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are huge, and half of them look like they’re falling apart. They are handing over one of the oldest of the tablets in the ceremony itself, though. Apparently that one’s actually engraved metal, which makes me suspect it might actually be original. I have no idea right now, because as soon as they figured out we were interested enough in this stuff that we might be willing to pay them just to see it, they wouldn’t let us anywhere near it.”
    â€œSensible people,” Hammond said. “How is Major Carter’s meteorological survey going?”
    Daniel looked like he had no idea. “Fine, I think? She has the UAV you sent through up recording data about the prevailing winds. The locals think it’s interesting. I don’t think they’ve ever seen a heavier-than-air aircraft before.”
    â€œThat’s a trade for another day,” Hammond said. “We should be ready to leave within the hour.”
    â€œYou may want to dress up for this,” Daniel said. “I think we’re talking royal robes in the High King’s delegation.”
    Hammond shook his head. “I’m a little short on those, Dr. Jackson, but we’ll see what we can do.”
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    â€œA re you entirely sure about this?” General Hammond said, inspecting himself in the guesthouse’s mirror. Jack tried not to look visibly amused. The length of heavy wool brocade that Daniel had wrapped around Hammond’s waist as a… well, as a skirt… certainly wasn’t the worst thing SG-1 had worn for the sake of a mission.
    â€œI really think it’s necessary,” Daniel said. “It’s pretty clear to me from everything that I’ve seen so far that trousers are only worn here by laborers and servants, or at best by ordinary guardsmen. They’re going to expect a leader to wear robes of some kind.”
    â€œI suppose I could have brought my bathrobe,” Hammond said. “As opposed to putting on dress blues.”
    â€œI did say…”
    â€œI know,” Hammond said, and sighed. “All right, let’s get on with the show.”
    â€œI really think you ought to have a wig as well,” Daniel said. “I could see if we can arrange —”
    â€œNo, thank you,” Hammond said firmly. “I’m going a long way for the sake of these tablets of yours. I think the High King can deal with the sight of my actual head.”
    â€œAll right,” Daniel said. “The plan is, we’re part of a ritual procession through the city to an outdoor court, which is where we’ll meet with the High King. I’m assuming there will be a ton of spectators, but the High King’s guards are supposed to be taking care of security. Once we actually come into the High King’s presence, we’ll have to surrender our weapons —”
    â€œHello,” Jack said. “That’s a problem.”
    â€œThere was no such requirement when we dined with the High King the other evening,” Teal’c pointed out.
    â€œYes, but apparently it makes a difference that it’s a public ceremonial occasion, and that it’s taking place on sacred ground. Apparently the court is a site of the ritual worship of their goddess Asherah, and being visibly armed would be the equivalent of taking rifles into a church.”
    â€œYou said visibly,” Jack said.
    â€œI don’t think they’re actually going to search us,” Daniel said. “That would be disrespectful, and they’re trying to be friendly here. I think as long as we hand over our rifles and Teal’c’s staff weapon, and keep anything we don’t hand over well out of sight, we’ll be okay.”
    Teal’c frowned but didn’t argue. Jack drew his pistol from its holster and tucked it under his jacket instead, his eyes on Carter and Daniel to make sure they were doing the same.
    â€œAll right,” he said. “Let’s