22

Ianto swept toward the Embassy gates and was not surprised to find the guards moving to block him. The Boeshanninan robes not giving away who he was and as he came level with them he raised a hand to swept them back, their shock at an unseen force simply… shoving them out of the way… would shock anyone I guess.

Ianto was moving with speed, his anger raw and his strength… his power starting to build as the crown in his hair settled more… grew and became a little more. By the time he reached the War Room of the embassy there were several others following with alarm and the air crackled with anger.

Ianto swept into the room, flinging back the robes to let them flutter to the ground and the blades at his highs swung openly. He reached out and tapped the vid-screen then stepped back and waited, his father's face soon looking back at him.

"Daddy… it is an attempt on me" he said immediately lest the King be distracted. Ianto then pulled off his headdress and fling it back to join the robes a harried man was trying to pick up then turned back to his father "The bomb was placed at the Bladesinger section of the table, where Jack and I were supposed to sit. It took out all the Bladesingers bar one who almost escaped but was caught in the outer blast by guards who were confused as to why she was fleeing the building."

"Bladesinger?" the king repeated softly "Sweetie… are you sure?"

"Daddy… this was a shot at me. Jack's brother Gray is unharmed in his kingdom to our west. Would he not inherit Jack's crown? Who owns this realm? Who knows? Not many, the takeover was quietly done and the family allowed to remain in place as Regents. Whoever did this was taking out everyone, including the remaining family but most of all… most importantly… it was aimed at my family. Me. The Crèche for the children one floor above that end of the table… my children!" Ianto was firm now, the idea solid and gaining momentum as he went over things out loud "Someone who would rule now we are all gone… who Daddy? If I were to die and all those of rights… who would the realm be given to? Hmmm? One of Jack's cousins? His brother? Or one of MINE!"

Silence as the old man tired to work it out. Then saw the logic to it all. The horrible logic.

"Well… ah… the twin girls would not do such a thing… they would not want their husbands to get a different crown to their shared realm, both of them happy in their realm" Ifan said, then stalled out as he recalled the recent conversations regarding crowns. "Ah."

"Ah" Ianto agreed "Daddy… could it possibly be? The one who had fled…. She was Cortessa Gerrant. Pip's teacher and advisor. You remember her… she argued with mama about Pip wearing that hideous gown to the party that time… mama called her rabid."

"I remember her Teddy Bear" his mother's voice said softly and Ianto watched her step into view from the side of the screen's camera where she had stood listening "you are right. If you and you bloodline were wiped out… the realm would likely go to Pip as she would not get a crown otherwise. Oh… botheration. She could not be this brash, would she?"

Ianto looked at his mother … long and hard… "Mama… there is no need for me to answer that as you already know. Don't you. She is pinging right now? Seeking audience?"

His mother touched her screen and it flickered, then Ianto saw his sister on the screen, her face covered in tears "MAMA! I just heard… the horrid slaughter of the Boeshanninan royal house.. this is so horrible. Are you and Daddy OK? Do you need me to come home? Oh Mama… the shock if this is too much…I fear I am losing my chick… poor Ianto. Oh no… I have talked with my husband and we are ready to move when and where we are needed to help with the rebuilding of this empire. The Bladesinger Realm shall endure. I am ready to do my part."

Ianto folded his arms and wondered if she could see him in the corner of her screen, his anger now flaming in the bond. OK. She felt that and was now looking at her father with confusion "Daddy? What's wrong?"

"Penelope? I want you here… with me and mama. Now. No excuses, the first Hover here so we might have you in our arms" he said firmly and Ianto felt a morbid satisfaction as he knew what the old man was doing. Get her home. Get her in their grasp and a finger's touch would tell them everything. Her firewalls were always shit. Daddy always knew if she had stolen or broken something she was blaming on the others… usually Ianto. Even if he let her away with it… he knew.

She nodded and closed the call leaving Ianto alone with his parentals once more and he sighed "you know what you will find."

"And she knows the penalty for it, if it is true" the queen snapped, then grimaced "Sorry Teddy Bear, I do not mean to take it out on you but… of all of you she got the most. Demanded the most and used the most. If she is truly this greedy that she would kill her own brother and his entire realm's bloodline to get that crown… I … I do not know what to say."

"Then I shall say it for you" Ianto said as he locked eyes "If she is capable of that… knowing the chick in me is part of this… what else is she capable of? Are the boys next? Are you next?"

"Steady on there, little Ted" the king snorted with mirth, then his smile faded "shit."

"Yes. He is right. How far would Pip go given the fact she sees herself as the victim in all she does" the queen frowned "We let her go too far Father. We let her gain too much power… my goodness… Ianto. Turn your head, let me see my family crown?"

Ianto obliged and they all watched the crown take in the light like it was made of starlight.

"Well now… that is something" the old king started to laugh softly "Look at that. Ianto… heavy is the head that wears the crown… strong is the spine of the one that can."

Ianto nodded knowing what his father meant.

The Righteous King Ianto was now standing in his Realm and the decision had been made with or without him. The ancestors… the blood… had decided.

The crown now large and imposing as it shone in the light.

Like a mighty stag's horns… Ianto's crown showed his ability to butt heads… and take some off if need be.

Those blades at his sides no longer ornamental as he felt them in his hands.

They were his judge and jury… he of course… would be the executioner.