

O'Neill looked over at his second in command. "What have you been doing?"

"Blending, Sir. These people are easy to like." She took his empty cup and went over to the fire and refilled it from a leather flask hanging there. Sitting back down she noticed his expression. "I know sir, but it's okay. You're tired."

"You're right, I am." He gave her an impish grin. "I won't tell anyone."

"So what was that at the end of the speech? Do we have a new status or has the mission changed?" Carter had picked up on the announcements.

"Well, we're clan members now, we have new names and we're gonna kick some Gould butt when they show up." He leaned over to look at Daniel who was sitting quietly with an empty plate in his hand.

Carter got up and went over to him. "Want something more, Daniel?"

"Uh gee, no Sam." He smiled up at her. "I'm just really tired."

"I'll bet." She glanced back to O'Neill. "New names? What are they?"

Daniel pronounced them for her, and explained their significance. But he was running down fast and she could see the Colonel wasn't far behind. "Look, why don't you go back to the camp and pull some rack time, Sir?" She smiled at their expressions. "You two look done in."

O'Neill stretched and nodded to Daniel. "Okay, come on Coyote-boy. Let's hit the den for the day."

"Okay, heap big Grey Wolf." Jackson slowly got up from the log he had been sitting on. "You'll get no argument from me."

As the two men trudged down the trail, Sam could overhear O'Neill asking for the date and time so he could write it down as the occurence when 'he got no argument from Dr. Daniel Jackson.' She shook her head and followed Crow Woman into the village to help her with some errand.