21

Elizabeth had slid from the room to fit into Ianto's arms as he showed her off like a trophy, informing the ugly bullish man that this was his favorite wife. Ianto held her against him and kissed her lovingly as he explained "She is trying so hard to give me a boy. Most of the girls in there are her failures, still she does not complain. She is stoic. Yes?"

"Yes husband" she demurred, looking up at him "The next one. I have faith. The next one shall hold the key."

"Go now, you know they will get jealous and you should not be outside the quarantine zone" Ianto hissed, another kiss and he sent her back in.

"All girls?"

"Yes… I fear no boy child has come yet… although I do trust in the Gods and their wisdom is beyond out compression anyway so … I shall endure." Ianto looked pious as he spoke "It is not for me to question their rules, I am but a gnat to them. But … a boy would be nice. For the cause."

"I have eight" Fov huffed, "still no males either. Why we seek. We need fresh blood and young men to strengthen our ranks. Strangles has been as vicious a killer as the Loffidell"

"I can only offer you my prayers" Ianto sighed "No boys here or I would gladly give to the cause."

"You are of us?"

"Yes. I recognized the mother language and rejoiced but at the same time … I must be blunt." Ianto sighed as he gestured. Fov looking into the room through the glass of the locked doors, children visible inside.

"You see? My younger one over there in my other wife's arms?" Ianto pointed to Rhiannon who was trying to comfort Kit, his anger to melting point with his flushed cheeks and floppy body showing his anger.

"What is wrong with her?" Fov asked with alarm. "You said this was a quarantine zone?"

"We are waiting to learn but … it is …" Ianto took a moment and swallowed thickly "There were newbies in town a couple of weeks ago, arrived on a transporter. We were told they were clean and believed it but … my staff … they mingled with them and came here to my children. I fear it is…"

"Where did these new ones come from?" the man looked aghast.

"Colony 9" Ianto answered truthfully knowing the manifest for shipping would back that up. As he had hoped, the response was immediate, the man taking a physical step back from Ianto with horror.

"Strangles" he said to Ianto "it's rampant with it."

Ianto looked stricken "I know. But we were assured … we are worried. Why they are locked in. I … I fear. Brother, will you pray with me?"

"Yes. Of course, the Gods must provide some comfort at least "Fov nodded, clasping his hands as his head lowered.

Ianto to a moment to glen form memory the old prayer he had heard whispered at times by one of his father's guards before bed. One that had been explained by said guard as being a plea to the Gods for love, patience and longevity. Ianto knew the words ... of course he did and he spoke them now with that calm way of some who speaks that way often.

Fov did not hide his surprise as the flawless words were uttered reverently and as Ianto finished he reached out to place a hand gently on his arm "Brother. I see you are just. It is good to see our kind here. Please know I will personally ensure no one comes to break your quarantine."

"Thank you brother. May you go with the blessings of the Gods."

"And may the Gods favor you" Fov bowed.

Ianto knew the right answer, one not many give but in that exact instance what it should be. Thank fuck that guard of his father's loved him so.

"And may a Goddess kiss you in your sleep" he returned with the same bow.

Fov smiled softly as he walked to the Hover and signaled the men "All females. Let's go. Mark this one as safe. Also .. mark this as a straggles fear. He is one of our people. He is Just and righteous in a land of infidels. Let's go further north. I am sick of the sight of these weird trees, they give me the utters"

General laughter as the men agreed and the Hover swing to shoot away, Ianto leaning against the door and began heaving as he finally uncrossed his arms to look down at his chest and the two blooms of breast milk clearly obvious.

Kit's cries were now audible through the house as he ran for the room, unlocking and entering to snatch the child up and let him latch on.

"Did it work?" Rhiannon asked.

"Tosh?" Ianto glanced at her.

"Moving away with speed. Yeah … I think it worked" she nodded as she watched her screen "To be safe… we put the entire place on full lockdown. Shields in place."

"Agreed"