SKELETONS | ch. 92
daryl dixon x f!oc
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Summary: Iris finds herself on a new journey. The Alexandrians are introduced to the Kingdom. And a tiger. Warnings/Information: AMC's The Walking Dead OC Insert | 18+ Advised | strangers to lovers; the slowest of slow burns; gore; angst; horror; humour; m/f; motorcycle accident; severe injury; tigers
Chapter 92 - Rocks in the Road
The roar of the engine was growing dimmer in Iris’ ears. She was exhausted, and had ridden through the night. She had to double back a few times, the roads around the Saviours’ compound blocked off or barricaded to prevent escape and to protect their people. And of course, it had taken time to find a road that went further than a few miles. By the time the sun was rising, her eyes were bleary and the bike was swerving as her eyelids fluttered.
She couldn’t stop. They could be chasing her. They could still be after Daryl. But the roar of the engine was not quieting for nothing. Iris looked down at the gauge and noted how little gas the bike had. And in that one split second, she lost sight of the obstacle in the road.
The front wheel of the motorcycle twisted as it caught the top half of a walker, catching and sending the back wheel into the air with the momentum and speed. Iris’ vision was still blurry as she hit the ground, skidding on her shoulder and knees before tumbling onto the asphalt. It hurt, of course, the friction burn searing through her skin and muscle, but by then her head had met the hard pavement, and she was out.
It would be hours before the walker’s body stirred at the sound of hoofbeats.
-
Their vehicles came to a stop in an empty lot, Daryl climbing out of the backseat of a van as they all gathered around Jesus in his signature long leather coat.
“It’s called the Kingdom?” Rick asked skeptically.
“Yeah.” Jesus shrugged. “I didn’t name it.” Rick glanced around at the abandoned buildings surrounding the lot.
“How much farther?”
“Well, technically, we’re already here.” Jesus stated. “Well, I mean, we’re always here, but here we are— at the Kingdom. Well, it’s outer edge.” Daryl stood on the lip of the van, looking up and around.
“The hell are we waiting on?” He asked. The group had noticed his growing irritability. In the car, he and Rick had been quietly arguing.
“I’m not waiting anymore.” Daryl huffed. “You go on.”
“We need you here.” Rick argued.
“She needs me there.” Daryl shot back. Rick pressed his lips into a thin line.
“He said he wouldn’t hurt her. That she’d be alive, safe, well fed. Right?” He asked.
“That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.” Daryl grumbled. Rick nodded in understanding.
“You can’t just barge in there half-cocked. Jesus was lucky the first time. We won’t be the second time, especially now that you’re out.” Rick explained. Daryl responded with the silent treatment, turning his attention to the passing countryside out past the window.
“Waiting for them.” Jesus called in response, pointing in the distance. Rick had a look of mild amusement and disbelief as two men trotted down a nearby road on two well-maintained and healthy-looking horses. They wore protective armour— like prison riot gear— across their chests, one of them holding a handgun pointed in their direction.
“Who dares to trespass on the sovereign land of the— oh shit.” One of them called out. “Jesus, is that you?” Jesus waved in response, smirking.
“Who are all these people, Paul?” The second one asked, much more no-nonsense.
“Hi, Richard.” Jesus replied jovially. “It’s nice to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too.” Richard echoed. “Your friends, who are they?” Jesus gestured to his left.
“This is Rick Grimes. He’s the leader of a like-minded community. These are some of his people. We would like to request an audience with King Ezekiel.” Richard blinked to indicate he heard, stepping down off the polished saddle of the horse and looking around, mouthing numbers. He was counting them.
“Get out of the car.” He called, the rest of them exiting the truck they’d pulled up in behind the van. “When you say they’re a like-minded community, like-minded how?”
“We live, we trade, we fight the dead. Sometimes others.” Jesus said, his voice laden with suggestion. Richard frowned and Jesus nodded.
“Line up.” Richard called. Daryl grimaced. They didn’t have time to be frisked and judged by whoever thought himself high and mighty enough to be called a king.
“Alright. This is a waste of time. Come on, let’s go.” He stated, giving Rick a look. Rick looked back sternly.
“Maybe you’re right.” Richard replied. “The King is a busy man, and it’s a dangerous world. We don’t usually allow a pack of strangers to waltz through our door.”
“We want to make the world less dangerous.” Michonne replied diplomatically. "We are all here to show the King how serious we are about that.”
“The car stays outside.” Richard nodded. “You gotta hand over your guns.”
“We only have two.” Rick nodded, handing over his handgun and Carl following suit.
“Okay.” Richard agreed. “Follow me.” He grabbed the reins for his horse and they followed after him, the other rider bringing up the rear.
Daryl was astonished as they were brought into the Kingdom proper. It was gated and guarded, as all communities were, but as they got closer and closer to wherever the King held court, the amount of people grew, and as did the resources. Their gardens and planter boxes were abundant with vegetables and crops, a small group of young men and women jogging after a leader like they were training at the police academy. There were people doing laundry, kids doing art on a picnic table. The Kingdom was plentiful in almost every resource. But the real question was, were they able to fight?
Jesus assured them they could, but Daryl was skeptical. They might train and wear armour, but real skill came from experience, and this place could be just like Alexandria in that regard. As if from nowhere, Morgan appeared, exchanging hugs while Richard ducked inside to announce their request to the King. He came back shortly, explaining that he was ready to greet them.
Daryl’s attention was caught. Rick and Daryl had sent Morgan after Carol shortly after she left, in order to ensure her safety and provide her company, especially after what had happened. Daryl was grateful every day she never witnessed what happened that night, with Negan, but he still missed her. Rick and Daryl stayed behind a minute as the others went in to see the King.
“Did you find Carol?” Rick asked.
“I did, yeah.” Morgan replied. Daryl felt a wash of relief.
“Where is she? Is she okay?” He asked hurriedly.
“She was here, and then she left.” Morgan explained with a soft sigh. “You know, she wasn’t too happy, me following her. She wanted to get away from us, from everyone. But when I found her, she was shot. It was just a graze, I got her back here. They got doctors. They’re good.”
“Was it them?” Daryl asked, his voice gravelly.
“It was.” Morgan confirmed. “She had crossed with some of them, and one of them followed her, tried to kill her, but I stopped him. I… I killed him. I had to. Carol was here. She got help. Now she’s gone.”
Rick took a deep breath and nodded, making his way into the building. Daryl hovered for a moment, letting the loss sink in. It was still a relief, knowing she was taken care of in a time of need, but where was she now? What if she still needed help? The pain didn’t stop, not while the Saviours still lived and breathed.
-
“Jesus! It pleases me to see you, old friend.” The man at the end of the hall said loudly, his voice carrying in the chamber-like room. Which, to be fair, was only chamber-like because of the poorly-painted set backdrop and the wooden throne he sat on. The room was an auditorium, likely for community theatre or events of the like, with set pieces and props removed apart from the throne, the backdrop and the small dais atop the stage where the throne sat.
Richard came up to stand beside Ezekiel like a captain of the guard, though it seemed futile next to his other guard. Which, of course, was a tiger. Like, a real one. A chain was tied around its neck like a leash, held tightly in Ezekiel’s left hand. His other hand clutched a golden sceptre that seemed a little to Daryl like half of an old curtain rod.
At Ezekiel’s other side stood two men. Well, a man and a boy. The boy held a small wooden staff that was far too thick to be anything but a support removed from something, and the man was dressed in what was probably a costume from whatever bad play this had been, a foam axe prop in his hands. Daryl was curious of this was a sick joke. It looked and felt like a fever dream.
“It pleases him, indeed!” The man on the side echoed.
“Jerry.” Ezekiel chastised, the man grinning wide nonetheless. Jesus had a small smile on his face, playing along despite the others’ evident suspicion. “Tell me, what news do you bring good King Ezekiel? Are these new allies you’ve brought me?”
“Indeed they are, Your Majesty.” Jesus confirmed. “This is—“ He turned back to introduce them, faltering at the various shades of what-the-fuck that decorated each of the Alexandrians’ faces. “Oh, right. I forgot to mention the—“
“Yeah, a tiger.” Rick agreed nonchalantly, the sarcasm dripping from every word. As if it recognized the word, the tiger roared loudly, lying down at Ezekiel’s side.
“This is Rick Grimes, the leader of Alexandria, and these are some of his people.” Jesus introduced. They filed down the aisle, a few of them spreading into the rows of seats to get a better look at this so-called king.
“I welcome you all to the Kingdom, good travellers.” Ezekiel called. “Now what brings you to our fair land? Why do you seek audience with the king?” Now that they were closer, Daryl could get a better look at him. Ezekiel wore a baby-blue button down shirt that was printed with stars, and a sherpa-lined brown leather jacket. His grey hair had been twisted into thick locs, a couple vibrant feathers threaded in near his scalp.
“Ezekiel… King Ezekiel,” Rick corrected himself, “Alexandria, The Hilltop and the Kingdom, all three of our communities have something in common. We all serve the Saviours. Alexandria already fought them once, and we won. We thought we took out the threat, but we didn’t know then what we know now. We only beat one outpost. We’ve been told you have a deal with them, that you know them. Then you know they rule through violence and fear.” Ezekiel turned to Jesus, visibly displeased.
“Your Majesty, I only told them of the—“
“Our deal with the Saviours is not known among my people.” Ezekiel said firmly. “For good cause. We made you a party to that secret when you told us of the Hilltop’s own travails, but we did not expect you to share—“
“We can help each other!”
“Don’t interrupt the King.” Jerry said sternly.
“We brought you into our confidence.” Ezekiel growled. “Why did you break it?”
“Because I want you to hear Rick’s plans.” Jesus answered.
“And what plans have you, Rick Grimes of Alexandria?”
“We came to ask the Kingdom, to ask you, to join us in fighting the Saviours, fighting for freedom, for all of us.” Explained Rick.
“What you are asking is very serious.” Ezekiel murmured.
“Several of our people, good people, were killed by the Saviours, brutally.” Michonne said, stepping forward.
“Who?” Morgan asked suddenly, from the sidelines. His brow was knit in concern.
“Abraham.” Rosita answered shortly. “Glenn. Spencer. Olivia. Eugene was taken. They still have Iris. They took Daryl, but he escaped. Every second he’s out here, he’s a target. You gonna say you were right?”
“No.” Morgan replied, forlorn. “I’m… I’m just real sorry they’re gone.”
“Negan murdered Glenn and Abraham.” Rick confirmed. “Beat them to death.”
“Terrorized the Hilltop, set loose walkers to make a point.” Added Sasha.
“I used to think the deal was something we could live with,” Jesus murmured, “A lot of us did. But that’s changing. So let’s change the world, Your Majesty.”
“I want to be honest about what we’re asking.” Rick stated. “My people are strong, but there’s not enough of us. We don’t have guns— not enough, at least. Not a lot of weapons, period.”
“We have people.” Richard cut in, glancing to Ezekiel. “And weapons. If we strike first, together, we can beat them. Your Majesty, no more waiting for things to get worse beyond what we can handle. We set things right. The time is now.”
There was a long pause while they let it sink in, Rick and Michonne nodded their agreement while Ezekiel’s gaze faded to the distance. He sighed, turning to the side.
“Morgan, what say you?” He asked.
“Me?” Morgan asked, looking between his Alexandrian friends and his new king.
“Speak.” Ezekiel bid him.
“People will die,” he said for certain, “a lot of people, and not just the Saviours. It… if we can find another way, we have to.” Rick sighed, shaking his head. “Maybe it’s just about Negan— just capturing him, holding him. Maybe… I—“ Morgan cut himself off, sighing.
“The hour grows late.” Ezekiel stated, standing up from his wooden throne. The tiger at his side growled as she also stood, stepping in front of him protectively. “Rick Grimes of Alexandria, you have given the king much to ponder.”
“When I was a kid, my mother told me a story.” Rick said slowly, stepping forward. “There was a road to a kingdom, and there was a rock in the road. People would just… avoid it, but horses would break their legs on it and die, wagon wheels would come off. People would lose the goods they’d be coming to sell. That’s what happened to a little girl. The cask of beer her family brewed fell right off. It broke. Dirt soaked it all up, and it was gone. That was her family’s last chance. They were hungry, they didn’t have any money. She just sat there and cried, but she wondered why it was still there. For it to hurt someone else.
“So she dug in the dirt at that rock with her bare hands until they bled, used everything she had to pull it out. It took hours. And then… when she was going to fill it up, she saw something in it. It was a bag of gold. The king put that rock in the road because he knew the person who dug it out, who did something, they deserved a reward. They deserved to have their life changed for the good, forever.” Ezekiel patiently listened to Rick’s story, solemnly thinking to himself for a moment when he had finished. No one was dumb enough to think that Rick really heard that story when he was a kid, with a metaphor perfectly fitting their situation, but it was speaking Ezekiel’s language.
“I invite you all to sup with us and stay till the morrow.” Ezekiel stated after his moment.
“Yeah, we need to get back home.” Rick declined.
“I shall deliver my decree in the morn.” Ezekiel retorted decidedly, banging his sceptre on the stage twice to indicate that he had spoken, and what the King declared shall be done. Rick didn’t look too upset by this, amused even. And so they spent their first night in the Kingdom.
-
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