7

"Right then pretty boy… you want weapons or are you happy to just get a beat down with my fists?" James asked eagerly as he shucked off his jacket to throw at one of his mates watching.

"Well… that depends on what you would prefer James" Ianto replied gently "I am happy using either way to pummel the shit from you."

Those watching started to laugh as Ianto calmly let his own jacket slide down his arms and he turned to hand it to John who was surprised to find himself as his second. OK. John accepted it, felt the weight of a blade or two in the fabric and was now extremely interested in seeing what happens next.

"Hey Ianto… Whatcha doing?" Owen asked as he walked over to stand by John and it was John who answered.

"James wants to challenge the Prince's fluff for his pet horse" John said and he turned to look at Owen, then let his smile fade a she watched Owen's face light up.

"Oh yeah? Anyone talking odds? Come on… I want a full coin on Ianto here" Owen said with glee, rubbing his hands tighter "Oh… and James… I am NOT sewing you up when he is done dancing with you!"

Some laughed as Owen looked for a good spot to watch and now John was invested too, settling with Owen to watch and learn about this strangeling he had brought to them.

James started to circle Ianto who stood stock still in the middle of the courtyard watching him like a horse watches a wild dog in the long grass. Then James struck, darting forward as he swung his arm and he met… air.

Ianto moved like the wind, standing once more to regard him as he staggered and regained his footing to swing and gape. Ianto then took a deep breath and settled, "well? Are you finished limbering up?"

Sniggering started as James lunged again… again... again.

"Ianto... come on mate. Let's go see Jack" Owen called out and Ianto turned his head to look at him, giving James an opening that he took, the fist grazing past Ianto as he leaned back, seized the wrist and arm, then he swung his body, making James a pendulum that swing around his hip to fly through the air and slam into the fence Ianto had been sitting on.

Ianto then turned his back to him and answered Owen "sorry Owen, did you ask something my friend?"

James screamed, struggling up from the ground to land on Ianto's back, a fist swinging around in a king hit… only… this idiot man was not old blood, not royalty and the only one in the fight who might have somehow ever been a king was of pure grit, simply bending over so James flew over his shoulders and landed in the dirt in front of him.

"Oh. James. Sorry, thought we were done playing. Are you not finished?" Ianto canted his head.

James staggered to his feet and stood staring at him as Owen started to laugh softly and said "You feckin twat. You know these are warriors right? Born and bred for fighting? Why they are so highly sought after as allies. You have twenty or thirty of these coming at you on a battlefield… you run like fuck because fucked is what you will be if they catch you"

Ianto blinked slowly, and then smiled as he offered his hand "James… you were not to know that you were at a disadvantage. How many have you killed in battle?"

James reluctantly accepted and hand and stepped close, pumping it in friendship as he said "Five. I have killed five men in the name of my king."

"Ah. Good start" Ianto nodded as he released James' hand and turned to John "You know… the first one is the hardest. The second has the fear of the first but also… the third gives the expectantly of acceptance and by the fourth… you simply do the task."

"How many have you killed in the name of your king?" James called after him as Ianto started to walk away and he pivoted on his heel effortlessly to look back and start hold up his hands, displaying fingers and then looking at them, hold one… then all five… then three then frowning.

"To be honest with you Jamie… I do not know how to section them onto categories for you. Let's just say… ah… I have killed five of the Hollen Realm… yes? We can be equals there." Ianto called back, and then with another effortless pivot he continued to walk.

John hefted the jacket and made a mental note to always face this man.

This man who trusted him to hold the jacket knowing he would ascertain their identities within the fabric. This man who knew damned well John would soon work out that he named a single realm when the Elvish warriors fought with man in many and above all… the little royal crest within the jacket's lining was the biggest fright of all.

John ran after him, eager to give him back his coat.

He followed his prince.