Chapter 29: Favor

Chapter 29: Favor

The trip back through the wastes to Fette was maybe the easiest journey Ive ever been a part of. I rode at the head of a massive convoy of trucks, motorcycles, and anything else that could be cobbled together with scrap metal and wheels, as we roared across the wastes.

I avoided conversation for the most part, which given my appearance wasnt a difficult thing to manage, though I did occasionally share words with Angela. We camped only once during the trip, a convoy as large as ours burned through fuel quickly and they preferred to take one large refueling stop rather than several smaller ones as had been the case when Id ridden with Angelas patrol. The break was spent carousing as much as anything, with Atlan being celebrated for her survival and victory by her people. She also spent a rather long time in a tent alone with the former king of the Rens, soon to be vassal of the horde. I wasnt sure if they were talking or pursuing other things, but either way I made the continued conscious decision that it should not be my problem.

By the end of the day we made it back to Fette, and there was a large amount of engine revving and hollering filling the streets as we arrived. We rode straight through the town and into the Khans tent where Atlan went and stood proudly before her father, the King standing behind her with his eyes facing the ground.

The Khan stood from his table and walked to the edge of the platform to look over his daughter, her prize, and the rest of us. I could see one of the older wives standing just slightly behind him and beaming with pride.

The Khan looked at his daughter. Atlan. What do you have to say and report?

This was theater, I realized, as I watched him address his heir. There was no way a runner hadnt already made his way back here to the Khan and given him all the information on what had transpired. It was smart, he clearly favored this daughter and this was a good way of showing that favor without being too direct about it.

Khan, I have traveled deep into the black woods. I found the source of the disappearances within, as well as a settlement of people who live behind walls of Stone. I have captured their leader, and brought him before you to swear fealty.

Atlans large male bodyguard pushed the king forward and made him kneel. The Khan leapt down from his platform and stood above him.

What is your name? he asked.

I am the king of the Rens, he replied, looking up at the king with the first bit of spine Id seen from him since hed been captured.

That is your title, and you may keep it at my discretion, but I asked for your name.

The King continued to meet his eyes. Leroy.

Leroy, do you swear to provide tribute to the Iron Horde? To honor us and be a part of our glorious Khanate?

He looked down. I do.

The Khan lifted Leroy up by the shoulders and embraced him. Then welcome. You are no longer a prisoner, but a guest. You will eat at my table today and be treated as a brother.

Leroy looked surprised, but nodded, and was led to the Khans table by one of the wives.

It was midday by the time I reached the place where the small favor Id requested would be performed. I stood by the black boxes that Springfield had placed so far from their walls to put the newly dead in for the Undertakers to recover. I was on a motorcycle, flanked by two others, and behind us rode three trucks with .50 Caliber machine guns mounted to them. I rode the rest of the way up to the gate, and fired my pistol in the air once to get the attention of those manning it. A few moments after Id fired, three men appeared at the top of the gate.

The one in the lead spoke up. We just gave a tribute a week ago. We dont owe nuthin now.

Open the doors or we blast them down, I yelled, giving the gate a firm kick with my boot to emphasize my point.

I heard some cursing from above me, but it was only a minute later that the gate swung open and let us through. We drove the short distance from the gate to the town, and by the time wed arrived a small group of men with guns was there to meet us. One of them, a man with a long handlebar mustache, stepped in front of the others.

Now, whats all this about? Were up to date on our tribute, and we havent called for assistance with anything. If youre here to round up any engineers or soldiers we got, you took em all the last time, we ain't got none left.

I took this moment to remove my bandana and goggles. That drew a gasp from everyone, and the man with the mustache took an involuntary step backwards. Im not here for tribute, I said, stepping off my bike and drawing a long noose from my belt.

The man managed to find his spine long enough to talk again. Hey now, we dont let none of you deadmen into our town. You best turn around and get out of here.

One of the men whod ridden next to me on his bike stepped forward and smacked the man with the back of his hand. Youre speaking to a marshall who acts with the authority of the Khan. No towns are closed to him.

The man brought his hand to his face, his eyes practically bulging from his head. A deadman marshall. Theres just no way. He looked at me more closely, and his eyes widened.

I assumed hed just used a skill to determine my job, and in doing so he managed to confirm his own for me.

You the mayor? I asked.

Ye-Yes, I-I am.

You the one that decided it was okay to leave baby deadmen out in a box in the hot sun with no food, water, or comfort?

We-well I just. Theyre not allowed in here. I meanwhat were doing is merciful. We used to just kill em.

I walked towards him. Several of his men went to raise their guns, but they were stopped by the sound of a 50. Cal swinging in their direction. The man stumbled as he backed up, and I gripped him by the collar and lifted him, placing the noose around his neck and tightening it before dropping him and dragging him by it toward my bike. He was kicking and screaming the whole way, but I didnt let that stop me. I tied the other end of the rope to my bike, and revved the engine. I heard a few more protests and then I started driving. I passed through the gate and made a long leisurely trip around the walls of the town, letting Springfield hear their mayors screams as I did so. When I was certain theyd all heard it, I gunned the engine to make sure the man was dead. After that I drove back through the gate. I untied the now mangled corpse from the back of my bike and dragged it into the center of the town. I looked out on the people whod gathered from the noise.

Listen up! I yelled. From now on, you take care of any deadmen born here until the undertakers arrive. You let them in through the front gate, and you thank them for the pleasure of their company. I cast a long sweeping glance over all of them. If you find out a neighbor has harmed a young deadman, you will be rewarded for telling the horde what occurred, but if you harm them then I will pay you another visit, and next time it wont just be your mayor. I walked back through the town, got onto my bike, and left. The patrol that had come with me, followed closely as we returned to Fette. The small favor Id requested of the Khan had been to borrow his men and authority for that visit, the large favor, of course, had been the bike.