4

Ianto was walking up the stairs as people passed him going up and down, his pace slow as he took in all the travelling suitcases and such for this latest delegation. Seltherats. He still could to believe it and he decided to turn left instead of right, not heading for his own quarters but towards that of the servants of higher standard than the common house slaves most houses had.

He was curious to see what their level of slave was to servant. If they had noticed that all staff here was servants, no slaves. He entered to find a deep conversation in progress as they talked over what they wanted to do when dismissed for the night. Ianto now knew Seltheration and unlike back then when he only knew a snatching of words, he was now fluent.

As he stood back listening he became aware of a woman talking, her voice familiar and he lifted his head to gape at her openly. Lisa's best friend and confidant from back then…

Abigail.

..

.

"Abigail, are you sure?"

"Ianto, stop fussing. Lisa did the same for me last week… my milk is no sweeter or more sour than Lisa's and the babe knows no different" Abigail laughed as she geld baby Jane to her breast while her little boy Gordo drank from the other side

"I just…"

"Scared she'll turn white?"

Ianto closed his mouth as he fought the urge to bite back at the age old joke that he was a white buck with a black dam. They all scoffed at it, made out he was under Lisa's thumb, her little slave… some even commenting that maybe she was the aggressive one and he simply laid back and took it.

Ianto's' glare made the woman sigh "OK… sorry. I am sorry, I forgot that you are so touchy about your little mud children."

"You sit with my child to your breast while insulting her" Ianto waved a hand

"Lighten up, Lisa will be back soon. God, poor woman needs a break from all these babies… including you!"

"I just…"

"What? Don't trust me? Gods, maybe YOU need her breast more than this one?"

.

.

The woman laughed, her head tipping back and Ianto knew for sure it was her. It was eerie, she had aged slightly but still looked the same. Same clothes, same hair, same air of bitchiness. It might have been five years since the fires but his memory was as sharp as the day it happened and he could only stare at the woman who had been moved that morning from the family cages along with her children, move to another stable.

Moved.

Saved.

He had suspected someone on the inside helping the Seltherat Bastard who had infiltrated the house, there had to have been someone that showed him the servant passages and it had taken more than one person to do so much work.

As he had sat there in the dirt, cradling his wife in his arms and weeping as she grew cold and still, he had known there was a traitor in the stables. Only his own injuries had prevented him from any retribution. By the time he had been released by the vet the bodies were gone to the Meat Man along with any and all trace of what had happened. Although he asked others, no one could say for sure who had survived and who had burned, it had all been such a clusterfuck.

Ianto now had one answer he had not expected.

Lisa's best friend had been one of her killers.

Ianto went in search of Jack, he had to tell him.

.

.

Ianto entered the room and headed for his mate who was in deep conversation with a bastard scum Seltherat fucker. Ianto slowed as he was now unsure if he could approach and not snarl in the fucker's face like a wild animal. His children's faces… his mates face… what was left of it… swirling in his mind.

Instead he stood back.

As he did so, another piece of the puzzle slotted into place as Abigail entered the room, totally unaware Ianto was watching and she headed straight towards one of the delegates, her hand sliding into his arm as he turned to smile and greet her.

Ah.

Dawson.

.

.

"Dawson, pass me that one" Ianto held out his hand for the bowl of peas that need to be shelled and he settled next to the servant who looked thankful, the table groaning with the bloody things.

"So I hear Lisa is with child again? Gods man, do you have a magical potion or something?"

Both men laughed and Ianto shook his head "I do not know. It is a mystery to me. Marisa is due to be sent away any day, we are allowed to see her in the crèche now and then. Gods, she is so beautiful."

"She is being sold for breeding?"

"Yes, thank the gods. So far… touch wood…" Ianto rapped his knuckles on the table "So far all my children have survived intact. Marcus, our eldest is sold to service, he is four now. Bonnie is already sold to service as a maid and her twin Marisa is to be a breeder in the Godrell Stables. Rane is to go any day I fear, the payments steady. Baby Julia is a peach and there are offers on the table to the master for breeding now they have seen the beauty they grow into… she is with child again and I pray to the gods this chind will also be of worth."

"Five born, soon to be six and all of them worthy brother. Not a single one gone to meaters for an imperfection or to the sexers due to mentality. Not many can say that all their offspring are safe and well cared for. I am sure, be the newling on the way boy or girl, it will be of worth to the master. After all, he has assured your bond to your mate with your matching brands. Rare to see that, clearly the sale of your first two were enough to pay for your continued bond." Dawson pointed out as his finger traced the small infinity symbol shaped tattoo on Ianto's inner wrist. "Must be nice to have an assured mate."

"Yes, each child gaining more in the auctions than both me and Lisa put together, the baby is said to be three times my worth. Can you imagine that? June is not even able to speak and she is heavily bid upon. I fear my pride will make my head too big to go through the doorways."

The two men laughed as friends do.

.

.

Ianto stood watching as Dawson the traitor and his bitch started to mingle as a couple.

Must be nice to have an assured mate.

Ianto's blood boiled.

He wondered if they still had their children.