46
They were trying the second set of the sprinklers to the sides of the trucks when Ianto turned to find those from the barn standing nearby watching. Ianto waved, and turned away, letting them see his back to show he held no fear. Jack looked over from where he was crouching tying a low knot then rose and wiped his hands on is pants, then walked towards them "Hey. Did you sleep OK?"
"What are you doing with the irritation arms?"
"Taking them home. We need them for irrigation" Jack said shortly in return "Water is important now and … you should always keep water with you. It will be precious in case of fire."
"Fire." One of the men scoffed "We are fine thanks."
"They use fire as a weapon. They might set fire to the place" Ianto cut in with annoyance at their superior air "Jack just wants you to stay safe."
"Yah… well… if you have what you want, I suggest you shove off now. All this noise and bluster might bring them in. We have kept quiet and hidden. Now… how about we agree to that? Stay quiet and piss off now."
"Not a problem. We will be gone as soon as we lash the second lot of arms to each truck." Jack assured them, motioning for Ianto to leave them be but Ianto hesitated as he smelt something on one of them the others could not, moving closer.
"You have a baby."
Myfanwy had slunk around behind them and scented the air, confirming a little baby was indeed somewhere, that newborn smell cloying.
"You have a baby" Ianto repeated, desperate now "Look… I know these things. How they think. Work. Lease… just keep water with you in case of fire. Please keep that baby safe."
"there is only us!"
"There are about four more of you, one of them the mate of the man in the blue shirt. She has a newborn baby and it is colicky. Please… keep water nearby. A tanker… something like that." Ianto begged now.
They did not believe him, clear in the way they looked at one another and rolled their eyes.
Ianto tried.
He tired.
.
.
They rumbled out of town with Ianto and Myfanwy keeping pace as when they entered, the trucks full and the irrigation system their best hope along with the moat idea. They were about ten minutes out when Myfanwy chuffed and Ianto turned his massive head to see what she was looking at.
They both slowed and watched the woman running across the field of wheat, her hair the same colour, her face full of open fear as she came towards them glancing back now and then as if pursed.
"She was not there of her own free will?" Myfanwy asked softly "Does she run from her man?"
"No" Ianto said softly "She runs from all of them I think. She… shit. Hang on."
Ianto moved behind some bushes and transformed, trying to make his clinging close to what he had been wearing in the village. Myfanwy still amused by this thing he did with suits when it was so damned hard to replicate. Easier to just wear a flowing robe. At least jeans and a white t-shirt are not real stretch for him today.
By the time the woman got to them she was sobbing and out of breath, clutching the bundle positively as looked at the handsome man with the large creature beside him.
"Hello there… do they know you are gone?"
"No, I made a feast and they are to busy pigging out to know they left the door open. You made them sloppy" she panted, taking a gulp of air and then saying "My brother sold me to Dougal in exchange for the rifle. They are best friends. I heard what you said about fire… I don't wanna die."
"Show me what you have there" Ianto said softly and she opened the blanket to reveal a small baby, asleep and unaware of the turmoil around him. "Awwwww. Handsome devil."
Myfanwy chuffed again. Ianto knew they were looking for her now, Myfanwy hearing the distant shouts of anger.
"Come on, over that next rise Jack is waiting with one of the trucks" Ianto finally said leading her quickly along the road as Myfanwy slunk into the grass. Once the mother and child were in the cab with Rhys talking softly to her, Ianto told Jack he was doubling back and to keep going. He and Myf would catch up.
Jack nodded, kicked his bike's engine over and they took off as Ianto transformed and slunk into the long grass himself.
He and his girl waited for the better part of an hour then followed swiftly, reveling in the speed. Catching up to the trucks before they were home. The men had not come for her after all, no doubt searching the town as they failed to believe she might actually leave.
Ianto knew they would never enter that place again, not only had thy got the best stuff that they could... the faint smell of smoke was on the wind.
Come the dawn… they would have wished for some water.