7

"That Rhys told me the whispers are that the horse was somehow spooked to cause the king's fall" Gwen blurted, saving Ianto yet again. My how her life has changed.

"What?"

"They say it was an attempt on his life, the horse was somehow harmed to cause it to do that. His favourite mount that has NEVER done that. They are seeking something they called a... a… pincher?" Gwen placed her hands on Ianto's shoulders to keep him in the chair and facing away from Jack who stared at Gwen long and hard.

"Who would dare harm my lovely uncle kingy?"

"That is the question" she nodded "Apparently they are examining the horse own. Maybe Ianto could take a look, with his horse knowledge…"

"No, I will get the royal hands to look, Ianto… just… do something with that hair. It is still not right" Jack turned and left, the old man frowning as he looked at Ianto and Gwen.

"You know, the longer you leave it…."

"Until I am safe, my spark is not safe either. Jack will tell the world, especially his bloody mother. Do you want that? I have to … get things right" Ianto sighed as he rubbed his face.

"Don't worry boy… I will sort things. Your mother might not like it though, you know she forbade me from releasing my minions" the old man winked and Ianto's hands fell to reveal a concentrated expression.

"They are with you?"

"They are always with me"

"Good… sort it will you?" Ianto sat and Gwen watched the old man reach for the dirty water, pulling it closer and lifting his hand over it to reveal the same small mark in his wrist as Ianto. Whispers in a strange language and the water started to…. Ripple. Gwen blinked and step back, still watching Ianto as she shook with fear. Magic. It was magic.

Power in the words.

Ianto started to incant as well, their voices combining in a weird humming sound as the water cleared and stilled. Gwen peered in to see…. Grass. Boots walking in the long grass, someone running as they hurled toward something, the skirts rustling as the person fell to their knees and felt around cursing softy.

Jack's mother.

Gwen lost her fear as curiosity took over and she leaned in more to watch the woman running her hands over the grass, then glee as she picked up a small tin object, holding it up to the light, then snatching it to her chest before looking around furtively.

A pincher.

Now Gwen knew what one looked like and her anger burned. When will this old trout give up, when will she realize that she does not rule the fucking worlds! She tried to kill her own brother?

A shadow fell over the silly woman who looked up with surprise as the sky seemed to dull, a large cloud … no… birds. Crows. Crows that were… Gwen's hands flew to her mouth as the woman was attacked, her screams silent as the water only gave the image, not the sound of the woman's cruel and vicious death.

Then the grass swayed in the breeze, blood red stains reaching to the sunny skies once more.

The water dulled, died and went to dirt grey once more.

Ianto slumped back and the old man chuckled "I didn't' need to do much at all there. You were magnificent. So powerful when you set your mind to it Highness. You know…"

"That! That must ever be spoke of" Ianto said as he levered himself from the chair and made it to the bathroom before his guts released the water he had drunk upon arrival.

"With great power comes pain" the old man whispered to Gwen, "It costs to get power like that. Give and take, ya know? He will be spent now but… ah… look."

Ianto was re-entering the room and looked at them strangely as they both openly gaped at him and he sat for Gwen to resume her hair car only to find the mirror showing his hair the same pretty blue it always was, only now it was shoulder length and framing his face in such a soft way.

"Gwen… you are a star" he smiled.

She gaped as she looked at the old man who chuckled and tapped a finger to his nose. She did not say anything and decided to be thankful that she was now a friend to this man instead of an enemy. She had found out before to was too late that this man was not a man you wanted as a rival.

He was a conqueror.

.

.

Ianto entered the main room to find chaos and extreme upset.

"What's happened?" Ianto asked with surprise.

"Mama… oh… Ianto…Mama was attacked." Jack sobbed.

"Oh man… by those men from the train?" Ianto gasped theatrically "Is she OK. I must get her a soothing tea!"

"No" Jack sobbed, trying to get the words out "She's… she… she's dead!"

Ianto slumped as he looked his husband in the eye and said calmly "And she died without even knowing about our child. Oh Cariad, I so wanted to tell her once we had it confirmed."

As Ianto let his hands slide to his belly he was sure to hide the strange glele he felt in the delight crossing Jack's face, the Bitch's death forgotten for a moment as Jack gaped "No!"

"Yes" Ianto said with a shaky bottom lip "I am so sorry Cariad. I know she would have been such a wonderful grandmother to our spark, as she is with ALL her babies."

Jack whooped as he jumped around the room crowing that he had done it again!

Into raised his head high and glanced over at Gwen who knew when to smile and look down to show that he was the one in charge.

Again, she thanked the Gods that she chose the right side in the end.

But she would never trust a crow again.