“It’s worth a try,” Crusher added.
“You ready?” Gulture asked Lalindra.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied.
The two concentrated all their magic to try to heal David. After several minutes, they gave up, exhausted beyond imagine.
“I’m sorry, but that won’t work either,” Gulture said through heavy breaths.
While people had been worrying about David, Dorris had slowly made her way next to David. She closed her eyes and put her hands over David’s heart. Dorris’ hands started to glow blue and David’s wounds began to heal. Everyone stopped talking and watched in awe as Dorris performed her miracle. Eventually, David opened his eyes and stood up. Everyone cheered David when he stood up and they swarmed both he and Dorris. Both individuals were smothered with thank yous, hugs, and kisses.
“We have to save Dawayne,” David said as he picked up Dorris and ran up the stairs of the tower.
David, Dorris, and Lalindra entered the room where Dawayne was.
“Glad to see some people still think I’m important,” Dawayne whined.
“Do your thing,” David instructed Dorris.
She did as she was told and soon Dawayne was completely healed.
After more hugs and kisses and congratulations, David asked,
“Where is Borin?”
Brad shook his head. “He didn’t make it. Tor killed him as well as Tare and Maria.”
It took David some time, but he finally got over the loss of his friends.
David looked at the battlefield, which was now covered with dead bodies.
“Terrible, isn’t it?” he said.
“Yes, but this was the price we had to pay,” said Dawayne.
David picked up Dorris, kissed her on the cheek, thanked her for saving his life, and took her over to the window. David yelled out the window.
“We now have peace!!”
Everyone outside cheered.
chapter 10
A New Kingdom
“Who are you?” David asked the men who had led the two armies.
“I am Joseph and this is Charles,” the leader of the first army said. “We came to help you battle Krag and are happy to have been of some service.”
“Yes, but how did you know that we were battling Krag?” David asked.
“Everyone in the world knows about the Army of Peace. We were going to join your army. My wizard, Remel, can find anyone in the world with his magic. We asked him to find you and discovered that you were battling Krag and the scavengers. So we came to your aid,” Charles finished.
“Well thank you, but now I must go home. I have the unpleasant task of telling people that their fathers and husbands are now dead,” said David.
“Wait. We were to bring back Princess Lalindra. She is to rule our kingdom since our king was her father,” Joseph said.
“Joseph?” Lalindra said as she came over to the group of me. “And Charles too. I thought those were your banners that the armies that helped us carried.”
“We need you to come rule our kingdom. As you know, your father was sick and yesterday he died,” said Joseph.
David was about to comfort Lalindra and was surprised to see that she was taking it well.
“We would really enjoy the survivors of this battle to join our army. You have some of the best men and now that you’re hardly an army . . .” Charles started.
“Hardly an army?!” David yelled. “We attacked Krag while the rest of you waited for him to attack you!”
“I’m sorry. I did not mean to sound insulting. I just meant to say that now your army is smaller than half a regiment and we should combine forces. We would be honored if you would join our army,” Charles apologized.
“We can’t join both of your armies,” Brad said.
“Our two kingdoms are one since now both kings are dead and they were brothers. We wish for Lalindra to choose a husband and rule both kingdoms. So will you join us and become part of our kingdom?” Joseph asked.
Lalindra looked at David, who nodded his head in acknowledgement that they would join.
“We accept,” said Lalindra.
“Good. When we get back to our kingdom, you can meet some men who wish to be your husband,” Charles said to Lalindra.
“No need. I’ve already chosen one,” Lalindra said as she slipped her hand into David’s.
“Are you serious?” David asked her.
“I’ve never been more so in my entire life,” Lalindra answered.
The two kissed each other.
“Great. Now David will be our king instead of the captain of the guards,” said Joseph.
“You must then choose two men to be the captain of the guards for our two cities. One for Sunshine Plains and another for Sweet Meadow,” said Charles.
“I choose Crusher for Sunshine Plains and Tricks for . . . wait a minute, where is Tricks?” David asked as he scanned the crowd of spectators.
“Right here,” Tricks said, walking forward. “I had been trapped in a cave under the cliff and Gulture just found me and used his magic to levitate me back up here.”
“OK, like I was saying. Crusher will be at Sunshine Plains and Tricks will be at Sweet Meadow,” David said.
“We accept,” both Tricks and Crusher said together.
It took a couple more hours, but finally the army went back to their mountain paradise. Many different men took the duty of telling families that their fathers or husbands were dead. David would have done it himself, but everyone thought that friends of the family that did survive should deliver the news. Those that had lost family members decided to stay at the mountain to live and so did a lot of other people. The rest went to either Sweet Meadow or Sunshine Plains to live. David and Lalindra lived together at Sweet Meadow where they ruled very fairly. Dorris was adopted by the two as their daughter. Of course they hand more adventures which shall be told another day. Like the time they . . .
The End
Please read on for an excerpt from my new comedy, Zombie Walkabout.
Awoman’s blood-curdling scream pierced the night sky. The beautiful and busty woman desperately stampeded over the discarded debris of an obviously abandoned city. Towering buildings looked to be mere moments before gravity would topple them. The young woman’s clothes were torn in a suggestive fashion; somehow, fate had ensured all her intimate anatomy was conveniently covered.
The woman frantically looked over her shoulder. The sight behind her urged her to increase her speed, anything to defy the cruel providence of her reality.
“Please! Anyone? Help me!” she shrieked.
The woman ran down a dead-end alley and frantically banged on the locked door near the back wall. Sinister shuffling from behind made the woman jerk her head. Near the opening of the alley, several lumbering zombies slowly advanced on her position. Their bodies were horrifically disfigured. They defied logic as they lurched forward with broken limbs trailing them and entrails spilling from their stomachs. The woman panicked and continued to pound on the door, growing more terrified with each passing second as the zombies staggered forward.
Suddenly the door denying the woman rescue dramatically swung open. She fell to the ground and looked hopefully at the opening, now filled with a pure white light. Its brilliance forced the woman to cover her face and turn away.
A lone figure filled the doorway. He was dressed head to toe in chainmail armor. He held a shield and a gleaming broadsword. The hero stepped through the door and faced the woman.
“Are these gentlemen bothering you?” the hero asked her.
The woman sat in stunned silence. The hero faced the zombies, now precariously close.
“No means no!” the hero shouted at the walking dead.
The hero then promptly defeated the zombies as a cheesy 80s rock song began to play.
Sam internally scoffed as he watched the promotional video in the preparation room at Zombie Walkabout. The quality of the film was insulting. Zombie Walkabout was the dream va
cation for all adrenaline-loving tourists. The cost of the tickets to get there seemed to indicate that the video could be improved. Where was the Hollywood production value? Whatever. Sam forced himself to pay attention. He flexed his corded muscles as he imagined swinging the sword that decapitated the last zombie.
Sam was an athletic man in his mid-twenties. Though his friends often stood a few inches taller, none were willing to train with him. They often told him how it was bad enough he was better looking with bigger muscles; they didn’t want to confirm how much stronger he actually was.
“God this is corny! Is this really what we’re spending our money on?” a woman asked.
Sam looked at her. Ava was always the downer. She felt the need to complain at everything. Honestly, Sam was surprised she even came on the trip. More than a few would have preferred her stay home in Minnesota.
“Shut up! We need to pay attention!” a man said.
Sam figured he could count on Ash to pick another fight with Ava. Although both were the same age as Sam, Ava consistently behaved several years older while Ash acted the commensurate number of years younger.
On the television, a well-dressed, athletic man in his early forties spoke with an Australian accent as he addressed the audience. He stood among the carnage that the hero left. The owner of Zombie Walkabout, Thomas Owens, nonchalantly stepped over severed limbs as he addressed the prospective zombie hunters viewing the promotional video.
“Ten years ago this was the fate of Australia. Fortunately, the brave men and women of the Australian military were able to evacuate many survivors and isolate the plague.” Thomas paused for a somber moment of silence. He then looked up with an inviting smile. “That was then. Now the pandemic of the past offers you the adventure of the future. Thank you for your interest in Zombie Walkabout. I know you will remember this amazing experience for the rest of your life. If any of you are having second thoughts, this is the last chance to bugger out and still receive a full refund. Although you may be dressed in the most state of the art armor, zombie hunting is still inherently dangerous.”
Thomas paused. Nobody in the room shifted.
Like hell I’m passing on this opportunity, Sam thought.
The recording of Thomas continued. “Ace! If you’re still here then I salute your intrepidness. I also remind you that in our seven-year history, we’ve never had a fatality or infection. Your armor is more than safe and your guides are trained in all the most advanced combat and paramedic skills. Please wait a few minutes and your guides will be out to introduce themselves and get you suited up for adventure. Good hunting, mates!”
The promotional video ended with more rock and roll blaring as the hero aggressively made out with the hot woman over several dismembered zombie bodies.
Ava rolled her eyes, and Ash stifled his anger with her. Sam ignored them as he judged the reactions of his remaining friends. The rest of the group included Eli, Kellen, Cammy, and Calli. They were all in their early to mid-twenties, except Cammy, who was only seventeen. Ava looked bored and agitated. Kellen, Cammy, Ash, and Eli just seemed relieved the video was over. Thankfully, Calli looked appropriately anxious. Eli made a good choice when he’d asked her to marry him.
“Finally!” Sam said. “Time to crush some zombie skulls.”
“Hell yeah!” Calli shouted. “Best engagement trip ever!”
Ash shook his head after Calli spoke and looked at Eli to voice his obvious disapproval. “Eli, bro, what the hell? Why is your fiancée present for our bachelor party?”
“Our party?” Sam felt compelled to ask.
Ash didn’t even glance at Sam. He waved him off with a flap of his hand. “Shut up.”
Eli spoke before Sam could grab Ash in a good-natured, but firm headlock. “Because, Ash, it’s my bachelor party, and I want my wife-to-be present for it.”
Ash snorted. “Said no man ever.”
“She cares about this more than I do. I wouldn’t be getting married if I took this trip and left her at home,” Eli said.
“That’s for damn sure,” Calli stated while firing off a pair of finger pistols.
“Which brings up my second point,” Ash started. “You don’t care about zombies, but I know you enjoy ogling titties. Why are we even in Australia? The money spent on this trip could have paid for a lifetime of lap dances.”
Ava pushed herself up from the leather couch she’d sunk into and marched toward Ash with an accusatory finger. “You’re such a misogynistic ass clown! You didn’t even pay for this trip! Kellen did!”
All heads turned toward the quiet and reserved benefactor.
Kellen held up his hands to barricade himself from any glances. “Please don’t bring me into this.”
“Kellen, I respect you for bringing out the dollars for this,” Ash began. “I’m just saying this trip seems to be taken for the wrong reasons.”
Ava poked Ash in the chest with a highly manicured finger. “No one asked you to come! At least you aren’t a single parent, like some of us.”
Shit, Sam thought. Not this fight again.
Ash slapped her hand away. The smack sounded harder than most would consider polite.
“Bitch!” Ash yelled. “You are not a single parent! You’re just a slut who got caught cheating and divorced as a result! Your ex can always be relied on to watch the kids, something that real single parents don’t have.”
Sam sighed. He rolled his eyes and backed away to the wall opposite the television. He leaned next to a cracked-open door. One parent or another had gifted him with excellent hearing. Sam used this ability to eavesdrop on the two Zombie Walkabout employees that had instructed them to watch the twenty-minute safety video.
Mark and Chloe were the guides for Sam’s tour of Zombie Walkabout. Mark was a strong man in his fifties. He had the stereotypical outback vibe going on. His bushy beard and steely eyes added to his mystique. Chloe was a fit woman in her forties. Sam noticed she seemed to have an ever present smile. It complemented the laugh lines punctuating her face. Clearly, she was a woman who enjoyed life.
“This is just great,” Mark said with a subtle accent. “We’ve a bunch of Yanks.”
Chloe’s voice had a stronger Australian accent, but it sounded sweet and motherly. “It won’t be that bad.”
“Not that bad?” Mark asked. “Have you looked at them? They were only here long enough to watch a short video and already we’ve got the earbashing Sheila going at it with that figjam.”
“Yeah, but they paid in advance for the private package,” Chloe responded. “Money is money. Just pile on the extra-thick accent, and we’ll make a pretty quid.”
Sam could practically hear Mark smile as he said, “Ace! Let’s start the show.”
Chloe and Mark entered the prep room and walked into a loud screaming match. Sam quickly jumped from the wall and acted as if he hadn’t been invading their privacy. Mark marched straight toward the main culprits of the shouting match, Ava and Ash. Chloe smirked a little as she looked at Sam before following her partner.
“Stop screaming at my Maid of Honor!” Calli shouted at Ash.
“There’s plenty of room on my shit list for you, too!” Ash responded.
Now it was Eli’s turn to get into Ash’s face. Sam half expected Eli to push Ash and begin their vacation with a full-out brawl.
“Bro, don’t speak to her like that!” Eli shouted at Ash.
Mark cleared his throat. None of the hunters beside Sam seemed to notice. Mark blew a whistle instead and got his intended result.
“G’day, mates. I’m glad to see we have a spirited group. It always makes for a more exciting trip,” Mark said.
Chloe held out her hand. “Thank you for your interest in Zombie Walkabout. Please have a seat.”
The hunters regained their composure. Chloe gestured toward the comfortable leather chairs and couches. Sam and his six friends silently took their seats. Kellen pulled Ash to the farthest chair from Ava. She likewise had Calli and Cammy attempt
to calm her down with soft pats on her back. After he forcefully cleared his throat, the perspective hunters gave their attention.
“Good. My name is Mark Tanaka, and this lovely lady is Chloe White.”
Cammy tried to stifle a giggle, but she was unsuccessful. She covered her face as several in the room stared at her.
“Something funny?” Mark asked with crossed arms.
Cammy stared sheepishly at the floor after being called out. Still, the defiant teenager in her apparently had to share with the group.
“Nothing Mawk,” Cammy teased. “Don’t you know there’s an R in your name?”
Mark sighed and shook his head. Calli nudged Cammy with her elbow.
Mark aggressively rubbed his face before speaking. “You Yanks always seem to think that only your way is right. I know my own name, but feel free to piss the guy off who will have a gun on this trip.”
Calli stared at Cammy with pleading eyes. “Sis, please don’t. Just behave. I need this trip.”
Cammy offered a weak smile. “Sorry. I apologize.”
Mark shrugged. “Fair enough. Let’s start again. My name is Mark and this lovely lady is Chloe. We’ll be your guides during the greatest holiday of your life!”
The group cheered. Sam clapped extra long. He was thankful the tense situation seemed easily forgotten.
Chloe offered one of her radiant smiles. “Before we get started, let’s go over the rules of the hunt. First, Mark and I are in charge. If at any point you don’t listen to us, we’ll end the trip early. You won’t receive a refund. It’s dangerous out there, and we’re not going to lose a perfect record to a bunch of cowboys.”
Mark took over. The two guides seemed like they were performing a familiar dance that they’d long ago memorized every nuance. “Rule two: You will obviously have weapons, but only Chloe and I will have firearms. The armor you’ll all be issued is strong enough to protect against the blunt weapons you’ll get. You shouldn’t even hear a shot.”
Chloe’s turn again. “Besides, I know a group with such spunk young men would prefer a melee fight. See which of you can launch a ZB head the farthest.”
Sam’s smile spread further. His friends looked equally chuffed as their egos were stroked.
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