14

Jackson was up to something, Damec was trying to work out what as his beloved slipped into the long-range vid-com room. After a moment of indecision he decided to take a page out of Ianto's book and he squared his shoulders, following him in.

The King was smiling on the screen as he greeted his cousin, the two elderly men showing open affection.

"I hear the third Vercitorn has announced a breakaway too" Jackson said as he settled in a chair, "How does this feel?"

"I embrace it" King George said with a firm nod of his head, "At first I was a little insulted but now I have reflected and see I am still in charge, but less responsibility. Let them sort their own mining problem now."

"I was speaking with my Grandson's wonderful partner and explaining the intricacies of our family and he is of another world in his thinking. Raised simple and with clear rules, boundaries" Jackson started to explain his idea.

"H 4.0, Ianto right? Yes, I remember. Lovely voice and your grandson seems besotted" the old king's face softened, "Such are the worlds that we might all become one people as the Gods intended."

"You know, he had a simple answer to our messy entwined bloods. He had listened to the rules, titles and the changing ideals of some planets and he asked that if each planet wanted their own royal family why it would matter. He pointed out that you are the High King of all, each royal family still beholden to you. Like the gods, each God is powerful but there is only one true god, the high god himself who tempers the other gods when needed. I was both shocked and amazed at his reasoning. It made me think cousin. Perhaps…perhaps this is the answer. Let each planet's high family be their royal family. Then they have the responsibility to govern it, not you. The money it costs you to keep all the bloody palaces and peace in the courts and such will then be their problem. Your ship is your palace, you can visit and not have to sleep in their cold beds or endure their simpering. You will be able to put your resources to the protection of the great realm then. Security. Build your armada and those planets with wealth, such as ours will be responsible for our own security as well, maybe decree that each planet must provide at least one ship for your fleet. The planets who are poor and cannot provide can enjoy the protection of those that can…maybe give soldiers instead like they all do now but make is seem like the required service is for the pride of their planet as well as their sector. Planets like Pleasure Rell 5 can afford at least four bloody ships with their wealth and they give only a pittance at the moment."

The kind leaned forward, "Sonny, that is an excellent idea. I give each of my family their own crown. They rule their planet, I still rule the sector as the High King. I control the family still, but at a distance. Each planet is means tested. They give me favour. Ha! Instead of me trying to pay out for them they can start giving it back!"

"Exactly. In return for title that has a crown? Who can say no without looking a bloody fool" Jackson smiled, "this means their squabbling and chaos is their own problem as well. These delegations who come to my planet thinking they have rights under your banner must have their own banner now. We can be more active in our refusals if we do not agree with their way of life….you are not embarrassed at the way some are acting as you can simply declare that they are subversive and quash them…even remove them and place another family on the throne."

"There will be wars"

"There have always been wars cousin, just covert. This will also bring those into the open who wish to overthrow and disarm you. How long before someone takes a swing? Come on…we both know Hester is long overdue for an attack on his neighbour. He will do so….you can put him down with malice as you remind everyone you are still at the helm. Appoint that lovely nephew of his the new king and you gain that planet that has bucked for generations."

"This Ianto….he thought of all of this?"

"He is a problem solver. Not just a pleasure model. Ah, my dear cousin my affection for him is not diminished by the place he was born. He is a wonderful boy. As is the one hiding behind this chair listening... Damec" Jackson growled and Damec slid out to be seen, "Skulker."

"Sorry Sonny" Damec smiled softly and the king roared with mirth on the Screen.

"Damec you old war horse, I was just thinking of you the other day. Remember that ball where you locked that silly thing in the cupboard? Remember? I walked past and you leaning against it like there is not a wild animal inside trying to escape, her shrill screams of treason? Goddess on a lizard, that was so funny. She appeared later with her hair mussed up and everyone thinking she had been in a tryst with someone." The king chortled, "You really taught her a lesson for upsetting Glenda."

Jackson looked at Damec with surprise, "You defended my wife?"

"Of course. She was a piece of your heart" Damec shrugged, then leaned in and kissed him.

"Ah. Love. Yes" the king smiled as he watched the old slave be bold, "wars are won and lost for such a thing."

"But for such a thing, I would fight again" Damec turned to answer the man he had once cowered in front of, "But for love…I would not know the warmth of the sun."

"Well put Damec. Well put. We cannot know the kiss of the gods on our cheek if we do not offer it" the king leaned back and considered, "I will mull over this, thank you Jackson. You call is both a surprise and an education. Too long have we been too busy for these talks."

"That's nothing, you should talk with Ianto" Jackson rose, letting Damec take his hand, "That is the one who sees the future. A place of freedom, prosperity and open acceptance of one another. These things we wished for as children playing together."

Both men bowed and said polite goodbyes to the screen then Damec turned to his beloved, "Sonny, what did you just do?"

"Hopefully my dearest old heart, I secured our bloodline."