Apocalypse Empire (Book 1): Apocalypse Origins (35 page)

Greg nodded and Reel and his remaining men headed back the
way they came as quickly as they could. They were about twenty men remaining by
Greg's estimate. "Have some men follow them, make sure they leave."

James nodded and started calling names. 

***

Reel walked as swiftly as he legs would carry him. That had
been a close call. Add this to the list of indignities Dray had put him through.
He'd walked directly into ambush! Only his smooth talking had seen him survive
the day. He should've aborted the plan when they had been fired upon. He saw
now that those men had been buying time for the rest of their forces to set up
the ambush. He'd miscalculated, thought that a bunch of survivors couldn't
possibly out maneuver he highly trained men. He'd survive this
though. He'd return to Emerald Falls and take it over from within. Surely he
could subvert some of Dray's men to his cause. Then, he'd return and crush this
upstart. The man thought he'd buy him some time and that would be true to some
extent. But he'd return and crush him once Dray was out of the way and the
tower was his."

***

The Gregorian Guard returned to a hero's welcome. They'd
radioed ahead to announce their victory and everyone was back in the streets by
the time they arrived. Greg walked at the head and Brian knew he'd made the
right decision. Everyone quieted as the guard came to a halt and Greg took a
few steps forward.

Brian watched as Greg came to stand in front of him. He had
to admit the man cut a dashing figure the way he stood with his hand resting on
the hilt like a king of old. Brian nodded to himself, that was it right there.
This man wasn't a mayor or governor or anything like that. He wasn't a
politician at all. This man saw what needed doing and did it. You could either
go along with it or not. Brian got down on one knee. "Kneel before your
king!" he called out.

There were a few moments where people processed what he said
then one by one, everyone got down on one knee. Greg looked around and saw that
everyone was kneeling, the people of Lakeside and the guard alike. Everyone
from camp was here as well. He caught Carol's eye and she smiled. He hadn't
been expecting this but it was fitting. Hadn't he led them here just as he said
he would? Hadn't he fought to keep them safe?

"On behalf of Lakeside," Brian began, "we
accept your authority as our king. Lead, and we'll follow."

A simple oath but i got the point across and Greg knew it
was genuine. He'd have no problem here, these were now his people. "I
accept your oath," he called out in a loud voice. "Now hear my oath
to you. So long as I breathe I will fight for you. I will purge the infected
from our land and I will destroy any who come against us. I will give you
peace. Not the peace of cooperating with those who would hurt us. But peace in
that no one will dare to come against us!"

In the silence that followed James shouted, "Long live
the king!" A moment later the shout was taken up by all. "Long live
the King! Long live the King!"

As their voices washed over him Greg smiled. He'd had no
idea that his life would take this direction. Who would have thought he'd lead
a ragtag group of survivors to safety? But he knew it was right. This was his
destiny. He was king.