Ch. 39
"If we take I-95 we should make it to the Kingdom without too much trouble. Probably just some Walkers, maybe Saviors, we need to assume they're watching the roads." Rory nodded and scanned the map trying to remember spots that were popular for the Saviors before looking back to Sam.
"I think we should be fine. They try to stay on this side of the 88. The shit that went down at the Library though, we should be careful either way."
"Right. Make sure the trucks are loaded, we're leaving in an hour." Rory nodded and went off to find the others. He couldn't help but feel a sort of giddiness about getting back on the road. Sure, it was horrible, and everyone almost always stunk, not to mention the food was terrible most of the time, but still, there was a sense of pride and camaraderie that came with traveling on the road. A type of, I'm tough enough to do this, attitude, though sleeping in the trees sucked.
Alexandria's gate was full of cars that Rick had provided for the group, as well as a few supplies, mainly canned goods. There were four cars, all of which were being loaded. Prim and Damien were helping them load but as Rory got closer and they saw him, they made their way over.
"Where are we at?" Rory asked them.
"Almost ready, probably five minutes," Prim told him.
"Good, Sam wants to leave in an hour, give these people enough time to say goodbye." Rory looked at the group they had gotten and couldn't help but get a sense of familiarity. When he and the other Library residents had joined up with Sam they probably all looked just as frightened, more most likely. There wasn't a warrior in the bunch, but the new guys, they looked like they could kill. Or well, most of them did. Other's well they looked greener than Rory had been.
"You think we'll do good with these guys?" Damien asked.
"Hopefully. Saviors aren't fucking around anymore, but a couple of their guys," Prim eyes followed the man with a bayonet on his missing hand, Merle she thought his name was, "I wouldn't want to fight some of these guys I mean some of them are really scary."
"You said it. But hey, at least they're on our side." Rory patted her shoulder and then jogged off to check on the loading.
Sam walked into the house that Beth shared with Ricks family quietly. He eyed the steps and made for them quietly, but just as he was about to put his foot onto the first step Beth barged into the hallway above the stairs, a bag slung over her shoulder and a gun strapped to her belt.
"Beth?"
She looked down and smiled. "Good, you're here, I have another bag in my room, it's mainly medical that Rick let me take. I'm not sure if it'll last long but—"
"Beth," Sam interrupted, "you're coming?"
"Obviously."
"When'd you decide?"
"Last night, after the second time." She slogged down the stairs and brought herself in close to Sam. "I decided, that I missed having you around, so if I want to be with you then I actually need to be with you."
Sam kissed her lightly and smiled as he pulled back. "You got your piece?"
She tapped her hip and Sam could hear the metallic clanking of her gun. "Always. And before you ask, yes, I have my knife. Now come on, help me load this into the trucks. We'll need to say bye to everyone before we leave."
"What happened to your hair?" Sam asked as he saw the edge of bandages beneath Carl's out grown hair
"I decided to grow it out."
"Grow it out? Jaysus it's all coming from the top of your head and not your chin." Sam scratched his beard as he observed Carl's bare chin. "What's wrong with ya'? Last I saw your dad could grow a better beard than most."
"You can ask," Carl said bluntly. "About my eye."
Sam shrugged. "I didn't want to say anything."
"It's oaky, really. Someone shot me."
"I assume they're not with up anymore."
"No," Carl said, his voice bare. No empathy or malice. "He's dead."
"Good." Sam nodded. "I take it you're not joining my merry band?"
"I'd love to, but I can't leave Judith here. With Beth leaving we're gonna be shorthanded in the infirmary."
"What, tired that you can't shovel your sister off to someone else?"
"No! it's just that. Sam, you're taking our people." Carl said, watching as several men and women hugged their family's goodbye. "What happens if the Savior's find us and hit us?"
"You still got plenty of people, not to mention the literal assload of guns you lot have. I'm sure you'll be fine. 'sides, I'm only taking Merle, Abraham, Rosita, and about four others."
"You'll also be bringing me along for this mission," Sam jumped and his hand slid down to his holster. He had the gun halfway up by instinct when he saw that Eugene Porter, mullet and all, was standing behind, arms raised and terrified. "Before you continue to raise that firearm, I would just like to say that I am a friendly and it is most likely due to your —"
"Relax!" Sam said pistol holstered once more. "Reflex. I'm not used to being safe. Eugene, how are ya'?"
"Seeing as to how food is coming in, Walker attacks are down, and most importantly, you, a valuable ally, in the fight against the Saviors."
"Glad to see I can be of use."
"Noted," Eugene continued. "But you have also swayed me to join you and the others in this endeavor you have planned."
"Oh. And pray tell what use you could be to me in this endeavor? Last I remember you could only tell us that there was a cure when in reality all you were trying to do was save your own arse."
"I accept that. But what happens when you no longer have munitions to support yourself and your brigade of fighters and resupply with Alexandria or your home base is near impossible? I have the technical know-how as well as the—"
"Eugene."
"Yes?"
"Just say what you want to say."
"Well seeing as munitions tend to run low during a time of war, or at the least a time of aggression, I have decided to come forth and tell you of a place where I will be able to manufacture said munitions for you and your—"
"Shut up," Sam said rubbing his eyes. "Pack a bag, if you want to come, then come. But no free rides. Either you work or you fight."
The column sped down the road toward the Kingdom in a tight formation. Everyone kept an eye out, looking for movement in the trees but so far, the only thing that the group had come across had been a small group of Walkers that they had simply breezed by.
"Rory you seeing anything?" Sam spoke into a walkie as he pressed his foot a bit harder on the gas.
"No, we're all clear back here. If the Saviors are out here then they're not looking for a fight."
"Or they're setting up an ambush," Merle's voice said from behind Sam. "But you know, that's not any of my business."
"They may be organized but they're stupid Merle. Me and twenty people made their lives hell for a couple months. We went up and down the backroads hitting them, they never thought to set up an ambush for us." Sam said as avoided a decaying Walker corpse. "Why after all those months would they wizen up now?"
"Darwin would be the most logical thought. In the months you and your compatriots killed the Saviors the ones you killed were most likely the most incompetent or the most arrogant. Now that they're dead, the rest have wizened up and proceed to be more conscious."
"Eugene get off the radio," Sam said. "We're close, everyone stop and let me take the lead vehicle to the gates. If they see more than one they'll get spooked, might start firing."
"Copy," Rory said over the radio as his and the other two cars peeled to the side of the road. "Don't keep us waiting."
Sam pressed on the gas and the trees around became a blur. He could recognize some of the small abandoned buildings that sat on the outskirts of the Kingdom. The scouts most likely had eyes on Sam and the column by then. Sam saw the building of the walled town and began to slow the car down.
"I hope you guys are hungry because they're about to have a feast," Sam said as the gates appeared.
"Halt! Turn off the engine and slowly exit the car!" Sam recognized Richards voice from atop the wall. He turned off the car and opened the door.
"Richard That how you treat returning soldiers?" Sam shouted toward the wall.
"Sam? That you?"
"Aye! I have a few people waiting in the woods still. I just didn't want to bring 'em all here at once and spook all of you!"
"Password!"
Sam rolled his eyes. "Icarus!"
"Call 'em in!"
Sam turned to the car and ducked his head in. "Beth, get on the Walkie please, tell 'em to come on over."
The gates of the Kingdom opened and Sam led his volunteers forward into the cheering masses of the Kingdoms citizenry.
"Sam you're back!"
"Who are they?"
"Samuel! You have returned to us!" The Kingdoms citizens parted and chatter died down as Ezekiel approached, a smile on his face. "And you have brought so many! Are these those you have sought for so long?"
Sam smiled and intertwined his hand with Beth's. "Aye, they are m'lord. I found them in a settlement a few hours from the Hilltop."
"'Tis a joyous occasion indeed! Those you have sought so close. Tonight, we shall celebrate this reunion! Come, citizens of the Kingdom, let us welcome these kind and brave people into our home!" The citizens cheered and began escorting Sam's group to the common areas. "Samuel, a word if I may?"
"Of course." He turned to Beth, "Ask someone to take you to my room. You can put your stuff there if you want. I'll try to find you after."
Beth nodded and hauled her things off looking for someone to help her find his room. Sam turned back to the King and nodded, then together they walked off to the theatre.
"How goes the outside?"
"Horrible. Saviors were tipped off that the Library helped me and my men out, wiped it out. Those three are the only survivors," Sam said pointing at Rory, Damien, and Prim, the three of whom were wandering around the Kingdom. Sam and the King arrived at the theatre and walked in, the door closing shut behind them as well as Jerry standing guard.
"And what of Allen?"
"Not sure. After we got ambushed we got separated. I was going to get a few guys and mount a search expedition." Sam sad as he and Ezekiel approached the throne. "Allen's resourceful, and he's not stupid. He's out there, I just need to find him."
"Good." Ezekiel took his place and Sam stopped a few steps from the throne. He held his hands behind his back and stood straight almost out of reflex. "Come now Samuel, there is no need for such formalities."
"Right, sorry. If I may sir, I have a suggestion for the next phase of the war."
"The Kingdom is not at war," Ezekiel said sternly.
"Apologies. But, nonetheless, I have an idea for the next phase of my operations, if I may." Ezekiel nodded. "While out in the woods, it is not the easiest thing to survive. So, my compatriot Merle had an idea, which, I do believe could benefit my outfit. What if I were to take my soldiers and go off to form an outpost for the Kingdom. Similar to how Negan and his Saviors operate. I could use this base for supply, a war room, hell, it would even be a good thing to let the troops have a place to hang their hats every once in a while."
Ezekiel looked pensive and stroked his chin. Sam felt his hands become sweaty, trying to gauge what the King would say to his idea. From the basic gist of it, Sam would have guessed that Ezekiel would think he was trying to become independent from the Kingdom. It wasn't too far off from what Sam really wanted though.
In essence, Sam wanted to create an organized fighting group. The men and women of the Kingdom were good fighters, but the Saviors had training, experience, something that most of the Kingdomers lacked. Most of Alexandria lacked, save Rick and company. It was something that the Library had definitely lacked. Plus, Sam would need a base, every army needed somewhere to call home, even a Guerrilla army.
"This, base, where would it be located?" Ezekiel asked.
"A new recruit, Dr. Eugene Porter, he knows a place where we may be able to set up shop. And a place where we would be able to manufacture our own ammunition." Sam said, smiling. "The only thing I would ask of you is to supply us with the necessary equipment to grow our own food."
Rory marveled at the size and beauty of the Kingdom as he wandered around. He knew that Sam had come from a larger settlement, but something like the Kingdom. He could never have imagined something like that in a million years. Functioning farms, a school, infirmary, not to mention the fact that everyone ate and went to bed satisfied every day. It was no wonder he was fighting. And it was also no wonder that the Kingdom had showed up on the Saviors radar.
"I can't believe any of this is real," Prim said as she passed a pot of flowers. "They're growing these, not for food or for a medicine, but because they can. How the hell does anyone get to that kind of level?"
"Hard work probably," Rory said as he looked around to make sure no one was looking, and then promptly plucked one of the blue flowers. "For you."
Prim smiled and placed the flower behind her ear. "I still can't believe it. Months on the road fighting, and now here we are. How does that happen?"
"Luck? Fate? Skill? I don't know. I'm just glad we're still in one piece. I thought we were done for back at the Library." Rory said shuddering a bit as he remembered the shootout. "But we're here. And soon enough, we'll be back out there, fighting the good fight."
"Hopefully not too soon," Prim said. "I heard that they have cobbler with every meal here."
AN: Hey guys, so I'm back from a not so brief period away. School and other stuff is a bitch, but I manage. Good news, a book I've been writing is going to get published. I know this wasn't the best of updates, but just give me a little time to get back into the swing of things so I can update more regularly. Please review and I'll see you next time for a grand feast in the Kingdom! Review! ~Pacco1