63
Down in the bunker everyone gasped as the dragon came onto the screen, filling it with her huge wings that covered the field as she bellowed a mechanical roar that they would later confirm they all felt in the r bones, even way down there in the earth.
Up on the walkway Ianto clutched the railing as he roared as well, letting his throat loosen as he roared with rage and pride, feeding her wrath as her claws reached down to pluck a few Others up and crush, then fling back at the others. Taunting them.
Ianto knew her plan and he watched with wide eyes as she swooped, circled, clawed, threw, and swept again into the Others who were all in the same field all working together trying to grab her talons as they brushed overhead but she was not going to fall for that, having them all where she wanted them as she decided they were ready to learn that she was not a big bird… she was a dragon.
She took a deep breath and roared, a deeper bellow that opened not only the vocal chords but also the two liquid sacks in the back of her throat, mixing the two chemicals to create….
FIRE
She breathed on the things, enjoying their sudden fear, confusion and terror as they screamed, running in all directions as she killed with open malice.
"Fuck" John said softly, watching as one head for the house but a shot rang out and it fell, slumping to burn in the front yard. Ianto reloaded the rifle he had scooped up and waited. Jack turned and ran to the door, pushing against them helplessly as the bolts Ianto had shot home held.
Another shot rang out as Ianto moved to stop a second one coming towards the house, then Myfanwy bellowed again, now swooping so close to the ground that she was able to snatch at yelping creatures with her talons, enjoying the noises of death.
Ianto registered movement and turned his head to find both Childe beside him also clinging to the railing with wide eyes, their mouths open and teeth gleaming as they enjoyed the scent of death.
"Stay out of the Grand Girl's way. If you want to help go to the Barn's walkway and make sure none are on the other side that we can't see." He told them and the kids ran with glee to check. Ianto knew nothing was there, Myfanwy had made sure of that but right now he needed them safe as she shot up into the sky, pausing in the air like a bird foiling on an up-flow of air, her wings out as she considered then came down with a sickening thud, crunching the bodies with her own huge scales.
Ianto whooped as he watched her decimate those trying to escape, snapping up a few to chew on thoughtfully as she now stood flapping her massive wings to knock those still running off their feet.
Then finally, she rose and swung in the air, heading back towards the outcrop of rocks she had emerged from, returning to her lovely little hoard beneath the house where she preferred to be. Nice and dark, quiet, safe… food on tap… seriously. At her age she should be allowed to slumber.
Ianto slumped forward, relieved beyond words that she had done this for him even as he knew it would cost him in livestock as she would need to feast for several days before going back into semi-hibernation.
Ianto let the world turn for a moment or two then headed down to unbolt the doors, accepting Jack's hands seizing him to shake, yell and then kiss him with relief. "Where did she come from?"
"Here" Ianto relied gently "She lives here. Why I built here… there is a cave system under the house. Why do you think it's so warm in winter ya divvy? Gods… this is her spot. I feed her now and then, keep her happy."
"So... why haven't you used her before?" John asked as townsfolk gathered around to shake their hands.
"Because she is hungry now. It will cost me almost my entire flock to set her back to sleep" Ianto shrugged "We will have no meat come winter now."
"Oh yes you will!" someone shouted "I can give some of mine as payment."
"Me too… does she like pig?'"
"Cows?"
Ianto stood in silent shock as the town gathered around and sponsored enough stock to feed her for the winter months without him having to sacrifice a single head from his own stock. He wanted to say no, he wanted to argue but Jack was in charge knowing Ianto's desire to be a good man. Luckily for Ianto, Jack was his man and by the time people had filtered out to look at the carnage left behind there were firm agreements in place to provide meat in return for shelter next time as well, the stock hands were talking excitedly about the fencing they would need to the new stock numbers.
Ianto had not only saved the town, saved his family but in one foul swoop he had revealed the fact he had another drop to him that some had long since wondered about. You see… as Myfanwy had swooped and dipped he had called out to her, herding her and controlling her in an ancient tongue that only the old people recognized as Dragone Words.
Now they all knew that this man that was part this, part that, part monster, part angel… was also Dragone Borne. And all of him was good. A Good Man.
Ianto had given it all for them and they would never forget this.
Ianto just wanted to take a moment to hug his children and seek silence in his beloved house once more.
