25

Next morning and Ianto followed his love with Rane on his hip, wondering why they were up at the crack of dawn.

They headed down to the slave levels and Ianto watched his beloved pitch a bitch fit of epic proportions.

Bedding was dragged out, cages dismantled and mattresses, bedding and food was brought in as the slave watched with wide eyes.

Ianto found several pets that were either strays or discarded by Gray, these were huddled together in a room, terrified of discovery. When Jack told them they were able to stay together and that was their room, their nest, a female scuttled forward and removed the blanket around her to show a small child at her breast.

Ianto immediately cooed and gushed as he stroked little black curls and declared the child an angel. The pets all gathered, followed by the slaves as the love flowed and they recognized the Dragon King in their quarters.

Ianto watched as his child was stolen away with delighted voices and Rane got more cuddles than he knew what to do with.

This was the child they were protecting, this was the babe of the Dragon King.

Rane was seated and fed, precious food that Ianto knew they couldn't afford to waste and Jack saw his quiet worry, ordering food from the kitchens to fill the pitiful larder of the slave quarters.

It was worth it to see Ianto's joy and pride as he reached for his hand.

Jack had no idea who some of these slaves were, many faces never seen about floors and realized their lives were more opulent due to these hard working people.

Jack found Ianto handing him the slave child and he looked into the strange green eyes of the wee changeling, mixed breed showing his Ferdaltion parentage. Jack took in the skin with a soft purple hue and the black hair, little nose and pouty lips.

He sat and cuddled the child, feeling a burst of affection for the child, knowing this would be one who would go to the meat man if this family were sent to market.

"Son?" King John walked calmly onto the room and the slaves all parted like the red sea.

"Look, isn't he cute?" Jack gushed, stroking the wee one's back, "Look. That's my Daddy."

The face turned to the king and split into a smile returned as the king watched his son's heart grow.

"Who does this wee beauty belong to?" Jack asked and two stepped forward, the female showing her mixed blood.

"I want you all to know that I will never sell you or your children" he informed them, "You are protected within the house of Harkness. You and your bloodline will be safe here for the term of your natural lives."

The female's mouth fell open with shock but the male surged forward, kneeling at Jack's feet was he wept softly.

"Please get up it's OK" Jack crooned, "You are scaring him."

The father stood and reached for his child, beaming with delight as he looked between the visitors.

"This is Rane" Jack said as he pulled the wee man from the chair and held him tightly, "He is my precious boy. As you have your own. This house is a place of safety, sanctuary. You have all worked so hard and with such heart for my family, I will not forget it. I understand now."

Ianto reached out and laid a hand on Jack's arm as he spoke softly, "Cariad. He is overwhelmed. Perhaps a bit of fresh air in the closed garden."

Jack nodded and turned to leave as the slaves stared at the way Ianto had just dictated to him without fear and then looked at each other with growing glee.

The closed garden was a huge atrium, full of exotic plants and flowers that ensured their safety and a place of beauty when the weather was bad. Trust Ianto to know where it was.

Rane was soon running around laughing and playing with a small dog the gardener had smuggled in, not knowing he was going to be found out.

"What sort of dog is it?" Into asked as Rane squealed and ran the length of a row, the dog racing after him with little yips of delight.

"It' a terrier" the man said as he laughed at their antics, "He's a Sol3 breed. They are really clever and naturally cheeky."

Jack watched the child and then turned to join the conversation, "And where did you get him?"

"My sister breeds them my lord" the man answered, "That is a three year old."

"How old do they need to be when first purchased?" Jack was interested now as Rane screamed and writhed, his face getting licked.

"Well, she has some about right weeks old looking for homes now my lord" the man said after thinking carefully about the possible consequences, "Four. Two males and two females. They all have different markings."

Jack looked at Ianto who was laughing, clapping as Rane got up and started running again.

"Tell me, what is involved in caring for one?"

The gardener grinned as he started to explain the basic care and handling of a dog and Ianto finally stopped to listen, asking questions and showing interest in the tricks and such they were capable of learning.

Ianto then turned back to watch his son as it became clear that his new Daddy was preparing a surprise for the wee imp.

Ianto wondered how a dog would go in their strange little family.