Chap 5
The first sign of trouble was the deep shuddering of the vessel as she groaned and swayed like a whale in deep water during a storm at sea.
It was designated sleep time so, like most of the crew the royal siblings had retreated to their quarters and were abed.
Rhiannon was awake instantly and reached out in the dark for her brother who had climbed into the bed beside her after lights out as he had every night since sailing so she could sleep.
It was so dark in space, so black. Rhiannon's fear of the dark was an oddity in their family and she hid it well with a small candle-light by the bed.
"Where there is fire, there is hope sister of mine!" Ianto had intoned and she was reminded of the passage in the note from Prince Jack that spoke of a spark.
Their bloodline was ancient and perhaps the strongest as they were rumoured to have once held fire in their blood. The Harkness family held water, as the true Heirs to the great throne it was accepted as such. Water, silky smooth and flowing like time, equally dense and unforgiving once frozen.
Ianto had once whispered to her that he believed the Hart's secret power was dirt and her snorts had to be covered with extreme coughing. Ianto was often overlooked for his shyness but his wit and clever words often saved her from death by boredom.
The tales she had heard of her brother's bravery in space, the marauders and Ianto's medals all filled her with comfort. She knew whatever was going on, he probably knew what it was.
Her fumbling hands finally found his still form and he grabbed her hands and shushed her. He was already awake and listening intently to the vessel as though it was speaking aloud of its condition.
"What is it?" she whispered fearfully.
"We're being boarded. Oh Gods, it sounds like the hull has been breached and …" Ianto tilted his head in the soft light of the nightlight beside the bed as another ping and groan echoed, then he turned slowly to face her.
"They're here!"