1
The night had been eventful, their arrival mixed and they had spent it huddled in the dark in the room that had been the headmaster's office, all talking quietly as the open fire warmed them both with heat and light. Now as dawn approached Ianto knew it was time to talk about the future, his mind already full of things he needed to get out so he settled in the large wing backed arm chair and started to talk.
"We can't live in the dark, we need to be able to move about without fear but still stay hidden, I think I know a way to make that possible." He began and everyone grew silent as they turned to listen "First we need black paint. I suggest we paint the windows black that we cannot cover with curtains at night. The West side of the school will be plunged into darkness as well and this is where we will live at night, lights able to be on and fires lit without fear of them being seen from the road. The East side gets most sun so during the day we can enjoy that side in the daytime with the kids."
"Shit" Scot said, the cuss sounding strange from such a small one as he nodded, "That's a great idea."
"Well, two stairwells, it makes sense." Ianto agreed, "We can get that sorted while we check out what rooms can be closed off to conserve heat for winter. the night stairwell needs blacking out, the daytime one is safe to leave as is."
"But it get awful dark at night, with no moonlight how do we get up and down the stairs?" a little voice asked as green skin paled in the firelight, "I is afraid of candles."
"Tosh and Crypto can have a look at the generator in the morning, see what we need to get it going. While they do that anyone not painting windows can start going room by room turning off light switches and TVs stuff. A lot of things were probably on when the power quit. We need to start with everything off except a couple of lights or it might overload the genny if we can get the ancient thing going. OK?"
Anyone agreed and were currently implementing the plan, a red marker to mark each room turned off and a blue one to mark if there was something in the room that might be useful to go back later when they had more time to explore. The two little girls were together, wanting to paint and get messy as they revelled in the fun of it, the past weeks fading away.
Gwen stuck close to Ianto, not as able to shake the fears she had faced out in the dark and Rhys felt useless in his inability to comfort her. Jack saw this, as did Ianto and after lunch Jack called Rhys over, "I have a job for you."
"Yeah?"
"Ianto and I will move the stock tonight, I need some strong eyes out there in the dark protecting this place. How would you like to learn to shoot" Jack offered and Rhys looked surprised so he added, "You are a strong man, a good man and I think you could be a good guard. She needs to see that, to feel safe. Relax. Seeing you walking around with a gun might help that."
By the afternoon he felt confident, happy and they agreed that he was efficient enough to have a pistol that he placed in the holster and attached to his belt with a degree of pride, then showed Gwen who shone with delight as she clung to him.
"Good idea Cariad, she might be OK now" Ianto said softly, his fear of leaving her to muster that night niggling and he was pleased Jack had found a solution to that problem. The only remaining one watching then sullenly from the floor.
"When do you go?"
Ianto knelt and addressed Mica like she was the only one in the universe, "I will leave shortly, dusk approaches and I must travel in the fading light so the horses are used to moving in the dark over the terrain before it swallows us. We will take time, the horses are slower than vehicles but it is necessary so they know the ground and are comfortable returning this way in darkness. They need comfort too."
"All this for milk."
"And meat, and don't forget free lawn mowing" he poked her and she frowned as she looked around the room and settled on him again.
"We will be OK?"
"Yes. Me, Jack and Crypto are going the rest stay here" Ianto nodded then Scout spoke.
"I can ride. I want to help" he said calmly, "Besides, you two have talking to do in the dark, another set of eyes is warranted."
Ianto looked over at his cousin and nodded as Jack agreed that size does not limit effectiveness.
Also, Scout knew damned well they were doing something else in the dark that needed extra help, his gaze meeting his kin's.
They needed that recon in the town if they were going to make it.
They had to go back and look at their enemy.