Rifle slung over his shoulder and his head bare Rick marched along side the large canvas covered wagon at the back of the convoy. Up ahead of him he could see Lori sitting in Jimmy's wagon while Carl walked next to it talking with Sophia and Eric. His son looked happy.

"How are you doing?" Rick looked up to see the white bearded Dale peering over the side of his wagon.

"I'm alright." Rick responded, "Figured I'd take a breather from the commotion up front."

Dale chuckled. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah sure."

"Why did you fight?"

"What?" Rick was confused.

"Why did you fight in the war?" Dale asked, "I've seen you with Glenn and the freedmen, you don't despise them the way many others in this camp do. Were you for slavery?"

"No. I wasn't."

"Interesting. So why did you fight?"

"My state was fighting."

"Ah loyalty. That is a commendable reason." The older man paused as if thinking. Rick looked ahead again to see that Carl's companions were now roughhousing. Carl appeared to be watching them but wasn't joining in.

"Tell me Rick," Dale continued, "How far should loyalty go? And to whom should it belong?"

Rick looked back up at him surprise, "Loyalty should be complete." He stated, "And it belongs to one's family, friends and state."

"Why state though?"

"What do you mean?"

"Who arbitrarily decided that we should be loyal to a state? Most people are loyal to kings, some people are loyal to countries yet you are loyal to your state. Why?"

Rick pondered Dale's question, "Because my state is the government I live under. It's the government I vote for and I have a responsibility towards it."

"Your responsibility is such that you felt you must fight for something you didn't believe in?"

"What do you mean?"

"You just said you were against slavery yet you fought for it during the war."

"The war wasn't about slavery. It was about keeping a tyrannical government from imposing its will on us."

"And that will was to end slavery. Which you agreed with but because the other people in your state disagreed you fought against it."

"Lincoln wasn't trying to end slavery. He wanted to keep us from seceding, which is something we had every right to do."

"So the war wasn't about slavery but Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and freed the slaves?"

"What is this?" Rick demanded, "Are you a Southern Yankee?"

"Yes." Dale responded simply. Rick stared at him in astonishment. "Are you going to kick me out of the group now?" Dale asked calmly. Rick continued to stare at him for a long moment before turning his head to face forward again.

"No."

"Are you going to answer my question? If the war wasn't about slavery why were the slaves freed? Why are so many southerners bitter about it?"

"Lincoln didn't care about the slaves."

"Wasn't he famous for saying that our country couldn't survive divided between slave and free states?"

"Yeah, you know what he also said? That if he needed to free all the slaves to save the Union he would do it, if he needed to free no slaves to save the Union he do it and if he could save the Union by freeing some slaves and keeping others in chains he would do that too. Apparently Lincoln thought that it was possible for the Union to survive with slaves after all. He ran on anti-slavery so he would get elected. When he started the war he made his intentions clear. The goal wasn't to free slaves it was to 'save the Union.'"

"Then why did he issue the emancipation proclamation?"

"To prevent England and France from helping us. Lincoln was politician, he lied. The proclamation was made just to make sure anti-slavery countries wouldn't help us."

Dale fell silent again and Rick felt his anger against the Union rising in his chest. "Let me ask you this Rick." said Dale, "Why did the south secede from the Union?"

"To escape tyranny."

"From what I understand Georgia and her sisters threatened to secede if Lincoln was elected."

"That's true."

"Whether he was being honest or not the South's issue with Lincoln was he was anti-slavery. Even IF Lincoln didn't care about slavery - and I think he did - how can you argue that the south didn't secede because of it."

"We did."

"So the war was about slavery?"

"No. We seceded over slavery which is something I didn't agree with. I didn't agree with slavery and I didn't agree with secession. However, we had the right to secede and once we did the North had no right to force us back into the Union."

"So you think that your legal right to secede from the Union was more important than slavery?"

"Yes."

"Rick I've seen you go out to risk your life with Glenn and James. I know you must see them as people. James was a slave. From his very birth his life did not belong to him. He grew up without the freedom to choose his own work, make his own decisions. His entire life and the lives of millions of other slaves in the south were like that. Millions of people Rick and you're saying that your state's right to secede is more important than their freedom from suffering? A right that was only used for the purpose of keeping them in chains." Taking a breath Dale removed his black angled hat and wiped his brow.

Rick was about to respond when suddenly he remembered Morgan. The freedman had said he didn't care whose rights were trampled on or whose house was burnt down; the fact that his people were free made it all worth it. The logic made sense. Yet somehow Rick couldn't see himself bending over and letting an overreaching government take his rights. That was what they fought the revolutionary war for after all.

"I don't know." He said quietly, "I can see why someone might believe that freeing the slaves trumped our rights but I still think I was right to fight against it." Rick waited for Dale to respond but he never got a chance to.

"Hey Rick!" It was Shane, he was walking back toward them waving Dale's map. Giving the old man a quick glance Rick jogged forward to meet his friend.

"What's up?" He asked

"According to the map we're coming up on a cross-road." Shane told him, "Our current route takes us straight to Watkinsville but if we go left we could reach Athens by the end of the day. The city is on the rail-road so there's a chance they've got some kind of refuge there."

"It might be worth a shot."

"I think we should go Rick." Shane rubbed his jaw, "It's a hell of a lot closer than Augusta and if it doesn't pan out we don't even have to back track, there's a road that goes directly from Athens to Watkinsville and we're back on route."

Rick examined the route Shane pointed out to him. "Even if we take that road we'll still end up a day behind schedule." he said, "If Athens is overrun I don't want to be on the road a day longer than necessary."

"We can't just pass this up Rick."

"No, we can't. Where's Daryl?"


"We're about a mile out from Watkinsville." said Shane.

"Alright. Have Jimmy and Dale stop. I'll head into town with Glenn and James." Rick responded. Shane nodded shortly and headed back to the rear wagons. Rick waved at James and walked over toward him.

"Woah!" James called and his two draft horses slowed to a stopped.

"Are we foraging Watkinsville?" Glenn asked walking up as Rick neared the wagon.

"Yeah. Just as soon as we unload the wagon." Rick told him.

"We have no idea what it looks like this time do we?"

"No. Daryl is checking out Athens so we're going in to Watkinsville blind."

"Okay. How big is it?"

"Not sure but based on the map it looks to be about the size of Monroe."

"Shouldn't be much of a problem then."

"Fingers crossed."

The three men unloaded the wagon quickly. When it was empty Rick climbed into the back and sat down. Glenn joined him and James clambered onto the driving bench. Unslinging his rifle from his shoulder Rick handed it to James. James nodded his thanks and layed the gun on the bench next to him. Rick unholstered revolver and checked it to make sure it was capped an loaded. Glenn followed his example and did the same. Reholstering his weapon Rick looked up and saw Carl next to the wagon looking up at him from underneath the wide brimmed boss hat. Rick smiled at him.

"Are you going to forage another town?" Carl asked.

"Yeah." Rick told him.

Carl was silent for a moment. "Do you think Athens might be okay?" he asked "Might be safe?"

"I don't know Carl. I hope so."

Carl nodded solemnly, "Me too."

Rick reached over the edge of the wagon and patted his son on the head. "Watch out for your mother okay?"

"I will." Carl said seriously.

"Good." Rick smiled at his son again, "James! Let's get going!"

When they neared Watkinsville James stopped the wagon and Rick and Glenn got out to walk the rest of the way. Glenn led the way into the town and Rick followed Colt drawn, ready to shoot. Glenn had yet to unholster his own gun. Rick didn't comment on it, he was sure Glenn would draw his revolver when he needed to.

"This street looks clear." Glenn said softly.

"Alright let's start checking houses."

By now the two of them worked together like a well oiled machine. Glenn opened the door quietly while Rick stood behind him pointing his revolver over his shoulder. They entered the building and quickly checked each room making sure the house was empty. Once they were sure no walkers were inside Rick holstered his gun and began to look through the drawers and cabinets while Glenn checked the pantry.

Starting in one of the bedrooms Rick checked the closet and found plenty of clothes. None of them were anything they needed so he turned to check the dresser. At that moment Glenn called out to him. "Hey Rick!"

Rick left the bedroom and went to the pantry. As he entered he could see Glenn standing in front of a stacks of dried food. Glenn wasn't looking at it however, Rick followed the Asian's gaze across the room to the opposite wall. Lined up against it were five long barreled guns. Three shotguns and two Springfields.

"That is quite the stash." said Rick.

"Who owns that many guns?" Glenn asked still staring.

"I don't think anybody did." Rick told him, "My guess is this house was the hideout for a small group. That's why there's so much food here."

"You think they might still be alive?"

"I doubt it. They wouldn't leave this place unguarded and they certainly wouldn't leave all their weapons here if they did."

"Right." Glenn still seemed a little uncomfortable.

"Good find." Rick told him, "This is more than we can carry back to the wagon. Go ahead and start packing up the guns and whatever food you can carry. I'm gonna give the rest of the house a quick look to see if they've got anything else of value stored away."

"Okay." Glenn unshouldered his pack and made his way across the pantry.

Rick turned and left the room. If these people were set up well enough to have five guns and a pantry full of food what else might be hiding in the house? He checked the kitchen first, opening cabinets and investigating the shelves. Nothing of note. Rick moved on to the living room. The fire-place had burnt wood in it but nothing was on the mantel and the room was empty other than a few chairs. Rick continued to search until he found himself back in the bedroom he had been searching when Glenn called. It was the only room he hadn't completely searched yet and Rick went through it quickly. Moving over to the untouched nightstand he pulled open the top drawer. He stopped and looked at its contents in surprise. He had found his jackpot.


It started Raining. Carl pulled his coat tighter around his body and looked out into falling water in the direction his father had left. He didn't see anything. Not that he expected to. His father hadn't left long ago and it could well be another hour or more before he returned.

The group was all huddled around Jimmy's wagon. Sophia, Sam and Eric were playing, undeterred by the drops falling down on them. Theodore and Jacqui were off by themselves talking quietly. Carl fixed his gaze on them interestedly for a moment and then turned back to the rest of the group. His mom was talking to Carol and Jimmy's wife and Shane was listening to Jimmy and Andrea. Amy sat quietly in Jimmy's wagon watching the other children play. As if she felt him looking at her Amy turned and looked directly into Carl's eyes. Carl blinked and then looked away.

"Hey! They're coming!" Andrea shouted. Carl whipped his head around and saw James' wagon riding toward them through the rain.

"They're early." said Shane, "Grab the guns!" There was a whirl of commotion as the men with firearms ran toward the front of the convoy. Everyone else followed.

"They're not moving very fast," Dale observed, "I don't think they're being chased."

Carl looked at Shane who was peering down the sights of his Enfield rifle ready to shoot. After a moment his uncle took a breath and lowered the gun. "You're right." he said, "Everything's good." Somehow Carl felt everyone relax.

James' wagon neared and Shane called out to them. "Why are you back so early?!"

Carl saw his father stand up in the wagon, "We hit the jackpot!" he called back.

"Woah!" James shouted halting his team. Rick and Glenn jumped out; Immediately they reached into the bed of the wagon and pulled out five guns.

"Holy shit." said Shane.

"Yeah." Rick agreed, "We stumbled upon a house that appeared to stocked up. We got a bunch of ammo and some food as well."

"That's great." said Lori.

"Yes it is. I figured we'd give Dale and James the Springfields."

"What do we do with the shotguns?" Jimmy asked.

"I say we teach three of the women how to shoot."

"What? Are you serious?" Jimmy was incredulous.

"No he's right." Put in Shane, "Andrea shoots just fine, and the more people we have with guns the better."

"What about Daryl?" Jimmy objected. As if the name was a magical word everyone immediately went silent. Carl watched as they all looked at his father.

"We'll talk to Daryl when he gets back." said Rick, "If he wants one of the guns we'll give one to him."

"What if he doesn't come back?" asked Carol.

"Good question," said Theodore, "I wouldn't exactly put it past him to simply stay if he finds shelter in Athens."

"What if he gets trapped there like we were in Atlanta?" asked Andrea.

"If Daryl doesn't get back here by three we'll go to Athens to check it ourselves." Carl's dad told them, "For now, we rest the animals and wait."


Rick watched the group dispersing back to the convoy. Being a leader was stressful sometimes. He couldn't wait to get Augusta where hopefully making decisions wouldn't be his problem anymore.

Shane walked up to him as everyone else left. "Hey Rick," he said quietly, "I agree with you we should teach the women how to shoot, but you really ought to give Carl a gun. I get that you might not want him walking around with firearm but Rick this is the world we live in now and he needs to be able to protect himself."

"I agree." said Rick, "And I have one for him."


Well there it is! Chapter 17. I'm really curious what y'all thought of this one? What did you think of Rick and Daryl's discussion? What do you think of Dale's character so far? Is anything special in Athens or will it just be a dead end? And what exactly dis Rick find in Watkinsville?