THE SNARK KNIGHT

Open

               “I told you to leave.”

♦

As if by reflex, finger tips brushed along the curvature of her neck towards the hollow - brushing the masked mark of his attempt. Her expression fell, brows furrowing slightly. “It wasn’t long ago you told me we were strangers but that didn’t seem to hold true.” She didn’t have any easy answer for him.

♦

“You need to be dead to be a ghost.” She offered, her tone far more teasing than mocking. Emerald hues lowered in demure fashion as a small flicker of a smile tugged the corner of her lips upwards. “And one would need to believe in such nonsense.“

♦

♦

“Captain Athos…” The title still felt so strange addressing him, as she had become so accustomed to Captain Treville being in charge. However, Athos was the perfect choice to take his place, and he deserved as much respect. With a small bow, she faced him with somber eyes and slightly trembling hands. “I have received word that my aunt has fallen ill and may not last much longer. I am requesting a temporary leave so that I may go say my goodbyes, if I may do so…”

♦

                         “ I work ‘ere, sir. In th’ kitchens. I was                                      gatherin’ stuff from th’ garden when                                      th’ men ran through. “ She noticed the gun was still pointed at her, but she held no malice for the man. She realized soon after her first words that he was a Musketeer. His job was to protect the king, and despite feeling like she was holding him back from following the men, she could certainly say he was doing a fine job in her eyes.

♦

“—Athos.” His name slips from her lips so effortlessly, no hint of venom behind it. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

♦

                         “ Aye, sir. I be hidin’ Buh only ‘cuz there                                      were men wit’ guns. Men like yerself. “                                      that passed through. I’d ‘ope ye won’                                      take t’shootin’ me? “ Stepping out from behind the only tree with a sprinkling of bushes next to it in the entire village, Demelza held her hands in visible sight.                          “ Bu’ ye look dif’ren’ then the res’ the lot

♦

“Believe me, it was not my intention to return…”

♦

“I was actually looking for you Athos.”

♦

“It most certainly isn’t, especially when Rochefort made it clear he did not act in Spain’s interests.”

♦

Relief washed over the Queen, who had stood patiently for the new Captain to arrive. “I am sorry to have summoned you at such an hour, when your focus should fully be upon the preparations for the war.”

♦

♦

{✿} “You’ll come to find I’m immune to flattery, Monsieur.”

♦

"Is war really the answer to what happened?”

♦