Dick Grayson one shots

A Knight's Duty P2

I feel bad that this has taken so long. Hopefully this nearly 5500 word long chonk of a chapter makes up for it :)
SIMPBOOTAS this one's for you

Dick frantically scribbled a note down on the piece of parchment he'd purchased in the market of the village they'd stopped in. As far as he knew Red Hood was still relentlessly pursuing them. They didn't have much time before he found them again.

His shoulder throbbed as he began another letter, sealing the two and pulling a few coins from his money purse to pay the currier.

One letter for the king... one for Bruce.

He stood, practically racing to the door and shoving the letters and the coins into the hands of the young man waiting for them. "One for the Lord of Gotham, one for the king," he said, holding out an extra coin once the boy nodded. "With haste," he encouraged, pressing the money into his hand.

The currier practically sprinted to his horse, vaulting onto the gelding's back and digging his heels into its sides.

Dick breathed a small sigh of relief. He had no doubt that Bruce would come to his aid... the king on the other hand might not even care to read his letter.

"Lady Barbara," Dick called as he walked into the stable where his horse was waiting.

"Yes your grace," Babs replied with a cheeky smile.

Dick huffed out a laugh, not as amused as he might have been. He was no future lord of Gotham anymore. He didn't know if his father would even want to keep him around now that he had an actual heir. "I need to keep going," he said, grabbing her hand and placing a kiss on the knuckles. "My lady."

He grinned up at Babs as she flushed, wishing he could reach out and tuck her hair behind her ear. He quickly banished those thoughts. She was a lady and he was nothing more than an outcast knight.

"I'll ride for the closest fiefdom, I believe my father is friends with the Duke there. He should be willing to send some men to help us storm the monastery. That along with the soldiers we'll hopefully get from Blüdhaven and Gotham should be enough to overpower the monks."

"I don't think the king would appreciate you attacking a monastery," Babs said softly.

"I explained it all in my letter," Dick replied, using a finger to lift Barbara's chin so she was looking him in the eye. "A monastery should be a sacred place to worship God. They... they've taken vows to follow the teachings in the holy writ Babs. They're making a mockery of a holy calling."

Babs sighed. "At least let me come with you," she pled.

"No," Dick said gently. "You stay here. Red Hood isn't looking for you. You can take care of the little lordling," he said with a strained smile, glancing over at Damian who was asleep in the hay.

Babs squeezed her eyes closed. "You're not leaving me here forever you hear that," she said, her tone lacking the bite she wished it had. "I'm going with you to collect the troops at Blüdhaven."

Dick nodded, a smile quirking the edge of his lip. He loved her fieriness. "As you wish m-lady," he said, kissing the back of her hand once more before swinging himself up onto his horse and urging it forward.

Babs stood there, watching him go. She could still feel the heat of his lips on the back of her hand.

—

Dick tried to ignore the throb of his shoulder as he guided his horse through the trees, keeping the main road barely in sight on his right. He was banking on it making him easier to track, wanting to lead Jason as far away from Damian and Lady Barbara as possible.