[#164] A Tale of Two Knights (Spies Are Forever)

[poggemos]

Theme Prompt: #164 - rescue
Title: A Tale of Two Knights
Fandom: Spies Are Forever
Rating/Warnings: Thematic spoilers, minor/canon-typical suicidal ideation
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 343
Summary: Sir Curt is locked in a tower and Sir Tatiana comes to his rescue.

Curt sits in a tower and he is not trapped. Curt sits alone in a room with a barred window and his hands are not shaking. Curt sits with the smoky heat of the dragon’s breath rising up the spiral staircase and he does not choke.

He can (will) get out by himself.

He’s just biding his time.

When Sir Tatiana rides past, red hair rippling like the muscles of her palfrey, the light off her armor sends a pang into Curt’s chest. It has nothing to do with his own armor torn to pieces in the hoard just below.

He should be sleeping when she sneaks into his room, but he hasn’t slept in a week. He’s not sure if the flames licking his feet are getting hotter, or if it’s just his paranoia. When he says to her, “I didn’t know you saw me up here,” his voice is hoarse with exhaustion as well as the smog crowding his lungs.

“I’ve been trying to find time to rescue you since you got taken. Of course I saw you.”

“Well I don’t need to be rescued,” he hisses, already aware of the draconic growl seeping into his voice. He can hear the sparks flying from his nose.

Sir Tatiana remains unfazed. “What you need,” she says, gesturing to the open doorway, “is to come with me if you want to live.”

He doesn’t know how to tell her that he doesn’t, that he gave up on self-preservation when he started working for the Queen. Instead, he opts for, “But I’m a knight. I’m the kingdom’s greatest knight.” This, at least, is just as true, or so it used to be. Sir Tatiana proves a strong contender.

“Oh, Sir Curt.” Her impatient expression melts into something softer. He can see in the lines of her face then, far deeper than they should be at her age, that she is just as broken as he is. “Even the greatest knights need help sometimes. So come quickly now. The dragon’s slumber won’t last until morning.”

Comments

[badly_knitted]

Stubborn pride is not a good reason to turn down help. Curt better go with Sir Tatiana.